Pixel 9 Pro XL: 3 Months of The Good, Bad & Kind of Ugly

As a professional phone reviewer, I often switch between different handsets for my job. At Tech Advisor, we have a rule of using a smartphone as our main device for at least a week before reviewing it. But once the review is done, I usually move on to the next phone awaiting my SIM card.

However, after using the Pixel 9 Pro XL during a trip to Hawaii in October (where it surprised me), I had the rare opportunity to continue using it for an extended period. In fact, I didn’t switch phones until the Galaxy S25+ arrived in February – a period of over three months.

This prolonged testing allowed me to fully integrate the phone into my daily routine. It provided insights that are not possible in just a week, so the aspects I discuss here should give a better idea of what to expect if you decide to purchase it.

So, how did the Pixel 9 Pro XL perform? My long-term review can be divided into three categories: the good, the bad, and the… kind of ugly.

The good

In our comprehensive review of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, Jon Mundy described it as “an excellent flagship phone.” After using it for three months, I can confidently agree with that assessment based on the impressive features that stood out to me.

Still the best camera phone (for most people)

The highlight of the 9 Pro XL is undoubtedly its cameras. While many phones have caught up or even surpassed the Pixel in terms of camera hardware, none can match its software capabilities.

As someone who values taking great photos effortlessly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has been a delight to use. The 50Mp main lens consistently delivers excellent color accuracy, dynamic range, and exposure – even in low light conditions. It also excels in handling skin tones better than any other phone I’ve tried.

Unlike most phones, switching to the 48Mp ultrawide lens does not result in a significant drop in quality. I appreciated the flexibility of a 123-degree field of view, especially when capturing scenic views in Hawaii or urban landscapes in Las Vegas.

The 48Mp periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom allowed me to capture detailed photos from a distance, while the 42Mp front-facing camera produced impressive selfies. While the Pixel phones offer numerous AI features for photography, I found the basic functionality to be more than sufficient for capturing great shots.

The video capabilities of the 9 Pro XL are also commendable. With optical image stabilization on both the main and telephoto lenses, even 1080p footage appears smooth and clear in most situations, making it ideal for documenting my travels.

Putting on a great display

The sheer size of the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s screen may present some challenges (more on that later), but it does not detract from the quality of the display. The 6.8-inch 120Hz OLED panel offers a crisp 1344 x 2992 resolution that enhances the visual experience on the device.

Throughout the three months, I relied on the 9 Pro XL for entertainment, watching TV shows and YouTube videos. The immersive experience it provided was top-notch, making it one of the best displays on a smartphone.

Using the phone outdoors, even in bright sunlight, was not an issue thanks to its peak brightness of 3000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility in various lighting conditions.

Terrific Tensor

Prior to testing a phone, it’s common to check benchmarks to gauge its performance. That’s what I did before trying out the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the results were not promising. The Tensor G4 chipset powering the phone lagged behind the competition in CPU and GPU tests.

Despite the benchmark results, real-world performance of the 9 Pro XL was impressive throughout the three months of use. It remained fast and responsive, handling demanding apps and multitasking effortlessly. Even for gaming, the phone proved capable of handling titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile without issues.

While benchmarks may suggest otherwise, the actual performance of the Pixel 9 Pro XL was reliable and satisfactory, making it a solid choice for everyday use.

Battery life for days (literally)

Performance is only as good as the battery life, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 5060mAh capacity may not seem impressive, especially with a large 6.8-inch display to power.

Fortunately, any concerns about battery life quickly dissipated once I started using the phone. Even on long 12+ hour days while traveling, the phone lasted without needing a charge before bedtime. Back home, the battery life could extend to two or three days on a single charge, offering true multi-day usage depending on usage patterns.

With sufficient battery life, the Pixel 9 Pro XL proved to be a reliable companion, lasting through demanding days without needing frequent charging.

Peak smartphone software?

Gone are the days when Android was considered cluttered and confusing. Depending on the device, Android 15 can offer a user-friendly, feature-rich experience that’s devoid of unnecessary bloatware.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL came with the latest Android 15 pre-installed, offering an intuitive interface that seamlessly integrates with Google apps. The absence of bloatware and the thoughtful design of the user interface made the overall software experience highly pleasing.

Google’s attention to detail in the user interface and the advanced AI features available on the Pixel phones set a new standard in smartphone software. Features like Gemini and Circle to Search were unexpectedly useful during my time with the device.

Furthermore, the commitment to six years of OS and security updates adds value to the overall software package, ensuring the device remains secure and up-to-date for an extended period.

The bad

Despite the positive aspects, extended use of the Pixel 9 Pro XL revealed some drawbacks that I found less appealing.

Let me turn off my Wi-Fi in peace!

While the software experience was generally good, one aspect of Android 15 caused significant frustration. Unlike most Android phones, turning Wi-Fi or Mobile data on or off from the quick settings menu required two taps – one to select ‘Internet’ and another to toggle it.

Although it may seem trivial, the repetitive nature of this action over several months became annoying. A simple solution of having separate one-tap buttons for Wi-Fi and Mobile data would have been more user-friendly.

It’s too damn big and heavy

It’s no surprise that the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a large phone with its 6.8-inch display. However, even with relatively large hands, I found the size to be cumbersome.

About a month into using the phone, its size started to become a burden. Even with spacious pockets, there was limited room for anything else, and the weight of the phone made it uncomfortable during extended use. The need for a case for extra grip and protection added to the overall heft, making it a challenging device to handle for prolonged periods.

While the size and weight issue is not unique to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, it made me wish for a smaller, lighter device to alleviate the strain on my wrist and fingers during use.

The ugly

There’s one aspect of the Pixel 9 Pro XL that was particularly frustrating and warranted inclusion in the ‘ugly’ section. It not only represents a significant downside of the phone but also highlights an unnecessary complexity in maximizing its potential.

What the hell is going on with charging?

When I learned that the Pixel 9 Pro XL supported Google’s 45W fast charger, I was excited about the prospect of quick charging speeds. However, the reality fell short of expectations. The phone was limited to 37W charging, and that too required a specific compatible charger for optimal speeds.

As someone who prefers fast charging to top up the battery quickly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s charging speeds were disappointing. Without the dedicated charger, the charging times were significantly slower, requiring over an hour for a full charge.

While Qi wireless charging is convenient, the advertised 23W speed relies on a Pixel Stand accessory that is no longer available, resulting in slower 12W speeds without it.

Despite the frustrations with charging, the overall battery life of the Pixel 9 Pro XL compensated for the slow charging speeds for most users. However, in situations where a quick charge was needed, the limitations of the charging system became apparent and cumbersome.

My 3-month verdict on the Pixel 9 Pro XL

Despite some drawbacks, the Pixel 9 Pro XL remains a solid choice for most users. It offers a compelling combination of display quality, camera performance, battery life, and software experience that sets it apart from other phones in 2025.

While the performance may not match the competition on paper, the real-world usage of the Pixel 9 Pro XL proves its reliability and effectiveness in day-to-day tasks.

However, the size and weight of the device, along with the charging limitations, detract from the overall user experience. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is still a worthwhile purchase, but users should be prepared to accept these compromises.

For those considering alternatives, check out our guide to the best phones currently available in the market.