On paper at least, the Pixel 9 Pro XL adopts the same rear camera module as its predecessor, the Pixel 8 Pro, as it has a 50MP main sensor, accompanied by two 48MP sensors each, one flanked by a telephoto lens. The other with an ultra-wide angle. The optics seem identical, except for the latter, which gets a larger aperture: if it says f/2 on the Pixel 8 Pro, it stands at f/1.7 on the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Main unit: 50 MP, f/1.68, 25mm equivalent
the pixel collection As always at work, allowing to obtain 12.5 megapixel images by default, as in the Pixel 8 Pro. If differences appear, they are clearly due to improved software processing rather than new hardware features. Compared to those taken with the excellent Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL photos should not shake. Sharpness is high, tones are slightly warmer and lines are less pronounced than on the Pixel 8 Pro, which is also the case when compared to the Samsung smartphone. To our credit, we also make the perimeter a little more visible.
In low light, Google's smartphone shows the same characteristics. Understand that the colors are a bit warm and strong, thus leaning more towards yellow than its competitors, and that overexposure has been contained. We notice a slightly lower uniformity than in the Pixel 8 Pro and a toned down processing. The digital noise that Samsung prefers is hidden in the 9 Pro XL's photos, which once again proves to be convincing.
50MP mode
Accessing the 50MP mode is easy, as you just have to tap on the “12MP” icon located in one of the corners of the screen to access the necessary parameter. If it lacks interest in low light, its use is interesting in good lighting conditions: it allows for a more generous cropping of the image, and can usefully replace the zoom module.
Ultra-wide angle unit: 48MP, f/1.7 aperture
the pixel collection It also works with a few extra pixels, recording images at 12.5MP. The processing is much smoother than that of the S24 Ultra and colors look more natural. Distortion is controlled, even if there is a bit of blurring at the edges.
The same observation when the brightness is lowered. The uniformity is more pronounced, the sharpness is reduced significantly, but the result is more convincing than it was on the noisy Galaxy S24. Compared to the Pixel 8 Pro, we notice that the fine contrasts are less pronounced and the color measurement is more natural.
50MP mode
At ultra-wide, the 50MP mode is much less useful. It allows for a slight crop, but offers little extra detail.
Zoom unit: 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm equivalent
The same definition for close-up photos, which allows you to get the equivalent of 5x zoom (with OIS). Sharpness is high when light is present, both in the center of the image and on its periphery. The image is slightly more exposed and slightly more contrasty than with the Pixel 8 Pro, a valid observation if we compare it to that of the Galaxy S24 Ulta.
In low light, the Google terminal struggles to convince. The uniformity is all over the place, some areas are not quite clear and a lot of detail is simply lost, even if the exposure is better than it was with the Pixel 8 Pro; so it's best not to worry too much about the details in the case of night photos. The selection of digital noise produced by the Galaxy S24 Ultra is no less important, all things considered.
Front unit, portrait mode and video
The Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a 42MP front unit, which allows for 10MP photos, without access to the 42MP mode. The photos are detailed as always, perhaps a little more than the Pixel 9, and are accompanied by a still relevant crop.
In terms of video, Google also brings something new to its Pixel. The newcomer is actually capable of shooting up to 8K at 30fps, while previous generations offered no more than 4K at 60fps – if the usefulness of this definition remains to be determined, the possibility is interesting, since the smartphone is designed to be usable for at least seven years. Up front, it relies on 4K resolution at 60fps, which is already more than enough.
