Google expanded the number of Pro phones in the Pixel 9 series, and the new naming scheme makes a head-to-head comparison to its predecessor confusing. The Pixel 9 Pro isn’t a direct upgrade from the Pixel 8 Pro. For that, you’ll want the Pixel 9 Pro XL. While the XL has a new name, the “standard” Pro is actually the new device in the lineup. The 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are also incredibly similar; it just depends on what size you want. Confused enough? Let’s break things down as we look at the Google Pixel 9 Pro (and 9 Pro XL) vs the Pixel 8 Pro!

Getting a small phone usually means compromising on some features and hardware. The Pixel 8, iPhone 15, and Galaxy S24, which headline the category, all come with Pro iterations. The Google Pixel 9 Pro completely flips the script and bolsters a segment that desperately needs it. As such, the Pixel 9 Pro comes with everything the 9 Pro XL has to offer but in the body of the much smaller Pixel 9. Regardless of which Pro you get, they are both solid upgrades over the Pixel 8 Pro.

Starting with the displays, there are similar Quad HD displays and 1-120Hz dynamic refresh rates across the board. However, the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL get much brighter, with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, compared to 2,400 nits of the Pixel 8 Pro. The only other difference is the size. The Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are similar, with 6.7-inch and 6.8-inch displays, respectively, while the Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch screen.

The Pixel 9 Pro devices come with an upgraded processor, but the Tensor G4 isn’t enough of an improvement to make a huge difference in everyday performance. What will make a difference is the 16GB of RAM you get with the new Pixels, compared to the 12GB of RAM of the Pixel 8 Pro. The storage options, starting from 128GB and going up to 1TB, remain the same across generations. We opined that 128GB of storage wasn’t enough for the Pixel 8 Pro, and it’s very disappointing to see an unchanged base storage option with the latest Pixels.

Of course, the software experience will be the same, too. While the Pixel 9 series comes with a host of new Gemini features, particularly for the camera, many, if not all, should also be available on the Pixel 8 Pro. In a surprising twist, the Pixel 9 series is launching with Android 14 instead of the latest version as usual, which is a likely byproduct of Google’s changed release cycle. But this means that all three phones should get Android 15 at the same time later this year. Also returning is Google’s seven-year update policy, but despite the same starting point (Android 14), the Pixel 9 series should get one more year of support compared to the Pixel 8 Pro.

There’s a distinct difference in the design between the Pixel 9 Pro (and XL) and the Pixel 8 Pro. The side-to-side metallic bar is gone in favor of a pill-shaped camera bump that stops just short of touching the edge. The bar also color-matches the rest of the phone, which gives it a neater, more seamless look. The black visor definitely stands out a lot more on the colorways that aren’t obsidian.

Another change is the flat sides on the new Pixels, which are very iPhone-esque and should improve the handling experience. Overall, the new Pixels just feel better put together than the Pixel 8 Pro. While durability is the same — Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance — the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL seem like they are built to last.

If you’re comfortable with the size of the Pixel 8 Pro, you’ll be right at home with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The two phones are practically identical in terms of dimensions, with the latter actually a touch thinner but slightly heavier, despite the fact that the XL has a 0.1-inch larger display. But if you were hoping for something smaller, the Pixel 9 Pro is the answer to your prayers and is significantly more compact than its larger siblings. And as we said, you get the advantage of a smaller footprint with no compromise in other hardware or features.

Both Pixel 9 Pro’s have the same color options: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz. While the Pixel 8 Pro has the standard Obsidian and Porcelain, it also has what remains one of my favorite Pixel colorways, the Bay option. The closest competition this time around is Hazel, but it feels more muted, albeit more professional, than the blue.

The rear camera hardware is mostly unchanged between generations. The 48MP ultrawide camera gets an improvement, but the 50MP primary shooter and the 48MP telephoto lens are the same. That said, the Pixel 8 Pro was among the best camera phones you could get, and there’s no reason why both the Pixel 9 Pro devices won’t comfortably take its place. Even more so because of the huge upgrade to the front-facing camera, which is now a 42MP shooter on the latest Pixel Pros.

You also get minor upgrades in the battery department. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has an ever so slightly larger battery compared to the Pixel 8 Pro — 5,060mAh vs 5,050mAh — so your battery life experience should largely be the same.

However, the XL comes with faster 37W wired charging that Google says should give you a 70% charge in just 30 minutes. It’s still way off the fast-charging capabilities of phones like the OnePlus 12, but any move in the right direction is appreciated. That’s unfortunately not the case for the Pixel 9 Pro, though. Not only does it understandably have a smaller battery, but charging is capped at 27W, which is actually a touch slower than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 30W charging.

The Pixel 9 Pro starts at the same price as the Pixel 8 Pro did at launch. However, the one-to-one comparison should be to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which is $100 more expensive than both. The Pixel 9 Pro XL series was available for pre-order soon after launch on August 13, 2024, from the Google Store and will be on general sale from other retailers on August 22. However, you will have to wait longer for the Pixel 9 Pro, which will be available at some point in September.

The Pixel 8 Pro was released in October 2023, so it’s not even a year old at this point. It’s already cheaper now than it was at launch, and the price should drop even further with the Pixel 9 series now available.

The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are decent upgrades over the Pixel 8 Pro. You get a faster processor, more RAM, a brighter display, faster charging (with the XL), and a slightly better camera setup. While that sounds great, it’s not enough to justify moving from the Pixel 8 Pro to the Pixel 9 Pro XL unless there’s a fantastic trade-in deal. The Pixel 8 Pro is still incredibly capable, and the whole point of seven years of software updates is longevity and should make yearly upgrade cycles a thing of the past.

What is potentially more enticing is the Pixel 9 Pro. The now middle-of-the-pack sibling is a fantastic addition to the “small phone” category that doesn’t get enough attention. You get all the perks of a high-end phone in a compact body, and anyone who wants to move away from a large-screen phone will love the Pixel 9 Pro. However, that’s pretty much the only advantage worth considering when comparing the phone to the Pixel 8 Pro.