Upgrade paths: Pixel 7 Pro vs. 9 Pro – big leap or small improvements?

So, your cell plan is up, and you're thinking about getting a new phone. Is the Pixel 9 Pro a better choice than your old Pixel 7 Pro? Let's dive into the details.

The Pixel line has really changed a lot over the past few years. The Pixel 8 series has fixed a lot of the problems people had with the Pixel 7 Pro. It might be a bit too soon to upgrade if you just got the Pixel 7 Pro, but this comparison will help you decide if the Pixel 9 Pro is worth the extra cost.

(toc) #title=(Table of Content)

Hardware and design

The Pixel 7 Pro might not have the latest and greatest hardware, but it’s still a solid phone for 2024. Sure, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL are a bit more powerful, but the improvements since the original Tensor chip aren’t that big of a deal.

At first glance, you might not realize that the Pixel 7 Pro has a slightly sharper screen than the newer Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL. However, when you compare them side-by-side, it's clear that the Pixel 9 series has a superior display. It’s brighter and has a more vibrant color palette. Plus, the smaller, even bezels around the screen make it look even more impressive.

Size and Display

• Pixel 7 Pro: The largest of the three, offering a spacious 6.7-inch screen.
• Pixel 9 Pro: Slightly smaller at 6.3 inches, but still provides a comfortable viewing experience.
• Pixel 9 Pro XL: A larger version of the Pixel 9 Pro, boasting a 6.8-inch display.

All three models feature high-resolution OLED displays with smooth 120Hz refresh rates for a fluid user experience.

Performance and Battery

• Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL: Both powered by the latest Google Tensor G4 chip, delivering top-notch performance.
• Pixel 7 Pro: While still capable, it uses the slightly older Google Tensor G2.

The Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL pack a 5,000mAh battery, while the Pixel 9 Pro has a slightly smaller 4,700mAh battery.

Cameras

• All models: Feature a triple camera setup with a wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lens.
• Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL: Both offer a 5x telephoto lens for impressive zoom capabilities.
• Pixel 7 Pro: Has a 48MP 5x telephoto lens.

Other Features

• All models: Support fingerprint and face unlock, are IP68 water and dust resistant, and offer various color options.

The Pixel 7 Pro, much like its larger sibling, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, has a slightly thicker and taller build. However, the boxy design of the Pro series features smart tweaks to maximize space. And if you prefer a smaller device, you're in luck, as there's now a smaller Pixel 9 Pro option. The best part is, you won't sacrifice any features by opting for the smaller model.

One significant upgrade is the improved security. The Pixel 9 Pro ditches the optical fingerprint scanner in favor of a more accurate ultrasonic reader. Combined with enhanced Face Unlock, accessing your device has never been quicker or more secure on a Tensor-powered Pixel.

Software and performance

While the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro both use Google's Tensor processor, you might not notice a huge difference in day-to-day performance. Instead of focusing on big leaps, Google has refined and improved the AI capabilities. You’ll see faster app loading and better AI-powered features, but it's not a dramatic upgrade. Gaming performance is still average compared to other top-tier phones.

Software:

• Pixel 7 Pro: Android 13
• Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL: Android 14

Features:

• Both: In-display fingerprint scanner, Face Unlock, Photo Unblur, Cinematic Blur
• Pixel 7 Pro: VPN by Google, Cough and snore detection
• Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL: Google One VPN, Titan M2 chip, Gemini Nano, AI wallpapers, Circle to Search, Add Me, Pixel Studio, Pixel Screenshots, Satellite SOS (US only)

Key differences: The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL offer a more advanced software experience with features like Gemini Nano, AI wallpapers, and Satellite SOS.

The Android 14 experience is the same across all Pixel phones. If you don't use AI features like Pixel Studio, Zoom Enhance, Pixel Screenshots, or camera features like Add Me, you won't miss anything the Pixel 7 series can't already do.

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL have a longer support window. The Pixel 7 Pro will get one more major update after Android 15. So you'll get Android 16 in October 2025. Then it's just security patches until October 2027. Google is still providing 7 years of Android version updates on the Pixel 9 series until August 2031. This includes OS updates, so you should factor in the value-add on the support window.

Battery

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL offer significant battery improvements over their predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro. While the Pixel 7 Pro might be experiencing some battery degradation, the newer models benefit from a combination of optimized hardware and software, resulting in longer-lasting power.

One of the most noticeable upgrades is the faster charging speed. The Pixel 9 series supports 45W wired charging, allowing for a much quicker top-up when the battery gets low. This is a significant improvement over the Pixel 7 Pro's 30W charging. Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro XL boasts an even faster 37W wired charging speed when using compatible USB PD power bricks.

In terms of standby time, the Pixel 9 series consistently outperforms the Pixel 7 Pro. You can expect to enjoy significantly longer battery life between charges, especially when the phone is not in active use.

Camera

Even though the Pixel 9 Pro has better camera hardware than its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro, the software adjustments that Google makes to the camera are pretty much the same. So, while the Pixel 9 Pro starts off with a better camera, it's still using similar software to take pictures.

Both the Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL boast impressive camera setups, but there are some key differences. Let's break it down:

• Main Camera: Both phones feature a 50MP main sensor, but the Pixel 9 Pro has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.7) for better low-light performance.
• Ultra-Wide: The Pixel 7 Pro has a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, while the Pixel 9 Pro upgrades to a 48MP sensor for even more detail.
• Telephoto: The Pixel 7 Pro has a 48MP telephoto lens, while the Pixel 9 Pro offers a 5x optical zoom.
• Front Camera: The Pixel 7 Pro has an 11.1MP front camera, while the Pixel 9 Pro steps up to a 42MP sensor for higher-quality selfies and video calls.

Beyond the hardware, both phones offer a range of advanced camera features, including:

• Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS)
• Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF)
• 30x zoom (Pixel 7 Pro) and up to 30x Super Res Zoom (Pixel 9 Pro)
• Macro mode
• Guided frame
• 4K UHD video at 60fps
• 10-bit HDR10 video
• Real Tone technology for accurate skin tones
• Cinematic Blur effect
• 8K video at 30fps (Pixel 9 Pro)
• Magic Editor for post-processing
• Best Take for selecting the best shot from multiple takes
• Magic Eraser for removing unwanted objects
• Photo Unblur for sharpening blurry photos
• Audio Magic Eraser for removing unwanted sounds from videos
• Zoom Enhance for improving image quality at high zoom levels

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL are a major upgrade from the Pixel 7 Pro, thanks to their better camera hardware and software. The main camera's bigger aperture and improved ultrawide lens are enough to justify upgrading, but that's just the beginning. These new models also have better zoom features, a much better selfie camera, and tons of new features like 8K video recording, enhanced Night Sight and Panoramic photos, and even a feature that can remove unwanted sounds from your videos. While the Pixel 7 Pro is still a great camera, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL are simply better in every way.

Pixel 7 Pro vs. 9 Pro: Is the upgrade worth it?

If you're looking for a smaller, top-of-the-line Android phone, the Pixel 9 Pro is a fantastic upgrade from the Pixel 7 Pro. Its smaller size is a big draw, making it stand out from other high-end phones on the market. While the Pixel 9 Pro is a bit pricier, the extra cost might not be worth it for most people who already have the Pixel 7 Pro.