Small, yet mighty
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is the first Pro-level device Google is offering in the same size as the standard-sized Pixel 9. It features a rear triple-camera system, a 42MP selfie camera, 16GB of RAM, and the powerful Tensor G4 processor with many fantastic new AI features, all in a smaller package than ever.
For
- Faster charging
- Brighter display
- Higher-resolution selfie camera
- Faster processor
- More RAM
- Smaller size
- One year of Gemini Advanced for free
Against
- Smaller battery
- Boxier design
- Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor could conflict with some screen protectors
Cheaper with some tradeoffs
Last year's flagship phone is still kicking some serious butt, thanks to Google's commitment to regular updates and feature additions. It's got all the best of Gemini, especially when you pair it with a Google One subscription, plus the award-winning cameras everyone knows and loves.
For
- "Friendlier" curved frame
- Bigger battery
- Still gets six more years of updates
- Lower price
Against
- Selfie camera isn't as good
- Less RAM
- Slower, less efficient processor
- No Satellite connectivity
- Larger (if you don't like that)
- Heavier
This Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro comparison clearly shows a total overhaul in Google's approach since the release of the Pixel 6. The new changes Google made are here to stay and go beyond the phone's design. Google has made the Pixel 9 Pro the first phone to feature identical hardware and camera specifications as its bigger siblings, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Previously, you'd have to opt for the biggest phone to get the best features and hardware, as we saw with last year's Pixel 8 Pro. Pixel fans have long been waiting for a smaller-sized Pro phone, and Google finally delivered this time with the Pixel 9 Pro.
Most users might not be interested in the Android phone's 128GB storage variant and prefer a bigger option. However, the Google Pixel model you choose depends on how you use it. Returning to the matter, is it worth upgrading to the 9 Pro if you already have a Pixel 8 Pro? Let's find out.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Specs
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: What's the same
In everyday use, it's not likely you'd notice much difference in the core experience with these phones. Other than the Pixel 9 Pro's smaller size, both phones ran Android 14 out of the box with the Pixel experience atop, including the latest Pixel Feature Drop. The Pixel 9 Pro launches with a few more features than the Pixel 8 Pro, but we expect many of those to make their way to Google's older phone, as some already have.
Rear cameras: Google didn't change much in the rear camera setup. Both use the same three camera sensors—a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide camera, and 48MP telephoto camera behind a 5x optical zoom lens.
The Pixel 9 Pro sports a better ultrawide lens that absorbs more light, but doesn't expect a dramatic quality improvement. Both phones also sport a laser autofocus module with multi-zone focus.
Temperature sensors: Last year, the only way to get the Pixel temperature sensor was to buy the big phone, but this year, Google has outfitted the smaller Pixel 9 Pro with that sensor. Google put the sensor on the back of the phone in the camera island. Plus, now that it has FDA approval, you can even use it to scan body temperature whenever you need it!
Storage: The Google Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 8 Pro share 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage, and neither one has expandable storage via microSD card.
Protection: Both Pixel phones have an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. You can submerge the phone in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. To make your Pixel last even longer, it's best to dry it off and not spill harmful liquids on it, such as sugary drinks or cleaning liquids.
Display: Both phones utilize a meager 240Hz PWM dimming rate at all brightness levels. While this likely won't bother most people, folks sensitive to light flicker won't find either phone comfortable. That's especially true of the Pixel 9 Pro, which has an even brighter — and therefore harsher — display.
Connectivity: Nearly all connectivity features are the same between both phones. The phones support Wi-Fi 7 and all types of 5G (with one physical SIM and one eSIM), Bluetooth 5.3, one USB-C 3.2 port, and stereo speakers. The Pixel 9 Pro also has satellite connectivity, which I'll cover in the section below.
Software: It's great to share that Google regularly updates your Pixel with new features every few months. Google calls these Pixel Drops, and they add significant value to Pixel phones. Google also maintains a whopping seven-year update schedule for its phones, so while the Pixel 8 Pro is a year old, you can still expect to see updates for six years.
Ironically, since the Pixel 9 launched with the same version of Android that the Pixel 8 did — that's Android 14 — support for it will end with the same version of Android years later. That should be Android 21 if the count stays the same between now and then. These are among the first phones to get Android 15 and will always stay ahead of the curve.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: All the differences
When you use a Pixel, the experience is the same as the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro. However, Google made the phones with different designs.
Bold new design: If nothing else, it's easy to spot a Google Pixel phone in the wild. That denoting camera bar sets it apart from every other phone on the market. While Google has iPhone-ified the Pixel 9 series design, it still retains the trademark-centered camera housing.
This time, the camera bar has morphed into a camera island, separate from the side rails and prominently sticking out from the back of the phone. The side rails are entirely flat, providing a stark contrast between the flat front and back of the Pixel 9 Pro's more industrial-designed exterior.
By comparison, the Pixel 8 Pro's curves were much more friendly-looking and feeling, with the back glass gently curving into the subtly curved side rails. The back tapered off into thinner side rails, which made the Pixel 8 Pro look thinner. I prefer the Pixel 8 Pro's overall design, and you might too.
Size: The following most apparent distinction between the two Pixels is size. With a 0.4-inch smaller screen, the Pixel 9 Pro is simply more comfy to use one-handed than the Pixel 8 Pro. Plus, it is 14g lighter, meaning it's more comfortable for prolonged use on your little pinkie finger.
Anecdotally, users have complained about phones' growing size for years, and Google has finally answered the call by offering the same Pro-level features in the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. For comparison's sake, the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are essentially the same size phone.
Display: The Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro analysis also shows that Google didn't make the display differ much. The Google Pixel 9 Pro has 3,000 nits of brightness, while the Pixel 8 Pro reaches a peak of 2,400 nits. Neither of these numbers could ever be considered "dim" by any measurement, so while brighter is nice in the Sun, you'll not likely notice a difference unless you frequent the beach a lot.
SOS: The Pixel 9 Pro is the first Android phone in the U.S. with satellite SOS connectivity, letting you reach out for help even if you're in the middle of nowhere. Depending on your lifestyle, that might be worth the upgrade.
Battery and charging: Because of the physical dimension differences, the Pixel 9 Pro features a smaller battery than the Pixel 8 Pro—a 350mAh smaller battery, to be precise. The Pixel 9 Pro has a 4,700mAh battery while the Pixel 9 Pro has a 5,050mAh battery—but two things help offset that difference a bit. First is the charging speed.
With Google's new 45W charger, the Pixel 9 Pro can charge 0-55% in 30 minutes. That's not particularly fast compared to the OnePlus 12, but it undoubtedly beats a Galaxy S24 and is marginally faster than the Pixel 8 Pro.
Processor: The second battery life difference is wrapped up in the processor upgrade on the Pixel 9 Pro. Google says the Tensor G4 is cooler and more effective than the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 Pro, which, by comparison, was also cooler and more efficient than the Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7 Pro.
The Pixel 8 Pro had no problem getting through a full day on a single charge, and neither did the 9 Pro with its smaller battery. According to our parent company's lab tests on the 9 Pro and Pro XL batteries, both phones took an average of 13 hours to drain out. In contrast, in the same test, the Pixel 8 Pro's battery was depleted in just 9 hours.
That newer processor is also good for more than just better battery life. Tensor G4 is capable of processing AI-related tasks 2.25x faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in all other flagship Android phones, like the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Given that all the new features Google announced for the Pixel 9 series are AI-related, the Pixel 9 Pro does Pixel things better than any other Pixel before it. Say that three times fast.
Better multitasking: The Pixel 9 Pro packs in more RAM than any Pixel before it, including the Pixel 8 Pro. We're talking 16GB of RAM versus 12GB of RAM between these two phones, and heavy multitaskers will feel that difference daily. If you usually use various apps simultaneously, then the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the Pixel for you.
Security changes: Google outfitted the Pixel 9 series with a new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Some folks were happy when this rumor appeared a few weeks ago, but I've never had a good time with ultrasonic sensors, mainly when I try to use a tempered glass screen protector. I can't entirely agree this was a good change, as this continues to be an issue for some people.
Selfies galore: Selfie takers will immediately notice how much better the Pixel 9 Pro's front-facing camera is. First, it's quite a bit wider at 103 degrees, meaning you can fit more people into the frame without things getting awkward.
Second, the resolution has been enhanced, and the new sensor is said to take in 30% more light than the old sensor. My Pixel 8 Pro camera review showed that last year's camera was pretty darn good, but this kind of upgrade always helps.
Gemini all the things: Every Google Pixel 9 gets Gemini Advanced for free for a year, which, as you might expect from the name, is Google's most advanced AI engine. As Google's official product support page states, "Gemini Advanced is far more capable at highly complex tasks like coding, logical reasoning, following nuanced instructions, and creative collaboration."
While Gemini is powerful, Gemini Advanced gives you access to the real brains behind the machine. If you're a tinkerer or want to see if AI can do your homework, Gemini Advanced is a key tool for getting the most out of your phone. You can always pay for Gemini Advanced on a Pixel 8 Pro, but Google only made it available in the $20/month Google One tier, which includes 2TB of cloud storage and some other goodies. For example, thanks to Imagen 3, you can ask Gemini Advanced to create images that you can later add to a profile picture.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Should you upgrade?
You've heard the saying, "Bigger is better. " While that might apply rightly to some things, it's not always true with phones. In the past, only the biggest phones offered the best features and the most powerful hardware, but Google is changing that in a great way with the Google Pixel 9 Pro, the first smaller Pixel phone with Pro-level cameras and features.
If you're already running a Pixel 8 Pro, upgrading to a Pixel 9 Pro makes the most sense if you're tired of having a big phone or spend a lot of time in the middle of nowhere. The upgrade will get you more RAM, a better processor, a brighter display, a better selfie camera, and potentially life-saving satellite SOS connectivity.
The best Google Pixel 9 deals can get you the new phone for a lot less, too, especially if you've got a Pixel 8 Pro to trade in.
Small, yet mighty
A bold new design is just the start of the changes for the Pixel 9 Pro. It's the first Android phone in the U.S. with satellite SOS connectivity, the first smaller Pixel phone with Pro-level features, and the only phone with the award-winning triple camera system on the back.
Cheaper with some tradeoffs
There's nothing wrong with saving a bit of cash and going with last year's phone or just keeping that phone a little bit longer. That's especially true with the Pixel 8 Pro; Google will still send updates until Android 21 arrives. Now that's value!
