Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: The Best Camera Phone of 2026?
Google's Pixel 9 Pro sets a new benchmark for computational photography. But how does it compare to the iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy S25? Full review inside.
Google has been refining the Pixel formula for years and the Pixel 9 Pro represents the most polished result yet. The combination of Tensor G4 performance, Google's industry-leading computational photography, and seven years of guaranteed updates makes a compelling case. Here's our full review.
Design
The Pixel 9 Pro marks a significant design departure from previous Pixels. The camera bar has been redesigned into a more refined oval island, the corners are softer, and the overall aesthetic is more premium. Available in four muted colours — Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz — the phone feels genuinely premium and distinctive in hand.
Display
The 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate is stunning. Peak brightness of 3000 nits makes it easily readable in direct sunlight — an area where previous Pixels struggled. Colours are accurate, text is crisp, and the smooth scroll of the 120Hz panel makes everything feel premium.
Camera — The Star of the Show
The Pixel 9 Pro's triple camera system — 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 5x telephoto — is exceptional. Google's computational photography expertise means the Pixel consistently produces the most natural-looking photos of any smartphone. Night Sight remains class-leading, producing usable images in near-darkness where other phones fail. The new Add Me feature uses AI to insert the photographer into group shots — genuinely magical when it works. Video Boost, which uses Google's data centres to enhance video after recording, produces cinematic results that rival professional cameras.
Tensor G4 Performance
The Tensor G4 is purpose-built for AI tasks and it shows. On-device speech recognition is near-instant and highly accurate. Call Screen and Direct My Call handle phone spam and navigate automated systems automatically. Gemini integration throughout the OS is the most capable AI assistant on any smartphone.
Battery Life
The 4700mAh battery combined with efficient power management delivers reliable all-day battery life. In testing we averaged 7-8 hours of screen-on time. The 27W wired charging is adequate but the 21W wireless charging is slower than competitors.
Verdict
The Pixel 9 Pro is the best camera phone you can buy if natural-looking photos and AI features are your priority. Seven years of guaranteed updates at $999 USD / £999 / €1,099 makes it an exceptional long-term investment. If you live in the Google ecosystem it's an easy recommendation. Score: 9/10