Google Pixel 9 Pro XL First Impressions

Well, I don’t get to say this very often. But my Pixel 9 Pro XL arrived a day early, which was a pleasant surprise. Here are a few initial impressions.

The packaging is different, and it’s clearly more eco-friendly–and compact–than previous Google phone boxes. As always, there’s a standard white USB-C cable in there with the phone, and I assume the bundled SIM tool is hiding in the compact inner sleeve for the documentation. There’s no power adapter, of course, that’s on you. Google will sell you its new 45-watt charger for $30, but I recommend going with something from Anker. (I certainly did.)

In person, the Hazel I was promised is more of a gray color. It’s a bit darker than the plain Titanium of my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but closer in color than I’d expected. This doesn’t matter much, of course–my Pixel 9 Pro XL Case, also in Hazel, arrives tomorrow–though it’s an additional shame to cover up the phone’s delightfully matte back and shiny flat sides.

Speaking of which, I was concerned that those iPhone-like sides would be hard-edged, but there are subtle curves on its edges, back and front, and that makes a huge difference. So that’s one worry gone.

From a size and weight perspective, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is noticeably heavier than the Pixel 8 Pro and it feels about the same weight as the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It’s slightly taller than the iPhone and not quite as wide. It seems quite a bit thicker than the Pixel 8 Pro, but that might be an optical illusion caused by that phone’s elegantly curved sides.

Setup is about the same as ever, though I did configure a PIN, fingerprint recognition, and facial recognition right up front, which is unusual for me. I updated all the apps, twice–there was a longer selection of updates the second time I checked–and was surprised to discover an Android system update waiting for me to fully install on reboot. It wasn’t Android 15, but rather some minor that installed quickly. Probably the latest monthly security update, I guess.

From the front, it’s very similar to the iPhone, with a similarly small bezel all around and a normal pinhole front camera instead of Apple’s more elaborate Dynamic Island. The display seems pretty fantastic. I enabled auto dark mode and night light from dusk to dawn and noted that the screen resolution is lowered from the native 1344 x 2992 to 1008 x 2244 (“High resolution”) to save battery. I left that alone, it looks great. I also left “Smooth display”–dynamic refresh rate–on as well.

The camera bump on the back is arguably the device’s prettiest feature, and it’s newly curved design is a nice improvement. Google has evolved this feature with each Pixel generation since it debuted with the Pixel 6 series, and each time it’s gotten better. But this is the best one yet. It’s taller than the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera bar, and that, plus its new floating island look, makes it feel like a purposeful, definitive statement.

I did transfer my Google Fi wireless account over to the Pixel. And while I followed the instructions for deactivating myself from Apple’s walled garden, that’s always trying. I don’t think this has ever worked fully for me on the first try, but I’ll find out soon enough. Texting and calling with my wife, who’s on Android, worked fine. Tonight, I’ll install my apps, arrange the shortcuts I want on the home screen, and continue looking through settings. And then I start playing with whatever AI features are scattered around in there.

I’ve not really used the camera yet, other than to open the Camera app and make sure it’s configured how I want. Hopefully, I can get some decent shots tonight and then over the next few days.

So far, there are no big surprises, good or bad. The overall look is professional and premium, and it’s a nice step up from its predecessors. But the overall experience is familiar, and much like that of the Pixel 8 Pro. As with all smartphones, year-over-year upgrades really don’t make much sense anymore.

More soon.