Google unveiled some notable updates to the Google Pixel smartphone at this year's Made by Google event, including a redesign reminiscent of the most popular smartphone and more artificial intelligence (AI) features. The new Google Pixel 9 lineup combines prominent upgrades with iterative features, but how do these compare to each other?
Google launched four smartphones: the Pixel ,Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. We'll break down each Google Pixel 9 smartphone so you can determine which one falls under which category.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is Google's first XL smartphone since the Pixel 4 XL in 2019. I appreciate screen real estate and enjoy large smartphones. These were commonly referred to as "phablets" before most manufacturers made a larger-sized model commonplace in their device lineups.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL features a large 6.8-inch display, slightly larger than Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max's 6.7-inch screen.
Unlike the iPhone 15 Pro Max, though, the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a display with a 1344 x 2992 resolution, 486 PPi density, and up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a display with a 1290 x 2796 resolution, 460 PPi density, and up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness.
The $1,099 Pixel 9 Pro XL's OLED screen is the best Google Pixel display yet, with a sharper resolution and a brighter screen than the $1,799 Pixel 9 Pro Fold's.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro, with 16GB of RAM, is Google's fastest Pixel phone. Although the Google Tensor G4 processor is said to be only slightly better than the previous-generation Google Tensor G3, the small update and RAM upscaling could still make the Google Pixel 9 Pro one of the fastest thus far.
While the Google Pixel 9 has an okay amount of storage capability, the features options for 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The Google Pixel 9 is only available in two storage capacities: 128GB and 256GB.
You don't need to be a power user to enjoy more storage on a smartphone. Constantly taking photos and videos of my kids and dog is enough to fill up my iPhone's 256GB of storage in a few months.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999 and, like the Pixel Pro XL, is available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz.
This sounds obvious, but the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is best for buyers looking for a foldable smartphone. It's a great foldable and is the thinnest on the market. If you're a Pixel fan and have been intrigued by the return of the foldable phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold's sleek design and smooth hinge are a great place to start.
With a thickness of only 0.4 inches when folded, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is only 0.05 inches thicker than the 0.35-inch thick iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has an outer and inner display, so it looks like a regular smartphone when folded. This means you can open the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to take a high-quality selfie with the 50MP rear camera while looking at yourself in the outer display to ensure you get the best angle.
You can also set the unfolded smartphone down on a flat surface to take a group picture, for example, or snap a shot of yourself near a landmark on your next trip. The Pro Fold has all the AI features Google announced, including Gemini and "Add me."
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is available in Obsidian and Porcelain for $1,799.
The feature-packed Google Pixel 9 Pro has a lot of power, most of which not all users will find essential. The Google Pixel 9 is simpler than the Pro line, with lower storage options and fewer AI features, but it still boasts many of the same capabilities, like the same processor and battery as the Pixel 9 Pro.
If you prefer a more understated and compact smartphone, the Google Pixel 9 is the perfect choice. It features a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 1080 x 2424 resolution and up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness.
The Google Pixel may not feature all the AI capabilities that the Pixel 9 Pro touts, but it still has the Pixel favorites. With Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, and Best Take, the Pixel 9 can intelligently edit beautiful images.
The Pixel 9 also has Google's new Add Me feature, which uses AI to let you add yourself to a group photo that didn't originally include you. Google's AI editing features mean you can easily rework images without Photoshop skills, thanks to algorithms that make this as easy as tapping a button.
The Google Pixel is available for $799 in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, and Peony.