With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, its brand new high-end smartphone, Google is continuing the progress made on previous models. It’s a shame that the very promising AI functions are not yet all accessible in France.

With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, its brand new high-end smartphone, Google is continuing the progress made on previous models. It’s a shame that the very promising AI functions are not yet all accessible in France.

Google and artificial intelligence are a story that goes back a long way. After a somewhat chaotic start (Bard’s misfortunes sparked a fair bit of mockery), the Mountain View firm has managed to master this technology. So much so that it can be found, in pieces, in most smartphone manufacturers that rely on Google’s expertise in the field to claim the presence of AI in their devices. But with its Pixels, Google maintains a small lead. While its new Pixel 9 series smartphones, including the 9 Pro XL that we are testing here, feature a fairly expected hardware evolution, it is indeed on the software side that the firm stands out with some pretty spectacular results, particularly in the field of photography. Thus, just like with Samsung, the software comes to the aid of the hardware when the latter reaches a level that is currently difficult to surpass.

We were able to test the Pixel 9 Pro XL (which differs from the Pixel 9 Pro by a larger screen and a more efficient charging module) for several weeks. Here is our verdict.

Pixel 9 Pro XL review: a well-polished design

Since the Pixel 6, Google has been expertly retouching the design of its smartphones while maintaining a very particular style. The 2024 vintage is no exception. The look of the Pixel 9 Pro XL is in line with its predecessors. The device retains a wide crossbar on the back that houses the photo modules. A small change compared to the previous generation: it no longer occupies the entire width of the back but takes the shape of an oblong pill.

The effect is successful and the materials (aluminum and matte glass) are retained quite premium. For the edges, Apple’s inspiration strikes once again. We find very flat aluminum edges and slightly rounded corners. Beautiful work. Let us also remember that this Pixel 9 Pro XL benefits, like the others, from software monitoring set at 7 years.

On the front side, it is also a success with an Oled screen with a definition of 2992 X 1344 pixels for a resolution of 486 dpi refreshed at 120 Hz. It is an LTPO panel which has the particularity of being very bright. The firm indicates a peak at 3000 nits in HDR). We were able to appreciate it under the Breton sun (yes, yes) without being disturbed by the strong ambient light (yes, yes).

Pixel 9 Pro XL review: mixed performance

Technical sheet

Google’s smartphones have never really shone in benchmarks that analyze raw performance. The Pixel 9 Pro XL continues the tradition. However, it is equipped with the new in-house chip, Tensor G4, which is supposed to be, of course, more powerful than the previous three generations. It is the case, but with very little difference compared to last year’s Tensor G3.

However, this Pixel 9 Pro XL does not suffer from any slowdowns on a daily basis. The interface remains very fluid and smooth. We did not encounter any difficulty regardless of the app launched. In games, it is not a power monster either. With our reference title Genshin Impact, we were able to reach 40 images per second with a level of detail set to high. But be careful: the device tends to heat up. The screen in particular, in games but also when it is on for long periods, can reach quite high and unpleasant temperatures.

Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Well-thought-out AI features

Where we expect Pixel smartphones is obviously in the field of artificial intelligence. The magic eraser and the “circle to search” function are now available on many devices. Google therefore had to stand out. This is the case with the Add Me tool. This is the one that impressed us the most. It allows, on a group photo, to add the photographer by taking two shots. And it is extremely effective even if there are sometimes a few failures.

Another original function: Reinvent. After selecting an area of ​​the image to modify, you just have to indicate in a few words what you want to modify. For example, you could add animals, change a sky, replace grass with a field of flowers, etc. Almost anything is allowed, as long as an Internet connection is available. Generative AI needs access to the network to offer different results.

Unfortunately, some functions currently available in the United States are missing (in France). This is the case with Pixel Screenshot, which makes it very easy to find screenshots, Pixel Studio, which allows the generation of images from simple prompts, or call synthesis, with which Google’s AI can summarize the content of a phone call in text form so that nothing is forgotten about the discussion once the conversation is over.

Pixel 9 Pro XL test: excellent in photos

Since the Pixel 3, Google has always stood out from the crowd, and taught many lessons to other manufacturers, in the field of photography. Last year, the Pixel 8 pro excelled. For this summer 2024, the Pixel 9 Pro XL retains the same assets. And for good reason, the on-board equipment is essentially the same. We therefore have, as last year, a 50 Mpx wide-angle (f / 1.68), a 48 Mpx ultra-wide-angle (f / 1.7) and a 4 Mpx 5x telephoto lens (f / 2.8). Only the selfie camera on the front benefits from an evolution going from a meager 10.5 Mpx sensor to a 42 Mpx module.

During the day, the wide-angle still gives as much pleasure. The images have an excellent sharpness, the colors remain natural and the brightness remains very well managed. Obviously the software work of Google with its algorithms with little onions is not insignificant in these results but it goes completely unnoticed on the final shot. We do not note any aberration or exaggeration. Everything is perfectly dosed.

The 5x optical telephoto lens also provides excellent results. It is possible to climb to 10x without loss and even up to 30x where the algorithms sometimes struggle to hide the limitations of the lenses. Nevertheless, the result remains very clean. And just in case, the Super Res Zoom, a software technique specific to Pixels, comes to the rescue to erase artifacts and smooth out details without removing them too much to deliver very rich shots.

For its part, the ultra wide-angle of the Pixel 9 Pro XL proves its effectiveness with a very controlled edge distortion that more expensive devices can envy. We just note colors a little more faded than with the wide-angle. Nothing that can’t be easily corrected, however.

At night, the Pixel 9 Pro XL retains the strengths always highlighted by its predecessors. The shots remain very sharp, especially with the wide-angle module. The colors are present and the scene retains a beautiful natural appearance.

Pixel 9 Pro XL review: perfectible battery life and charging

Battery life has never been the Pixel’s strong point, regardless of the range. This year again, it’s not the panacea, even if there is some improvement. With our PC Mark benchmark that simulates several activities, the device lasted 14 hours and 55 minutes while keeping 18% of battery in reserve. In reality, this translates to a day and a half of typical use. But with more intensive use, if you spend your time having fun with the artificial intelligence functions and the camera, it’s better to plan on a day of use.

On the charging side, Google is boasting this year about offering fast charging on its high-end smartphone. Don’t expect an insane 100 W of power as is the case with many Chinese manufacturers. Fast charging at Google can qualify for a power of 37 W. Moreover, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the only one to offer this capacity in the range. That’s to say it’s a luxury! Moreover, to take advantage of it, you’ll have to spend another 35 euros to get the 45 W home charger. Connected to our 100 W Anker charger, the Pixel 9 Pro XL went from 0 to 100% battery in 1h10. It’s still a bit slow.

Pixel 9 Pro XL review: a smartphone in the making

With this 9 Pro XL, Google once again shows its expertise in mastering photography and artificial intelligence. And yet, at the time of writing, all the AI-related functions unveiled during the official presentation are not yet available in France. The Pixel can therefore only be enriched over time. It will also be, as is tradition, the first to welcome Android 15 in a few weeks. In the meantime, Google is delivering with this new Pixel an edition that can once again teach the competition a lesson… without however managing to correct its main flaw: autonomy. For the price, starting at 1199 euros all the same, up from last year, we expected better on this point. As powerful as it is, artificial intelligence seems unable to come to its rescue to get it out of this impasse. Unless Android 15 and better optimization come to reverse this trend. We will check the device’s battery life again once Android 15 is in place.