Here is what’s nice and what’s not

Shopping for a brand new Android telephone in North America has all the time been harder in comparison with different components of the world. We do not get almost as many choices, and relating to shopping for Android flagship gadgets, our selections usually slender down to only Samsung Galaxy or a Google Pixel telephones.

That mentioned, even these choices are beginning to really feel a bit uninspiring. The

Galaxy S25 Ultra is utterly boring
, and Google’s Pixel telephones have lengthy been recognized for his or her persistent points. Google tried to repair that with the

Pixel 9 series
, enhancing the expertise throughout the board — however how nicely has it held up over time?

I have been utilizing a Pixel 9 Professional for almost a 12 months since its launch, and this is every little thing I like about it (and some issues that also trouble me).

3

The design has aged nicely, regardless of my doubts

I did not love the design at first, however now I do

The Pixel 9 Professional introduced a serious design shift in comparison with earlier Pixel telephones. Google moved to a flat-edged design, with the digicam visor now not mixing into the aspect body however as a substitute sitting like a chunky slab on the again. The telephone additionally has extra rounded corners, giving it a noticeably iPhone-like look.

Once I first noticed the renders of the Pixel 9 collection final 12 months, I used to be fairly dissatisfied — however that shortly modified as soon as I acquired the machine in hand, and that feeling has caught with me over the previous few months.

The Pixel 9 Professional’s design has positively grown on me. It has been a pleasure to carry, and I nonetheless benefit from the really feel of the telephone each time I choose it up, particularly after switching from heavier telephones just like the OnePlus 13 or Xiaomi 15 Extremely. The telephone has additionally held up very well bodily.

There are not any seen scratches or dents, and regardless of what others have reported, I’ve by no means as soon as felt just like the digicam visor was going to fall off, not like some Reddit users. Consider, this Pixel 9 Professional has been utterly case-less since day one. At first, I assumed the shiny aspect rails would simply scratch or lose shade, however that hasn’t been the case in any respect.

In actual fact, this telephone even went snorkeling with me in Bali, recorded underwater movies, and survived simply advantageous (although I would not suggest attempting that by yourself machine).

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2

The digicam remains to be considered one of Android’s greatest

It is the one factor I by no means have to fret about

Android OEMs are always experimenting with superior digicam setups and flashy {hardware} on their “Ultra” smartphones. And whereas Google’s Pixel digicam processing could have faced some criticism through the years, if you’d like a dependable digicam that simply works in each situation, the Pixel remains to be robust to beat — and that is been the case with the Pixel 9 Professional as nicely.

I’ve taken my Pixel 9 Professional on a number of journeys this 12 months, and I have to say, it hardly ever disappoints. Photographs taken in daylight come out sharp, crisp, and well-balanced, whereas night time pictures continues to impress. The digicam maintains a pure look in nearly all lighting situations and handles shadows exceptionally nicely. Even the 5x zoom lens on the Pixel 9 Professional has confirmed to be fairly spectacular.

Check out a number of pictures I’ve captured with this telephone over the previous few months:

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1

There are nonetheless a number of issues that bug me

Small points that Google actually wants to repair

All issues thought-about, there are nonetheless a number of ache factors on the Pixel 9 Professional that I want Google would lastly handle — and surprisingly, the primary one is expounded to the software program.

Google (and even Samsung) has made AI the headline function of its telephones recently, and whereas that is nice, the general software program expertise nonetheless feels a bit sluggish in comparison with what another Android OEMs supply. Positive, you get day-one updates, a clear UI, and helpful AI tools, however the software program feels a bit of slower in response and animation pace when in comparison with the likes of OnePlus or Samsung. Their UIs really feel snappier, with quicker transitions and actions, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional tends to take its time.

However my greatest difficulty needs to be with battery life and charging. The Pixel 9 Professional packs a 4,700 mAh battery, which is ok for every day use and customarily lasts a full day. However after utilizing telephones just like the OnePlus 13 or Oppo Discover X8 Extremely, I’ve began to really feel that the Pixel’s battery endurance is simply okay, not nice.

It will get worse with charging. The Pixel 9 Professional solely helps 27W wired charging, which feels far behind in 2025, particularly when most flagship telephones now supply a minimum of 45W or quicker. I’ve usually discovered myself needing to depart the telephone on cost in a single day — this is not a telephone you’ll be able to simply high up for 10–quarter-hour and anticipate to final the remainder of the day. That mentioned, regardless of all of this, I’ve nonetheless been genuinely impressed with my total expertise utilizing the Pixel 9 Professional this previous 12 months. Even after testing many thrilling telephones since its launch in August 2024, that is nonetheless the telephone my most important SIM goes into as soon as testing is finished, particularly once I know I will be taking a number of pictures.

Nonetheless, I actually hope Google steps it up with the Pixel 10 series, particularly with battery, charging, and a efficiency leap by way of the TSMC-made Tensor G5.

Pixel 9 Professional

$849 $999 Save
$150

The Pixel 9 Professional is a compact addition to Google’s lineup, providing a smaller kind issue much like the bottom Pixel 9, whereas retaining the AI options and digicam capabilities of the Professional collection. It comes with a 6.3-inch Tremendous Actua show, the Tensor G4 processor, and a triple-camera setup. It is upgradable to Android 15 and can quickly help Android 16 as nicely.

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