The story of the Google Pixel is one of a lot of back and forth. At first, we saw the company try to tackle a smartphone competition that just did not work out with the Nexus. And so we went from this affordable approach into something more premium as companies like Apple and Samsung were not having a problem in making a market for themselves within that Realm.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a big and expensive smartphone. It's also one of the best I've used this year. Let me explain why in my full review.The Latest Tech News, Delivered to Your Inbox

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the largest of the three models in Google’s 2024 flagship lineup: the Pixel 9 with a 6.3-inch display starting at $799, the same-size 9 Pro starting at $999, and the 9 Pro XL, sporting a 6.8-inch display and starting at $1,099. Other than the display and body size, the two Pro phones have the same specifications.

Nearly 8 years removed from the series' introduction, the Pixel 9 Pro XL represents the most complete, refined smartphone Google's ever released. A bold, bright display, competent hardware, and increasingly effective software make it a strong contender for best phone of the year.

The pressure to deliver on hardware and AI has pushed Google to make some of the best Pixel phones it has ever made.

The 9 Pro Fold’s cover screen is essentially the same size, shape and aspect ratio as the base Pixel 9. After using it for several weeks, and spending the last year with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Fold 6, it’s clear that a larger cover display on a folding phone should be the standard.

I've spent a lot of time with Google's top-end smartphone model, the Pixel 9 Pro XL. For the past month, I've tested all it has to offer, which includes its

After spending nearly a year with the Pixel 8 Pro, I was excited for its spiritual successor with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, mainly for its new AI features and upgraded cameras. But now that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is finally official after being the last flagship announcement for 2024,

I once described the Pixel 8 Pro as the perfect Pixel. But Google has raised the bar: The Pixel 9 Pro XL is even better.

This is the Pixel 9, what Google calls as a phone full of firsts, and to which I'm gonna partially agree. See, this particular phone represents a change in Google's ever-changing approach to smartphones.