Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. 8 Pro: Biggest Upgrades Compared

The launch of Google’s latest Pixel lineup brings an exciting chance to compare the new Pixel 9 Pro with its predecessor, the Pixel 8 Pro.

Although the Pixel 9 Pro may seem like a direct successor, it’s not just a carbon copy. The phone is notably smaller this year, matching the size of the Pixel 9, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a larger screen experience. Apart from these size differences and battery capacities, the two devices share much in common.

Looking for a detailed breakdown? Dive into our comparison of the Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro.

Design and Display

The Pixel 9 series retains the iconic rounded edges and horizontal camera bar design from the Pixel 8 series, with some subtle tweaks. The camera bar is now oval-shaped and doesn’t extend to the screen, while the corners are more rounded. Google has reduced the bezels by 15%, making them more uniform compared to the Pixel 8 Pro’s uneven and thick bezels. The flat display and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 remain, with the Pixel 9 Pro also featuring a matte finish.

The biggest change is the introduction of two Pixel 9 Pro variants. The 6.8-inch XL model is similar to the previous version, while the 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro resembles the regular Pixel 8, with added Pro-level features like a telephoto lens.

The Super Actua display is a standout, now boasting 3,000 nits peak brightness and 2,000 nits HDR brightness, surpassing the Pixel 8 Pro’s 1,600 non-HDR and 2,400 peak brightness. For colors, the Pixel 9 Pro offers Rose Quartz, Hazel, and Obsidian, replacing the Pixel 8 Pro’s Mint Green, Porcelain White, and Obsidian.

Camera

At first glance, the rear cameras of the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are similar to the Pixel 8 Pro, featuring a 50MP primary, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. However, the ultrawide lens has seen a major improvement, with the new versions featuring a wider f/1.7 aperture that captures more light, enhancing low-light performance.

The biggest upgrade is in the front-facing camera. The Pixel 8 Pro offers a 10.5MP selfie camera with a wide-angle lens. The Pixel 9 Pro versions, however, step it up with a 42MP camera and a 103-degree field of view, providing higher resolution and a wider capture area for better selfies and group shots.

Performance

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are powered by the Tensor G4, the latest version of Google’s proprietary chipset, following the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 Pro. The Tensor G4 is expected to deliver improved performance and be optimized for Google’s AI features.

The Pixel 9 Pro also benefits from an increased memory capacity of 16GB, up from 12GB in the Pixel 8 Pro, allowing better handling of memory-intensive features. While higher storage options like 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB are available, the default capacity remains 128GB, which may be seen as limiting.

Charging and Battery

The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 5,060 mAh battery, slightly larger than last year’s 5,050 mAh battery. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 both come with 4,700 mAh batteries, offering more usable juice than the Pixel 8’s 4,575 mAh battery. The Pixel 9 Pro’s wired charging speed is 27W, down from the 30W on the Pixel 8 Pro.

Wireless charging on the Pixel 9 Pro supports up to 21W with a Pixel Stand 2, while the Pixel 8 Pro supports up to 23W. The Pixel 9 Pro XL offers better wireless charging speeds, reaching up to 37W with the 45W charging brick.

Software & Special Features

The Pixel 8 Pro introduced several AI features, including Magic Editor’s generative capabilities, Best Take mode for merging faces, Audio Magic Eraser for cleaning up video audio, and text summarization. The temperature sensor, which measures the warmth or coolness of objects and people, also made its debut.

The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL build on these features, expanding the AI capabilities. The temperature sensor returns and AI has become more multimodal with Gemini, allowing interaction through images, audio, text, and speech. It also includes Gemini Nano for on-device processing and Gemini Live for real-time chatbot conversations with a paid Gemini Advanced membership.

Additional AI features include AutoFrame, Add Me for group photos, Pixel Studio for creating new images, and ReImagine for editing photos with text. Magic Lists auto-populate Google Keep lists, Call Notes summarize phone calls, and Pixel Screenshots organize your screenshots.

Both phones will receive seven years of software and security updates. They also come with a one-year trial of Google One AI, offering 2TB of storage and access to Gemini Advanced, a $240 value. However, this offer is only available if purchased before October. The phones will ship with Android 14 and Android 15 updates later in the year.

Price and Availability