UPDATE (December 9, 2024): The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is getting a new update. This time around, it’s the Pixel Feature Drop for December 2024. Read more about it at the end of the article.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the most powerful smartphone Google launched this year. This smartphone is the most powerful member of the Pixel 9 series, yes, counting even the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It has the best camera system Google has to offer at the moment, while it’s also large, which people seem to prefer these days. It has plenty of RAM, a very nice display with a high refresh rate, and more.
This handset is basically a larger variant of the Pixel 9 Pro. It is considerably larger, though, and there are some other differences. So keep that in mind if you’re trying to decide between the two. This article will hopefully be able to help you out in figuring out if the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the phone for you or not. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL specs
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch Super Actual display. This is an LTPO panel, and Google also calls it a ‘Smooth Display’. It has a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, it can go between 1 and 120Hz. The resolution here is 2992 x 1344, and the aspect ratio is 20:9. This display goes up to 3,000 nits when the brightness is concerned, while HDR content is also supported. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects this panel.
Google’s Tensor G4 is fueling the phone
Google’s Tensor G4 processor fuels the phone, while the Titan M2 coprocessor is also a part of the package. You’ll find 16GB of RAM inside of this phone, while the device comes in four storage options. Google announced 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models. Do note that the availability of these options will depend on the market you buy the phone in. A 5,060mAh battery powers this phone, while wired charging up to 37W is supported. The phone also supports wireless charging up to 23W, and reverse wireless charging up to 5W. Google says you can get up to 70% charge in only 30 minutes if you use its proprietary 45W charger. That charger is not included in the box, though.
It has three cameras on the back
Google’s new ‘Pro XL’ model has three cameras on the back. A 50-megapixel main camera (f/1.68 aperture, 82-degree FoV, 1/1.31-inch sensor size, OIS, EIS) is joined 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 telephoto unit (f/2.8 aperture, 22-degree FoV, 5x optical zoom, Super Res Zoom up to 30x, 1/2.55-inch sensor size, OIS, EIS). The selfie camera is a 42-megapixel unit (f/2.2 aperture, 103-degree FoV).
Android 14 comes out of the box, for a good reason
Android 14 comes pre-installed on this smartphone. Do note that Android 15 is right around the corner, but it didn’t come pre-installed due to the fact the Pixel 9 series launched in August instead of October. Do note that Google is also offering 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The phone is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. It has a dual SIM setup, a nano SIM slot + eSIM. An in-display fingerprint scanner is included here, while facial scanning is supported too. The company also included stereo speakers, an Bluetooth 5.3. Yes, Wi-Fi 7 is also supported.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL measures 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm, while it weighs 221 grams. It’s considerably larger and heavier than its Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro siblings.
How much does the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL cost?
All Google Pixel 9 Pro XL models offer 16GB of RAM, but there are four storage options. The phone comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. The starting price point for the phone is $1,099, and that is for its 128GB storage model. Both the availability of these storage options and price tags will vary in other markets.
When will the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL become available?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL will go on open sale/hit the shelves on August 22, the company has confirmed. It has the same shipping date as the Google Pixel 9. The other two Pixel 9 phones have different shipping dates.
Where can I buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
You’ll be able to buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at all of the usual places. That goes for both the carriers and the retailers. Google Store is only one of the options, of course. You can get the phone from Amazon, Best Buy, or various other retailers. The same goes for carriers. We’ve added some of the best-known spots to get the Pixel 9 Pro XL below, in case you’re interested. We’ll be adding purchase links as the become available.
– Google Store
– Amazon
– Best Buy
– Verizon
– AT&T
– T-Mobile
What carriers does it work on?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL will work on all US carriers, essentially. That includes AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and all of their MVNOs. The compatibility is basically the same as it was last year with the Pixel 8 series.
What colors does the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL come in?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes in four color variants, like its Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro sibling. Some of them are the same, but not all of them. The Pixel 9 Pro XL was presented in Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain, and Rose Quartz colors. In plain names, those are gray, black, white, and pink colors.
What countries will the Pixel 9 Pro XL be available in, officially?
The Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available in the same places as the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. In addition to North America (US and Canada), the phone will be sold in a number of other countries. Check out the list below.
– 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 XL offer?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the largest member of the Pixel 9 series, not counting the one foldable that Google announced. It’s also the most powerful smartphone in the series, well, along with the Pixel 9 Pro. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a ton of AI features, rather compelling specs, a gorgeous display, and more. Let’s see what are its most notable features/upgrades, shall we?
AI is in focus yet again
It’s not exactly surprising Google is pushing a lot of AI into this phone. The all-new Pixel Weather app will be able to offer AI weather summaries. The Pixel Studio will use AI for image generation, and to improve creativity in general. Clear Calling feature will also rely on artificial intelligence, while AI will also be part of Pixel Screenshots, as Gemini will be a part of everything, basically.
Equal bezels
The Pixel 9 Pro XL, just like its Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro siblings, has equal bezels on all sides. In other words, bezels on all four sides are equally thick. They are thin enough, that’s for sure, and it does make for a nice look overall.
A matte camera bar is the way to go
Google opted to include a matte camera bar on all Pixel 9 models. That’s a good move, in our opinion. Matte camera bars pick up scuffs far less than glossy alternatives, as we’ve been able to find out with the Pixel 8 phones. The Pixel 8 (matte) fared much better than the Pixel 8 Pro (glossy).
Google’s most advanced SoC yet
The Google Tensor G4 fuels this smartphone. That is Google’s best chip thus far. It’s not a huge improvement over last-gen model, but it’s still an improvement. It will offer 17% faster app launching, says Google, and 20% faster web browsing. It is also optimized to run Google’s most advanced AI model efficiently. The Titan M2 coprocessor is here for security purposes.
The Pixel 9 series gets a camera performance boost
Google rebuilt the entire HDR pipeline with the Pixel 9 series, while we should see some benefits in Real Tone too. Night Sight’s performance has improved, while Magic Editor is getting two new features. Auto Frame and Reimagine are rather interesting. Auto Frame can recompose shots for you, while Reimagine can reimagine entire photos for you, by using prompts.
Long software support
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL will be getting updates for quite some time. The company promised 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates for this smartphone. You’ll be well-covered in that regard.
What cases are available for the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
Google announced its official case for the Pixel 9 Pro XL in a bunch of colors. In addition to that, a number of ‘Made for Google’ cases are also listed on the Google Store. Cases from Bellroy, Otterbox, Mous, and more. You can check those out by clicking here. We’ll focus on the Google case below.
Google is offering its silicone case which is “shock-absorbent” and made out of “stain-resistant silicone”. It also has a microfiber lining on the inside. This case can be grabbed from the Google Store for $34.99. At the time of writing this article it’s available to pre-order, so keep that in mind. You can grab Google’s official case from this link. The case is shown in all colors below. It comes in Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain, and Rose Quartz colors.
We also have a roundup of some of the best third-party cases for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, in case you’re interested. Including cases from Tauri, Dmzlh, GREATRULY, and more.
Should I buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
This is basically the most powerful Pixel 9 smartphone Google announced. It’s not the most expensive one, as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold also arrived, but it’s the most powerful one, in a way. It has an excellent camera setup backed by Google’s camera software, a great and large display, and so on. If you’re like most people out there, and like large phones, this is the device for you. Our full review of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is out, in case you’d like to know more about the device.
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Updated September 6, 2024: (September 2024 security update)
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is now receiving a new update, one for September 2024. This update does include the latest security patch, but that’s not all. Google also included a very specific fix for the Pixel 9 series, including this phone. The company includes a fix to improve Wi-Fi stability and performance in certain conditions. The connection and stability should be better now. Do note that while the update is rolling out, it’s rolling out in stages. It may take a while for you to get it.
Updated September 27, 2024: (cases, screen protectors & more)
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL repair parts are overall a bit cheaper than they were for last year’s model. However, it’s worth noting that the camera parts, in particular, are more expensive. You can check out more information about that by clicking here.
Getting a screen protector for any smartphone is not a bad idea. If you’re looking for one for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, however, you’re in the right place. We have compiled a list of some of the best screen protectors you can get for the device. There’s something for everyone listed here.
Considering how slippery the Pixel 9 Pro XL, a case may not be a bad idea either. Regardless whether you’re in the market for a rugged case, a very thin case, or a leather case, you’ll find a bunch of great options here.
Updated October 17, 2024: (Android 15 & Pixel Feature Drop)
Android 15 has started rolling out to the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, along with the latest Pixel Feature Drop. In this release, Google made it possible to take great underwater images with your Pixel phone. Just make sure to use a good underwater case before you attempt to do something like that. Astrophoography in Night Sight mode has also been improved, not to mntion ‘Night Sight for Instagram”, which allows you to take great low-light photos directly from the Instagram app.
If you’re having problems with seasonal allergies, the Pixel Weather app just became a lot more useful for you. A pollen tracker has been added to the app, though it is available in some regions only. Improvements for Call Screen in some countries has been rolled out too, while the Theft protection suite is now here too. If you’d like to check out all the changes, click here.
Updated November 8, 2024: (November 2024 security update)
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is one of Google’s phones that are receiving the latest Android security update, the one for November 2024. This update delivers 21 security fixes to Android, but that’s not all, as some other changes have been included in the changelog. It improves Bluetooth range under certain conditions and fixes the camera tilt when zooming between cameras. If you’ve had problems with the white dots on the display to flash under certain conditions, that should not happen anymore. The adaptive brightness has been improved too, and the same goes for UI transitions and animations. This update is rolling out in stages, by the way, so it may take a while before you get it.
Updated December 9, 2024: (Pixel Feature Drop for December 2024)
The last Google Pixel Feature Drop is now rolling out to a number of phones, including the Pixel 9 Pro XL. This update does bring a number of notable changes to the table, so let’s talk about them. Google is rolling out the new saved info feature to Gemini Advanced. That will make Gemini offer more personalized responses. You can now also ask Gemini to call personal contacts or businesses, as well as draft and send messages with your default phone and messaging apps.
Screen calls will offer even smarter replies from Gemini Nano, while you can now also peek into conversations between the caller and the AI agent during an automatic Call Screen. Gboard now has access to Pixel Studio stickers, while the Pixel Screenshots app has gotten a big upgrade. It can now automatically categorize your screenshots, thus making it even easier to find what you’re looking for. A number of other changes have been made with this update, click here to read more about them.