True to form, Google offered, shortly after its Pixel 9 phone, a “pro” version of the same device. Available in standard and extra large versions, with a larger screen size, this phone offers a handful of nice upgrades for a few hundred dollars more. But is it enough?
This is indeed the question that needs to be asked. After all, the onboard chips are the same, as are the manufacturing materials (with the exception of the screen, whose glass is more resistant). The same goes for the video recording capabilities, except that it is possible, using the video optimization functionality, to film in 8K resolution at 30 frames per second. But who has an 8K screen?
No, the appeal of this pro version lies above all on the camera side: a third lens is thus added to the range offered to the end of the device. With this, it is possible to take photos with a telephoto lens, with a maximum optical zoom of 5x.
In addition to this, the Pixel 9 Pro has 4 gigabytes more RAM, compared to its “little brother”, i.e. 16 gigabytes compared to 12. It is also possible to obtain a model with more onboard storage space – up to ‘to 1 terabyte –, while the Pixel 9 is limited to a maximum of 256 gigabytes.
Other improvements include slightly higher brightness, as well as a slightly larger display size.
This is all very good, and works exactly as Google claims. We also greatly appreciate the fact that it is possible, if you move from the 9 to the 9 Pro model, to keep exactly the same case, since the two phones have the same dimensions.
That being said, is this enough? Does a little more RAM, a telephoto lens and a little more storage space justify spending at least $250 more, compared to the base model? Otherwise, we have access to the same AI features, including photo editing. Features which can also be very useful.
And so, we have to ask ourselves what we want to achieve, using this Pixel 9 Pro. If the consumer just wants to take occasional photos, check emails and various social networks, or have a little fun with the AI options, then the base Pixel 9 will be just fine.
Otherwise, if you really want to take photos more diligently, by varying the possibilities in this sense, then the Pixel 9 Pro could be interesting. But for $1400 each, it might be time to consider purchasing a specialty camera.
Basically, there is nothing wrong with the Pixel 9 Pro, quite the contrary. The device is pleasant to use, fast, solid, with a curvy design… But the absence of really major differences with the Pixel 9 does not justify an upgrade within the same range. For those whose phones are a few years old, however, that $1,400 outlay might be worth it.
The device evaluated in this article was provided by Google, without any right to review the content of the text.
