Trying to figure out which version of the Google Pixel 9 to buy can feel like a modern-day Goldilocks situation, choosing between good, better, or best. The cheapest phones now have better performance, extra RAM, and there’s finally a device that can zoom over long distances without taking up a lot of pocket space. For those of you who like a big phone, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has everything you need.
We’re still calculating the final scores for our Pixel 9 reviewbut we know you won’t wait until then to buy your next phone. Please read an abbreviated version of what you need below before adding the product to your cart Learn about Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
What’s inside?
Welcome to the era of tables at Gizmodo. These are meant to help point out the basic hardware differences between each device, rather than bogging you down in paragraphs of explanation. This year’s Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are the same size, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a big phone with a big battery.
| Pixel 9 | Pixel 9 Pro | Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| 6.3-inch Actua display
1080 x 2424 OLED |
6.3-inch Super Actua display
1280 x 2856 LTPO OLED |
6.8-inch Super Actua display
1344 x 2992 LTPO OLED |
| 4,700 mAh battery | 4,700 mAh battery | 5,060 mAh battery |
| 12GB memory | 16GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| 128-256GB storage space | 128GB-1TB storage space | 128GB-1TB storage space |
| Google Tensor G4 | Google Tensor G4 | Google Tensor G4 |
| 50 MP wide-angle camera, 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera | 50 MP wide-angle camera, 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, 48 MP telephoto camera |
50 MP wide-angle camera, 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, 48 MP telephoto camera |
| 10.5 MP front camera | 42 MP front camera | 42 MP front camera |
| Satellite for help | Satellite for help | Satellite for help |
| Starting from $800 | Starting at $1,000 | Starting at $1,100 |
Fun fact about the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro: They both have the same size screen and battery, so when buying a case, you should label it both Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.
Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are almost identical in terms of features. They have 16GB of RAM, the same triple-array camera system, up to 5x optical zoom, and offer up to 1TB of storage. They’re also the most powerful of all the new camera features, which we’ll cover next. The main difference is their size. The Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL jumps to 6.8 inches. On the bright side, no matter which Pixel 9 Pro you choose, they all have the same AI-enhanced camera features, which we’ll get to next.
Another big improvement to this year’s lineup is that the regular Pixel 9 comes with 12GB of RAM, up from the previous generation’s 8GB standard. The upgrade will help extend the life of Google’s cheapest Pixel 9 flagship phone and help it stay true to its marketing philosophy of “it’s all about Gemini AI.”
All three smartphones come with satellite SOS functionality to help you connect to emergency services in the event of a threat. Currently, it’s only available in the United States
Which Pixel 9 has all of Google’s AI tricks?
All three Google Pixel 9 phones have access to “Add Me,” which lets you add yourself to a photo you’re taking, and “Reimagine,” a feature in Magic Editor that lets you add the resulting image to in the photo. Even the entry-level Pixel 9 comes with the controversial new image generator behind Pixel Studio.
Only the Pixel 9 Pro can use Super Res Zoom, Google’s version of AI digital zoom that can go up to 30x, while the Pixel 9 is limited to 8x. Professionals are also the only ones who can use the new video enhancements. They’re also the only phones that let you use Super Res Zoom, which lets you enlarge your photos up to 20x without noticeable degradation in image quality.
