I’ve always been confident in the camera’s performance, which captures great snapshots both day and night. For 4K videos, though, you might still notice some minor frame tearing and lighting flicker due to the 30 fps or 60 fps limitations. It makes me wonder when Google will acknowledge that a significant portion of the world’s population resides in Asia and Europe. While the video boost feature can help smooth out frames during movement, like when vlogging while walking, it doesn’t completely eliminate the lighting flicker issue. You can find additional photos and a video recorded here at the link ->
[Update] 4/9/2024] On the Pixel 9 Pro XL, Video can be recorded in Night Sight Video Boost. Here is our first 8K Video clip shot at Chinatown.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Review : Improved camera and video recording over Pixel 8 Pro – OCWorkbench
On the Pixel 8 Pro, we saw Google introduced AI features – Circle to Search, Magic Editor etc. In the Pixel 9 Pro XL, it integrates even more AI features onto the phone. Magic Editor is now able to create that perfect photo by using generative AI. With Reimagine, you can key in add in a rainbow, a fireworks in the background to create that difference. You can also replace the background of where you took the photo. e.g. you can replace an office setting to become a beach setting.
Zoom Enhance helps to zoom in more details than before. This feature was announced back in Pixel 8 Pro but is only available today. It is useful if you want to enhance edges of architectures. Auto Frame which helps to enhance existing photos by generating ‘extra’ or crop it through AI. Basically it will auto generate a few possible photos for you to choose from.
If you are someone who loves to take photos together with friends, Add Me will guide you to snap the first photo, then ask you to trade with someone else and get in the shot yourself. The final combined shot will have both of you in the same picture. It is a neat feature but it seems to be limited as you can merge two photos of two objects.
Add Me combines Google’s Augmented Reality platform with 15 on-device AI models running on Google Tensor G4 to give you the best group photo.
We have tried Audio Eraser before and the Pixel 9 Pro now comes with enhanced features you can now reduce distracting sounds, but now you can also turn up the sounds you want to hear more clearly, like a specific person speaking softly or a street performer in a noisy environment.
We tried out Gemini Live the natural way to have a free-flowing conversation with Gemini. The information is a bit dated. I asked for information about Pixel 9 Pro XL, it was only able to tell me this model does not exist. Sometimes, when code switching from English to Mandarin, it suddenly decide to reply me in Japanese which makes me wonder what is going on.
A phone isn’t just for making calls or taking photos and videos. Screenshots app helps you by saving, organizing and recalling anything you want to remember from your screenshots.
All you have to do is search for the info you’re looking for and Pixel Screenshots pulls out the relevant info for you, and surfaces the screenshot. This is definitely very useful to look for a certain receipt that you ‘filed’ in screenshots.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Review : Pixel Screenshots – OCWorkbench
Conclusion
After a week of testing, I’ve found that the Pixel 9 Pro XL truly excels in its AI capabilities. It’s not just a phone anymore; it’s evolving into a multitasking tool that simplifies everyday tasks. From analysing screen shots to using Gemini Advance for organization and quick answers, it’s a valuable assistant.
On a different note, the Magic Editor feature, while impressive, also raises concerns. It makes it remarkably easy to generate convincing fake photos that blend seamlessly with real images, which could blur the line between reality and digital alterations. On the other hand, it is a handy tool to create masterpieces of product photos by replacing the background with the Generative AI.
For vloggers, the video boost feature is promising, but it should ideally process on the device rather than in the cloud. The current processing time is too lengthy, especially with 8K videos, which means you’ll face a significant wait
In conclusion, the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a highly positive experience. It’s more than just another smartphone; it’s a device designed to enhance your productivity powered by AI.
Pros :
AI features – Pixel Screen shot, Magic Editor – Auto Frame, Reimagine, Zoom Enhance
5G SA/NSA support
5X optical zoom, 30 X digital zoom
IP68
7 years of security updates
Cons:
No charger provided
Quick Charging is slow
Ratings
Performance 9
Design 9
Features 10
Usability 10
Value for money 8
Score : 9.2 / 10
