share 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Looks don’t always matter, but when they do, they go a long way in cementing a design identity. For the Google Pixel series, the signature flair in recent iterations has always been the camera visor on its rear – until its latest-gen addition, that is. The Google Pixel 9 lineup, comprising a base model and two Pro iterations for the first time, represents a departure from the formula, eschewing the instantly recognisable edge-to-edge bar for a bold pill-shaped cutout.
As part of the refreshed roster, the 6.8-inch Google Pixel 9 Pro XL bears this mark of change. The new look brings an elevated premium touch, oozing sleek sophistication that feels right at home with its minimalist, frills-free aesthetic.
The ‘G’ logo on the rear remains unchanged, though other smaller tweaks lean more into the Apple playbook: a flatter form, more rounded edges, and tighter side rails. It’s a handsome, clean-cut charmer, and the lack of a wobble when placed flat on a surface certainly helps its case, even if the slight loss in identity does come as a pity. Pairing a silky matte glass back with an aluminium frame, the handset stays free of grease and fingerprints.
However, the polished metal on its sides and glossy edges attract smudges easily, with the combined frame adding some heft to the overall build. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL tips the scales at 221 grams, the same as last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max and the heaviest in the lineup to date, so loyalists may take s.