Which Google Pixel 9 Is Right for You?

Trying to figure out which version of the Google Pixel 9 to buy could feel like a modern-day Goldilocks situation, choosing between good, better, or best. The cheapest phone is now more high-powered with the extra boost of RAM, and now there’s finally a device capable of zooming far that doesn’t take up a ton of pocket space. And for those who love big phones, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is everything you want it to be.

We’re still tallying up the final score for our Pixel 9 review in progress, but we know you won’t wait for that to buy your next phone. Before adding one to your cart, here’s an abridged version of what you need to know about the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL.

What’s inside?

Welcome to the era of tables at Gizmodo. These are here to help point out the essential hardware differences between each device without us bogging you down in paragraphs of explanation. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are the same size this year, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL stands on its own as a Big Ass Phone with a Big Ass Battery.

Fun fact for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro: Both have the same size screen and battery, so when shopping for a case, they should be labeled for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are virtually the same in terms of capabilities. They have 16GB of RAM, the same three-array camera system with up to 5x optical zoom, and are available with up to 1TB of storage space. They’re also the most capable of all the new camera features, which we’ll get into next. The key difference is their size. The Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch display, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL jumps to 6.8 inches. On the plus side, no matter which Pixel 9 Pros you choose, they both have the same AI-enhanced camera abilities, which we’ll touch upon next.

One of the other significant improvements behind this year’s lineup is that the regular Pixel 9 starts with 12GB of RAM, more than the previous generation’s 8GB standard. This bump-up will help extend the longevity of Google’s cheapest Pixel 9 flagship and help it stay true to the marketing that it’s all about Gemini AI.

All three smartphones come with Satellite SOS, which helps you connect to emergency services during duress. For now, it is only available in the U.S.

Which Pixel 9 does all of Google’s AI tricks?

All three of Google’s Pixel 9 phones can use Add Me, which lets you add yourself to a photo you’re taking, and Reimagine, a feature in Magic Editor that enables you to add generated images to your photos. Even the entry-level Pixel 9 features the controversial new image generator behind the Pixel Studio.

Only the Pixel 9 Pros can use Super Res Zoom, Google’s AI-infused version of digital zoom, up to 30x, while the Pixel 9 is limited to 8x. The Pros are also the only ones capable of the new Video Boost capability. They’re also the only phones that allow you to use Super Res Zoom, which lets you zoom 20x into photos without significant degradation.