At the Made by Google August launch event, the California-based company launched the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. While the former isn’t available in India yet, the latter sells via Flipkart, Croma, and Reliance Digital. The Pixel 9 Pro series packs innovative features that set it apart, especially with seven years of Android upgrades and the upgraded camera system. To help you get a better grasp of the unique features, we’ve compiled a list of 10 Pixel 9 Pro features that stand out.
A Sharp, Vivid Screen (With Adaptive Touch feature)
The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL feature a Super Actua OLED display that supports 3,000 nits peak brightness and a dynamic refresh rate between 1-120Hz. Regarding pixel density, the 9 Pro is a tad sharper at 495 ppi compared to 486 ppi on the 9 Pro XL. Further, both phones support HDR content, have a contrast ratio of 2,000,000: 1, and feature Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass.
The specifications make the Pixel 9 Pro series sharper and brighter than the iPhone 15 Pro models. Even though the Galaxy S24 Ultra (review) has a 6.8-inch screen with 505 ppi pixel density, its peak brightness is capped at 2,600 nits, making the Pixel 9 Pro series brighter. Depending on the model you choose, you can get a sharper and brighter screen than the competition, and it is just one of the many boxes that the Pixel 9 Pro series ticks.
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Interestingly, all the new Pixel 9 models have a hidden feature called “Adaptive Touch.” Enabled by default, the feature adjusts the screen’s sensitivity based on the environment, activities, and screen protector. Hence, you can expect better responses when using the phone with wet fingers or with a screen protector, for that matter.
More RAM Helps With Multitasking
The Pixel 9 Pro models sport the Tensor G4 SoC, an octa-core chipset optimized for day-to-day tasks and AI-based features (which we’ll talk about in a bit). Further, the chipset is touted to be much more efficient than its predecessor. However, in pursuit of that, the company didn’t prioritize raw performance, which is reflected in the synthetic benchmark scores of a smartphone.
But does it really matter if the phone works well most of the time? Most people won’t notice a difference in performance, especially since the Pixel 9 Pro models feature 16GB of RAM right from the base variant. Given that the total RAM isn’t available for running apps, the addition of a few gigabytes will help accommodate more apps, improving the phone’s multitasking capabilities. From what we know, users will get around 12.5 to 13GB of RAM for running apps.
It’s not just more RAM but the type of RAM that matters, and the Pixel 9 Pro models don’t disappoint there, either. The phones have 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, which is much faster and more efficient than the LPDDR4X RAM.
Pixel 9 Pro Ships With 256GB Of Storage
Google India didn’t launch the 128GB storage models of the Pixel 9 series. Hence, the phones are available with a base storage of 256GB. While you could argue that this increases the price of the phones, it also provides you with more space to create memories, install apps, and the latest Android upgrades. In times when an average user has dozens of apps on their smartphone, it only makes sense to have higher base storage on the flagships, especially since they are designed to record the best quality videos and run the heaviest apps.
However, we would also point out that the 9 Pro XL is about 15% more expensive in India than the global 256GB variant. The prices could go down when the company starts manufacturing the models in India, but for now, buyers would have to pay a premium to get the flagship Android experience and be the first in line to get all the software updates.
A Versatile Triple-Camera Setup
Pixel phones are known to click excellent photographs, and the Pixel 9 Pro series is no different. Both the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL feature a 50MP (f/1.68) primary camera and a 48MP (f/1.7) ultrawide camera that doubles as a macro shooter. However, it is the 48MP (f/2.8) 5x telephoto camera that adds a differentiating factor to the setup. The sensor also contributes to the Super Res Zoom up to 30x and Super Res Zoom Video up to 20x. With the top-tier hardware, you can click amazing pictures in any scenario.
Whether you want to capture a tiny subject, a vast landscape, a portrait picture, or a zoomed-in picture of a subject that’s far away, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro have got you covered.
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New AI-Based Editing Features
While the Pixel 9 Pro retains all the AI-based features of the Pixel 8 series, it adds a couple of new tricks to the mix. For instance, the Add Me feature helps users add them to a group photo. Then there’s Reimagine, a new Magic Editor feature that lets you recreate a photograph with corrections or additions you want. With Reimagine, you can change the color of your outfit, the elements in the background, add objects in a frame, and so on.
Another feature called Super Res Zoom Videos helps you record impressively sharp videos from a distance. The feature combines the Tensor G4’s AI abilities with the 48MP telephoto camera to upscale a video by enhancing details and sharpness. With Super Res Zoom Video, you can zoom in up to 20x to the center of the movement, ideal for recording videos at a concert, a cricket match, or at a beach. Thanks to the Night Sight Video feature, the phone can also record brighter videos in poorly lit environments.
8K Video At 30 FPS Via Video Boost
For the first time, Google has introduced 8K video recording on the Pixel 9 Pro series. Even though the feature isn’t entirely hardware-based, it delivers reliable 8K videos (at 30 fps) with the Video Boost feature. The downside, however, is that the phones rely on Google’s servers to provide this feature; the video is first uploaded to the servers, processed, and then downloaded back to the device.
In comparison, the Galaxy S24 Ultra can handle 8K video recording on-device, making it a slightly better option for those who are into professional videography.
Gemini Integration
Google ensured to make a point out of it at the launch event, and it’s true to a good extent. The Pixel 9 Pro features Google’s most advanced AI-infused voice assistant, Gemini. The chatbot can fetch information from connected Google apps like Gmail and Calendar, create playlists based on your preferences, and add or remove items from your shopping list. Further, Gemini can also get tasks like setting an alarm or starting a time done from Google Assistant.
Further, the Pixel 9 series runs the Gemini Nano Multimodal AI model locally on the device. This helps reduce response latency, provides offline functionality, and, more importantly, enhances users’ privacy. You also get access to Gemini Live, the conversational AI assistant that interacts in a natural, human-like tone (free for a year).
Better Charging Speeds
The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL support 27W and 37W wired charging rates, respectively. Regarding wireless charging, the former supports 21W input, while the latter maxes out at 23W. While speeds aren’t exceptional or the best in the market, they help charge the phone faster, especially when there’s a shortage of time. The new phones have also done well in battery life tests.
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An Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor
Instead of the optical under-display fingerprint canners on the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL come with new and improved ultrasonic scanners. The scanner is much more responsive and accurate than the one on the predecessor and should fix the issues users have been facing with the feature on the Pixel 8 series.
Seven Years Of Android Updates
The Pixel 9 Pro XL (256GB) costs Rs. 1,24,999 in India. Including the Rs. 10,000 instant discount on Flipkart, you can get the phone at Rs. 1,14,999. At this price, the phone competes directly with the iPhone 15 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra. With features like a sharper and brighter display, a versatile camera setup, and deek integration of Gemini, the Pixel 9 Pro XL commands a higher price.
However, on top of all the features, the smartphone (along with all the other models in the Pixel 9 series) will get seven years of Android updates, security patches, and Pixel Drops (exclusive to the Pixel phones).
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