The Pixel 8 Pro already ranks as the longest-running Google device I’ve kept as one of my daily devices, eclipsed only by the Nexus 4 long ago. I’ve explained many times why it’s one of the best phones out there, made better by Google’s robust AI feature set it introduced. And while its successors, the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, have new upgrades and more AI features, I have no plans to upgrade.
In fact, I might end up sticking with the Pixel 8 Pro, even though the standard Pixel 9 could be a tempting option. While each successive phone is expected to be better, I think it all comes down to the added value they offer to convince buyers.
Here's why I'm hesitant to upgrade.
You get a smaller screen
Google is making things a bit more complicated this time around, as you might think that the Pixel 9 Pro is technically the successor to the 8 Pro, but that's not the case. As I explained in my Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9 Pro vs Pixel 9 Pro XL comparison , you're getting a smaller 6.3-inch Super Actua display instead of the larger 6.7-inch screen on my Pixel 8 Pro — which clearly makes the Pixel 9 Pro XL a direct successor due to its 6.8-inch display.
For those accustomed to larger screens, I think it will be difficult to convince people to accept its smaller size with the Pixel 9 Pro.
It costs more this time
The confusion surrounding the Pixel 9 lineup is compounded by the price hike. If I’m to compare apples to apples, you’ll have to shell out $1,099 to buy the Pixel 9 Pro XL if you’re planning on upgrading from the current Pixel 8 Pro. But again, that’s a $100 price increase over the $999 starting price that Pixel 8 Pro owners paid for the phone last year.
I understand that price increases are inevitable, but it's rare for them to happen year-over-year. Typically, phone makers wait a few generations before making a move, but Google has technically raised prices on the last three models of the larger Pixels.
No major upgrades to camera specifications
Taking a closer look at the cameras in my Pixel 9 Pro hands-on review, I noticed that the camera specs aren’t all that different from the Pixel 8 Pro. The only exception is the upgraded 48MP ultra-wide camera on the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, which is an improvement due to its better f/1.7 aperture (up from f/1.95 on the Pixel 8 Pro). However, its 123-degree field of view is narrower than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 126-degree one.
Even though it doesn't top the list, I still think the Pixel 8 Pro is one of the best camera phones out there, especially since the main and telephoto cameras look identical on the Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL. I don't expect the quality to be dramatically better, but at least a marginal improvement in areas like low light and dynamic range.
New AI features could be added to the Pixel 8 Pro
AI has been the hottest trend in phones over the past year. So it's no surprise that Google is announcing new AI features with its Pixel 9 lineup, like the ability to generate custom images and sketches with Pixel Studio, how Add Me's augmented reality can include the photo taker in the snapshot, or how Pixel Screenshots can remember things for you. While I was impressed with all of these features, there's still a chance they'll roll out to the Pixel 8 Pro.
I only need to look at Samsung, which I think proves how new AI features can be rolled out to older phones. While the Galaxy S24 Ultra introduced me to all the goodness of the Galaxy’s AI, most of the same features were then rolled out to the Galaxy S23 Ultra. If that’s not enough to convince me that Google will do the same, I’ve already seen firsthand how the Pixel 8 Pro’s exclusive AI features like Best Take and Magic Editor were available on the lower-spec Pixel 8a.
In conclusion
After using the Pixel 8 Pro for nearly a year, it's hard for me to say that the Pixel 9 Pro XL is worth upgrading to. Unless it's better in areas like battery life and processing performance, it's hard to recommend upgrading, especially since it's more expensive.
The question is also whether these AI features will eventually come to older phones like my Pixel 8 Pro. Could that happen in the months after the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are released? If that happens, the Pixel 8 Pro will essentially benefit from the best bits of the new phones.