Compare Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro may look almost identical, but they have many differences. If your budget allows, you should choose the Pro model because it has superior hardware.

Here are the main reasons why Pixel 9 Pro is more popular than Pixel 9.

1. Pixel 9 Pro has a brighter screen

Compare Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro Picture 1 Compare Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro Picture 1

Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are equipped with a 6.3-inch OLED panel. But while the Pixel 9 uses an Actua panel, the Pixel 9 Pro uses a Super Actua screen. So, what is the difference between these two models?

The Pixel 9 Pro's display can dynamically adjust its refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, while the regular Pixel 9's range is from 60Hz to 120Hz. This will help the Pixel 9 Pro last longer as it can further reduce the refresh rate when displaying static content to reduce power consumption.

Additionally, Google claims the Pixel 9 Pro has an HDR brightness of 2,000 nits and a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits. For comparison, the Pixel 9 can reach 1,800 nits when playing HDR content, with a maximum brightness of 2,700 nits.

2. Pixel 9 Pro boasts more RAM and storage

Google's entire Pixel 9 line has a base storage capacity of 128GB. However, the Pixel 9 Pro comes in four variants, with up to 1TB of storage. By comparison, the Pixel 9 only has two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. If you plan to use the phone for many years, consider buying the Pixel 9 Pro 256GB or 512GB variant.

The Pixel 9 is equipped with 12GB RAM, while the 9 Pro has 16GB RAM. You might think that the additional 4GB of RAM on the Pro model is overkill, and 12GB is good enough for everyday use. However, with AI improvements and 7 years of promised OS updates and Pixel Feature Drops, the extra RAM on the Pixel 9 Pro will come in handy for years to come.

3. Pixel 9 Pro's camera hardware is superior

Compare Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro Picture 2 Compare Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro Picture 2

True to its Pro moniker, the Pixel 9 Pro is equipped with a more capable camera system than the regular Pixel 9. Both Pixels have the same main and ultra-wide cameras: 50MP f/1.68 main camera with OIS and 48MP f/1.7 ultra-wide camera with autofocus support.

However, the Pixel 9 Pro also has a 5x 48MP f/2.8 telephoto camera, providing up to 10x optical quality performance and up to 30x Super Res Zoom. In comparison, the Pixel 9 only offers 2x optical zoom and up to 8x Super Res Zoom.

The Pixel 9 Pro has a multi-area LDAF (laser detection autofocus) sensor for better autofocus performance in difficult situations, while the regular Pixel 9 only has single-area LDAF. Other features not found on the cheaper Pixel include Pro camera controls and the ability to take photos at 50MP resolution.

In terms of video recording capabilities, the Pixel 9 Pro can record 8K videos using Video Boost, while the Pixel 9 is limited to only being able to record videos at 4K/60FPS. The standard Pixel also lacks Video Boost, Night Sight Video, and Super Res Zoom Video, so it won't be able to capture spectacular low-light video like the Pro model.

4. Pixel 9 Pro offers faster wireless charging

Compare Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro Picture 3 Compare Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro Picture 3

Both the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro have 4,700mAh batteries. Their wired charging speeds max out at 27W. But the Pro lives up to its name with faster wireless charging speeds. It can charge the battery wirelessly at speeds of up to 21W, while the regular Pixel 9 is limited to 15W.

To enjoy faster charging speeds, you'll have to use Google's Pixel Stand (2nd generation). However, with the best Qi chargers, the phone will only use 12W of power.

Besides the above, there are some minor differences between the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. The Pixel 9 has a glossy glass back with a satin finish on a metal frame, while the 9 Pro has a matte glass back with a glossy metal frame. This will give the Pixel 9 Pro a better feel in the hand, helping to resist scratches and daily bumps.

The Pixel 9 Pro also has a temperature sensor and an ultra-wideband chip. These features may not be very useful in current day-to-day use, but they allow the Pro model to take full advantage of its brand value and $200 higher price.

Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro has some important upgrades compared to the regular Pixel 9. The brighter 120Hz display and superior camera system are reason enough to lean towards the Pro model, as these improvements will be noticeable in everyday use.