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Google’s flagship Pixel phone for 2024, the Pixel 9 Pro, packs significant upgrades over its predecessor. This time, Google has focused on improving the basics to deliver a better user experience. Below is a roundup of the Pixel 9 Pro features I’m looking forward to the most.
1A Compact Flagship
There are hardly any compact-sized flagship Android phones on the market. WhileSamsung’s Galaxy S24packs flagship internals, its camera system is a notable downgrade from its Ultra sibling. The OnePlus 12 features impressive specs, but with a 6.82-inch display, it’s not small by any means. This has also been the case with Google’s Pixel lineup so far, with the Pro model packing a better camera system and a gigantic display.
ThePixel 9 Prochanges that. You might think it’s a direct successor to the Pixel 8 Pro from 2023, and while that’s true, there is a big twist. Instead of sporting a big 6.7-inch display, the Pixel 9 Pro houses a 6.3-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED display. And yet it packs the same internals and camera specs as its XL brother: a Tensor G4 chip, 16GB RAM, a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP 5x telephoto shooter, and more.
This makes it one of the very few compact flagship Android phones with an impressive camera setup. If you don’t like how big most flagship smartphones are but are not willing to compromise on the specs or camera performance, the Pixel 9 Pro should be your top pick.
28K Video Recording With Video Boost
Taking a cue from its competition, Google has added 8K video recording to the Pixel 9 Pro and its XL sibling—a first for the Pixel lineup. The phone can record 8K footage at up to 30FPS from its rear cameras.
However, there’s a catch: the feature is powered by Video Boost. So, your Pixel will upload the video to Google Photos for processing. You will have to wait a few hours to see the final result, though a low-resolution preview is available immediately after you record the video.
Given how good Video Boost is on the Pixel 8 Pro, Google’s approach should give 8K videos on the Pixel 9 Pro an edge in detail and overall quality over 8K footage recorded from other phones.
342MP Front Camera
The best Android phones have amazing rear cameras, and the Pixel 9 Pro is no different. However, unlike its competition, Google has also focused on the selfie camera with its flagship Pixel for 2024.
Instead of using a 12MP sensor like most of its competition, Google has equipped the Pixel 9 Pro (and the 9 Pro XL) with a 42MP selfie shooter. Even better, the bigger sensor is complemented by a wide 103-degree field of view and autofocus support.
These improvements allow the Pixel 9 Pro to capture detailed selfies and groupfies better than its competition. The phone can take advantage of pixel binning to capture more details, which should be particularly noticeable in low-light scenarios.
Like its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro can record 4K videos at 60FPS from the front camera for better clarity. Add in Google’s excellent image processing, and the Pixel 9 Pro should be among your first picks if you take a lot of photos.
4"Add Me" Lets You Fake Group Photos
A new Pixel phone is incomplete without new AI-powered features from Google. The Pixel 9 packs several Gemini andCircle to Search-focused improvements. On top of all that, it also sports a handy new AI-powered camera feature: Add Me.
Releasing as a preview onthe Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, the feature allows you to add yourself to a picture. Take one group picture, then ask someone from the group to take another picture and swap your position with them. Add Me will merge the two photos to make it appear like a single group phoro.
Another new AI-powered feature on the Pixel 9 is Reimagine, which allows you to seamlessly modify your photo using text inputs. All you need to do is tap the part of the image you want to modify, enter what you want to see, and wait for the magic to happen. For example, Google says you can use Reimagine to make the grass greener, add fall leaves to a picture, etc.
5Pixel Screenshots
RememberMicrosoft’s controversial Recall feature, which was eventually pulled due to privacy concerns? Google is debuting a similar feature on the Pixel 9, dubbed Pixel Screenshots.
Your phone will automatically analyze a screenshot’s content to remember information like events, locations, numbers, etc. Even better, Google says you can search in a conversational way to recall any content from a screenshot.
The best part about Pixel Screenshots is that the entire processing happens on-device. So, there’s no privacy risk involved with Google or third-party snooping through your screenshots.
6Free Gemini Advanced Access for a Year
Google is bundling a free year of Google One AI Premium plan for a year. It comes with the following perks:
Besides the additional storage, you can enjoy access to Gemini Advanced, the most powerful version of Google’s AI chatbot. Additionally, you canuse Gemini inside Gmail, Drive, and Docs to draft emails, summarize long emails and PDFs, and more.
The Pixel 9 Pro is expensive, starting at $999 before taxes. But it’s unique in many ways, thanks to flagship specs and a high-end camera system in a compact body. Plus, it’s hard to beat Google’s AI features and the clean, stock Android experience.
