Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Which should you buy?

Whenever a new model arrives, it's natural to wonder whether it is worth the upgrade. But what do you do when the same phone has several variations? The Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro comparison solves this issue for you, giving you a side-by-side analysis of both phones to see which of the two new Pixel 9 models is worth your hard-earned cash. You can see which phone has the specs you need and if there is much of a difference.

Whether you’re looking to trade in your old Pixel for a new Android phone or hoping to switch to a Pixel for the first time, we're here to help you choose the right Pixel 9 variant.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro: The look, feel, and basics

The Google Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 have an identical look, but their specifications differ.

The Google Pixel 9 comes in Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, or Peony and has a 6.3-inch Actua OLED display with a 1,080 x 2,424 resolution at 422 ppi. The refresh rate is 60-120Hz, adjustable based on the application, and the screen is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It can achieve up to 1,800 nits brightness in HDR and 2,700 nits peak brightness.

The glass screen is complemented by a polished back with a satin metal finish frame that is IP68 water—and dust-resistant. In his review, Android Central's Derrek Lee says he finds the satin metal frame "surprisingly soft," with a slight curve that keeps the edges from digging into your pinky finger. He finds it comfortable to hold. The screen also has a fingerprint-resistant coating. The phone comes with 128GB or 256GB storage.

Google offers the Pixel 9 Pro in Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, or Rose Quartz and the same scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with a polished metal frame. In his initial review, Android Centrals' Nicholas Sutrich valued the slightly smaller size, which made it easier to use with one hand and hold.

The Pixel 9 Pro also has an IP68 rating, a fingerprint-resistant coating, and a 6.3-inch display. However, the screen is much higher in resolution than a Super Actua LTPO OLED display with a 1,280 x 2,856 pixel resolution at 495 ppi.

With the Google Pixel 9 Pro, you can adjust the frame rate from 1 to 120Hz, presumably leading to a smoother experience and improved battery life. The device can achieve an impressive 2,000 nits brightness in HDR or a whopping 3,000 nits peak brightness.

Both phones share the exact measurements and weight and have a 4,700mAh battery that affords the same 24+ hour battery life that can be extended to 100 hours using the Extreme Battery Saver mode. Both also support fast charging so that you can back up to more than half the charge in 30 minutes. This is when using the Google 45W USB-C charger, but remember, it's sold separately in both cases. The two phones are Qi-certified so you can use them with wireless chargers. You can also use either phone to charge compatible devices, like Google Pixel Buds, with Battery Share.

Lee says with the Pixel 9, he could easily get through a full day and about seven or eight hours of screen time. But it sees the available 27W charging as "almost unbearably slow." So, you'll want to upgrade the charger.

The Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro include features like fingerprint unlock, face unlock, pattern PIN, and password. They also come equipped with stereo speakers, three microphones, noise suppression, and Spatial audio support. Google gave both phones seven years of OS and security updates and frequent Pixel Drop updates, so you won't have to worry about ending up with an outdated phone for many years.

Bottom line: the main difference in look and feel is that the Google Pixel 9 Pro has a silky matte back versus the satin finish and a much higher resolution, brighter, and smoother screen.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Comparing the specs

Before discussing the features and functions of these phones and how they compare, let’s compare their specs side-by-side.

There are some notable differences here that could sway you toward the Google Pixel 9 Pro or confirm that you will find the Pixel 9 sufficient.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Features, functions, and performance

Now, let’s get down to what makes these two phones different regarding performance.

The Google Pixel 9 and Google Pixel 9 Pro launched with Android 14 but upgraded to Android 15, and the Google Tensor G4 processor powers the Pixel. The Pixel 9 has 12GB RAM, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro boasts a much more powerful 16GB RAM. However, Lee says in his Pixel 9 review that it performs well when opening, juggling apps, and even handling AI tasks. It didn't get too warm when he played various games, though he did notice a slight delay with touch input.

Sutrich found the same results with the Google Pixel 9 Pro. He found that the phone stayed cool after 30-minute or longer gaming sessions but throttled faster than the Pixel 8 Pro.

With both phones, you also get Google VPN and end-to-end security designed by Google. This includes multi-layer hardware security, tensor security core, Titan M2 security co-processor, anti-malware and anti-phishing protection, and spam protection for phone calls and messages.

Google gave both Pixels satellite SOS, emergency SOS, crisis alerts, car crash detection, safety checks, and more. There’s also Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection, NFC, Google Cast, and built-in GPS. One distinction between them is that the Google Pixel 9 Pro adds a temperature sensor along with all the other sensors they include. It also adds an ultra-wideband chip for accurate ranging and spatial orientation.

So, both these phones offer comparable specs when it comes to performance. The primary differences you’ll find relate to the screen refresh rate and display, as noted above, and the fact that the Google Pixel 9 Pro has more RAM. You might opt for the step-up phone if you’re a serious mobile gamer. Otherwise, both offer specs comparable to those of the performance department.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro: How good are the cameras?

Google made the Pixel 9 Pro excel in the camera department. Showcasing significant contrasts compared to the Pixel 9.

The Google Pixel 9 has a 50MP wide camera with up to 8x Super Res Zoom alongside a 48MP Quad PD ultra-wide camera lens with Macro Focus. Its front camera is just 10.5MP but has autofocus and a 95-degree ultra-wide field-of-view. It offers all the usual Google Photos editing features, including Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur, and Portrait Light.

The rear camera of the Google Pixel 9 can take 4K videos with a digital video zoom of up to 7x, and you can also take 4K videos. Enjoy features like Audio Magic Eraser, cinematic blur, slo-mo, and more. Stereo recording, speech enhancement, wind noise reduction, and audio zoom are also available.

Lee found that photos captured with the Google Pixel 9 "aren't bad, but they're not particularly remarkable" either. He found they are crisp and detailed, with good dynamic range even in lower lighting conditions. But he finds they lack vibrancy and saturation and can sometimes look dull.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro has a much more sophisticated camera system. The primary camera is also 50MP wide, but it allows Super Res Zoom to be up to 30x; thanks to the addition of a third lens, it can achieve a Super Res Zoom of up to 30x. A 48MP Quad PD ultra-wide camera complements this with Macro Focus and another 48MP Quad PD telephoto camera. While the Google Pixel 9 has a single-zone LDAF (laser detection autofocus) sensor, the Pixel 9 Pro’s is multi-zone.

In addition, the Google Pixel 9 Pro's front camera is a 42MP dual PD selfie camera with autofocus and a larger 103-degree ultra-wide field of view. In addition to the usual camera features in the Google Pixel 9, the Google Pixel 9 Pro adds a few more. These include taking high-res photos up to 50MP and using Zoom Enhance.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro can capture videos at up to 8K resolution, powered by Video Boost, and with Super Res Zoom up to 20x. Along with the Audio Magic Eraser, you also get Video Boost, as noted, Night Sight Video and Super Res Zoom Video.

If you're a content creator, the Google Pixel 9 Pro's fantastic camera and video features make it a perfect choice. This is especially so if you shoot selfie photos and videos, like live streaming, and take snapshots from farther away, like at sporting events, concerts, or scenic shots. However, we won’t know how these cameras compare and perform until we test them.

Sutrich singles out the new Add Me feature, which helps ensure everyone is added to a photo, even the person taking it. "Being able to include everyone in a photo - one that's an actual good photo of everyone and not a lame selfie at an awkward angle to fit everyone in, "he writes, "is pure genius of the highest form." While it isn't perfect, he still says it's his favorite new camera mode so far this decade.

Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Which should you buy?

Slight differences in the Google Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro might suggest you want to get the better of the two. The main one is the enhanced cameras, especially the front camera, on the Pixel 9 Pro compared to the Pixel 9. If you shoot a lot of content, you might prefer the Google Pixel 9 Pro, which has advanced features, particularly regarding zoom shots.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro also has a brighter and potentially more responsive screen and more RAM to afford a smoother experience during intensive tasks like gaming. The additional storage options are also a bonus, especially since neither phone offers expandable storage via a memory card slot.

However, the Google Pixel 9 might be sufficient for most. The 12GB RAM is nothing to scoff at, and while the refresh rate goes from 60Hz to 120Hz versus all the way down to 1Hz, you might not notice this if you regularly multitask on your phone and need that high refresh rate most of the time anyway. Just remember that the battery could drain faster on the Google Pixel 9 because of this.

With seven years of updates and Feature Drops for both phones, you can be confident with either one. If you want more, including a larger device, opt for the new Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Conversely, if you feel like you want to explore other options, browse our list of the best Android phones for alternatives.

Both these phones and others on that list of the best Android devices will probably be on sale as the launch of the next model gets closer. But the Pixel 9 Pro may sound more tempting if you can't wait.