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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Latest News
Updated August 1
- A new rumor claims that the Pixel 9 series may not launch with Android 15.
- Pixel 9 phones could add a feature that records and transcribes phone calls.
- A Pixel 9 Pro XL hands-on shows off the phone in detail.
- Pixel 9 phones could have the brightest screens yet, while Pixel 9 Pro specs leaks put the XL model's screen size at 6.8 inches.
- Look out for more RAM on the Pixel 9 Pro models.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has the sound of a well-known phone with a strange moniker. Google may soon switch to a dual Pro lineup, with the XL serving as the continuation of past Pros and the new, non-XL model offering identical capabilities in a smaller chassis. This is after a few years of having one ordinary and one Pro Pixel each year.
Although there aren't any significant speculated features that set the Pixel 9 Pro XL apart from the Pixel 9 Pro just yet, we have to presume that the XL's bigger frame will make it Google's top model, with the largest display and the best battery life. This would place a great deal of pressure on it as Google's rival to the previously released Galaxy S24 Ultra and the soon-to-be iPhone 16 Pro Max.
We're about to get a good look at Google's next phones — the company has already set a date for its annual hardware event, and it's happening much earlier than usual. The pace of Pixel 9 Pro XL leaks will pick up in the final weeks before the phone's launch, and we'll keep a running list of them here.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at a Glance
- The Pixel 9 Pro XL should be made official at an August launch event.
- It should be the largest of the three standard Pixel 9 models at 6.7 or 6.8 inches.
- You'll likely get a choice of four colors — Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose.
- The ultrawide camera could get an upgrade from the Pixel 8 Pro, and the chip powering this phone will likely be a new Tensor G4 model paired with 16GB RAM.
- Expect Android 15 on the inside, and likely lots more AI-powered features.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Release Date & Price Rumors
Now that Google has officially sent out invites to an August 13 Made by Google event in Mountain View, it appears like we will receive a formal introduction of the next top Pixel phone – especially because teaser trailers for the ordinary Pixel 9 Pro contain the date of the event.
What's truly intriguing here is that the Made by Google event has been pushed earlier from its customary October slot. In addition to the latest Pixel smartphones, the event will demonstrate the best of Google AI and Android OS.
Given that this is a considerably earlier announcement than recent years, we might see the Pixel 9 Pro XL on sale as early as the end of August, since it is usually launched shortly after its introduction.
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In terms of pricing, Google's first Pro XL model might start at $999, similar to the Pixel 8 Pro. However, Google may raise the price to offer the smaller Pixel 9 Pro more room while still undercutting rivals such as Apple and Samsung, which typically start at $1,200.
For what it's worth, a rumor warning of price hikes for some Pixel 9 models based on the phone's potential cost in Europe suggests the Pixel 9 Pro XL will start at €1,199, or €100 more than the rumored price for the Pixel 9 Pro. That would seem to suggest a price over the $1,000 threshold is likely in the U.S.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Design & Display
The Pixel 9 Pro XL, as the name suggests, is likely to be the biggest member of the Pixel 9 family. Initially, it appeared that the Pixel 9 Pro XL would be the same size as the Pixel 8 Pro, measuring 6.7 inches wide. However, a more recent spec leak indicates that the XL phone would feature a 6.9-inch screen, while the Pixel 9 Pro's display will be 6.3 inches.
This additional Pro model may appear unexpected, but leakers were claiming it as early as 2022. Furthermore, the fact that case designs reflect these assertions implies that accessory producers believe this is plausible as well.
And the turbulence may not end there. These two Pro Pixels will be joined by the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a new version of Google's foldable that is now part of the Pixel flagship phone range.
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To help you understand how this will all work, here are some renderings of the Pixel 9 XL, as well as some real-life mock photographs. These pictures still show the Pixel camera bar, as well as the circular edges that Google introduced with the Pixel 8 series and Pixel 8a. However, the edges appear to be fully flat, like to an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, rather than curved like prior Pixels. A hands-on video that leaked online also shows what appears to be the Pixel 9 Pro XL, as do photographs taken by Taiwan's version of the FCC as part of certification for usage in that country.
We've even seen a hands-on video with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It's not turned on in the video, but it's one of the most effective methods to test out the phone so far.
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In a probable design shift to the Pixel family, all Pixel 9 phones, including the XL version, are expected to feature ultrasonic fingerprint scanners rather than optical sensors present in the Pixel 8. Optical sensors can be picky in recognizing a fingerprint, although ultrasonic sensors are often more dependable.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL should be available in the same colors as the Pixel 9 Pro, including black, white, pink, and green. However, the leak hints that the two Pros may have slightly different backgrounds, so don't confuse one for the other if you can't tell the difference in size. One leak shows the Pixel 9 Pro XL in white, complete with triple cameras, although it's unclear if it has a glossy or matte finish.
According to a new insider claim, the Pixel 9 series will have the same M14 OLED screen as the iPhone 16 Pro. This new screen will substantially boost brightness, with the basic Google Pixel 9 reportedly delivering a peak brightness of 1,800 nits. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL will reportedly have a 2,050-nit display.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Camera Specs
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Early Pixel 9 Pro rumors predicted few changes to the Pixel 8 Pro's system, which had a 50MP primary, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 5x telephoto camera on the rear and a 10.5MP selfie camera in the front. However, as the launch date of August 13 approached, things began to shift.
Rumors now suggest that both Pro variants will include a bigger ultrawide camera sensor, allowing the Pixel 9 Pro XL to shoot better photographs in low-light conditions. The same specifications leak that cites the phone's screen size also suggests a 42MP selfie camera upgrade for the Pro phones.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Performance & Specs
We should expect a Tensor G4 processor to power the upcoming Pixel models based on Google's current naming convention. This might be substantially quicker than the Pixel 8's Tensor G3, according to new Samsung technology, but it's still expected to be a minor boost overall.
According to one test result for the Pixel 9 Pro XL, in addition to improved speed, the device will have 16GB of RAM, up from 12GB in the Pixel 8 Pro. We're pleased to see this highlighted on an apparent Pixel 9 Pro XL diagnostics page. More RAM might be a significant improvement for the phone's on-device AI functions, in particular.
There is currently no information available about the Pixel 9 Pro XL's storage or battery capacity. However, because it is the biggest model, we anticipate that it will have the highest available capacities of any Pixel 9s.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: AI & Special Features
With Google having gone all-in on AI features in the previous year or two, we anticipated them to add even more to the Pixel 9 series. And it seems like we could see AI features such as improved automatic responses, text-to-image conversion, and increased on-device processing capabilities. Another report is that the Pixel 9 phones would get the ability to record and transcribe phone calls, with the prospect of summaries of such transcriptions being available via AI.
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We're very guaranteed to get an updated Pixel AI assistant (originally reported by The Information), based on the mobile Gemini version shown at Google I/O 2024.
Another source suggests that three additional AI functions will make their way to the Pixel 9 series. Add Me is supposedly a tool for editing group images, whereas Studio appears to be a tool for tapping into generative creativity. A Pixel Screenshot tool is meant to sift through the material included in screenshots saved on your Pixel.
The Pixel 9 series should be the first line of phones to ship with Android 15, Google's most recent version of the operating system. One report is that the phone would come with Android 14, but we're not persuaded.
Hopefully, it will come with at least seven years of upgrades, like the Pixel 8 series did, but we wouldn't mind if Google extended the software support window even further.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Outlook & Expectations
There are already enough reasons to be interested in the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Even if it is eclipsed in its family by a new smaller Pro and a revamped foldable, it has the potential to be the most popular model of the lot, as well as Google's best attempt to compete with Apple and Google in 2024/25.
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A lot of the hype around the Pixel 9 Pro XL is anticipated to stem from its AI capabilities, which have yet to be publicly tipped. However, incremental updates to its chipset and underlying software, as well as further camera and display advancements, could provide it with a substantial competitive advantage.
For further information, check out our Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro hubs, which cover Google's other speculated forthcoming phones. Or check out our Pixel 9 Pro versus Pixel 8 Pro comparison to see how these alleged changes stack up against the current top Pixel.