The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s New Design Is One of My Favorite Things About It [CNET]

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the latest flagship Android phone from Google, packing a new Tensor G4 processor, a fresh design, a 6.8-inch display and a host of new AI skills. 

The phone is available for preorder now starting at $1,099. Want a smaller phone? The Pixel 9 Pro has a smaller 6.3-inch display and starts at $999. 

Scroll through to see more of Google’s latest superphone.

The camera bar is now a pill-shaped island.

I think it gives the phone a classier look over last year’s Pixel 8 Pro.

The edges are flat and polished, too.

The 6.8-inch display is bright and crystal clear.

I tested the phone in its porcelain variant. Though you can get it in a soft pink, called rose quartz, if you want a bit more color. 

The phone is packed with AI skills, including generative AI tools like Pixel Studio. 

It launches with Android 14 on board, rather than Android 15, as expected.

There are new apps for Pixel Studio and Google’s Gemini AI assistant.

Gemini comes in two forms. There’s Gemini Advanced, which simply answers individual questions or written queries, and Gemini Live, which is a more conversational tool that allows you to chat with the AI as though it were a person. It works well.

I asked Gemini lots of things.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The 9 Pro XL is a big beast.

It’s the same size as the Pixel 8 Pro before it.

The polished edges give it a luxurious feel.

I think it looks classier than the 8 Pro, which I felt was a bit childlike with its softly rounded corners. Kind of like a pair of plastic safety scissors.

The phone with a flower. Nice.

That flower is still there. It’s almost like I had one left over from a different video and wanted to make use of it.

The camera hardware hasn’t changed much, with the main camera’s sensor size, resolution and aperture remaining the same as last year’s phone. 

Those polished edges are reflecting the orange flower. 

Now the Pixel 8 Pro has joined the party.

I had hoped for more improvements with the camera.

Google usually uses the new Pixel range as showcases for the latest version of Android. However, the Pixel 9 series launches with the existing Android 14 on board with an update to version 15 promised for later in the year.

Pixel Studio can create an infinite array of generative AI images in a variety of styles.

Strong opinion time: I think it’s the best-looking phone Google has made. 

Am I wrong? I dare you to tell me I’m wrong.

That camera bar does stick out a lot though.

I’m holding the phone here. Clever boy.

A better view of those polished edges.

The resolutions of the ultrawide and telephoto cameras remain the same.

You can select various art styles for the generative AI. The anime style makes your image look like a still from a Studio Ghibli movie. By which I mean adorable.

A fox sitting on a picnic basket in a forest? Delightful. 

The phone uses Google’s latest homegrown processor, the Tensor G4.

I haven’t been able to benchmark it yet, but it seems nippy in everyday use. 

It’s backed up by 16GB of RAM.

That camera bar sticking out again.

You can see how much it sticks out here.

The Pixel 8 Pro (left) and the Pixel 9 Pro XL (right).

I asked Gemini lots of questions, from why my cat sleeps so much to what to do if you find a giraffe in your hallway. It had all the answers. 

The larger display of the Pro XL gives more real estate to show off your mobile games and videos.

Here’s the 9 Pro XL with the iPhone again. Do you think they’re friends? Probably not.

The 9 Pro XL and the 8 Pro.

This green-blue background is soothing, don’t you think?

If you don’t like such a big phone in your hand then the 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro might be more for you.

Google has lots pf thoughts about sleepy cats. So do I.