The Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 8 Professional, in contrast

• The most recent and biggest Google AI

  Google Pixel 9 Professional

  The Pixel 9 Professional stands out from the Pixel 8 Professional not solely by trying totally different, however as a result of its extra highly effective internals allow unique AI options.

  Professionals

  • Tensor G4 permits new on-device AI options
  • Greater megapixel selfie digicam

  Cons

  • Smaller show than earlier than

• 

  A boundary-pushing smartphone digicam

  Google Pixel 8 Professional

  The Pixel 8 Professional proved that Google might make good pictures even higher with new cameras and the highly effective new Magic Editor.

  Professionals

  • Show is noticeably smoother and brighter
  • Cameras and AI modifying are vastly improved

  Cons

  • Battery life is identical as earlier than

Google’s Pixel 9 Pro appears by all accounts to be the perfect premium smartphone the corporate has ever made, largely on the again of an attention-grabbing design, meaningfully improved cameras, and new internals that energy (a minimum of for now) unique AI options. The issue, for those who can name it that, is that you possibly can have mentioned the identical factor concerning the Pixel 8 Pro.

We had been huge followers of the modifications Google launched with the Pixel 8 Professional digicam, however the different tweaks the corporate made weren’t too shabby both. The cellphone had a greater show than nearly all of the Pixels earlier than it, and an all-day battery life that made it dependable, even for anybody used to the constant battery efficiency of Apple’s iPhone Pros.

In the event you purchased a Pixel 8 Professional final 12 months, you is likely to be questioning whether or not it is price it to improve to Google’s newest. It might rely rather a lot on how a lot you care about Google’s new AI options, however here is how the Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 8 Professional evaluate.

Worth, availability, and specs

The Pixel 9 Professional prices $999, the identical value because the Pixel 8 Professional. The important thing distinction is display screen dimension. Your $999 will get you a 6.7-inch Pixel 8 Professional, and a 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Professional. That is as a result of Google opted to create a bigger class known as the Pixel 9 Professional XL that has a 6.8-inch show and prices $1,099. You are getting much less display screen in your cash with the Pixel 9 Professional, however it does convey Google’s smartphone extra in keeping with how Apple splits up its high-end iPhones.

By way of the opposite specs, there are extra apparent benefits to the Pixel 9 Professional in comparison with the Pixel 8 Professional:

• 	Pixel 9 Professional	Google Pixel 8 Professional
  SoC	Tensor G4	Google Tensor G3
  Show	6.3-inch Tremendous Actua show	6.7-inch Tremendous Actua OLED, 2992 x 1344, 489ppi, 1-120Hz, as much as 2400nits
  RAM	16GB	12GB
  Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
  Battery	4700mAh, 24+ hours of battery life	5050mAh, 30W quick charging, 12-18W wi-fi
  Ports	USB-C	USB-C 3.2
  Working System	Android 14	Android 14
  Entrance digicam	42-megapixel f/2.2, 103-degree FOV selfie digicam	10.5MP
  Rear digicam	50-megapixel f/1.68 large digicam / 48-megapixel f/1.7, 123-degree FOV ultrawide digicam / 48-megapixel, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom, as much as 30x Tremendous Res Zoom telephoto digicam	50MP predominant, 48MP extremely large, 48MP telephoto
  Dimensions	6 x 2.8 x 0.3-inches	162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm, 213g
  Colours	Porcelain, Obsidian, Hazel, Rose Quartz	Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay
  Weight	199g / 7oz	213g
  IP Ranking	IP68	IP68
  Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Extremely-Wideband chip, GPS, 5G mmWave, Satellite tv for pc	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Extremely-Wideband chip, NFC, GPS, 5G

The perfect Pixel design comes all the way down to style

Google discovered a technique to one-up its outdated digicam bump

In terms of design, Google’s Pixel telephones all the time look distinct, however the Pixel 9 Professional is totally different. The corporate discovered a technique to each streamline the Pixel 9 Professional, and make its distinctive component — the digicam “bar” — standout much more than earlier than.

The matte Gorilla Glass victus 2 again and polished metallic sides are just like what Apple has accomplished on the iPhone Professionals, however in additional playful colours: Obsidian (black), Porcelain (off-white), Hazel (greenish-gray), and Rose Quartz (gentle pink). The raised pill-shaped digicam bar is much more noticeable than earlier than, with the identical polished sides and a matte prime, with all three cameras joined in a single glass enclosure.

As compared, the Pixel 8 Professional is rounder, with a extra fluid transition from the digicam bar to the edges of the cellphone. The cameras are nonetheless raised and nonetheless unattainable to disregard, however they’re extra cohesively included into the remainder of the cellphone. The place the Pixel 9 Professional is flat, the Pixel 8 Professional is curved, although each telephones characteristic a flat entrance show and a hole-punch selfie digicam. The Pixel 8 Professional is available in Obsidian (black), Porcelain (off-white), Bay (blue), and Mint (pastel inexperienced), and save for Mint, its colours are extra saturated than what you may get on the Pixel 9 Professional, which is all the time most well-liked in my e book.

Which design is best is mostly a matter of style, however the contrasting textures and supplies on the Pixel 9 Professional, together with the extra “opinionated” design make it appear extra premium. That is a bonus once you’re paying $1,000 and up for a smartphone.

Google’s new show is usable in additional locations

The Pixel 9 Professional is brighter

Each the Pixel 9 Professional and the Pixel 8 Professional use related Tremendous Actua screens. Google launched the branding alongside its transfer to LTPO OLEDs, and it presents general smoother scrolling and swiping because of a better refresh fee, and higher peak brightness open air.

By way of refresh fee, each the Pixel 9 Professional and the 8 Professional can shift wherever between 1 to 120Hz, although the Pixel 9 Professional has a special decision at 1280 x 2856 compared to the Pixel 8 Professional’s 1344 x 2992 decision as a result of newer cellphone’s smaller display screen.

After all, that implies that the Pixel 9 Professional has a better 495 ppi compared to the Pixel 8 Professionals 485 ppi show. The Pixel 9 Professional can also be brighter. The place the height brightness of the Pixel 8 Professional maxed out at 2400 nits, the Pixel 9 Professional goes all the way in which as much as 3000 nits. That makes the cellphone much more legible below vivid daylight and may make onscreen visuals pop, indoors and out.

As you may count on, the Pixel 9 Professional XL is sort of an identical to the Pixel 8 Professional. Its decision is identical 1344 x 2992, and the pixel density is sort of the identical at 486 ppi. The important thing distinction is once more, brightness. The Pixel 9 Professional can attain as much as 3000 nits of peak brightness, making it a greater choice for those who’re utilizing it open air. The variations are comparatively minor, however the Pixel 9 Professional is a minimum of an enchancment on what Google provided on earlier fashions.

The brand new AI options transcend photograph modifying

Google gave some exclusives to the Pixel 9 Professional

Uncommon for a Pixel cellphone, the Pixel 9 Professional ships with Android 14 similar to the Pixel 8 Professional. Sometimes, Google makes use of its smartphones to launch the following model of Android, however Android 15 wasn’t completed in time for the Pixel 9 Professional.

Whereas Android 14 is not as current as earlier Android updates, it’s definitely secure at this level, so it ought to run wonderful on the Pixel 9 Professional, particularly with a extra highly effective Tensor chip.

Google’s additionally launching some unique AI options with the Pixel 9 line which are naturally included on the Pixel 9 Professional. These embrace two new phots options, and a brand new system-level Android characteristic for organizing and recalling data. For modifying images, “Reimagine” enables you to circle a piece of your photograph and kind out a immediate to have Gemini generate modifications. Whereas taking a photograph, “Add Me” enables you to shoot a photograph, then have your mates shoot you in the identical spot after which sew the 2 collectively for a seamless group shot. These are on prime of the Magic Editor and Greatest Take options Google launched on the Pixel 8 Professional.

Pixel Screenshots engages together with your images in a wholly totally different method. When the characteristic is enabled, Google will analyze and index your screenshots to make them searchable with pure language requests. You’ll be able to basically screenshot something to have your Pixel 9 Professional bear in mind it for later, whether or not it is a recipe, a map location, or a textual content message.

It is completely doable these new options will make their technique to the Pixel 8 Professional (and different older Pixels) in some unspecified time in the future by way of a Pixel Drop replace, however till then, the Pixel 9 Professional has a notable one up when it comes to software program options.

Efficiency variations aren’t main

However a brand new Tensor chip will hold Pixel 9s aggressive

In our evaluate of the Pixel 8 Professional we discovered that the Tensor G3 we discovered that it meaningfully improved on the thermal administration of the Tensor G2, and typically, made the cellphone really feel quicker and smoother compared to earlier years.

The Tensor G4 ought to take issues a bit additional, significantly on the subject of working the rising listing of AI options Google is introducing to the Pixel lineup. A much bigger contribution to the Pixel 9 Professional’s efficiency, and one thing that ought to hold it chugging alongside for longer than earlier telephones, is a slight bump to its RAM. The Pixel 9 Professional has 16GB of RAM compared to Pixel 8 Professional’s 12GB of RAM, which ought to hopefully hold extra apps in reminiscence and permit extra AI features to be domestically versus within the cloud.

Due to the minor enhancements the Tensor G4 brings, it is likely to be price it to see simply how most of the AI options that launched with the Pixel 9 Professional make their technique to different Pixel units. In the event you’re proud of the efficiency of the Pixel 8 Professional, you won’t be getting that a lot of a special expertise on the Pixel 9 Professional.

Extending battery life with software program

The Pixel 9 Professional ought to last more

Regardless of Google’s claims on the contrary, the Pixel 8 Professional did not mark a significant distinction when it comes to typical battery life, until you had been utilizing the corporate’s Battery Saver options. With the Pixel 9 Professional Google is claiming over 24 hours of battery life, and as much as 100 hours of battery life with Excessive Battery saver enabled.

In-depth actual world testing is required to completely vet Google’s claims, however there may be a minimum of a distinction between the battery capability of the Pixel 8 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional. Google’s Pixel 8 Professional has a 5050mAh battery compared to the Pixel 9 Professional’s 4700mAh battery. Once more, there is a distinction in cellphone and show dimension to account for right here. The Pixel 9 Professional XL, for instance, has a 5060mAh battery just like the Pixel 8 Professional.

The distinction in battery life between the Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 8 Professional seemingly has much less to do with battery capability and extra with how Google’s software program tweaks and new Tensor G4 chip hold the whole lot working cooler and extra effectively on the newer cellphone.

Digicam enhancements tied to {hardware} and software program

Google one-upped itself on pictures

For probably the most half, the Pixel 9 Professional’s digicam setup is just like the Pixel 8 Professional. The telephones have the identical 50MP, f/1.68 large digicam and the identical 48MP, f/2.8 telephoto digicam with a 5x optical zoom and as much as 30x Tremendous Res Zoom. The place the Pixel 9 Professional stands out is the ultrawide and the front-facing selfie digicam.

The Pixel 9 Professional has a 48MP, f/1.7 ultrawide with autofocus and a 123-degree FOV (subject of view) in comparison with an ultrawide with an f/1.95 aperture on the Pixel 8 Professional. That distinction is delicate, however it ought to translate to higher low gentle efficiency within the Pixel 9 Professional’s ultrawide pictures.

The distinction within the front-facing digicam is much more dramatic. The Pixel 9 Professional has a 42MP, f/2.2 selfie digicam in comparison with the ten.5MP selfie digicam on the Pixel 8 Professional. Which means selfies taken on the Pixel 9 Professional ought to have noticeably extra element. The enhancements prolong to video too. Notably, the Pixel 9 Professional now presents Google’s Tremendous Res Zoom on movies too, all the higher for capturing sports activities or live shows from a budget seats.

At the very least for now, the Pixel 9 Professional additionally has new AI-powered photograph options like Add Me and Reimagine, that make the sorts of images you may take and make a bit extra various than the Pixel 8 Professional can at present do. By way of digicam efficiency, you need to get a greater expertise on the Pixel 9 Professional.

Which Pixel Professional must you purchase?

The Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 8 Professional are nearer when it comes to some options and specs than you may count on, however the Pixel 9 Professional differentiates itself in some key methods. These embrace a brand new Tensor chip, a brand-new design, new unique AI-powered software program options, and a few significant digicam tweaks — and that is on prime of Google’s resolution to supply the Pixel 9 Professional in an “XL” dimension this 12 months.

In the end, what makes a superb Pixel cellphone is useful AI options and spectacular cameras, and the Pixel 9 Professional presents each, with the promise of being able to dealing with the following few years of software program enhancements because of Google’s seven years of promised software program updates. Taken with the smooth {hardware} design, the Pixel 9 Professional is our prime decide.

High Choose

Google Pixel 9 Professional

The Pixel 9 Professional surpasses the Pixel 8 Professional when it comes to digicam efficiency and highly effective AI options, the defining qualities of a superb Pixel cellphone.

That is to not say the Pixel 8 Professional is not price contemplating, particularly if Google finally ends up providing it at a reduction. We nonetheless love its digicam efficiency, and for a similar or cheaper price because the Pixel 9 Professional, you may get an even bigger show. In addition to, there isn’t any telling that a few of the headlining software program options of the Pixel 9 Professional, like Pixel Screenshots, do not find yourself making their technique to the Pixel 8 Professional in some unspecified time in the future.

Google Pixel 8 Professional

The Pixel 8 Professional remains to be price contemplating for those who’re concerned about Google’s digicam expertise, however need a doubtlessly cheaper value than the Pixel 9 Professional.