Google Pixel 9 vs. 9 Pro: Specs & Features

If you're in the market for a new smartphone and are considering Google's new Pixel phones, you likely have your eyes on either the Google Pixel 9 or Google Pixel 9 Pro.

While these smartphones have more in common than just their name, they also have some key differences that could make one a better fit for you than the other. In this article, we’ll dive into the specs, performance, camera capabilities, and overall price value of the Google Pixel 9 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro to help you decide. 

So, let’s explore what makes these new and improved Android smartphones stand out.

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro: Specs and Details

First, here’s a quick rundown of the specs of both models:

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Now, we’ll go into further detail about the pros and cons of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. 

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro: Design

At first glance, the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro look pretty similar. Both have a 6.3-inch display and nearly identical dimensions — 6.02 x 2.83 inches — and weigh under 200 grams (the Pixel is 198 grams while the Pixel Pro is 199 grams). 

Like the previous versions of the Pixel phones, Google has kept the design of these models sleek and simple. Both have flat edges and a horizontal camera bump on the back. 

However, if you take a closer look, you'll see some differences. While the Pixel 9 has a polished glass back and a satin metal finish on the frame and camera bar, the Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, has a matte glass back and a metal frame that gives it a more premium feel. 

Also, if you need to quickly tell one from the other, the rear camera bump for the Pro model will have three lenses, while the standard will only have two. 

For colors, both phones come in Porcelain (tan) and Obsidian (black). The Pro version also comes in Rose Quartz and Hazel, while the Pixel 9 is available in Wintergreen and Peony.

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro: Display

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro sport a 6.3-inch OLED display, but, as you’d probably expect, the Pixel 9 Pro’s screen has a few extra perks. 

The Pixel 9 has a 2424 x 1080 pixel resolution and a refresh rate that varies between 60Hz and 120Hz (the higher the Hz, the smoother activities like scrolling will be). Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro kicks it up a notch with a higher resolution of 2856 x 1280 pixels, providing a sharper and clearer screen with a pixel density of 495 pixels per inch compared to the Pixel 9's 442 ppi.

Plus, the Pro model uses a Super Actua display (LTPO OLED), which can adjust the refresh rate from as low as 1Hz up to 120Hz, depending on what’s happening on the screen. This helps to conserve some life from your battery.

Brightness is another area where the Pixel 9 Pro shines. With a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits, it’s brighter than the Pixel 9’s 2,700 nits. This means the Pro model’s screen will look better when you’re outdoors, especially in bright sunlight.

Both phones can be unlocked with your face and have a new ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner. 

Pixel 9 Pro XL

It's important to note that the Pro has an XL variant with a larger 6.8-inch screen and 5,060 mAh battery. Outside of that, both Pro models have the same specs and features (aside from a higher starting price point for the Pixel 9 Pro XL at $1,099). 

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro: Camera Capabilities

The cameras are where the Pixel 9 Pro really pulls ahead of the standard Pixel.

Both the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro feature a 50MP main camera sensor and a 48MP ultrawide camera on the back, so you can snap great-looking photos with either device. You can also enhance them further with Google’s AI tools like Magic Eraser (more on that in the next section). 

But the Pixel 9 Pro has an extra trick up its sleeve, thanks to a 48MP telephoto lens that offers 5x optical zoom. This is great for those who like to take photos from a distance. 

The Pro also has exclusive AI features like Google’s Super Res Zoom, which allows up to 30x digital zoom for video — much more than the standard Pixel 9’s 8x zoom. It also supports other enhanced tools like Video Boost and Night Sight Video, giving you more options to improve the quality of your footage.

The standard Pixel 9 has a 10.5MP front camera for selfies, which is great for pictures and video calls. The Pixel 9 Pro boosts this to a 42MP selfie camera, making those pictures and videos even sharper and more detailed.

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro: Performance and Other AI Features

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are powered by the Google Tensor G4 chipset, which helps provide fast performance. However, the Pixel 9 Pro comes with 16GB of RAM, compared to the Pixel 9’s 12GB. This extra memory makes a difference for those who like multitasking or running power-intensive apps. This is also great for AI features like Night Sight Video, which boosts the image quality of videos taken in dark environments on the Pro model.

Other AI features include Magic Eraser, a tool available on both models that allows you to remove people or objects in photos or change things like the color of the sky with only a few clicks. 

Both models also get the Add Me feature, which uses AI to splice two photos together. It will be helpful when you want to include a friend in a group picture after they were picked to be the photographer. After they take the first shot, they can join the group for the second photo, and Add Me will merge both images together so it looks like they were there the entire time. 

While both phones are packed with the latest Google AI features, the Pixel 9 Pro also comes with a one-year subscription to Gemini Advanced, offering more AI features like enhanced voice commands and scheduling assistance.

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro: Software Updates

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro come with Android 14 and are guaranteed to receive at least seven years of software updates by Google. For this series of phones, that means you'll continue receiving features and security updates until 2031.

If you don't like to upgrade your phone often, both of these phones can be great long-term investments.

Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Battery Life and Charging

When it comes to battery life, both phones are on par with each other. 

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro have 4,700 mAh batteries, which makes it slightly larger than the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro batteries. Google claims both phones can last more than 24 hours on a single charge, which will be pretty solid for most users but depends on usage.

Charging speeds are the same for both models when it comes to wired charging — both support up to 45W fast charging with Google’s 45W USB-C charger. While this is sold separately, you can get up to a 55 percent charge in about 30 minutes. 

However, the two differ a bit more in terms of wireless charging. The Pixel 9 supports up to 15W wireless charging, while the Pixel 9 Pro can go up to 21W when using the Pixel Stand. 

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro: Storage Options

So, how much storage do you need? This is another area where the Pro beats out the standard Pixel. 

The Pixel 9 offers just two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro gives you four: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. If you know you’ll need a lot of space for photos, videos, and apps, the Pro might be the way to go. The 1TB option is especially useful for anyone who prefers to store everything directly on their device instead of offloading it onto a drive or computer. 

Of course, more storage means a higher overall price for the phone, which we’ll discuss below.  

Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro: Pricing and Overall Value

The standard Pixel 9 starts at $799 for the 128GB model, a $100 bump from the Pixel 8. The Pixel 9 Pro, meanwhile, starts at $999 for the same storage capacity, making it $200 more expensive than the Pixel 9.

So, is the Pixel 9 Pro worth the extra $200? It depends. 

As we’ve discussed, if you value a premium build, better camera capabilities, extra RAM for multitasking, and faster wireless charging, then the Pixel 9 Pro is the better choice. But if these features aren’t deal-breakers for you, you can save some money with the standard Pixel 9 since it offers many of the same key features.

The Pixel 9 Pro’s pricing is comparable to that of rival phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Apple iPhone 15 Pro.

The Pixel 9 was released on Aug. 22, while the Pixel 9 Pro is available for pre-order now for release on Sept. 4. 

Yet, trade-in deals and promotions can improve the prices for either phone, so if you're thinking about upgrading your current device to the Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro, Navi can help. We keep a running list of the best Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro deals on our site. We also recommend trying our free unbiased Phone Deal Finder to quickly find the Pixel 9 deals you qualify for based on your trade-in device and other preferences.

The Bottom Line

The Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are fantastic smartphones catering to different needs. The Pixel 9 is a great choice if you want a solid, high-performing device at a lower price. It has excellent camera capabilities, a bright display, and all the essential features most users need.

However, if you’re looking for a bit more — whether that’s a better camera system, more storage options, a premium design, or faster wireless charging — the Pixel 9 Pro is worth the extra cost. 

You can’t go wrong with either phone. But remember, there are two other Pixel phones you can choose from if these don’t fit the bill: the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold.