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WhichPhoneToBuy

Google Pixel 8 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes out ahead on 11 counts and the Google Pixel 8 on 3.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Google Pixel 8 for

  • Lighter: 187 g vs 221 g (34 g less)
  • More compact: 12.3 mm shorter
  • Cheaper at launch: $699 vs $1,099

Pick the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for

  • Bigger battery: 5,060 vs 4,575 mAh (11% more)
  • Faster wired charging: 37 W vs 27 W
  • Faster wireless charging: 23 W vs 18 W
  • Thinner: 8.5 mm vs 8.9 mm
  • Bigger screen: 6.8" vs 6.2"
  • Brighter display: 3,000 vs 2,000 nits peak
  • Optical zoom (5×), which the other lacks
  • OS updates for longer, until Aug 2031
  • More RAM: up to 16 GB vs 8 GB
  • More storage: up to 1 TB vs 256 GB
  • Newer: launched August 2024

Size comparison

The Google Pixel 8 is 12.3 mm shorter, 5.8 mm narrower, 0.4 mm thicker and 34 g lighter than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Its screen is 0.6" smaller.

  • Google Pixel 8150.5 × 70.8 × 8.9 mm
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
AnnouncedOctober 4, 2023August 13, 2024
ReleasedOctober 12, 2023August 22, 2024
Launch price$699 (better)$1,099
BodyGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Size150.5 × 70.8 × 8.9 mm162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm
Thickness8.9 mm8.5 mm (better)
Weight187 g (better)221 g
Framesatin metalpolished metal
Backpolished glassmatte glass
Water resistanceIP68IP68
ColoursHazel, Obsidian, Rose, Mint, Bay, PorcelainPorcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian
DisplayGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Size6.2"6.8"?
TypeActuaLTPO OLED
Resolution1080 × 24001344 × 2992 (better)
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness2,000 nits13,000 nits (better)
ProtectionGorilla Glass Victus1Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Performance and softwareGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G3Google Tensor G4
CPUNona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)1x 3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 + 3x 2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 + 4x 1.9 GHz Cortex-A5201
Process4 nm1—
Ships withAndroid 14Android 14
OS updates7 years (to Oct 2030)7 years (to Aug 2031) (better)
Security updates7 years (to Oct 2030)7 years (to Aug 2031) (better)
MemoryGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
RAM8 GB16 GB (better)
Storage128 GB / 256 GB128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (better)
CamerasGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Rear50 MP Main 12 MP Ultrawide50 MP Main 48 MP Ultrawide 48 MP Telephoto (5× optical)
Main camera50 MP50 MP
Optical zoomNone5× (better)
Front10.5 MP42 MP
Video4K video at 24, 30, or 60 FPS8K at 30 FPS
BatteryGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Capacity4,575 mAh5,060 mAh (better)
Wired charging27 W137 W (better)
Wireless charging18 W123 W (better)
Reverse wirelessYes1Yes1
ConnectivityGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 71Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.35.3
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
Headphone jackNo1—
eSIMYesYes
Satellite messaging—Yes
FeaturesGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
FingerprintYes1Fingerprint Unlock1
Stereo speakersYesYes

Highlighted: the better value where one is clearly better. Sources for each phone are listed on the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL pages.

Quick answers

Is the Google Pixel 8 bigger than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
The Google Pixel 8 is 12.3 mm shorter, 5.8 mm narrower, 0.4 mm thicker and 34 g lighter than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Its screen is 0.6" smaller.
Which has the bigger battery, the Google Pixel 8 or the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has the bigger battery: 5,060 mAh against 4,575 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
Which gets software updates for longer?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: its maker promises OS updates until around August 2031, against October 2030 for the Google Pixel 8.
Which was cheaper at launch?
The Google Pixel 8 launched at $699, against $1,099 for the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL (US launch prices; street prices drop over time).

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