Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Smaller size, bigger punch

The Pixel 9 series represents a radical shift in Google's strategy in a long time, much like we saw with the Pixel 6 back in 2021. The changes extend much further than just design, but also how the Pixel portfolio will be going forward. The Google Pixel 9 Pro is the first smaller Pixel phone with the same camera and hardware features as the largest Pixel in the lineup, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Previously, you'd have to opt for the biggest phone to get the best features and hardware, as we saw with last year's Pixel 8 Pro. Pixel fans have long been waiting for a smaller-sized Pro phone, and Google finally delivered this time with the Pixel 9 Pro.

This does not come cheap though, especially since most users will be ditching the base 128GB storage variant for something more substantial. Luckily, it's that time of the year when we have generous discounts thanks to Cyber Monday sales. Many deals on Pixel devices are already live, including the Pixel 9 Pro.

Coming back to the matter at hand, is it worth upgrading to the 9 Pro if you already have a Pixel 8 Pro? Let's find out.

Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Specs

Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: What's the same

In everyday use, it's not likely you'd notice much difference in the core experience with these phones. Other than the Pixel 9 Pro's more diminutive size, both phones run Android 14 with the Pixel experience atop, including the latest Pixel Feature Drop. The Pixel 9 Pro launches with a few more features than the Pixel 8 Pro but we expect those to make their way to Google's older phone shortly.

Rear cameras: The rear camera setups of the two phones are nearly identical. They both use the same three camera sensors — a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide camera, and 48MP telephoto camera behind a 5x optical zoom lens.

The Pixel 9 Pro sports a better ultrawide lens that takes in more light, but don't expect a dramatic improvement in quality, although even a little bit is welcomed. Both phones also sport a laser autofocus module with multi-zone focus.

Temperature sensors: The only way to get the Pixel temperature sensor last year was to buy the big phone, but this year Google has outfitted the smaller Pixel 9 Pro with that sensor. It's located on the back of the phone in the camera island. Plus, now that it has FDA approval, you can even use it to scan body temperature whenever you need it!

Storage: Both phones feature the same amount of storage with identical price points between each. You can choose from 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage and neither phone supports expandable storage via microSD card.

Protection: Pixels have had IP68 water and dust resistance for some time now, and there's no reason to expect that to change any time soon.

Display: Both phones utilize a very low 240Hz PWM dimming rate at all brightness levels. While this likely won't bother most people, folks sensitive to light flicker won't find either phone comfortable to use. That's especially true of the Pixel 9 Pro, which has an even brighter — and therefore harsher — display.

Connectivity: Nearly all connectivity features are the same between both phones. Wi-Fi 7, support for all types of 5G, support for one physical SIM and one eSIM, Bluetooth 5.3, one USB-C 3.2-speed port, and stereo speakers. The Pixel 9 Pro also has satellite connectivity, which I'll cover in the section below.

Software: The Pixel experience is one that you can count on to be regularly updated with new features every few months. Google calls these Pixel Drops, and they add significant value to Pixel phones. Google also maintains a whopping seven-year update schedule for its phones, so while the Pixel 8 Pro is a year old, you can still expect to see updates for six years to come.

Ironically, since the Pixel 9 is launching with the same version of Android that the Pixel 8 did — that's Android 14 — support for it will end with the same version of Android years down the road. That should be Android 21 if the count stays the same between now and then. These are among the first phones to get Android 15, and will always stay ahead of the curve.

Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: All the differences

While much of the core experience of a Pixel is the same as the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro, there are a lot of differences between the two devices, starting with design.

Bold new design: If nothing, it's easy to spot a Google Pixel phone in the wild. That telltale camera bar sets it apart from every other phone on the market, and while Google has iPhone-ified the Pixel 9 series design, it still retained the trademark centered camera housing.

This time around, the camera bar has morphed into a camera island, separate from the side rails and prominently sticking out from the back of the phone. The side rails are completely flat, providing a stark contrast between the flat front and back of the Pixel 9 Pro's more industrial-designed exterior.

By comparison, the Pixel 8 Pro's curves were a lot more friendly-looking and feeling, with the back glass gently curving into the subtly curved side rails. Since the back tapered off into thinner side rails, this also gave the Pixel 8 Pro the illusion of being much thinner. I personally prefer the Pixel 8 Pro's design overall, and you might too.

Size: The next most obvious difference between the two phones is the size. With a 0.4-inch smaller screen, the Pixel 9 Pro is simply more comfortable to use one-handed than the Pixel 8 Pro. Plus, the Pixel 9 Pro is 14g lighter, meaning it's more comfortable for prolonged use on your little pinkie finger.

Anecdotally, users have complained about the growing size of phones for years and Google has finally answered the call by offering the same Pro-level features in the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. For comparison's sake, the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are essentially the same size phone.

Display: There are very few differences in the displays between the phones but the Pixel 9 Pro's display can get up to 3,000 nits of brightness while the Pixel 8 Pro tops out at 2,400 nits. Neither of these numbers could ever be considered "dim" by any measurement, so while brighter is nice in the Sun it's not likely you'll notice a difference unless you frequent the beach a lot.

SOS: The Pixel 9 Pro is the first Android phone in the U.S. with satellite SOS connectivity, letting you reach out for help even if you're literally in the middle of nowhere. That, alone, might be worth the upgrade, depending on your lifestyle.

Battery and charging: The Pixel 9 Pro features a smaller battery than the Pixel 8 Pro because of the physical dimension differences — a 350mAh smaller battery, to be precise — but two things help offset that difference a bit. First is the charging speed.

With Google's new 45W charger, the Pixel 9 Pro can charge to 0-55% in 30 minutes. That's not particularly fast compared to the OnePlus 12, but it certainly beats a Galaxy S24, and it's marginally faster than the Pixel 8 Pro.

Processor: The second battery life difference is wrapped up in the processor upgrade on the Pixel 9 Pro. Google says the Tensor G4 is cooler and more efficient than the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 Pro, which, by comparison, was also cooler and more efficient than the Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7 Pro.

The Pixel 8 Pro had no problem getting through a full day on a single charge, and neither does the 9 Pro with its smaller battery. In fact, going by our parent company's lab tests on the 9 Pro and Pro XL's battery, both phones took an average of 13 hours to drain out. In comparison, the Pixel 8 Pro's battery was depleted in just 9 hours, in the same test.

That newer processor is also good for more than just better battery life, too. Tensor G4 is capable of processing AI-related tasks 2.25x faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in all other flagship Android phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Given that all the new features Google announced for the Pixel 9 series are AI-related, this means the Pixel 9 Pro does Pixel things better than any other Pixel before it. Say that three times fast.

Better multitasking: The Pixel 9 Pro packs in more RAM than any Pixel before it, including the Pixel 8 Pro. We're talking 16GB of RAM versus 12GB of RAM between these two phones, and heavy multitaskers will feel that difference every single day. If you juggle lots of apps at once, the Pixel 9 Pro is the right choice.

Security changes: Google outfitted the Pixel 9 series with a new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Some folks were happy when this rumor appeared a few weeks ago, but I've never had a good time with ultrasonic sensors, particularly when I try to use a tempered glass screen protector. I'm not convinced this was a good change as this continues to be an issue for some people.

Selfies galore: Selfie takers will immediately notice how much better the Pixel 9 Pro's front-facing camera is. First off, it's quite a bit wider at 103 degrees, meaning you can fit more people into the frame without things getting awkward.

Second, the resolution has been improved and the new sensor is said to take in 30% more light than the old sensor. My Pixel 8 Pro camera review showed that last year's camera was pretty darn good but this kind of upgrade always helps things.

Gemini all the things: Every Google Pixel 9 comes with a free year of Gemini Advanced, which, as you might expect from the name, is Google's most advanced AI engine. As Google's official product support page states, "Gemini Advanced is far more capable at highly complex tasks like coding, logical reasoning, following nuanced instructions, and creative collaboration."

While Gemini is plenty powerful on its own, Gemini Advanced gives you access to the real brains behind the machine. If you're a tinkerer or just want to see if AI can do your homework, Gemini Advanced is a key tool for getting the most out of your phone. You can always pay for Gemini Advanced on a Pixel 8 Pro, but it's only included in the $20/month Google One tier, which includes 2TB of cloud storage and some other goodies.

Google Pixel 9 Pro vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Should you upgrade?

You've heard the saying "bigger is better," and while that might apply rightly to some things, it's not always true with phones. In the past, only the biggest phones offered the best features and the most powerful hardware, but Google is changing that in a great way with the Google Pixel 9 Pro, the first smaller Pixel phone with Pro-level cameras and features.

If you're running a Pixel 8 Pro already, upgrading to a Pixel 9 Pro makes the most sense if you're tired of having a big phone or spend a lot of time in the middle of nowhere. The upgrade will get you more RAM, a better processor, a brighter display, a better selfie camera, and potentially life-saving satellite SOS connectivity.

The best Google Pixel 9 deals can get you the new phone for a lot less, too, especially if you've got a Pixel 8 Pro to trade in.