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UPDATE (January 10, 2025): Google has started to roll out the January 2025 Android security patch to the Pixel 9 Pro. Read more about it at the end of the article.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is the same size as the Pixel 9, but it’s just as powerful as the Pixel 9 Pro XL. So the most accurate description of this phone is that it’s the smaller Pixel 9 Pro XL, basically. It shares the vast majority of specs with its ‘Pro XL’ sibling, that’s for sure. For those of you who want a rather compact smartphone, and still have a flagship in your hands, this is the device for you.
The Pixel 9 Pro is not exactly small, but it’s compact, especially compared to its larger sibling. The phone has a lot to offer overall, though it is pricier than the Pixel 9. In this article, we’ll talk more about the device, and share a ton of information with you. We’ll hopefully be able to help you make a purchasing decision.
Google Pixel 9 Pro specs
The Google Pixel 9 Pro includes a 6.3-inch 2856 x 1280 OLED display. That is a ‘Smooth Display’, and it offers a refresh rate of up to 120Hz (1-120Hz). This is an LTPO panel, in case that’s not obvious. The display is flat, and it has a 20:9 aspect ratio. Its peak brightness is 3,000 nits, HDR is supported, and the panel is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The Google Tensor G4 fuels this smartphone. Google also included a Titan M2 coprocessor here. Thep hone offers 16GB of RAM and four storage options, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models. The availability could vary based on your region, of course.
The phone supports wireless charging
A 4,700mAh battery is included on the inside here. The phone supports wired charging up to 27W, and wireless charging up to 21W. Reverse wireless charging is also on offer. Google says you can get up to 55% of charge in about 30 minutes by using its proprietary 45W charger. Do note that the charger is not included in the retail box, though. Android 14 comes pre-installed on the phone, not Android 15. That’s because this smartphone launched early, in July instead of October. Android 15 is right around the corner. Speaking of updates, Google is offering 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates here.
It has three cameras on the back
There are three cameras on the back of the Pixel 9 Pro. A 50-megapixel main camera (f/1.68 aperture, 82-degree FoV, 1/31-inch sensor size, OIS, EIS) is backed by a 48-megapixel ultrawide unit (f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree FoV, 1/2.55-inch sensor size). The third camera on the back is a 48-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (f/2.8 aperture, 22-degree FoV, 5x optical zoom, Super Res Zoom up to 30x, 1/2.55-inch sensor size, OIS, EIS). A unit on the front is a 42-megapixel camera (f/2.2 aperture, 103-degree FoV).
This phone supports a dual SIM setup (nano SIM + eSIM), and it has an IP68 certification for water and dust resistance. An in-display fingerprint scanner is included here, while facial scanning is also on offer. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 sits on the back of the phone, while stereo speakers are included. The phone measures 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm, while it weighs 199 grams.
How much does the Google Pixel 9 Pro cost?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro comes in a single RAM model and four storage variants. Not all of those models will be available in all markets, however. The phone’s pricing starts at $999, that’s the price for its 128GB storage model in the US. Price tags will be different in different markets, of course.
When will the Google Pixel 9 Pro become available?
It is currently unknown when will the Pixel 9 Pro hit the shelves. Its ‘Pro XL’ sibling is coming on August 22, but Google didn’t share the info for the Pixel 9 Pro. All the company said is that the date will be shared “before shipping begins in September”.
Where can I buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is available to purchase at all of the usual places. That goes for both the carriers and the retailers. You can get the phone from the Google Store directly, opt for a retailer, or get it through one of the carriers, it’s up to you. We’ve added the best-known places in the US to buy the phone below, in case you’re interested. We’ll be adding purchase links as they become available.
– Google Store
– Amazon
– Best Buy
– Verizon
– AT&T
– T-Mobile
What carriers does it work on?
Much like its siblings, the Google Pixel 9 Pro will work on all users carriers, basically. That was the case with the Pixel 8 series and is the case with the Pixel 9 phones. You’ll be able to use the phone on AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and also all of their MVNOs, so there’s nothing to worry about in terms of compatibility.
What colors does the Google Pixel 9 Pro come in?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is coming in four color options, like its sibling. Some of the colors are the same but not all of them. These colors do have special, Googley names. The phone was announced in Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain, and Rose Quartz colors. In plain terms, those are gray, black, white, and pink colors.
What countries will the Pixel 9 Pro be available in, officially?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is available in a number of countries, across several continents. Check out the list below for more information.
– North America: US, Canada
– EMEA: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Estonia, Germany, Hungary,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, UK
– APAC: Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan
What new upgrades and/or notable features does the Google Pixel 9 Pro offer?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro does come with a ton of features, it has plenty to offer. This smartphone is basically brand new in the lineup, as the Pixel 9 is technically the successor of the Pixel 8. The Pixel 9 Pro is the smaller version of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. That makes it immensely powerful, and along with the ‘XL’ model, the most powerful Pixel 9 phone Google released. Let’s see what the phone has to offer, and what are its main selling points.
AI cannot be avoided
As expected, we’re getting a lot of AI features with the Pixel 9 series. Google is releasing a Pixel Weather app, which will be able to offer an AI weather summary. Pixel Screenshots feature will utilize AI too, and Pixel Studio will use AI for image generation, and to boost creativity in general. Clear Calling will be boosted by AI too, and Gemini is getting smarter all around.
Google Tensor G4 is an improvement
The Google Tensor G4 is an improvement over the Tensor G3. It’s not a huge boost, it seems, but it’s an improvement nonetheless. It offers 17% faster app launching, says the company, and 20% faster web browsing. It is optimized to run Gogole’s most advanced AI model efficiently. It’s also worth saying that the Titan M2 coprocessor is here, for security purposes.
The camera performance should be better than ever
Google has issued a number of changes to the camera performance this time around. The company rebuilt the entire HDR pipeline, while we should see some nice improvements with Real Tone too. Night Sight got boosted too, and the new ‘Add Me’ feature should also be interesting. Google’s Magic Editor is getting two new features, Auto Frame and Reimagine. The first one recomposes shots for you, while the second uses prompts to reimagine the entire photo, if you want.
A lot of power in a compact body
Unlike last year, this time around Google opted to release two equally powerful smartphones as its flagships. The Pixel 9 Pro is basically a smaller variant of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It does not lose its prowess in the camera department or anything of the sort.
7 years of software updates
You’ll be well-covered with updates too. The Pixel 9 Pro will be receiving updates for 7 years. That goes for OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates. Google is basically continuing the practice it started with the Pixel 8 series.
Matte camera bar
Unlike the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro has a matte camera bar. The Pixel 9 Pro trumps the Pixel 8 Pro in that regard. Why is matte better? Well, it does pick up scuffs as much as the glossy alternative, plus it looks better in our opinion.
What cases are available for the Google Pixel 9 Pro?
Google announced its official cases for the Pixel 9 Pro. In addition to that, a number of ‘Made for Google’ cases are on offer from Google’s partners. You can find all of those on Google store. Mous, Bellroy, Otterbox, and more companies are listed there. You can check out all of the cases on offer by clicking here.
We will, however, focus on Google’s very own case. This case is made out of silicone, and it’s “shock-absorbent”. There is a microfiber lining included on the inside. The case costs $34.99, and you can buy it from this link. The case comes in Hazel, Obsidian, Peony, Porcelain, Rose Quartz, and Wintergreen colors.
We also have a roundup of our top Pixel 9 Pro picks when it comes to cases. A number of third-party offerings are listed here, in case you’re interested.
Should I buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro?
If you really like the idea of a more compact flagship, but you need a periscope telephoto camera, the Pixel 9 Pro is the phone for you. It’s a step above the Pixel 9, and yet it’s just as compact. This phone is basically a smaller variant of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which is great, as Google didn’t really cut corners with the smaller device, as it did in the past. If you’d like to know more about the Google Pixel 9 Pro, our full review is available.
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Updated September 6, 2024: (September 2024 security update)
The September 2024 Android security update has started landing on the Google Pixel 9 Pro. This update delivers the September 2024 security patch, and delivers one specific fix. It improves Wi-Fi stability and performance in certain conditions, following some reports from users. This update is rolling out in stages. Some of you may have already received it, and some will get it soon, so be patient.
Updated September 27, 2024: (repair parts & screen protectors)
The Google Pixel 9 Pro repair parts are actually more affordable as a whole. The thing is, repair parts for the cameras are more expensive this time around, compared to last year’s model. The rear cover is considerably more affordable this time around, for example. You can get more details by clicking here.
If you’re on the lookout for a screen protector for your Pixel 9 Pro, well, we have you covered. We have a roundup of the very best screen protectors for the company’s new smartphone. These screen protectors do fit in various price brackets, so there’s something here for everyone.
Updated October 17, 2024: (Android 15 & October 2024 Pixel Feature Drop)
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is now receiving Android 15, along with the Pixel Feature Drop for October 2024. Google listed quite a few changes here, and you can check them all out by clicking here. Some of them are worth poiniting out here too, though. For example, Google rolled out the ‘Underwater photography’ mode. All you’ll need is a good waterproof case, and you’ll be good to go.
The company also improved Astrophotography on the device, and added Night Sight for Instagram. You can now snap great-looking low-light photos directly from Instagram. The Pixel Weather app got improved too, the pollen tracker has been added. It’s not available in all regions, though, so keep that in mind. Call Screen got improved in some markets, while the Theft Protection suite is now here too.
Updated November 7, 2024: (November 2024 security update)
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is one of the devices that are now getting the Android security update for November 2024. The update is rolling out in stages, so it may take a short while before your phone actually gets it. With that being said, this update fixes 21 security issues found in the last build. That’s not all, though, some Bluetooth, Display, Camera, and other fixes are also mentioned in the changelog.
Bluetooth range has been improved, while the camera tilt when zooming between cameras should also not happen anymore. White dots on the display were flashing under certain conditions, but that should not happen anymore following this update. Google also fixed up the Adaptive brightness, as it was having issues in some conditions. The keyboard dismiss button was not working at times, that’s also something Google fixed up. General improvements are also listed in the changelog, as UI transitions and animations have been improved too.
Updated December 6, 2024: (December 2024 Pixel Feature Drop)
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is amongst Google’s devices that are currently getting the latest Pixel Feature Drop update. This one is for December 2024, and it does bring a lot to the table. We’ll mention some of the changes, while we’ll link the rest for you to check out. Thanks to the new saved info feature in Gemini Advanced, Gemini will be able to provide you with more personalized answers.
You’ll now get even smarter replies for screening calls. Gemini Nano will suggest more contextual easy-to-tap replies for you. You’ll also be able to see live transcripts of your screened conversations, that way you’ll know whether to pick up the phone or not. Sharing to social media is now easier than ever, while you can now also send Pixel Studio stickers right from the Gboard app.
The Pixel Screenshots app has received a major boost too. It can now automatically organize screenshots, and provide helpful actions based on the info you saved. That’s not all, though, there’s plenty more to unpack. Check out every change by clicking here.
Updated January 10, 2025: (January 2025 security update)
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is one of the company’s Pixel devices that is now getting the January 2025 Android security update. The update weighs around 90MB, and it’s rolling out in stages. So you may have to wait a bit until it drops on your phone. This update fixes 26 security issues within Android. Those issues range from high to critical.
Now, in addition to security fixes, some other changes have been listed in the changelog. Google is fixing an audio delay and stability issue when using certain apps. The issue with camera stability when switching to a connected camera has also been fixed. The same goes for the issue with flashing lines on screen in some conditions. The last entry says that a fix for the issue with Pixel launcher themed icon color display has been fixed too.