Tech Desk 
Aug 20, 2024
Google’s annual hardware-focused Made by Google event happened earlier than its original happening date for the first time this year.
While the event’s main focus was on the Google Pixel 9 series, now with a whopping four handsets in the range, begging the question, which one of these phones is right for you? Gadinsider has discussed all the major details to provide a better view of selecting the best Pixel model.
Google Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro
Price and availability
The Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL are set to be launched in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Australia on August 22. The standard Pro and the Pro Fold are said to be released later on September 4.
Prices for the Google Pixel 9 start from $799 / £799 / AU$1,349, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro will set you back $999 / £999 / AU$1,649. The Pixel 9 Pro has made a nice gap between the base model and the XL, when in past years the two models were much closer together.
Design
The Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro don’t have plenty of stylistic differences between them. Where previously the Pro would easily be a larger device, that feature is now exclusive to the “Pro XL” as a separate phone.
The Pixel 9 Pro’s camera glass is wider to compensate for the telephoto lens and a temperature sensor underneath the flashlight.
Read more: Pixel 9 series — Here's how many software updates it will get
In terms of weight differences, the Google Pixel 9 only weighs 198g and the Pixel 9 Pro weighs 199g. Both phones are only 8.5mm thick.
The Google Pixel 9’s dimensions are 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm, the same as the Pixel 9 Pro. The sides of these phones are well-rounded, with the backs more flat than older generations. The frames of all three devices are made of aluminium, lacking the titanium designs that the Pixel’s closest rival (the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra) featured recently.
Displays
The Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro sport Gorilla Glass Victus 2, with OLED panels operating at a maximum of 120Hz. The base model can achieve a maximum brightness of 2,700 nits, while the Pro goes up to 3,000.
The standard model and the Pro feature the same screen size of 6.3 inches, while the smartphones boast different resolutions – 1080 x 2424 (442ppi) for the Pixel 9 and 1280 x 2856 (495ppi) for the Pixel 9 Pro.
Read more: Google rolls out new Pixel ‘Sound Matters’ ringtones and notification sounds
There’s not a dramatic difference between these devices in the display department, but you’ll receive a better screen quality if you go for one of the more expensive models.
Cameras
Google’s cameras on its Pixel range of phones are strong because of a smart amount of software optimisation, but between the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, there are some differences to understand.
The base model Google Pixel 9 boasts a 50MP main camera and 48MP ultrawide camera, with a 10.5MP selfie camera on the front. Meanwhile, the updated Google Pixel 9 Pro and the Pro XL come fitted with both those aforementioned lenses along with a 48MP periscope telephoto camera, while the selfie camera on the front is a 42MP lens.
Things get complicated when it comes to the camera software as the Pro models are capable of high-res snaps of up to 50MP and come with “Pro” camera control features for adjusting the shot before it’s taken (such as focus, ISO and shutter speed).
Read more: Pixel Fold — Google confirms it’s return soon
The Pro models can also zoom up to 30x optical, vs the standard model’s 8x. The Pro models also house Zoom Enhance, Video Boost and Night Sight Video modes for more professional-looking results.
Moreover, with the video capture capability, all three phones can record clips at up to 4K/60p, with the Pro models going up to 8K/30p. Each phone can also capture 1080p at up to 240fps for slo-mo effects.
With the wide price difference between the Pixel models, it’s hard to say if a user would get better value out of the Google Pixel 9 over the new Pixel 9 Pro. A proper array of cameras and photo features are convenient, while the Pixel 9 showcases such a well-rounded device that, for most people, it probably wouldn’t be all that worthwhile to purchase anything more expensive.
