I still prefer my Google Pixel 9 Pro over the expensive flagships – and it's not even close

Last year, I was emphatic that my time with Pixel phones was over because Google had announced it was planning to inject even more AI “goodness” into Android. I saw that as an opportunity to jump ship.

My goal was to buy the Nothing Phone 3. Then, as fate would have it, Nothing CEO Carl Pei announced that his company was going all-in on AI, and the next Nothing Phone would leverage the technology in ways no other device had.

Foiled again.

Also: This hidden Pixel camera setting makes my photos absolutely pop – here’s how

Shortly after, I looked into the Pixel 9 Pro series, which Google has made clear it’s serious about returning the “flagship” moniker to the lineup. Instead of questionable design choices for the hardware (like the unsightly camera hump, too-slick glass, and oddly-beveled edges), Google opted for a classier look.

The company succeeded.

I placed my order, traded in my Pixel 8 Pro, and got a whopping $700 in credit. I sat back and waited. A couple of weeks later, my pink Pixel 9 Pro arrived. As soon as I unboxed it, my first thought was, “Now this is a flagship device.” 

The build quality is stellar, the look is beautiful, and the feel is great — and that was all before I switched the phone on.

The first thing you’ll notice with the Pixel 9 is the flat edges, which give the phone a very polished look. Practically speaking, those flat edges make the Pixel 9 Pro exponentially easier to pick up.

Also: Two new Android 16 security features protect you better – how to switch them on now

This was one of my big complaints with the Pixel 8 Pro. When the Pixel 8 phone is on a flat surface, it can be hard to pick up with any confidence. Because of the slick surface, the phone is prone to slip from between my fingers. Not that dropping a phone a few inches to a table surface would damage the device, but it’s certainly frustrating.

That issue is no more. The Pixel 9 Pro is far easier to pick up.

Beyond the feel of it all, the Pixel 9 look is just spot on. Yes, it’s very iPhone-like, but I don’t see that as a bad thing. There’s a reason why Apple has stuck to a similar chassis design… because it works, and it screams “I’m a flagship device!”

Also: My top 6 open-source Android apps from the Google Play Store – and why that’s important

Also, the camera hump is so much nicer. On the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro, the camera hump made the phone look cheap. It almost seemed “accidental.” Now? The camera hump looks intentional in design, and it fits the look and feel of the device much better than in previous iterations.

Finally, the size of the Pixel 9 Pro is perfect. It’s a bit shorter than the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro, which means it’s easier to use with one hand. 

Setting up my Pixel (from an older model)

Normally, when transferring data from one Pixel to another, you’re prompted to connect the phones via a USB-C cable and allow the data to transfer (a process that can take some time). With the Pixel 9 lineup, it’s all done via Bluetooth, and it’s surprisingly fast and easy. I would go so far as to say this is the simplest and quickest transfer from one Pixel to another that I’ve experienced (and I’ve been doing this since the early Pixel days).

Also: Google quietly confirms ChromeOS-Android merger – here’s what it means for you

Of course, not everything transferred. In terms of credentials, only my Gmail account was automatically added. I had to input other app logins manually. This is to be expected, and I didn’t mind having to log back into certain apps and add my non-Gmail accounts.

My experience

Ever since the Pixel 6 Pro, I’ve found Google’s top phone’s performance outstanding. The Pixel 9 Pro takes this up a notch, and finally, Android can really show off animations on par with iOS. Everything is buttery smooth, and apps launch instantly. Scroll through the App Drawer, and you no longer experience stutters and jumps. 

The display of the Pixel 9 Pro is nothing short of incredible. Normally, I switch off the Ambient Display feature because the display tends to get a bit too dark. On the Pixel 9 Pro, I have yet to feel the need to shut off that feature. Sure, the display adjusts to the smallest change in ambient light, but it never gets too dim to see clearly. 

If I manually adjust the brightness all the way up, it’s very bright. In fact, this is the first phone I’ve used where I thought the display at full brightness was almost too bright. Images have more depth and clarity when displayed on the Pixel 9 Pro.

The night before last, I forgot to put my phone on the charger overnight. When I woke up the next morning and saw it on my desk, the percentage of the remaining battery was 76%. Instead of placing it on its cradle so it could charge, I decided to use it and wait until my usual time (around 6 PM — I like to completely disconnect at the end of the day) to set it on the Pixel stand.

Also: Going off-grid? Leave your flagship at home and take this $300 Android instead. Here’s why

By the end of the day, the phone was at 50%. Granted, I’m not on my phone constantly throughout the day but, even so, that’s impressive. It’s not any sort of battery benchmark that I could honestly go by, but knowing the phone can go without an overnight charge and the battery barely budges an inch downward is a pretty good indication that this phone will more than go the distance.

Bottom line (for now)

It’s early in my relationship with the Pixel 9 Pro, but I’m ready to proclaim that Google has finally created a Pixel phone worthy of the flagship title. I can’t wait to see how Android 15 will run on this baby because it runs like a champ on my Pixel 7 Pro.

Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.