Apple's iPhone 16 is officially official, and returning are fun, vibrant colors, a redesigned camera bump on the rear, and a slew of new buttons. I'm on the ground in Cupertino, CA, and as Tim Cook closed out the "It's Glowtime." keynote, I dashed out of the Steve Jobs Theater and headed straight towards the iPhone 16.
First, the colors are fantastic and best described simply as fun, at least for most shades. Ultra Marine (a mix of blues, but don't call it blue), Pink, and Teal all come together to freshen up the iPhone palette and look delightful. I think Pro users will be a little upset with the vibrant shades here, though. You could say Black and White here resembles the more neutral shades that the Pros get.
Regardless of shade, it's most prominent on the back and is also the canvas for the redesigned main camera bump that sits vertically. It contains a 48-megapixel primary lens and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and the new orientation will allow this iPhone to capture spatial video for playback on the Vision Pro.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
The physical changes live on the sides, though – the Action Button has trickled down to the standard iPhones and lives above the volume rocker. I see it as a welcome addition, and much like the new customization features of iOS 18, it is a customizable button on your iPhone. You can be like me and use it to unlock your car, play a specific version of "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, make a custom Shortcut to trigger, or pick from presets like turning on the flashlight or opening up the camera.
Though, I don't know why you would set it to camera, considering the iPhone 16 has an all-new "Camera Control" button on the left. It's in the perfect position, as when you're holding the iPhone 16 horizontally, it's on the top right, which mirrors the design of nearly any camera. You can click it once to open the camera and again to take the shot, but it's a button filled with technology. You can swipe left or right to zoom in or out, and a slightly lighter press-in lets you jump between shooting modes and other effects. It's really cool, and I cannot wait to spend more time with it.
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Aside from these changes, though, the iPhone 16 really resembles the iPhone 15 quite a bit. Thanks to an aluminum build, it still feels solid in the hand, but it won't weigh you down. To the untrained eye, the front is nearly all display, at 6.1 inches, and the OLED is still vibrant and crisp with details. It's still just 60Hz, so there is no buttery smooth refresh rate, but I imagine most folks will be split. If you have a phone with a 120Hz screen, it's best to steer clear, but if you haven't experienced it, I don't think you'll mind it all.
Plus, the Dynamic Island is on top, so you can use the Live Activities galore. During my brief hands-on time, the iPhone 16 felt snappy for opening applications, playing around with the new buttons, and even attempting a few games. There is also a new chip under the hood – yes, an entirely new one instead of Apple trickling the Pro's one down – and it's the Apple A18 chip, which can handle a lot. It will be plenty for daily tasks and will be ready to help you make the most of Apple Intelligence when those features arrive.
To address the proverbial elephant in the room, the iPhone 16 will come out of the box with iOS 18, meaning that no Apple Intelligence features will be available out of the box. The first of those features, Writing Tools and Photo Cleanup will arrive with iOS 18.1 in October.
That about sums up my first impressions of the iPhone 16 – it's a powerful smartphone that should be zippy with some extra buttons in a similar, familiar build. I suspect the experience will be a lot like the iPhone 15, but I'm also curious to see how it steps things up, especially compared to earlier iPhones. At the minimum, these are way more colorful, which is something to celebrate.
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Hands-on iPhone 16 review: Price and availability
Starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399
Pre-orders open on September 13, and shipping begins on September 20
The iPhone 16 was announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will begin on Friday, September 9, and the new phone will hit store shelves on Friday, September 20.
The iPhone 16 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 for the model with 128GB of storage, with that price rising to $899 / £899 / AU$1,599 for the model with 256GB of storage and $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,949for the model with 512GB of storage.
Full iPhone 16 pricing can be found below.
Hands-on iPhone 16 review: Specs
Below, you'll find a roundup of the iPhone 16's key specs.
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Two-minute preview
At a glance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn't look or feel much different from what preceded it, and perhaps that's to be expected. The competitive game of smartphones is now one of inches. The question is, can the small or even invisible changes add up to something big?
In the early going with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I'd say the answer is yes.
Design-wise, it's a doppelganger for the iPhone 15 Pro Max...except it isn't. As soon as I held a sleek Titanium Black one, I was struck by the screen. It's still Super Retina XDR, but somehow, it seems much larger. Where the iPhone 15 Pro Max offered a 6.7-inch display, this one is 6.9 inches. That is Apple's largest iPhone display ever. Thankfully, Apple did not do this by simply making the whole device larger (it is a bit larger but more or less a wash-on weight difference). One way Apple gained so much visible screen real estate was by shrinking the black bezel surrounding it way down. I suspect that someday, that bezel will disappear altogether.
A bigger screen does make everything seem bigger, brighter, and better. But it's not just that.
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There is one other truly noticeable physical difference between the old and new iPhones. The iPhone 16 Pro Max (actually the whole line of iPhone 16 phones) has the new Camera Control.
This button is a bigger deal than I imagined, and I'm almost embarrassed to say that I already like it quite a bit.
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Covered in sapphire, the roughly half-inch long button sits on the phone's left side a couple of inches down from the power/sleep/Siri button. It's recessed (which is important, and I'll explain why in a bit) and is both a physical button and a haptic one.
A hard press gives instant access to the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera. That's a nice trick, but, of course, you could program the Action Button to do so, too. However, when I pressed lightly on Camera Control, I felt a little haptic vibration and then could sweep up and down on the button to quickly switch between the phone's cameras. If I lightly pressed twice, I gained access to deeper image controls.
Using the Camera Control, however, was not initially obvious. I was pressing too hard and then not hard enough. It took me about 20 seconds to figure it out.
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I could use Camera Control to switch zoom, depth of field, and image styles. Oh, and you're not blindly guessing which settings the Camera Control enables. Every time I used it, a little black cutout appeared on the screen right next to the button to show me every setting and control.
Yes, if you hold the phone in landscape mode, it begins to feel like you're using a traditional camera...with one caveat. The feature that would let me light press to lock focus and long press to shoot is not yet enabled. I can, though, always full press to complete taking a photo.
I even saw how Snapchat is already using Camera Control to control images simply and send photos to friends with the press of a button.
Camera Control seems like a slight misnomer. The button will also be used to enable Vision Intelligence, which lets you point the phone at an object and press the button to get a description. It's like Circle to Search without the circle or, I guess, Google.
As I noted above, the button is recessed, and I found that it's quite hard to trigger it accidentally. That's a good thing.
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The other big changes are in software and silicon. Inside the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the new A18 Pro. This is the apex Apple silicon mobile chip, a 3nm CPU that has more power for the Pro phones. It should also provide enough power to game to your heart's content. The iPhone 15 Pro Max was a pretty decent little gaming console, so I would expect no less from this bigger and better-equipped beast. I'll know more when I finally test the phone.
You won't need to play a game to experience this power, though. Like the A18 found in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the A18 Pro has all the juice you need for the Apple Intelligence.
In my brief experience with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, this is not full-boat Apple Intelligence. When the iPhone ships next week, it won't have any Apple intelligence, but an iOS update should roll out next month and then Apple will slowly seed the rest of Apple Intelligence into these iOS 18-running iPhone 16 handsets over the coming months.
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Here's what I did quickly try the demo iPhone 16 Pro Max phones running a later version of iOS 18:
I brought up some photos and navigated to the new Clean Up tool. I found photos that Apple had taken and some that others in the demo room added to the phone. In one, I used my finger to paint over offending objects and watched as they disappeared. I didn't make it easy for the phone, and sometimes there was only a partial deletion. When I used a canned photo with a distinct person in the background, Apple Intelligence Clean Up automatically found and highlighted them. I tapped the screen, and they disappeared. It was as if they were never there.
I tried the Writing tools, which I still think are sort of hidden, in Notes. There were many offers to change the text to be more professional, more concise, or a total rewrite. This is not a feature I am likely to use, but I suspect some will think it a godsend.
Siri has an all-new look, and she now makes the iPhone 16 Pro Max screen glow when you summon her. The effect is beautiful on the big-screen phone. It was a loud room, so Siri only caught part of my request. I think I asked for her to show me a photo of where I am, but she only heard "where I am" and quickly brought up my location.
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While I took a few pictures, I can't offer anything definitive about the cameras. What I will say is that there is good news in this updated camera array. Now we have two 48MP cameras, one on the main Fusion camera and another on the new ultrawide. There's also still the 12MP 5x tetraprism lens. The main camera is reportedly faster than ever, with virtually no shutter lag. Between that and the updated image pipeline, I expect photography on this big phone to be better than ever.
I have not tried out the new Cinematic Slow Motion, which looks insanely cool, nor did I get a chance to try the studio-grade mics. I did see the latter in action and was impressed by how the In-frame setting could cut away any sound not coming from whatever was in the frame. I also thought the studio quality, which left in the background noises but emphasized the main subjects' sounds, was quite good.
The new 4k 120fps-capable camera looks like it will transform how people take dramatic videos. I like that there's a new speed control that will allow for easier stepping up and down of playback speed (half or quarter speed).
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My takeaway from all these new photo and video tools is that this may be the ultimate pro videographer phone option. Apple, by the way, shot its entire Glowtime video presentation on an iPhone, and it's no wonder. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerful device with some serious skills.
Apple is promising better battery life on all the iPhone 16 models, but the gains may be especially great on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its much larger battery, coupled with the efficient A18 Pro and more battery management, might add hours to the battery life, but I won't know for sure until I test it.
Finally, there's the look of this phone. As I mentioned above, I got to touch the Titanium Black. It is a gorgeous device, and I really can't understand why you would want any other color. But if you're so inclined, it's available in White, Natural, and new Desert Titanium (think sand but shinier).
Is this the best iPhone Apple has ever made? Possibly, It'll certainly claim a spot near the top of our best iPhone list and maybe even best smartphones. I'll offer my definitive take when I finish my full review.
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149
Pre-orders open on September 13, shipping from September 20
The iPhone 16 Pro Max was announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will begin on Friday, September 9, and the new phone will hit store shelves on Friday, September 20.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149 for the model with 256GB of storage, with that price rising to $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,849 for the model with 1TB of storage. For context, those are the same starting and maximum prices as the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Full iPhone 16 Pro Max pricing is as follows:
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Specs
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Below, you'll find a roundup of the iPhone 16 Pro Max's key specs.
Honor already offered the world’s slimmest folding phone with its impressively sleek Honor Magic V2, but rather than resting on its laurels, the brand is back with an even skinnier book-style foldable: the Honor Magic V3.
It's hard to overstate just how slim this phone is – the rear section barely has enough room for its USB-C port. You could easily mistake the Magic V3 for a non-foldable device, and plenty of candy bar phones are actually thicker than Honor’s latest foldable (indeed, the Magic V3 is almost as thin as the iPhone 15 Pro Max).
Of course, dimensions are only one part of the puzzle, and with premium pricing, you want performance to match. On that front, Honor has stuffed the latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor into the Magic V3, along with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a sizable 5,150mAh battery.
Of course, in 2024, there's more competition than ever in the foldable space. Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and Vivo all offer very compelling options, but the Honor Magic V3 still has one of the most stacked spec sheets around, as well as wider availability than much of its Chinese competition.
However, it's not perfect. Despite having a large battery pack, the Magic V3's longevity failed to impress. It's serviceable, but even with all the extra milliamp hours, it doesn't seem to last any longer than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. On the flip side, it charges a lot quicker, which makes it easier to live with.
Then there's the software, which takes a very different approach to Android with many iOS-inspired choices. It definitely won't be for everyone, and multitasking could use some work, but there are a lot of cool features built-in, and I have grown quite fond of it.
On the whole, I've loved living with the Honor Magic V3. If you're keen on a big screen foldable, but find their typical size and weight off-putting, this is the device for you. It's a real feat of engineering that feels premium through and through.
Honor Magic V3 review: price and availability
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The Magic V3 in its protective vegan leather case (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
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The Magic V3 in its protective vegan leather case (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
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The Magic V3 in its protective vegan leather case (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
Costs £1,699
Available in the UK and Europe; no release for the US or Australia
Honor Magic V3 was originally launched in China on July 12, 2024, before being released globally at IFA 2024 on September 5. It's now available to pre-order in most regions across the world, but as usual, that list excludes the United States.
In the UK, it costs £1,699 and is available in Tundra Green, Velvet Black and Red color options. There's also a Snow (white) version with a unique textured rear panel, but that one's only available in China.
Honor Magic V3 review: specs
Here’s a look at the Honor Magic V3’s key specs:
Honor Magic V3 review: design
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The slimmest foldable so far
Velvety-feeling matte glass back
IPX8 water resistant
The most striking thing about the Honor Magic V3's design is how slim it is. The phone measures just 9.2mm thick when folded, which is almost 3mm slimmer than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 – Samsung's slimmest foldable to date. It's also one of the lightest large-format foldables around, tipping the scales at just 226g. For reference, that's a couple of grams lighter than Honor's own non-folding flagship, the Honor Magic 6 Pro.
Combine these dimensions with some smooth curved edges, and you have a device that feels impossibly thin. It's especially apparent when unfolded, as there's barely room for the USB-C port on the phone's 4.35mm frame.
Unlike some of the competition, the Magic V3's cover display has fairly typical smartphone dimensions, and this makes it feel very natural to use folded down. It's one of the only foldables that I’ve repeatedly mistaken for one of my non-folding phones; the dimensions are so similar that it's easy to get confused at a glance.
While the phone remains slim elsewhere, there's a very sizable centrally-placed camera bump on the rear. It effectively doubles the thickness of the phone in that specific area. However, it does so for good reason, as there are some serious sensors on this device.
The camera island is a circular number finished with black glass, and it has a smooth octagonal aluminum bezel around its perimeter. I'm a big fan of the positioning, as it gives me a nice shelf to rest more of my forefinger on when I'm holding the phone one-handed.
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The Magic V2 (left) and Magic V3 (right) (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
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The Magic V2 (left) and Magic V3 (right) (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
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The Magic V2 (left) and Magic V3 (right) (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
The volume rocker and power button are placed on opposite sides of the phone when unfolded, and this means that they're staggered by a few millimeters when the phone is shut. It didn't bother me when I was using the cover display, but it takes some getting used to when it's unfolded, as most other foldables place these buttons on the same side. It's easy enough to adapt to, and if you're coming from the Honor Magic V2, you're all set, as they're in the exact same place.
The global version of the V3 comes in three color options, and I've had hands-on time with the black and green variants. Both of these versions have a similar velvety-feeling matte finish on the rear glass and dark gray metallic accents around the camera and frame. If you opt for the red model, you'll get a faux leather rear and golden accents; it's easily the flashiest of the bunch.
There's a very nice vegan leather case included in the box, and it comes in a matching hue. It's the kind of case you'd expect to pay a premium for; it feels luxurious, and it's well-designed. This case is more protective than most, too. There's a section that protects the hinge, a thick metal ring to keep the lenses safe and even an adhesive bumper to protect the front section.
The metal ring that surrounds the cameras can be folded out and doubles up as a kickstand; it's a very smart design. It's not always the most sturdy stand, depending on the angle you choose, but the subtlety makes up for it and it's certainly better than having no kickstand. I also found myself flicking it out and using it like a pop socket on occasion – I'm not sure if that's an intended use, but it works fairly well for one-handed use of the Magic V3’s main display.
Design score: 5 / 5
Honor Magic V3 review: display
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6.43-inch 120Hz OLED cover display
7.92-inch 120Hz foldable main display
5000-nit cover display, 1800-nit main display
If you're looking at foldable phones, then you obviously care about displays, and Honor aims to impress with both of the panels on the Magic V3.
On the outside, there's a 6.43-inch OLED display with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and an ample 1060 x 2376 resolution. It's an extremely bright display, able to output up to 5000 nits at peak, and it's protected by Honor's super tough NanoCrystal 2.0 glass tech. I've been daily driving the Honor Magic 6 Pro for a while now, which has a similar coating, and I've been impressed by the lack of scratches despite using it without a protector. Hopefully, the Magic V3 fares just as well in the long term.
Honor reckons its glass is up to 40 times more impact-resistant than the glass on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. I didn't fancy whacking it with a hammer, though, so I'll just have to take the company’s word for it.
The glass has symmetrical, subtly curved edges on three sides, and slightly less of a curve on the hinge side. The curves are small enough to avoid creating distracting reflections, but they still make gesture controls feel super smooth; it's a great middle ground.
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Opening the device up, you're greeted with a spacious 7.92-inch foldable display and one of the shallowest creases I've seen on a phone like this. It's still present, of course, but it's miles ahead of the groove that runs through the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6’s display, and the far less glossy screen protector serves to hide it even more. This protector is supposedly tougher, too – Honor says it's up to five times more scratch-resistant than previous versions.
The foldable display also boasts a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and has a resolution of 2156 x 2344 pixels. It's not as bright as the outer display, maxing out at just 1800 nits, but I never had trouble seeing it, even outside on bright sunny days.
The only thing that I don't love about the main display on the Magic V3 is the positioning of the selfie camera cutout. It matches the outer screen and is centrally placed on the right-hand side of the display. This means that when you're watching letterboxed 16:9 content, the selfie camera will often cut into the image. I still prefer it over Samsung's distracting under-display unit, but I wish it was positioned in the corner, as on the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Both screens look excellent in use with vibrant, accurate colors and smooth motion. Watching HDR content on Netflix and YouTube really lets the panels show what they're made of, with dazzling highlights and tons of shadow detail.
If you're concerned about eye health, Honor has arguably done more in this department than any other brand. For starters, this phone has some of the highest PWM dimming rates of any foldable phone, with 3840Hz supported on the inside and 4320Hz on the outside. Then, there are all the usual low blue light and adaptive brightness features, plus a brand new feature called AI Defocus Display.
To be completely honest, this feature is a little beyond my understanding, but it uses AI to simulate a myopic defocus lens. The goal is to reduce eye strain when using the display for long periods. As someone who stares at screens all day anyway, I didn't notice a huge difference, but it's probably a good thing in the long term.
Display score: 5 / 5
Honor Magic V3 review: cameras
(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
50MP main (f/1.6)
50MP 3.5x telephoto (f/3.0)
40MP ultra-wide with PDAF (f/2.2)
As the chunky camera bump suggests, the Honor Magic V3 has some impressive imaging hardware on the inside. There's a 50MP main snapper with a wide f/1.6 aperture and a 1/1.56-inch sensor, a 50MP 3.5x telephoto, and a 40MP ultrawide with macro capabilities.
Each screen gets its own 20MP f/2.2 punch-hole selfie camera, but since this is a foldable phone, you can easily use the rear trio for selfie snaps as well.
The Honor Magic V3 produces poppy sharp images with vibrant colors and excellent dynamic range. It finds focus quickly, and just like the Magic 6 Pro, it's great at freezing motion for action shots in the daytime. At night, the phone continues to impress with its sharp visuals and wide dynamic range, but motion blur and noise become more of an issue, particularly when using the ultra-wide.
The main camera produces the cleanest shots, especially in the dark, but I found myself using the 3.5x telephoto just as much, if not more. It's roughly equivalent to a 90mm lens on a full-frame camera, and it's a great focal length for portraiture and street photography.
You can digitally zoom all the way up to 100x in the camera app, but you shouldn't, as your images will look like an AI-generated mess if you do. Having said that, I was pleasantly surprised by the results up to around 15-20x zoom, where you can capture very usable images.
The ultra-wide isn't quite as sharp as the other lenses, but it's a useful focal length for architecture, landscapes, and group shots. I was pleased to see that it has autofocus, as well as macro shooting capabilities, which makes it all the more useful – take notes, Samsung.
The selfie cameras are decent but unremarkable. You get an identical unit on both displays and they're great for video calls and casual snaps, but if you're looking to impress, it's well worth flipping the phone around and using one of the rear lenses.
That becomes even more true when you activate the new Studio Harcourt portrait mode, which only works on the rear lenses. This is a feature that was introduced with the Honor 200 Pro recently, and the results are just as impressive here. The big difference is that it's easy to use these effects for selfies, thanks to the folding form factor.
Honor has also added a new AI eraser to the suite of editing tools, so you can easily remove unwanted items or people from your photos. It's nothing groundbreaking, but it works well.
When it comes to video, you can shoot at up to 4K 60fps on every rear camera, and up to 4K 30fps on the selfie cameras. The stabilization is solid and the microphones sound decent but the videos are a little more contrasty than I'd like as standard. Thankfully, this is easily remedied by applying one of the built-in filters, and if you switch to Pro Video mode, you can even add your own LUT.
Camera score: 4 / 5
Honor Magic V3 camera samples
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Honor Magic V3 review: performance and software
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Zenless Zone Zero on the Magic V3 (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
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Zenless Zone Zero on the Magic V3 (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
16GB RAM and 512GB storage
Magic OS 8.0, based on Android 14
The Honor Magic V3 is powered by Qualcomm’s top-performing chip in 2024, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and it's paired with a generous 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Unsurprisingly, this results in zippy performance in all situations and it games like a champ, too. I put a few hours into my current favorite timesink, the graphically challenging Zenless Zone Zero, and it happily ran at max settings with very few frame drops.
After a while, the phone does get pretty hot to the touch, but that’s to be expected with such a powerful chip in a slim chassis. On the plus side, it never became concerningly warm, and performance didn't seem to take too much of a hit, either.
The Magic V3 runs the same software as Honor’s other recent devices, MagicOS 8.0. It's a heavily modified version of Android 14 that takes a lot of inspiration from iOS, and it's guaranteed to divide opinion.
I’ve spent a lot of time using Honor phones lately, and though it took a while to adapt, I have grown quite fond of MagicOS. I particularly like Honor's Dynamic Island clone, Magic Capsule, as it gives you quick access to timers and playback controls no matter what you have running in the foreground.
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Magic Portal on the Magic V3 (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
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Magic Capsule on the Magic V3 (Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)
Another standout feature is Magic Portal, which lets you drag images and text from one app to another, as a contextually aware menu pops up at the side of the display. I mainly use it to quickly reverse image search with Google and drag addresses into Google Maps, but it can do a lot more than that, as there are now over 150 apps that support Magic Portal.
Honor is continually adding more AI-powered features to Magic OS, too. It can now reduce background noise on your voice calls in both directions, live translate text and audio using Google's Cloud AI, and soon, it'll be able to detect deepfakes in video calls to protect you from scammers.
Since this is a large-screen foldable, multitasking is quite important, and I feel like Honor could have done more with the Magic V3. You get a quick-access taskbar, and you can split the display or use floating windows, but there's not a whole lot added compared to default Android options.
Comparatively, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a much more intuitive layout, while the OnePlus Open stands out with its awesome Open Canvas mode. The Magic V3 is perfectly capable of multitasking, but it could be so much better.
Performance & software score: 4 / 5
Honor Magic V3 review: battery
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5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery
66W wired charging
50W wireless charging
The Honor Magic V3 uses silicon-carbon tech to cram a sizable 5,150 mAh battery into its tiny chassis, and it also uses AI-based battery enhancements to increase efficiency. These two factors gave me high hopes about this device's stamina, but the reality was slightly more underwhelming.
The phone never failed to make it to the end of the day, but it would often cut it fine. Generally speaking, I found the battery performance to be quite similar to that of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, with its comparatively small 4,400 mAh pack. In fairness, the majority of my testing was done on pre-release firmware; there's every chance battery life could improve as updates roll out.
Where this phone does have the edge, though, is with its charging speed. The Magic V3 charges at up to 66W with a wire or 50W using Honor's Wireless SuperCharger. Yep, that's double the Galaxy Z Fold 6's wired charging speed without needing to plug in – impressive stuff.
I found I was able to go from flat to fully charged in under an hour, which makes keeping this device topped up very convenient. What's more, the 66W wall adapter comes included in the box, so you can enjoy the top speeds from day one. Nice work, Honor.
Battery score: 3 / 5
Should you buy the Honor Magic V3?
Buy it if...
You want the slimmest, lightest book-style foldable Simply put, if you're looking for a skinny book-style foldable, they don't come slimmer than this. Plus, there's the fact that the Magic V3 is lighter than some of its non-folding competition. It's a big-screen delight without the usual drawbacks.
You don't want to compromise on cameras Surprisingly, despite having such a slim frame, there's no compromise in the imaging department. An array of speedy cameras with relatively large sensors keeps you well-equipped for all kinds of photography.
You hate the crease Of course, creases are inevitable with folding displays, but the Magic V3 has one of the shallowest and least noticeable creases of the current crop. It's easy to forget about, which is exactly what you want.
Don't buy it if...
You need ultra-long battery life The Magic V3 may boast a relatively large capacity battery, but in practice, it's less impressive. It should still get you through the day, but it doesn't have the stamina of some rivals.
You want a vanilla Android experience Magic OS 8.0 is a heavily modified Android skin that starts to resemble iOS more than stock Android. It's not a bad system, but it's certainly not for everyone.
Honor Magic V3 review: Also consider
The Honor Magic V3 is a powerful large-format foldable with speedy performance and impressive displays, but there's plenty to be said for its competition, too.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
If Honor's Magic OS 8.0 software sounds a bit too Apple-influenced for your tastes, then consider the antithesis, Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which has the most Android-y Android software available. It also boasts a bigger main display and a fetching flat-sided design.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung's latest foldable goes all in on AI features, and while Honor has some tricks of its own, it can't come close to matching Samsung's comprehensive suite of tools. You'll have to be OK with a smaller cover screen and a pretty significant screen crease, though.
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used: Geekbench 6, 3DMark, GFXBench, native Android stats, included charger and Honor Wireless SuperCharge stand
I used the Honor Magic V3 as my main handset for around two weeks before reaching any conclusions. I used it exactly as I would use any other phone, taking lots of pictures, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video and navigating with Google Maps. It even accompanied me on an international flight.
I also compared my experience of playing graphically demanding games like Zenless Zone Zero, GenshinImpact, and PUBG Mobile to my experience with other Android foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Vivo X Fold 3 Pro. To confirm my findings, I ran a suite of benchmarks on the handset including 3DMark, GFXbench and Geekbench to compare stats across models.
Battery performance was assessed based on my real-world usage and charging times were measured using the included wall adapter and cable. I also tested the wireless charging using Honor’s Wireless 100W SuperCharge stand.
Android phone maker Fairphone has long enjoyed thriving in a niche it built for itself: its mobiles are second to none in terms of their eco-friendly credentials, with each and every model boasting sustainably sourced materials in their respective designs, upgrade-preventing longevity, and recyclable packaging.
The Fairphone 5 brings all that and more – perhaps too much more, given that it’s the brand’s most premium smartphone yet with a price tag that fits.
Released two years after the Fairphone 4 in 2021, this new Android phone continues Fairphone’s schedule of biennial device updates, though there was no Fairphone 4 Plus, so the brand’s usual trend wasn’t strictly followed.
All of Fairphone’s typical promises are back here in force: the fifth-gen mobile is easily repairable, with parts you can remove with a screwdriver and replace with equivalents bought via the brand’s store. The company is set to support the Fairphone 5 with at least five years of software updates, too, so you can keep using it for half a decade, at least. Plus, many of the parts used in the Fairphone 5's design are from renewable sources, or reused from recycled phones.
So, for the Fairphone 5 – more so than any other mobile on the market – you can rest assured that you’re picking the greenest option.
(Image credit: Future)
That’s important because, besides the eco credentials, the Fairphone 5 is like its predecessors in that it’s not very competitive for its price. You can spend the same amount on another Android phone and get better cameras, a more powerful processor, or a bigger screen. So, you do need to balance these factors when considering this device.
What’s new here, and slightly surprising, is that Fairphone is eschewing its previous design choices. Previous phones from the brand have typically had specs on par with low-end or mid-range rivals, but the Fairphone 5 is grasping up towards the top end – a move it partly, but not wholly, pulls off.
That’s best illustrated with the cameras, as the front-facing and both rear sensors each sport a 50MP resolution, and you can see clear improvements in the handset’s AI scene optimization too. But the latter goes much too far on one of the cameras, resulting in ultra-wide snaps that are a hideous mess.
Not all of Fairphone’s premium attempts are as mixed a bag: the screen has seen a significant spec improvement, making it wonderful to watch content on, while the chipset is also a lot more powerful than we've typically seen in previous Fairphone handsets; you can finally play games without taxing the hardware too much.
The improvements across the board are matched with a fairly significant price hike over the Fairphone 4, to shift the Fairphone 5 into the premium territory.
It feels as though Fairphone is trying to court a new audience with its latest mobile, one which typically picks the new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy and wants top-end phones. This may work out, though it means some fans of the brand, those with limited funding, might be left behind.
The Fairphone 5 was announced at the end of August 2023 and released in September, roughly two years on from its predecessor. That follows Fairphone’s biennial cycle.
The handset costs £649 (roughly $800 / AU$1,250), which is a fair step up over the £499 (around $670, AU$930) entry price of the Fairphone 4, though that entry had a £569 (about $770, AU$1,060) equivalent with a more comparable 8GB RAM capacity and 256GB storage (this mobile received a price cut when the 5 was announced). Either way, you’re paying more for this phone than for its predecessor.
That price hike puts the Fairphone 5 much closer to – but not quite on par with – the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone 15. It lives in a no-man’s land between premium and mid-range mobiles, a category that doesn’t see as many entries as it should. As a result, this feels like a cost-saver’s alternative to the current batch of premium smartphones.
The Fairphone 5 provides some spec increases over its predecessor, for a mixed bag of mid-range and premium features.
Fairphone 5 review: design
(Image credit: Future)
Repairable and moddable design
Made from sustainable and recycled materials
Fairly chunky in the hand
Fairphone is harking back to the noughties with the design of its newest phone. The Fairphone 5 unit that we tested has a see-through back, so you can peer into the inner workings of the device (well, to its battery mainly, but that’s still something!). To my judgemental eyes, this isn’t quite as attractive a look as the olive green of the Fairphone 4 we previously tested, but luckily there are black and blue versions of the phone on sale too.
It’s fair to give Fairphone devices quite a lot of leeway when it comes to design, and that’s because they’re doing something quite different. The Fairphone 5 has a modular design that lets you remove and replace broken components, and it’s really simple to do, whether or not you’re an expert engineer. Plus, you can remove the back of the phone and battery with your hand (remember when all smartphones let you do that?).
This is a rugged phone too, one that’ll survive tough bumps or drops. It has a MIL-810H durability rating – that’s a military-grade standard, so you know it’s solid – and the phone also has IP55 certification against splashes and dust ingress. So, don’t take it for a dive, but this handset will survive all of life’s unexpected accidents otherwise.
I say all this to acknowledge the justification behind some of my issues with the phone’s design.
The Fairphone 5 is big and heavy, perhaps big and heavy enough to put off users with smaller hands. Measuring 161.6 x 75.8 x 9.6mm, and weighing 212g, this handset is surprisingly hefty, and we can imagine that some might not like the way it feels in the hand.
The phone has a USB-C port – no 3.5mm headphone jack, as Fairphone is one of the many brands to drop this – and on its right edge, it has two volume keys as well as a power button embedded in a fingerprint scanner. The sensor for this scanner is hair-pullingly unreliable, mind, and I often found myself rubbing my thumb on it as though it was a magic lamp about to grant me a wish.
Design score: 4 / 5
Fairphone 5 review: display
(Image credit: Future)
6.46-inch Full HD+ display
Bright and vibrant screen
Big upgrade over the predecessor
The Fairphone 5 has a 6.46-inch display, so you’ve got more screen real estate than the 6.3 inches of the Fairphone 4, but that size increase is just one of the many improvements.
The display is OLED now, with Fairphone having ditched LCD, and it also has a higher refresh rate at 90Hz. There’s a maximum brightness of 880nits and a higher resolution of 1224 x 2700 too.
All of these changes combine to ensure that the Fairphone 5 is great for watching shows, scrolling through social media and playing games; with a noticeably better viewing experience across the board than its predecessors.
The display is broken up by a ‘punch-hole’ cut-out for the front camera, with Fairphone finally moving into the future and ditching the notch, and while this doesn’t really provide much of a user experience benefit (on this or any other phone!), it does give the Fairphone 5 a more modern look.
Display score: 4 / 5
Fairphone 5 review: software
(Image credit: Future)
Stock Android 13 is nice and clean
Five years of software upgrades
8-10 years of security updates
If you’re a fan of clean software, then you’ll like the Fairphone 5. Like the best Pixel phones and Nokia phones, Fairphone’s mobiles use near-stock Android, just as Google intended.
The handset runs Android 13, and the main perks of this most recent version of Android is a remodeled Google Wallet (for all your payments) and improved connectivity with Android tablets. Plus, you’re getting the nice clean look of stock Android with little bloatware, smart circular icons and a handy app drawer.
While many phone makers pledge two or three years' worth of software updates to their new devices, Fairphone wants to make sure you keep using your Fairphone 5 for as long as possible, so it’s bumping that figure up. It’s pledged to update the Fairphone 5 for at least five generations of updates (so, until Android 18 at least) and, between eight and ten years worth of security updates.
So, if you’re the kind of user who really likes to have the newest build of Android, the Fairphone will be perfect for you.
Software score: 4 / 5
Fairphone 5 review: cameras
(Image credit: Future)
50MP main + 50MP ultra-wide
50MP front-facer
Noticeable AI processing improvements, but some issues
One upgrade the Fairphone 5 brings over its fourth-gen predecessor comes in the camera department: the two rear cameras are now both 50MP (over 48MP) and the front camera is also 50MP (over 25MP).
An upgrade was needed, as the Fairphone 4’s weak camera performance was one of our main gripes with it. And the fifth-gen model really is an upgrade – as long as you steer clear of one of the three cameras.
Pictures taken on the 50MP f/1.9 main camera don’t quite compare with snaps you’ll take on the best camera phones, but they look decent for the price, and you've likely got the AI processing to thank for this.
The Fairphone 4 didn’t have much to offer in the scene optimization department, but that’s different here. Pictures look rich, vibrant and appealing, and the camera offers sufficient detail too.
By default, snaps are taken at a 12.5MP resolution, but you can bump that up to 50MP if you'd prefer. That’s the case for all the cameras, though we’re not sure you’ll want to do so for the ultra-wide…
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A 1x zoom picture - swipe along to see how this looks as an ultra-wide (Image credit: Future)
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The bizarre texture smoothing on the grass is distracting! (Image credit: Future)
The Fairphone 5’s secondary camera is a 50MP f/2.2 snapper with a 121-degree field of view, and it’s absolutely horrendous for photography. I could – and will – explain why, but checking out the camera samples above will show all.
Many of the ultra-wide pictures taken featured startling amounts of over-smoothing, with significant detail lost in a way that plasters over textures; not to mention, lots of grain in darker (and sometimes even lighter) parts of images.
I took pictures in Starfield’s photo mode that looked more realistic than these photos. It’s possible that these issues are from the Fairphone 5’s AI optimization being a little overzealous, an issue which could be fixed with software updates, but at the time of my testing… well, you can see the results for yourself.
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A selfie taken in standard selfie mode. (Image credit: Future)
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A selfie taken in Portrait mode, with its only difference being that the camera is held further from the subject. (Image credit: Future)
Luckily this isn’t an issue on the front-facing camera; selfies look detailed and reasonably bright. One interesting quirk is that, if you switch to portrait mode, the camera zooms in to 2x – you’ll need to stretch your arm in order to frame your snap well. Portrait shots had impressive depth perception, so the bokeh background blur was accurate, though some of our selfies were a little desaturated compared to non-Portrait alternatives.
Video recording goes up to 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps, and thanks to having the same sensor resolution, the front camera lets you record in 4K too.
There’s a fairly limited selection of other modes on the phone: slow-mo video recording, night mode, pro mode and panorama. No time-lapse, then – a surprising omission, given how commonplace this option is with many other smartphone cameras.
Fairphone 5 camera samples
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Camera score: 3 / 5
Fairphone 5 review: performance and audio
(Image credit: Future)
Qualcomm QCM6490 is fit for purpose...
... but no powerhouse for gaming
Stereo speakers but no 3.5mm headphone jack
Fairphone mobiles have never been performance powerhouses, but the Fairphone 5 does at least have a good enough processor to handle light gaming and similarly intensive processes.
The mobile packs the blandly-named Qualcomm QCM6490, a chipset that hasn’t been used on a smartphone before – it’s not one of Qualcomm’s mobile-first offerings, and is actually intended for IoT devices, rather than smartphones.
So, we turn to Geekbench 5 to evaluate the chip: the average multi-core score was 2940, which is on par with a top-end phone from yesteryear (read: 2020) or a mid-range phone nowadays.
When I put the Fairphone 5 through my ‘gaming tests’ (i.e. hours of gaming), it mostly performed well – there was the occasional stutter or lag, but it didn’t have much of an effect on performance. The handset isn't perfect for gaming, but it’ll do.
Unlike its predecessor, there’s only one variant of the phone: it has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. There is, however, also a microSD card slot to expand that storage, so you don’t need to worry if you're ever running low on space.
The phone has stereo speaker output, though the down-firing one is noticeably louder than its earpiece equivalent. This performs how you expect for a smartphone speaker: fine for gaming or streaming, though missing the soundstage of an actual loudspeaker, and getting tinny at higher volumes.
Performance score: 3 / 5
Fairphone 5 review: battery life
(Image credit: Future)
Fairphone devices always seem to have limited battery life on paper, yet they often outperform those figures in practice, and that’s the case here.
You’ll find a 4,200mAh power pack inside the Fairphone 5, which is smaller than the 5,000mAh unit that every new phone and its mother seems to be equipped with these days (though that's nothing to turn your nose up at). However, between the battery-efficient software, small screen and sprinkling of Fairphone magic, the handset does fare better than you'd expect.
In the testing period, the phone generally lasted through a day of ‘standard’ use (i.e. how a non-phone-tester uses their device). If you're an intensive user, you might struggle to get the device to hit the 24-hour mark, but given the chipset, the Fairphone isn't really a phone for that kind of user anyway.
If you're struggling with battery, a lunchtime boost will suffice to see you through to that second evening. It'll have to be left on charge for the entirety of your lunchtime, because the Fairphone 5's recharge speeds aren't exactly rapid. At 30W, there’s technically been a speed boost here over the 20W fourth-gen mobile, but it’s still a far cry from the fast charging you'll find on the latest phones from Xiaomi or Oppo. You’ll have to plug the device in for over an hour to go from empty to full.
Battery score: 3.5 / 5
Should you buy the Fairphone 5?
Buy it if...
You care about the planet The eco-friendly credentials of Fairphone and its devices make the Fairphone 5 the device to buy if you consider yourself an eco-warrior.
You want a long-lasting phone Between its durable build, five years of security updates and the fact you can remove and replace parts of the phone, the Fairphone will serve you for years.
A good screen is important One of the biggest improvements over the Fairphone 4 is the 5's display; it's higher-res, bolder and quicker to refresh than its predecessor.
Don't buy it if...
You're on a budget Because of its spec upgrades, the Fairphone 5 isn't as affordably priced as its predecessors, which may put off people who want a green yet low-cost handset.
You don't use facial recognition The Fairphone's fingerprint scanner is fiddly and annoying to use. However, if you use facial recognition unlocking (or a PIN or password) you'll be fine.
The Fairphone 4's specs are okay for you The Fairphone 4 saw a price drop when its successor was announced, and it has similarly impressive environmental credentials to the Fairphone 5.
Fairphone 5 review: Also consider
The Fairphone 5 is hard to compare to rivals, because of its unique niche, but here are some other mobiles you might want to consider.
Fairphone 4 The Fairphone 5's predecessor is slightly weaker in most areas specs-wise, but it's just as good for the environment and is cheaper too.
Google Pixel 7 At a similar price to the Fairphone 5, the Google Pixel 7 is slightly smaller and doesn't impress in the battery department, but it has a fantastic camera.
How I tested the Fairphone 5
Review test period = 2 weeks
Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
I've used several Fairphone mobiles before and really respect what the company is doing, so I was excited to test this newest phone. I was given the transparent version in its only configuration: 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage. I was also sent the official Fairphone screwdriver, which you can use to remove its parts.
For two weeks I used the phone as my normal driver: I played games on it, took photos with it, texted from it, and so on. Y'know, everything you do every day on your phone!
I worked on TechRadar's phones team for several years and so have lots of experience using smartphones of all shapes and sizes. I conducted the site's review of the phone's predecessor and also spoke to Fairphone about its development. Since leaving TechRadar, I've continued writing freelance reviews of gadgets for the site.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI is Sony’s top Android phone, and it will seem pretty familiar to existing Sony fans. Even with a significant change to the screen aspect ratio versus the Sony Xperia 1 V, using the Xperia 1 VI feels like meeting an old friend.
A lot of the typical Sony strengths and weaknesses are here too. The Sony Xperia 1 VI’s key charm is in the way it rejects several contemporary smartphone trends. It has a headphone jack. It has expandable memory. It doesn’t have a camera cutout in the screen, and Sony hasn’t cut down battery capacity just to make the Xperia 1 VI marginally thinner.
These will all seem smart moves to a good chunk of the phone-buying audience out for something a little different. And you still get high-end camera hardware, a top-tier chip, good speakers, and an eye-catching screen — just about all the usual elements expected of a pricey Android phone.
(Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
The Sony Xperia 1 VI does cost a packet, though, and arguably isn’t hugely competitive considering some of the slightly less advanced parts.
These include slower-than-ideal fast charging, camera processing that still lags a little behind the best for dynamic range optimization and night-time image processing. I also found the rear disappointingly prone to visible scratches, despite the use of high-end toughened glass.
A big part of the appeal here is the handful of features that Sony’s Xperia 1 VI shares with much lower-end phones. There’s still a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD slot built into the SIM tray. These are not expensive features to implement, but are vanishingly rare in phones of this level.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a lovely phone, but you had better buy into its specific style for the outlay to be worthwhile.
Sony Xperia 1 VI review: price and availability
Costs £1,299 / AU$1,899
No US availability
512GB storage version available in some territories
The Sony Xperia 1 VI is priced just like its predecessor. But unlike the Sony Xperia 1 V, this phone is not slated for release in the US.
In the UK you’ll pay £1,299, and AU$1,899 in Australia. That gets you a 12GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration. There’s also a 512GB storage version available in some territories. But with a microSD slot onboard, seeking one of these out or paying more for the additional storage may not be all that appealing.
The phone was announced in mid-May 2024, with general availability in June 2024.
Sony Xperia 1 VI review: specs
Here's the Sony Xperia 1 VI spec sheet in full:
Sony Xperia 1 VI review: design
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Classic boxy Sony design
Excellent water resistance rating
Scratch-prone rear panel
Samey or confident? The Sony Xperia 1 VI has a design much like the phone before it. This look — a no-nonsense block — has been Sony’s house style since 2012.
Changes therefore come in some of the finer points. The Sony Xperia 1 VI has an embossed, textured glass back, and it comes in red, silver and black, as well as the subdued green seen here. It's more of an ordinary shape too, as Sony’s ultra-long 21:9 screen has been traded for a more standard 19.5:9 aspect ratio.
As usual, Sony makes use of high-grade materials on the Xperia 1 VI. The front and rear glass is Gorilla Glass Victus (Vitus 2 for the front). Unfortunately, the treatment on the rear panel doesn’t seem to be nearly as resilient as the glass itself.
On the first day of use, I managed to put a series of scratches on the back. These stand out because, it would appear, they make the matt finish more shiny. And since then more have appeared.
I didn’t go to the beach or throw the phone around. The Sony Xperia 1 VI just seems unusually susceptible to damage, at least in this particular finish. And I’ve not had many complaints to level at matt glass phones before, even ones whose ruggedization sounds a lot worse on paper.
Other ruggedisation cred here is good, though. The Xperia 1 VI is rated at the IP68 and IP65 standards, meaning it can be submerged in water at a depth of up to 1.5 meters, and can withstand low-pressure water jets; you just need to make sure the SIM tray and its rubber gasket are properly in place.
This is a mid-size phone, but it feels a little larger than its screen size might suggest thanks to its blocky shape, and the way the lack of a camera punch-hole extends the upper-screen border a bit. There’s a combi fingerprint reader/power button on the side rather than an in-screen one and, just like the last generation, it’s not the fastest around to unlock the Xperia 1 VI, being a touch more leisurely than some.
Design score: 3 / 5
Sony Xperia 1 VI review: display
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High maximum brightness
Lower resolution than the last generation
More ordinary shape than before
We tech reviewers like it when a product gets you more, for less money. But less for more money? You might be in trouble.
Sony once became famous for putting 4K screens in its high-end phones. The Sony Xperia 1 VI takes the opposite road. It has an elongated 1080p screen, one with a much lower pixel density than its predecessor.
The key question: does it matter? At this size, pixelation isn’t obvious even in small fonts. And thanks to what appears to be careful anti-aliasing, you notice it more as a slight softness when looking close up. I’ll level with you: I didn’t notice until a week into testing when I started looking at this phone’s vital statistics.
However, it’s one reason to drop the Sony Xperia 1 VI down a tier if you’re considering a bunch of these super-expensive phones.
It's otherwise strong, though. The Sony Xperia 1 VI is super-bright, and seems to reach its high brightness mode when outdoors more swiftly than some.
With launch software, it reached 720 nits in ordinary conditions, which increased to around 800 nits after an update. The screen can go brighter when it’s particularly light outside. I could only get my tester tool to register 920 nits (full field white), but others have measured as high as 1,300 nits. Either way, clarity outdoors is great.
This is also a screen made to save power. It’s a 120Hz refresh display, but in its default mode, it drops right down to 15Hz when displaying static content. Sony says it can actually go down to 1Hz, but I’ve only seen it cycle between 15Hz and 120Hz. You can also set it to cycle between 60Hz and 15Hz instead. But after switching, the loss of motion clarity is quite striking.
Display score: 4 / 5
Sony Xperia 1 VI review: cameras
(Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
Excels at shooting subjects very near and very far
Excellent shot-to-shot shooting speed
Night image quality and dynamic range optimization could be improved
The Sony Xperia 1 VI has three rear cameras, with an array not dissimilar to that of the last generation. There’s a standard camera, a dedicated zoom and an ultra-wide.
It’s not all business as usual, though. Previous iterations had multiple camera apps. It was intended to provide both a standard phone experience and one closer to the feeling of using Sony’s Alpha-series mirrorless cameras.
This approach had as much a cluttering effect as anything else. There’s now one key camera app, and it has a Pro mode inside that provides the manual control of the older models. But the one useful “pro” videographer app is apparently making a return at some point in the Xperia 1 VI, according to Sony. To accompany that style, the phone also has a physical shutter button that, just like a “real” camera’s, can be depressed halfway to focus without capturing an image.
The range of the optical zoom camera has changed too, from 3.5x-5.2x to 3.5x-7.1x. This camera even has “telephoto macro” shooting, which simply means the zoom camera’s lens is capable of focusing incredibly close-up for a camera of this type.
It is unnervingly effective, capable of “seeing” the subpixels on a MacBook Air’s display — the red, white and blue components of an LCD’s pixel that make white when shining out concurrently. Those are some serious macro photography chops.
This zoom camera is a blast to use all-round. It’s great for gigs, particularly if there’s a good amount of light or you’re shooting at a festival during the day. There’s a real pro feel to the way the Xperia 1 VI just lets you shoot away at full speed, because it lets the images sit in a queue for processing when there's a spare moment rather than slowing shooting down.
You can tell there’s a drop in lens sharpness at the max zoom. And low-light shooting isn’t amazing. But the sheer shooting flexibility it puts at your fingers is creatively freeing. The Sony Xperia 1 VI is some of the most fun I’ve had with a camera all year. That the zoom also works so well super-close too, only adds to the charm of this little lens and sensor combo.
The main camera’s primary strengths are its charming color reproduction and general decent-looking processing of detail up close. While there’s some evidence of a sharpening technique at work, the overall impression is of a camera happy to appear a little softer and more natural than over-processed and painterly.
The ultra-wide camera isn’t quite as strong. But like all the best ultra-wides in expensive phones, you can switch to it and expect roughly the same character and comparable image quality you’d see from the primary camera. Aside from at night, where the drop in native sensitivity is more obvious.
There are some weaker elements, though. The Sony Xperia 1 VI is more susceptible to overexposure than rivals from Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei, for example. This won’t usually be giant parts of the image, just smaller areas a more advanced HDR engine could pick up on.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI is also far from the best in low light. It’s probably the worst contender at the price for simple auto-mode shooting. Sure, the processing brightens images up dramatically and there’s a respectable level of detail. But photos don’t have the level of detail in shadows as seen elsewhere.
Video quality is good but, again, you lose some of the spotlight-pulling features of rivals. You can’t shoot at 8K, which isn’t hugely useful for most folks anyway.
You can, however, shoot at up to 4K, 120 frames per second with all three rear cameras. The telephoto macro mode supports video too, again at up to 4K at 120 frames per second.
The front camera has a 12MP sensor too, and it can produce detailed-looking selfies in reasonable lighting. This selfie camera is nothing revolutionary, but it’s solid.
Camera score: 4 / 5
Sony Xperia 1 VI camera samples
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A zoom camera is ideal for taking photos of cats and dogs, without needing to get too close (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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While the depth of field is very shallow, making shooting tricky, the telephoto macro mode can produce great results (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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The flattening of perspective you can get at the longer zoom ranges can be quite useful for some scenes (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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Here’s a view of London using the ultra-wide camera… (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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… and a photo taken from the same spot at 7.5x zoom to show the range you have to work with (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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The Sony Xperia 1 VI’s primary camera is a dab hand at capturing landscapes (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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The Sony Xperia 1 VI’s primary camera is a dab hand at capturing landscapes (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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Sony is good at avoiding the temptation of amping up nature’s green tones too much, which is quite a common issue (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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The 7.5x zoom mode is super-handy for gigs (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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The 7.5x zoom mode is super-handy for gigs (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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The ultra-wide camera struggles at night, and ends up capturing soft-looking images (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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Fast shot-to-shot capture is highly welcome when you end up with a fast-moving subject (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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The phone doesn’t always deal well with strong contrasts in light levels: rivals would make these lit road signs appear less blown-out (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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Strong light sources at night can cause some not-unappealing lens flare (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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While night images have a pleasantly enhanced appearance, the Xperia does not bring out as much shadow detail as some (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
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Here’s another example of the Sony Xperia 1 VI’s HDR mode failing to avoid overexposing significant parts of the picture (Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
Sony Xperia 1 VI: software
Avoids the current AI obsession
Potentially useful creativity apps
Fairly normal interface
The Sony Xperia 1 VI runs Android 14 and has a largely inoffensive, not too invasive, custom interface layer grafted on top.
My first reaction to the phone was its app menu wasn't that good-looking; I thought the text looked a little too bolded and inelegant. The Sony Xperia 1 VI provides a decent amount of customization as to how these elements appear, though. You can alter object scaling and font size independently, and some may prefer the Dark mode, which uses lighter text upon a dark background.
Sony’s approach to apps hasn’t changed much this generation either. At a time when Google and Samsung are obsessed with AI, Sony’s angle is still to reference the other parts of Sony as a whole.
Music Pro is a nod to Sony Music. This is a multi-track recorder app, a tiny DAW (digital audio workstation) where other phones might just have the equivalent of a dictaphone.
External Monitor lets the Sony Xperia 1 VI act as a monitor for one of Sony’s Alpha-series mirrorless cameras.
Video Creator is a mini editing suite that lets you edit and put together clips into a larger video project.
All of these are neat ideas, a cut above the low-effort bloat some phones are criticized for including. But they aren’t quite ingenious or developed enough to be considered serious reasons to buy an Xperia 1 VI over a competitor. You’ll find better, more complete-feeling alternatives on Google Play.
Software score: 3 / 5
Sony Xperia 1 VI review: performance
(Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
Significant throttling, which kicks in fast
Great peak performance
Loud and chunky-sounding speakers
The Sony Xperia 1 VI has one of the most powerful chipsets around in 2024, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It beats Apple’s A17 Pro, used in the iPhone 15 Pro, in a lot of tests, and has notably excellent graphics performance.
As you’d expect, then, the Sony Xperia 1 VI feels excellent in use. It’s responsive and fast, and games run great. Titles like Fortnite sing on the phone, as it only can with a true high-end chip.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI also avoids the overheating issues earlier models in this family were subject to. However, a little stress test reveals why.
This phone throttles its performance almost immediately when under strain. 3DMark’s test bench shows a drop in benchmark scores from the first run (which takes a minute), where other rivals will often wait for significant heat to build up before dropping power, if they do so at all.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI settles at 58% of its peak performance, which isn’t great. It’s not as bad as some of the sub-50% results I saw in some of the earliest Snapdragon 8-series phones, mind.
It’s good for gaming, then, but for a phone that’s been partially labeled as a “gaming phone”, you’d hope for high performance that can be sustained for longer.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI’s speakers are an unmitigated hit. They are a stereo pair that get loud and have real meat to their mid-range. I listen to podcasts all the time on my phone, and the robustness of speakers’ voices compared to the last phone I used, the Infinix Note 40 Pro, was truly eye-opening.
Performance score: 3 / 5
Sony Xperia 1 VI review: battery life
(Image credit: Future / Andrew Williams)
Good battery life, but only light users will see “two-day” use
Slow “fast” charging
Supports relatively slow wireless charging
The Sony Xperia 1 VI has a 5,000mAh battery. It’s an ordinary size for bigger phones in general, but larger than that of plenty of thinness-obsessed flagships.
There’s bad news too, though. As usual for Sony, the Xperia 1 VI does not include a charger. Its charging rate is also pretty poor for 2024, at just 30W. According to my power meter, tested with several different high-power adapters, it only reaches a power draw of 27.5W too.
Even Samsung, which has been slow to adopt higher-power fast charging, offers a 45W standard. As such, Sony only claims the Xperia 1 VI meets the old fast-charging standard of 50% in 30 minutes. And it meets that, sort of, reaching 49% at the 30-minute mark.
It takes 86 minutes to reach 100% and continues receiving power at a lower rate for a while after that. 50% in 30 minutes doesn’t feel like rapid charging anymore — not for this money, anyway.
Real-world stamina is good, and getting a full day of use is no issue. I don’t find this a two-day phone, though; not unless you barely use your Android. A phone with a screen this bright, with a powerful chip, is just capable of too much not to be able to hammer the battery at times. I find the Sony Xperia 10 phones last longer in real use, even if they are markedly worse phones otherwise.
Some will find the Xperia 1 VI lasts longer, though, and real-world stamina is clearly a highlight next to some of the direct competition.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI also supports wireless charging, but again the charging speed isn’t great, coming in at 15W.
Battery score: 3 / 5
Sony Xperia 1 VI review: value
Sony pitches the Xperia 1 VI at the same price as its predecessor, £1,299. It’s among the most expensive phones out there, and its slight deficiencies stand out markedly at the price.
The merely acceptable low-light performance, slow charging and moderate screen resolution are not the most comfortable match for a phone selling at this high a price.
Meanwhile, features like a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD slot, which are somewhat defunct from many flagship phones, help claw back some value for the Xperia 1 VI but can’t make up for the high price.
Value score: 3 / 5
Should you buy the Sony Xperia 1 VI?
Buy it if...
You want expandable memory Sony goes against the grain by keeping expandable memory as an option even in its flagship phones. That’s always welcome, particularly if you want to avoid relying on Google’s cloud backup to keep your photos safe.
You want a headphone jack Like its predecessors, the Sony Xperia 1 VI has a physical headphone jack, which has been a rarity in higher-end Android phones for almost half a decade at this point.
You want a long-lasting flagship phone Some clever efficiency savings and a respectable-size battery deliver good battery life among flagships. The two-day use Sony claims will be a stretch for most, but it's not out of the realms of possibility for some.
Don't buy it if...
You want the best value flagship The Xperia 1 VI costs a lot, and arguably doesn’t push the envelope in quite enough areas to be considered an entirely sound deal. You have to loosen your grip on the concept of value a little when spending this much regardless, but Sony asks for more faith than most.
You care about fast charging While this phone gets to around 50% charge in 30 minutes as Sony claims, its charging rate feels interminably slow next to that of the flagships from Xiaomi, OnePlus, Honor and so on. Sub-30W charging at this price is not ideal.
You are particular about a hard-wearing finish In theory, the Xperia 1 VI should be one of the toughest mainstream phones around. In practice, its finish is a little too easy to scratch causing irritating surface-level imperfections.
How I tested the Sony Xperia 1 VI
Review test period = 3 weeks
Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
I used the Sony Xperia 1 VI as my day-to-day phone for several weeks. During the review period, I took it to a couple of music day festivals, on a hike across the UK’s north downs, and out and about in London.
This real-world normal usage testing was accompanied by more technical benchmark testing, which included seeing how bright the screen could go in multiple environments, testing how powerful the chip is, and how its performance was affected by heat build-up.
The Pixel 9 Pro line in Rose Quartz and Porcelain (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
If you feel like new Pixel phones arrived sooner this year, you're right. Google's AugustPixel hardware event gave us not a duo, but a quartet of new phones; starting at one end with the new baseline Pixel 9, and freshly topped with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Into larger phones? Then the 'XL' nomenclature should tip you off as to where you might want to spend your money. This is the direct successor to last year's 6.7-inch Pixel 8 Pro.
It's the biggest (flat) Pixel yet and it sports a new design that marks a relatively significant shift in the series' aesthetic; the camera bar introduced with the Pixel 6 series is gone and instead we have the camera 'pill.'
The fit and finish have unquestionably been elevated, with the phone's polished frame adopting a much flatter form that's decidedly iPhone-like in its execution, and Google says new construction methods and material choices make it twice as durable as its predecessor.
In reality, the Pixel 9 Pro XL feels great, with the best build quality I've seen from Google to date; not to mention it looks superb, thanks to an updated Super Actua Display that boasts higher peak brightness than anything Apple or Samsung has to offer. The move to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is welcome too, delivering on Google's promised speed improvement.
The same seven-year commitment to OS and security updates helps the Pixel 9 series stand apart from rivals from Apple and Motorola. The phones' earlier-than-usual arrival in the calendar year means that this is the first generation of Pixel in a long time that doesn't debut with a new build of Android. It will benefit from the same future releases of Android as the Pixel 8 line, and likely no more.
Beyond the usual fare of a clean Pixel experience, AI is all Google is talking about. With an updated Gemini Nano model that is multi-modal and three times more capable running on-device, you'll find AI-generated features throughout the user experience.
Most notably, there are three new apps to play with: a new Weather app that's richer and more customizable, with AI-generated weather reports; a new Screenshots app that – as well as helping organize your captures – allows for semantic search; and Pixel Studio, which allows for on-device text-to-image generative AI that Google pitches as a new creative tool. Feel free to reconcile your feelings about using AI-generated imagery in your own time.
The cost of the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL also includes a year's access to Google One AI Premium with Gemini Advanced and its new Gemini Live feature. Gemini Live is a decidedly ChatGPT 4o-like conversational experience with Google's off-device AI. It works well for things like how-to guidance and recipe help, but still comes with limitations surrounding how it can actually action on-device tasks for you.
All the on-device AI experiences are powered by Google's new Tensor G4 SoC, paired with a new higher RAM ceiling of 16GB. Previous Pixels already felt fast in day-to-day use, but existing users will notice speed improvements for things like image processing and app load times; even if these gains are seemingly slight. Benchmarks only put the Tensor G4 about 10% ahead of the G3, in terms of CPU performance, with more noticeable graphical gains and, of course, NPU gains for AI tasks.
The other big aspect of any modern, AI-enhanced Pixel phone is the camera experience. The hardware looks, for the most part, similar to the Pixel 8 Pro, albeit with a much higher resolution selfie snapper and a tweaked ultrawide on the back. However, Google claims to have reworked its HDR+ pipeline end-to-end, meaning more true-to-life imagery.
In daylight, I had few complaints, and the Pixel 9 Pro delivers great detail and accurate colors and with dynamic range. Night Sight ensures low-light shooting is almost always rescued from unusable to usable, even if it can still be a little heavy-handed in its post-processing.
The expansion of that HDR+ pipeline to panoramas (paired with a new capture UI), means much better results, especially as Night Sight is now supported here too, although I do wonder whether this upgrade will simply manifest as a Feature Drop update for previous Pixel models in the near future.
Another Pixel 9 Pro exclusive is Video Boost, which can now scale 4K footage up to 8K and proves particularly useful when zooming up to the phone's 20x limit.
Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
There's another side to the imaging experience on recent Pixels: Magic Editor. Beyond moving elements around in a shot or turning a blue sky to golden hour, the new Reimagine button lets you enter text to generate completely new elements in a shot. It's unquestionably fun and creative, but it also throws out any semblance of authenticity to shots you've captured yourself. Unlike Samsung, there's no AI watermarking going on with edited images, either.
Although that Tensor G4 chipset doesn't mark a huge leap forward in raw horsepower, it certainly has helped with power efficiency, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL serving up almost 70% more screen-on time compared to the Pixel 8 Pro.
The jump from 30W to 37W wired fast charging speeds is a small but welcome bump too, although it looks like you'll have to grab Google's 45W charger for the absolute quickest recharge times, based on my testing with similar chargers.
Perhaps the biggest benefit the Pixel 9 Pro line offers is that – beyond the XL's larger screen and physically bigger battery – there's no compromise across both sizes. If you're happy with the premium, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the most unapologetic, bombastic Pixel experience you can have right now, outside of foldable land.
Even if the jump from the Pixel 8 Pro isn't as significant as I would have liked, and it feels like this is more a means for Google to cultivate new Gemini Advanced subscribers, I can't help but appreciate the Pixel 9 Pro XL for being greater than the sum of its parts. It may only be just enough of an upgrade, but it is enough.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Priced from $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849
On sale from August 22, 2024
Pro Pixels now start above $/£1,000
While Google announced four phones at its August 2024 event, the standard Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL are the two that hit the market first, on August 22. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold arrive on the scene September 4.
In the UK, you can pick up the Pixel 9 Pro XL directly from Google, with double the storage at no extra charge on purchases made before September 5. US buyers can nab $200 in-store credit if ordering before August 28, and Australian buyers can pick up a limited edition poster with purchases made before August 25 (tough break, Australia).
The addition of the new smaller Pro model this year (which starts at a similar launch price to the larger Pixel 8 Pro), helps Google justify its decision to render the Pixel 9 Pro XL the most expensive candy bar Pixel to date: it starts at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849. It's practically like for like, when compared to equivalent storage options of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, truly putting an end to the notion that the Pixels are the 'affordable' flagship option.
For the asking price, you also get a year's access to a Google One AI Premium (2TB) plan which, as well as granting access to Gemini Advanced (which leverages the Gemini Pro 1.5 model) and Gemini Live, includes more general Google benefits like Fitbit Premium access, Nest Aware, 10% back on Google Store purchases, and unlimited Magic Editor saves in Google Photos.
Value score: 4 / 5
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Specs
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Design
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
New Pixel aesthetic: the camera bar is dead
100% recycled aluminum frame
Improved build quality
A Pixel in iPhone font – that's the shorthand I keep coming back to with the new Pixel 9 series' design language. The size and feel of the XL's new squared aluminum frame immediately reminds me of Apple's current iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max in the hand. Does that polished metal attract fingerprints? Absolutely, but not anywhere near as badly as expected.
This new squared form, paired with the heaviest build of any candy bar Pixel yet (221 grams, the same as an iPhone 15 Pro Max), leads to a more premium look and feel overall. This is helped further by the Pixel 9 Pro XL's slimmer profile compared to the Pixel 8 Pro, and side by side with my wife's old Pixel 6 Pro, the jump in build quality is truly impressive.
One update I'm not sure I love quite so much is the loss of the camera bar, which is replaced in this generation with a camera 'pill' that protrudes out of the phone's rear panel at 90 degrees. It makes for a more bold and confident aesthetic, but it's not as quickly identifiable as the bar.
As well as the cosmetic changes, Google also claims that the Pixel 9 Pro XL's new mid-frame design, not to mention its 100%-recycled aluminum outer frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and rear panels, and IP68-certified protection against dust and water ingress, make the new phone twice as durable as its predecessor. In my time with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, by trying to keep it out of harm's way as much as possible, the finish has remained unscathed, but whether it'll age as gracefully as its titanium-clad competition from Apple and Samsung remains to be seen.
Both sizes of Pixel 9 Pro come in four colorways, with Obsidian pictured most prominently in this review. The Hazel finish most closely apes the iPhone 15 Pro's Natural Titanium look and the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Titanium Gray, while Porcelain and Rose Quartz offer decidedly more vivacious options.
Design score: 4.5 / 5
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Display
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
6.8-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED
Improved HBM and peak brightness
New ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
The Pixel 8 Pro's Super Actua Display felt like a noteworthy upgrade from the panel on its predecessor and while not as earth-shattering an improvement this generation, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's screen is a great refinement, yet again.
Although it sports the same resolution as the Pixel 8 Pro's panel (technically not as sharp as the Pixel 9 Pro), both high brightness and peak brightness levels have been cranked up to 2,000 and 3,000nits, respectively, meeting or beating key rivals in a spec-for-spec comparison.
Add to that the panel's flat design, its thin, equally-proportioned bezels on all sides, and its excellent viewing angles, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL's Super Actua display is a thing to behold.
As before, the use of an LTPO OLED panel facilitates a dynamic refresh rate from 1 to 120Hz, making it ideal for always-on display functionality, thanks to the implied power saving benefits, while also still serving up a snappy user experience when swiping around the UI.
One of the more prominent changes you might not immediately notice is the fingerprint sensor. Instead of the optical module used since the Pixel 6 series, Google has gone the way of Samsung and instead kitted the Pixel 9 Pro XL's display with an ultrasonic sensor. I didn't notice a huge difference when making the switch from my Pixel 7 Pro, but in side by side comparison is lives up to the promise of a 2x speed improvement. Perhaps more useful is the greater reliability, especially with damp fingers or when used in the rain.
Display score: 4.5 / 5
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Software
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Seven years of OS & security updates
Launches with Android 14
Gemini AI is woven throughout the user experience
One side effect of this latest-generation Pixel launch happening earlier than usual is that the whole series runs Android 14. Typically, Google times the arrival of its latest smartphones to coincide with the release of the next Android, but the Pixel 9 debuts on the same Android 14 foundation as the Pixel 8.
At least the company's ever-impressive commitment to seven years of updates persists, meaning the phone's price tag includes excellent long-term support for both future releases of Android and subsequent security patches, an area where many rivals still fall short.
As a long-time Pixel user, the look and feel of Android on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is characteristically clean, easily navigable, pleasantly customizable (without being overwhelming), and dressed with helpful everyday features that aren't guaranteed on other phones.
That said, the Pixel 9 Pro XL does get some Pixel-exclusive additions that up the ante, all of which lean on Gemini AI.
There's a new dedicated Weather app that generates dynamic weather reports to make insights into each day's weather more digestible than ever. The ability to drag and drop the various in-app widgets for things like UV index, ten-day forecast, and air quality is a nice perk too.
Next up is the new Pixel Screenshots app, which seems like an odd addition at first, but for list-makers, students, and journalists (like yours truly), it offers surprising depth. You can add notes to individual screenshots and group them into Collections, too. The app can index screenshot content across text and images, making it searchable. This allows for semantic search and object recognition, as well as recognizing WiFi passwords and QR-code information.
Pixel Studio uses an on-device variant of Imagen 3's diffusion-based text-to-image generative AI, allowing you to create imagery seemingly from scratch. You can remix results using pre-defined style prompts, or sculpt a completely original prompt if you prefer.
At launch, Pixel Studio won't render people, but it's fine with objects and animals. It also managed to render legible text without much artifacting, a challenging test that I've seen other image generators fail. Right now, the application proves novel enough but there's scope for everything from messaging to graphic design work, depending on your feeling towards the use of AI-generated imagery.
Google Gemini
The price of the Pixel 9 Pro XL also includes a year's access to Gemini Advanced, meaning you can interact with its latest off-device model in Gemini 1.5 Pro and gain access to Gemini Live: Google's conversational AI experience.
My family tested it's abilities on a bean salad recipe – including suggestions on preparation and accompaniments – all without any obvious breaks in conversation or AI hallucinations. I also had it explain how to change various Gemini and Android settings, although its inability to take actions on many features feels like a missed opportunity, or at least an area that Google should focus on as its expands the assistant's functionality.
A couple of other sprinkles of AI magic on the Pixel 9 Pro XL include text-based summaries of YouTube videos that I didn't have time to watch and Zoom Enhance image upscaling (although results were mixed). I'm also intrigued by the Call Notes feature shown off at launch, that'll summarize phone calls, however, this wasn't ready during review.
The most obvious criticism of Gemini on the Pixel 9 Pro is that it feels consistently slower when asked to carry out the same tasks I would have previously asked of Google Assistant. The trade-off is much richer results and more insight, provided you trust the source data Gemini's pulling from.
Software score: 5 / 5
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Camera
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
50MP-led triple rear camera setup
New 42MP front-facing camera
New AI-supported features like Add Me and Reimagine
Nowhere is AI more prevalent across the Pixel 9 Pro XL's user experience than the camera. While it might have gone by 'machine learning' in the early days of the Pixel camera experience, AI-powered post-processing has been the secret sauce that has helped elevate the reputation of the Pixel cameras over the past four years, to the point where they regularly sit among the best camera phones.
As Google has focused its efforts on AI more directly, the proposition of a Pixel camera has changed somewhat, with capture and editing becoming two distinct facets of the experience.
If you're looking for a great all-round camera phone, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is right up there. A revised HDR+ pipeline puts into practice the company's learnings from previous entries, paired with new training data to create images with a more true-to-life appearance, better exposure, dynamic range, detail, contrast and color.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL camera samples
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Main sensor w/o macro
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Low light manual control
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Main sensor
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Main sensor w/o macro
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Selfie
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Selfie w/ portrait mode
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Add Me final result
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Ultra-wide macro mode
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Main sensor w/o macro
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Low light selfie
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Night Sight selfie
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High contrast comparison shot on Pixel 9 Pro XL
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High contrast comparison shot on Pixel 7 Pro
There's a little inconsistency when shooting between the updated ultra-wide's macro mode and macro shots taken on the main 50MP wide sensor, for example, but results remain consistent in how appealing and usable they are. I'd have also liked a lighter hand with the default simulated bokeh when shooting portrait mode shots (something the likes of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra nails), but these are minor grievances and fixable on-device.
Night Sight continues to impress in low light, while support has now been expanded to include the oft-overlooked panorama mode. Led by a new UI that ensures you hold the phone still enough for each shot it stitches together, the results generated are far more impressive than anything capable by previous entries; delivering much better detail and color capture than ever before.
Video Boost is another Pro Pixel-exclusive feature worth shouting about, thanks to the addition of 8K upscaling on 4K footage, the results of which can be quite staggering; especially when zooming in on the phone's 20x magnification. Even if you don't see the need for 4K or 8K footage natively, the extra wiggle room those added pixels afford you makes the experience of creating and editing content far more flexible.
Add Me is a great new addition this generation that solves the problem of getting a group shot, when there's no wall to rest your camera on or passer-by to accost and entrust with taking a photo with you and your friends in. If, like me, you're serially the photographer of your friendship group, this could prove to be a game-changer.
There was certainly trial and error involved, but once we and the phone both understood the goal, results improved until we had a usable shot seemingly taken by a fourth unseen photographer who was never there.
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A successful Add Me shot
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A failed Add Me attempt
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Part 1 of the successful Add Me shot
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Part 2 of the successful Add Me shot
Even more so than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's/ Galaxy Z Fold 6's Sketch to Image feature, the generative image tools on the Pixel 9 series unashamedly barge passed the line of authentic photography. At least personally, I'm fine with automated HDR bracketing and tone mapping, in order to produce a photo that's better than I could muster, even if I had full manual control. However, I start to feel uncomfortable with the idea of sharing images shot on the Pixel that have used the full might of the newly-enhanced Magic Editor.
The ability to change a blue sky to that of golden hour and remove unwanted people from the background were novelties that challenged my comfort level, but the new Reimagine feature within Magic Editor doesn't hold back in letting you endlessly rework a shot until it's something entirely different.
In one shot (above), I surrounded my friends and I with sunflowers and then added a scarecrow for good measure. The results don't hold up to close scrutiny, but like most AI-manipulated images, if you don't have prior context, you're less likely to question its authenticity.
A more subtle edit that really impressed/unnerved me was Reimagine's ability to change the ground on a pebbled beach into more ocean (below); creating a rippled mirror surface with an accurate reflection of the clouds in the sky above.
Your mileage with Magic Editor will vary, depending on how scrupulous you feel about using its image-doctoring abilities and whether or not you feel the need to contextualize the results when you share them.
Camera score: 4.5 / 5
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Performance
Debut of Google Tensor G4 SoC
New 16GB RAM ceiling
128GB to 1TB storage (non-expandable)
While the Pixel 9 Pro XL feels more than equipped for everything you throw at in right now, including high-fidelity mobile games, there's no getting around the fact that Tensor chips continue to lag behind Apple's iPhone chips and Qualcomm's top-tier Snapdragons in terms of raw processing and graphical grunt.
Whether it's a matter of the shorter turnaround between generations of Pixel, or the fact that it's not Google's focus, the new Tensor G4 chipset powering all of the Pixel 9 series doesn't pack that much more horsepower, even compared to the Tensor G3.
It's built on a similar 4nm process as the Tensor G3, but with new core architecture and one fewer high efficiency cores than its predecessor. The switch from an Immortalis to a Mali GPU means no more ray tracing, a small but notable loss for mobile gamers.
In testing, the Tensor G4 processor produced a 10% bump to CPU performance, a 15% graphical performance improvement and a 16% uptick in NPU performance over the last generation, however, the biggest gains look to be in power efficiency (more on that later).
As with its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can be had in four storage variants, however, the 1TB ceiling appears to be a US exclusive, while other markets, including the UK and Australia, top out at 512GB. Its 16GB of RAM is a range-wide upgrade, likely driven by the phone's newfound AI capabilities, but spec-heads will note that Google isn't using the latest available standards of either LPDDR memory or UFS storage, compared to Samsung's Galaxy S24.
Performance score: 3.5 / 5
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Battery
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
5,060mAh battery
Improved 37W wired charging
Impressive 9.5 hours of screen-on time per charge
Google has propelled the Pixel 9 Pro XL from a one to a two-day phone. While Pixel batteries have gotten larger over the years, battery life has never really been a positive talking point for the line. Through presumed optimization led by the new Tensor G4, however, the Pixel 9 Pro XL serves up superb longevity by comparison; significantly longer than any previous Pixel we've tested.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL got 9.5 hours of screen-on time, which clocks in at around 65% longer than the 5.75 hours the Pixel 8 Pro was able to muster, despite packing a battery that's around 10mAh smaller (5,050mAh).
Google hasn't stopped there, with faster 37W charging, promising up to 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The company has introduced a new 45W Pixel charger to facilitate the 9 Pro XL's new top charging speed (which is faster than the smaller 9 Pro's 27W charging), however, this was unavailable during review. Instead, I tried Google's previous 30W wired charger – which pushed the Pixel 9 Pro XL to 55% charge in 30 minutes, while a 65W PD PPS charger got closer to Google's quoted speeds, with 65% charge in 30 minutes, and a full charge in 1 hour 20 minutes.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
Buy it if...
You want the richest mobile AI experience Samsung's Galaxy AI is great, but Google's execution with Gemini Advanced is easier, richer, and more fun to use.
You want an excellent camera phone The Pixel 9 Pro XL's camera system is a small but appreciated upgrade on its predecessors, highlighted by a new bag of AI-supported tricks you can't get outside of the Pixel family.
You plan on using this phone for a long time Still among the best there is, Google's commitment to seven years OS and security updates is, once again, hard to argue with.
Don't buy it if...
You want fast charging Battery life is greatly improved but despite a bump in speed, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's 37W wired charging is still well behind what rivals like OnePlus and Xiaomi offer.
You want the best RAM and memory While Samsung forges ahead, Google seems reluctant to move to the latest, fastest and most power efficient RAM and storage in its phones, which stings when they cost about the same.
You want to play a lot of games Google's mobile silicon isn't built for gaming, and while the Tensor G4 handles intense games well, you'll get a much better experience with a recent iPhone or any flagship rival running the latest Snapdragon chipset.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Also consider
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a superb large-screened Android phone with a great camera and decent battery life (finally), but its AI-heavy blend won't suit everyone.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra A sharper screen, faster charger, faster storage and memory, more horsepower and stylus input for good measure; not to mention the same impressive software commitment as the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max If you want much of what the Pixel 9 Pro XL has to offer but prefer a phone with more performance and gaming prowess, and less of a focus on AI, the latest and greatest iPhone is your best choice.
How I tested the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Review test period: one week
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
I received the Pixel 9 Pro XL sample directly from Google, the day after the August Pixel hardware event concluded and was testing it as my daily driver everyday since.
I kept track of battery usage each day and run several benchmarking apps for comparison to other devices, but otherwise used the phone as I would my own, in addition to taking time to test all of the key new features of the device.
As a reviewer with 13 years experience, and having reviewed numerous Pixels, not to mention mainlining a Pixel 7 Pro since its launch in late 2022, I felt confident assessing and scoring the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, both relative to other Pixels, and in the context of the wider smartphone market in which it competes.
With the resurrection of the Razr and introduction of the Edge series, Motorola has made quite the comeback. Competing with companies like Google and Samsung for the claim of best Android phone, with multiple appearances in our list of the best cheap phones and best foldable phones, Motorola has extended its purple patch with the Edge 50 Pro. While it’s difficult to call it cheap at £599.99 / AU$999, I so thoroughly enjoyed my time with this handset that I think it deserves a place in our best phones list.
Coming in a few design variants – two vegan leather Black Beauty and Luxe Lavender colors, and the sleek Moonlight Pearl – the Motorola Edge 50 Pro immediately differentiates itself from the Edge 40 Pro with those flashier options, but it's also lighter and thinner than its predecessor while remaining similarly designed. One of the key positive differences is the rear camera bump. What was previously a discolored block that jutted out of the Edge 40 Pro is now an aesthetically pleasing ridged design that matches the phone’s color.
Before I go on, I should mention that the Motorola Edge 40 Pro was the brand's flagship device in 2023. So, while it has retained its naming rule, the Edge 50 Pro now sits between the budget Edge 50 Fusion and flagship Edge 50 Ultra, which is currently only available in the UK and select locations. As of writing, the only offering in the United States is the Motorola Edge 2024, which has specs that differ slightly from the Fusion.
(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
For a mid-range device, the Edge 50 Pro impresses – starting with its stunning curved 6.7-inch OLED screen. And while the curved edges and the accidental touches they induce won't be to everyone's liking, the 2,000-nit brightness, 1220 x 2712 resolution and Pantone-validated colors go a long way in providing an immersive experience when watching content on the go. I also love how the display flows into the aluminum frame, adding to the premium look of the device.
The camera, however, is undoubtedly its greatest asset. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro boasts a trio of rear lenses (50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto), an impressive 50MP selfie camera and AI tools for autofocus and automatic tuning that make taking bad photos nigh impossible. There's also a suite of features like Long Exposure Mode and Scan that are both fun and useful, and set up to make photography or scanning documents easy for complete novices. AI features are running rampant here, not only appearing in the camera, but also creating wallpapers that offer the most stylish of users the ability to match their phone to their outfit.
The battery life and charging speed deserve to share the spotlight with the camera here. The included 125W charger will provide 70% battery in just 15 minutes, and its 4,500mAh pack will have no problems seeing you through the day – it easily survived from 5:30am through until 7:30pm during my testing, with plenty of battery still left over. And, if you're ever stuck in a situation where you need your phone to last, it will last multiple days with minimal use (it lasted five whole days with four hours of screen time).
There were a few problems that kept popping up during my time with the Edge 50 Pro, though. While it might not be an issue for everyone, I found the Pearl model – which was sent to me for this review – to be severely lacking in grip, so it might be worth going hands-on before purchasing. And, while I generally enjoyed the curved display, it made taking landscape-orientation photos especially tiresome, as my palm would often hit the 'back' button on the bottom of the screen.
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There was also quite a bit of noticeable stuttering and lag when using the camera app, especially in burst mode. While the photos typically turn out great, the display couldn't keep up. So, those who want to take their photography seriously, and gamers who need lag-free high frame-rate performance might be disappointed.
The biggest thorn in the Motorola Edge 50 Pro's side, though, is that it will only receive three years of software support and four years of security updates. Despite that, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is an exceptional device for the average user. A better processor and longer software support might make this the perfect handset, but you’d likely also be paying more, and that £600 / AU$1,000 mark is a line in the sand that many people won't want to cross.
For just under that price point, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a sublime mid-range phone that provides a premium experience.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review: Price and availability
Announced April 16 in the UK and May 23 in Australia
Launch price of £599.99 / AU$999 (unavailable in the US)
Available in three colorways and one storage option
Released in select markets across April and May, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro has a distinct lack of choice when it comes to storage in the UK and Australia – with only some locations like India getting multiple options. UK buyers are stuck with the 512GB model for £599.99, while Aussies have only the 256GB model that will set them back AU$999.
If things weren’t already confusing enough, the US doesn’t get the Edge 50 Pro, but another model called the Motorola Edge 2024, which is almost exactly aligned specs-wise with the Edge 50 Fusion, but with a slightly smaller screen and lighter weight.
Motorola refers to its Edge phones as “uncompromising premium”, and while that's not quite the case with the Edge 50 Pro, which makes some concessions to keep its price down, it's a fantastic option for those looking for a high-quality handset without breaking the bank. It sits on the higher end of what we would deem as a mid-range smartphone, but it’s still well priced considering you get the full package – stunning looks, great camera, decent performance and excellent battery.
Value Score: 4.5/5
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review: Specs
(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
Here's a quick summary of the key specs:
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review: Design
(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
Stylish back panel in all three colors
Curved screen makes for wonderful viewing
Too thin and long to comfortably hold and use in one hand
Whether you opt for the more reserved yet equally stylish vegan leather colors or the piquant Moonlight Pearl, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is very pretty. With a large 6.7-inch curved display that blends into its aluminum frame behind which its vegan leather or pearl back sits, it's made for the fashionable phone user.
My favorite design element however – and one that I think is subtly crucial to its elegance – is its rear camera bump. Opting for a ridged design while matching the color and pattern of whichever model you choose, the result is a camera array that looks as if they’re being pushed out of the back of the phone. I think its seamless appearance is much more appealing than the discolored block of the iPhone 15 or spider-like eyes of the Galaxy S24.
(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
A quick internet search will show that curved phone screens are generally disliked – at least by a loud minority – but I came away liking the curvy Motorola Edge 50 Pro. The screen follows the curved edges, offering a supreme viewing experience, but it’s also what makes its usability a little frustrating – an already-narrow design combined with an end-to-end curved display meant that I had to constantly remain aware of my hand placements to try and reduce accidental touches.
While I was sent the Pearl model for this review, I also got to spend some time with the leather versions and was impressed by how they felt in the hand. Despite having the same narrow design, the texture provided by the leather made them grippier to hold one-handed despite my large mitts. That said, they felt like they'd attract lint and dust, which the sleek acetate Moonlight Pearl Motorola Edge 50 Pro is totally immune to.
The Gorilla Cornish Glass 5 used on the body did put my mind at ease though, knowing it would be safe from a few scrapes – that said, I wasn’t comfortable doing a drop test to see how it would handle a 6-foot plummet to concrete. It's worth noting that there is a One-Handed Mode on the Edge 50 Pro that helps by halving the screen vertically, making it much easier to reach all areas of the (halved) screen with your thumb. It's easy to switch on and off, but the obvious drawback is the loss of half the display. A case could add grip, but not only would that add unwanted bulk and cover up the stylish back panel, but it would like also cover the curved edges of the screen.
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I've yet to meet a phone whose camera bump I really liked. I'm well aware that one of the downsides to phones remaining thin while possessing large sensors is a camera bump, but sue me for getting annoyed when a handset rocks when I place it on a table rear side down. While it's a necessity with modern phones – and I certainly don't want them any thicker – some handsets like iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy A55 do it better than others. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is not one of those phones, so you'll have to lie it face down, which isn't the worst thing given how charming it is.
This phone screams class and is almost as durable as it is attractive thanks to its Gorilla Glass, aluminum frame and IP68 rating. However, the narrow design and slippery rear panel on the Pearl model hampered my ability to hold it comfortably. If looking to buy a Motorola Edge 50 Pro, I'd opt for a leather model despite the Pearl’s good looks.
Design Score: 4/5
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review: Display
(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
6.7-inch OLED, 2712 x 1220 resolution
2,000 nit peak brightness
Curved edges can be annoying, but are worth the immersive viewing
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro boasts an OLED display, but instead of using the traditional glass layer, it uses a plastic substrate that makes it a touch more flexible. And this is what has allowed the phone maker to create the curved edge-to-edge viewing on the aptly named Edge 50 Pro. This design choice, as I’ve previously mentioned, make it very easy to accidentally open ads or videos while doing something else.
Despite that, I think that curved 6.7-inch pOLED display makes any video content a joy to watch, whether it’s random YouTube videos of cute kittens or the latest episode of House Of The Dragon. Moreover, Pantone-valided colors (which means what you see on screen is already color optimized and certified by the company that pioneered color matching) makes everything look true-to-life. You will, however, need to remember to change the settings to enable the Pantone colors, otherwise you'll be enjoying Motorola's own vivid colors (the default setting) – which are good in their own right.
The Edge 50 Pro's display also excels outdoors, thanks to its 2,000-nit peak brightness. Doubling that of the Samsung Galaxy A55 and equalling the output of the pricier Google Pixel 8, you'll have no issues watching, reading or taking selfies out in the sun.
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It might be a victim of the phone's design, but I personally didn't like the size of the display, finding it difficult to reach and use all areas of the screen despite having large hands. While I have no issue shifting my grip to get my thumb up to the top corner, I found that the lack of grip on the Pearl model I used for this review made that a slightly nerve-wracking experience.
Nonetheless, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro display is yet another aspect of the phone that is difficult to find too much fault with. Offering as close to a cinematic experience when watching content as a handset this size can, snappy response, as well as beautifully vibrant, true-to-life colors, it provides a stellar user experience and elevates your entertainment of choice.
Display Score: 4.5/5
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review: Software
(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
Easy and in-depth customization
AI wallpapers are fun, if gimmicky
Gestures are helpful, even if most go unused
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro might be just another phone running Android 14, but it adds enough Moto flair to differentiate itself, thanks to Hello UI.
From the second you power on the Edge 50 Pro and “hello Moto” blazes onto the screen – making full use of the phone's wonderful display I might add – this is very clearly Motorola-tweaked software.
If the first thing on your mind when setting up a new handset is "how can I make this feel like it's mine?", you’ll love the Motorola Edge 50 Pro's offering. As soon as the home screen appears for the first time, you're urged to head into the settings to begin your customizations.
The 'Personalize' tab is boldly sitting in the upper echelon of the Settings pane and, within, there's an almost never-ending pool of personalizations available. From switching up the font – which makes a massive change in and of itself – to wallpapers, icon shapes and colors, you can convert almost every facet of the device to suit you. And, if you're just looking to make a quick all-encompassing change or don’t want to fall down the proverbial customizing rabbit hole, there are five pre-made themes that will change all three facets listed above. During my initial setup, I only changed the icon shape, but the Merlot theme – which turned the control center a winey pink, squared the icons and added a pretty blue and pink wallpaper – was calling my name.
That's just the tip of the iceberg.
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Motorola Edge 50 Pro settings and personalisation (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
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Made with AI wallpaper settings (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
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If you like your wallpaper to match your daily mood, weekly vibe, outfit or your favorite movie, the folks at Motorola have you covered. Not only is there a pool of categorized images to choose from, as well as a bunch of dynamic wallpapers just a download away, but there's even AI-driven help to find the perfect wallpaper for you – and change it as you please. For example, if you think your black T-shirt would be great as a wallpaper on the Edge 50 Pro, just take a photo of it when prompted within settings, and let Moto AI do the rest.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro's software isn't just about aesthetics. Offering a super-intuitive user experience, I found the gestures very helpful, even though I didn't find a lot of use for them. I got the most out of the Shake-To-Torch gesture to turn on the flashlight – not having to open the phone and press a button was surprisingly helpful – and I also enjoyed grabbing screenshots by just tapping the screen with three fingers. With so many options, there's undoubtedly one or two that will enhance your experience.
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It's not all fun and games though – while the actual software on the device is hard to find fault with, Motorola's support of that software is lacking. With Google providing seven years of software support and Samsung matching that for its flagship S-series handsets, any less than that is a little disappointing. Motorola is only going to offer three years of software updates and four years of security support. Heck, even the Galaxy A55, Samsung's much cheaper budget offering, is receiving four years of OS updates. So while Motorola's ongoing support isn't terrible, it's certainly not great.
Software score: 4/5
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review: Cameras
(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
50MP main, 13MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto
50MP front-facing selfie camera
Pantone-validated color spectrum
A smartphone’s camera is arguably one of its most important features, allowing users to quickly snap a pic for either social media, work, or just take a random shot of that morning muffin you so enjoyed. And for a phone that doesn’t cost the earth (well, almost), I think the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is arguably the best camera phone in the mid-range category.
Aided by what the brand calls Moto AI, which uses adaptive stabilization to automatically adjust for movements when filming or shooting stills, even photos you think will be blurry because your hand is shaking or the subject is moving rapidly, come out crystal clear. Whether you're taking photos of your little one playing, dogs running around the park or flowers blowing in the wind, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro's camera is up to the task even when the person controlling it isn't.
And my experience with the Edge 50 Pro just went from great to impressive the more I tried it. Whether you're using the trio of rear cameras or the 50MP front-facing selfie camera, you really have to try to take a bad photo with the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. The 50MP main camera, 13MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto lens provide plenty of versatility and fun in a variety of scenarios, including macro close-ups and long exposures.
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Long exposure of traffic (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
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Spot colour on red nails (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
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The main 50MP camera is excellent, and will be what you're using most of the time. However, I got way more use out of the 10MP telephoto lens than I thought I would, with some excellent results during optimal ambient light conditions, though it does struggle a little in low-light settings. So while you'll have no problems zooming in on your child during their school play, it doesn't cut through a dimly-lit theater as well as the main camera.
The ultra-wide lens gets you a wider field of view, but that comes at the cost of clarity when compared to the main and telephoto lenses. So while it might be tempting for landscape photography, I found myself opting for the clarity of the main lens more often than not.
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Lemons using ultra-wide lens (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
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Lemons using main lens
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Lemon using macro lens (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
Macro lemon
If its baseline performance wasn't enough, Motorola has packed the Edge 50 Pro's camera with both helpful and fun features. With Motion, Video, Photo, Portrait, Pro and Scan modes available even before you tap on More, there's a plethora of tools to work with. In my opinion, the Scan mode deserves a special mention.
Scanning documents is one of the great annoyances of life if you don’t own a printer/scanner. There are already some handsets that allow you to use the camera app or, in the case of iOS, the Notes app to ‘scan’ documents, this mode on the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is powered by Adobe Scan and produces some excellent results. All you have to do is point at a document and the Edge 50 Pro will do the rest.
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Edge 50 Pro Camera menu (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
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Scanning a document with the Edge 50 Pro (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
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All the fun and artsy features like Long Exposure, Timelapse, Photo Booth, Spot Capture and Dual Capture reside under the More tab. This is also where you’ll find more professional ones like Ultra-Res, Tilt-shift, Panorama and Night Vision. You can also add any feature you regularly use to the main camera page and remove any you don't touch, giving you quick access to modes you really want. In my case, I found it much easier to use the Macro mode on this phone than any other that I’ve tested previously, thanks to a quick activation option in the settings – and the results were impressive.
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While I was utterly impressed by the photos the Edge 50 Pro took during my testing, I found the camera app itself to be rather sluggish, particularly when used over long durations. It didn't really slow down my ability to take photos or use the device, but I think it will affect the overall experience for some users.
Camera score: 5/5
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review: Performance and Audio
(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset
12GB RAM
Stereo speakers, tuning by Dolby Atmos
Everyone uses their phone differently – some use it for the basic functions of calls, texts, light gaming and media streaming, while others put their handsets through more intense workouts like 4K video editing or hardcore mobile gaming.
If you belong in the latter camp – meaning you regularly play high-graphics games, watch a lot of high-resolution content on your phone or do a lot of productivity work – you might need to look elsewhere for a more powerful phone. That's not to say the Edge 50 Pro lacks in performance – it doesn’t and far from it – but anything too intense will slow things down.
For the average user, though, there’s smooth and fast gameplay on offer here, plus more than enough system memory to keep several apps running simultaneously. Despite my issues with the camera app becoming sluggish after long periods of use, I didn’t experience too much of a drop in overall performance in general usage.
But that’s what benchmarking is for – to break down and analyze how a phone performs when put through stress tests that mimic different activities, and how it compares to other devices.
In my benchmarking tests, I compared the Motorola Moto Edge 50 Pro with the cheaper Samsung Galaxy A55 and flagship Samsung Galaxy S24.
For reference, the two Geekbench tests measure the processors single-core and multi-core power. 3D Mark:Wildlife tests how your device handles extended periods of heavy use and Sling Shot tests features like instant rendering, uniform buffers, multiple render targets and transform feedback. The higher the score, the better.
The Edge 50 Pro doesn’t necessarily have great processing power, which explains the sluggishness of the camera app – outscored by the Samsung Galaxy A55 – but it showcases its mid-range excellence in its 3D Mark tests, slotting in between the budget option from Samsung and its flagship.
Another area that the Motorola Edge 50 Pro excels at is audio. With Dolby Atmos support, it enhances the cinematic experience when watching videos on the phone. The stereo (or dual) speakers are loud and clear – I could even enjoy music and podcasts while in the shower. And, while I personally don’t watch movies on my phone without headphones, you'd be very happy if you did. If you don't, pairing a set of Bluetooth headphones is utterly easy – it quickly connected to both my third-generation AirPods and my Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.
Performance and Audio score: 4/5
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review: Battery
(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
125W fast charging
50W wireless charging
Five-minute charge gives you enough battery for the day
I've already taken you through what I think makes the Motorola Edge 50 Pro an excellent phone, but its battery might be its biggest asset. Boasting a capacity of 4,500mAh, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro will easily see you through a regular day of average use, which I define as messaging, social media, emails, browsing, video streaming and a few calls.
During my testing, I found that the Edge 50 Pro dropped to just 65% battery after 6.5 hours of screen time during the day. That was 6.5 hours of YouTube and benchmark tests, and the latter can be very power hungry.
Where the Motorola Edge 50 Pro truly excels is just how dang fast it charges. With the included 125W charger – yes, included – Motorola claims the Edge 50 Pro can charge completely in just 17 minutes. In my tests, my review sample of the Edge 50 Pro went from 20% to 100% in 19.5 minutes.
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Motorola Edge 50 Pro battery settings (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)
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Motorola claims you'll get 12 hours worth of battery life from just a five-minute charge with Charge Boost activated. From my experience, that claim is true – my phone jumped from 11% to 41% in the five minutes it took me to brush my teeth and comb my hair one morning. And if you were being conservative with your phone use for the day, I have no doubt that would be enough to last the entire day. Need another point of comparison on how good Motorola’s fast-charge feature is? The test unit went from dead to 28% in 30 minutes – which would see you through the day with conservative use.
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The Edge 50 Pro gets quite warm when charging with the 120W charger, but that heat didn't negatively impact performance, nor did it retain the heat for long.
If you're a big proponent of wireless charging, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro has you covered there too, with up to 50W wireless charging support. To achieve that number, though, Motorola says you'll need the Motorola 50W TurboPower Wireless Charging Stand which, at the time of writing, is near impossible to find where the handset is available. I had no issues with my third-party 15W charger, though of course the speed didn't blow me away.
Battery score: 5/5
Should you buy the Motorola Edge 50 Pro?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
Also consider...
If this review of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro has left you wondering about other mid-tier alternatives, take a look at a few listed below. I’ve also compiled a specs comparison between them and the Edge 50 Pro for a clearer snapshot.
How I tested the Motorola Edge 50 Pro
Review period: four weeks
Testing included: Everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used: 3D Mark: 3D Mark: Original, 3D Mark: Extreme, 3D Mark: Slingshot Extreme (unlimited), Geekbench 6.2.2, Geekbench, native Android stats
The first step in reviewing the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the same as any phone, and that means downloading and running benchmark tests. Once that was done, I used it as my daily device – taking it to work, to the gym, on dog walks and pretty much everything else that makes up my everyday life.
From scrolling mindlessly for way too long on the couch, catching its fall with my foot at the gym, listening to podcasts on the bus and being pulled in and out of my bag, I put this phone through its paces to see how it handles the trials and tribulations of life. And, from minor drops onto carpet and unfortunate meetings with the corner of my desk, as well as playing music in a steamy bathroom and getting splashed while doing the dishes, it had no issues.
The final moments with the phone were spent concentrating on battery tests – this included checking how it performed with less-than-average daily use, letting it sit in my bag and only using it for only a couple hours, seeing how quickly it charged from dead, as well as 5-,15- and 30-minute speed tests.
I have tested other budget and mid-range phones for TechRadar previously, which gives me a unique perspective on how the Motorola Edge 50 Pro compares to competitors on the market.
While probably best known for being the market leader in consumer drones, DJI also has a strong pedigree in content creation accessories. That includes smartphone stabilizers, of which the Osmo Mobile 6 is its current flagship model. Designed to keep your smartphone levelled and steady during video shooting, the Osmo Mobile 6 is basically a handle with a 3-axis gimbal (and extendable selfie stick) attached.
Some of the best phone gimbals feel too large and bulky, and therefore awkward to carry around, or too small and fiddly, and therefore hard to hold comfortably, but the OM 6 sits in the ‘Goldilocks zone’ for me: when folded down it’s almost pocketable, but when unfolded with a phone mounted it feels nicely balanced and pleasingly secure in my hand. It also comes with a mini tripod that threads into the standard tripod mount at the base of the handle. Also inside the box is a USB-A to USB-C cable for battery charging, a magnetic clamp, and a soft microfiber drawstring bag to keep everything together.
Whichever phone you're using (the OM 6 is compatible with a wide range of the best Android phones and best iPhones, although you'll want to check DJI's phone compatibility list) is fixed to the gimbal arm via the magnetic clamp: the clamp squeezes across the width of the phone tightly, and the powerful magnet in its center clicks into place on the arm with a reassuring thunk. I never had any reason to feel like my iPhone would detach while using the gimbal, no matter how much I waved it around, while the magnet meant I could quickly take it out of the clamp and use it if I received a call, or when I’d finished filming.
I found that unfolding and refolding the OM 6 took a bit of getting used to, but once I’d mastered the process I appreciated the fact that I could get the stabilizer functioning in seconds. The quick-launch function immediately turns on the power when the gimbal arm is unfolded, as well as automatically launching the Mimo companion app on your phone (assuming you use a MagSafe iPhone, and it’s been paired with the OM 6 via Bluetooth at least once before) when the magnetic clamp clicks into place. That meant I didn’t have to waste much time setting the thing up – I could pull it out of my bag, unfold it, mount my phone, and get filming in a matter of seconds.
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DJI Osmo Mobile 6 key specs
Folded dimensions: 189 x 84.5 x 44mm
Unfolded dimensions: 276 x 111.5 x 99mm
Weight (including magnetic clamp): 330g
Grip tripod weight: 72g
Compatible phone weight: 170 to 290g
Compatible phone thickness: 6.9 to 10mm
Compatible phone width: 67 to 84mm
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1 and USB-C
Battery life: Approx 6.5 hours
The control scheme is refreshingly simple. The M button can be used to cycle between the gimbal modes, or held down to power the OM 6 on and off. Below it is a video and shutter button. Below that is the Switch button: hitting it once switches between the phone’s back and front cameras; twice flips between portrait and landscape mode; and three times switches between photo and video shooting. To the left of those buttons is a thumb stick, which is used to manually control the gimbal movement. On the left side of the handle is the zoom and focus wheel, new to the Osmo Mobile series; pushing this in enables manual focus, while twisting it zooms the camera view in and out. Finally, a trigger on the front can be tapped twice to reset the gimbal position, or held down to ‘lock’ the view in place.
It might sound like a lot to take in, but I found it easy to grasp while handling most of the most-used controls. Anything else that needs adjustment is covered by the Mimo app’s menus and camera controls.
The stabilization offered by the gimbal is excellent, or at least it was for my iPhone 13. The gimbal auto-levels the phone (it can be quickly recalibrated in the Mimo settings menu if you think it’s off, though), and moves it according to the currently selected gimbal mode. 'Follow' is the general-use mode, with the camera view following the gimbal’s movements while remaining level with the horizon. 'Tilt Locked' is similar, but the view won’t tilt up or down. 'FPV' will pan, tilt and roll the camera view according to the gimbal’s movement, and works well for dynamic moving shots. Finally, 'SpinShot' allows the user to rotate the camera view with the joystick while keeping it pointed in the same direction; it can create some dramatic effects, but probably won’t be anyone’s most-used option.
The gimbal movements feel smooth and, for want of a better word, ‘logical’. By which I mean they didn’t surprise me and, in general, went where I wanted them to go. Coupled with the comfortable, well-balanced grip (which can be extended by screwing in the folding mini tripod), it made for an intuitive, responsive and all-round pleasant experience.
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DJI Osmo Mobile 6 with selfie stick extended (Image credit: Future)
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DJI Osmo Mobile 6 control panel (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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DJI Osmo Mobile 6 trigger and zoom/focus wheel (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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DJI Osmo Mobile 6 on mini tripod (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
DJI’s Mimo camera app feels refined and intuitive. The UI layout is simple and easy to get to grips with, with the shooting modes displayed at the bottom and selectable via swipes to the left and right. As well as video and photo modes, Mimo allows the OM 6 to shoot auto-stitched panorama photos as well as slow-motion, hyper-lapse, time-lapse and ‘dyna-zoom’ videos (the latter being Hitchcockian dolly zooms, essentially). It also offers two special modes: Parents&Kids, for automatically capturing family interactions from a static position, and Story, for filming and editing (which includes transitions, music and color grading) short videos to be immediately shared to social media.
The OM 6 also offers ActiveTrack 6.0, DJI’s object-tracking system. This will recognize and track faces automatically, but any object can be tracked by drawing a box around it in the camera view. Then, as the object moves, the gimbal will adjust the camera view to keep it in frame. It’s something that’s great for vlogging, either while walking with the gimbal or with it set up on its tripod nearby, as the vlogger can move around without having to worry about moving out of frame. That being said, the Insta360 Flow Pro’s tracking is faster and smoother, and its design allows it to ‘infinitely’ track a subject as it moves around and around it; the OM 6 will spin to a certain extent but then hit its limit, and be unable to follow if its subject leaves the frame.
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 price and availability
The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is available now, costing from £125 on the DJI UK website and from $139 on Amazon US. It comes in two colour finishes (Slate Gray and Platinum Gray) and can be purchased in a bundle with the first-generation DJI Mic for £344.
In fact, there are a few other areas in which I found the newer, slightly pricier Insta360 Flow Pro a bit more impressive than the Osmo Mobile 6. The Flow Pro has longer battery life (about 10 hours to the OM 6’s 6.5), and a second USB-C port that allows it to act as a power bank, sharing its battery with a phone or other gadget. The Flow Pro also supports Apple’s DockKit framework for iPhones, which means it supports subject tracking not only via its companion app but through the iPhone’s native camera app and 200-plus camera-related apps (including TikTok, Zoom and Blackmagic Camera). For the OM 6, tracking only works through the Mimo app.
The OM 6 does feel more pleasant to use though, with better-placed physical controls and smoother gimbal stabilizer movement. So, it doesn’t feel like a distant runner-up to the Insta360 Flow Pro, but more like a worthy alternative that certain users might prefer.
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DJI Mimo app Stories shooting mode (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
DJI Osmo Mobile 6: Also consider
Insta360 Flow Pro Despite being a relative newcomer to the smartphone gimbal space, Insta360’s compact foldable gimbal feels like the current model to beat – on tech at least. With excellent battery life, a power bank function and the ability to subject track when using third-party iPhone apps (or the native iPhone camera), it’s an impressive all-rounder, and only slightly more expensive than the Osmo Mobile 6.
DJI Osmo Mobile SE Available for a significantly less than the Osmo Mobile 6, its DJI stablemate offers very similar features in a similar-sized product, including ActiveTrack 6.0 and the magnetic phone clamp. Interestingly, its battery life is slightly better than the Osmo Mobile 6’s, but it lacks the extendable selfie stick and doesn’t quick launch (i.e. immediately turn on when unfolded).
Should I buy the DJI Osmo Mobile 6?
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Buy it if...
You want the best smartphone stabilizer user experience Smartphone stabilizers can be fiddly – but not this one. The comfy grip, well-placed controls and intuitive gimbal movements make the OM 6 a joy to use.
Don't buy it if...
How I tested the DJI Osmo Mobile 6
One week of use
Tested with iPhone 13
Used for B-roll and vlogs
I spent a week using the Osmo Mobile 6 in a variety of situations with my iPhone 13. I tested out all of the video and photo modes available in the Mimo app in both outdoor and indoor situations, and found the OM 6’s compact size and lightweight build a great asset for on-the-go vlogging.
The original Pixel Fold is on the left, the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold is in the middle, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is on the right (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Forget everything you knew about the Google Pixel Fold. The new – deep breath – Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold shares perhaps one thing with its predecessor: the 'Fold' in the name, and that is for the better.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold renders the original Fold a prototype at best. The aspect ratio that didn't work for some popular apps like Instagram, too-large black bezel around the main screen (all to accommodate the selfie camera), and the phone's inability to lie completely flat when unfolded are mercifully gone.
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Google's new Fold is taller, much thinner, and noticeably lighter than its first attempt. Where the Pixel Fold reminded me – and not necessarily in a good way – of Microsoft's failed Duo device, the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold reminds me of a Pixel 8 flagship. In fact, the 6.3-inch cover screen is a duplicate of the one you'll find on the new Google Pixel 9.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
It's not just the screen. Folded and turned on its side, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is just 2mm thicker than the Pixel 9. Unfolded, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 5.1 mm thick, which matches the iPad Pro 13-inch's thinness, and beats the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 by 0.5mm. It weighs just 257 grams, which is 27 grams less than the Pixel Fold (but still heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 6).
If there's one compromise with that lovely touch-and-hold frame, it's that you lose a little bit of battery, with the capacity reduced from the Pixel Fold's 4727mAh to 4650mAh. I won't know the impact of that loss until I've tested the Pixel 9 Pro Fold over an extended period.
The buttons are all clean, brushed aluminum, and the power button also houses a fingerprint reader. The mobile phone now also supports unlocking with facial recognition. Face Unlock was unavailable on the original Google Pixel Fold.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: price and availability
Google announced the Pixel 9 Fold Pro alongside the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL on August 13. It's on pre-sale now and arrives on store shelves on September 4, 2024.
It starts at $1,799 / £1,749 for a 256GB model with 16GB of RAM, and is available in Obsidian and Porcelain (off-white). I prefer the Obsidian which offers a deep, inky black that could only be described as sexy.
Those prices make Google's new foldable cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, although not by much. A multi-purpose foldable phone will remain a considered purchase for some time to come.
The main screen camera is now a drill-through (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Clearly, Google got the message: it's not just specs that win the game, it's eye-popping, delightful design. The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has that in spades. If the original Fold had a slightly plasticky look and feel, the new model favors premium materials, flat surfaces, and understated design cues. The clear and sharp look is a winning combination of recycled aluminum, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and that multi-alloy steel hinge.
It's not just the look of it. I could tell from the moment I unfolded the Pixel 9 Pro Fold that Google had completely re-engineered the hinge system. Folded, the two halves of the phone sit flat against each other with barely a gap between them. I could open the phone at almost any angle, and when I opened the phone completely it snapped satisfyingly flat. If you're familiar with foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, you might say, "That's nice." But if you remember the Pixel Fold and its inability to lie flat, you know it's a big deal.
As for durability, the phone has an IPX8 rating, which means it can handle being dropped into a few feet of water for 30 minutes. There's no mention of a dust or debris rating, so I would be extra careful if you plan to bring it to the beach.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold opened, left, and closed with the cover screen active (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The flexible, Actua (a marketing term for Google's bright OLED screen tech) display unfolds as cleanly and surely as you'd hope. When the large 8-inch display is flat it looks as if it might have the best crease in the business. By that I mean it's very close to unnoticeable. Still, I'll need to see it side-by-side with the other best foldable phones to know if that initial impression holds up.
Eight inches stands as the largest folding phone screen on the market, and Google has achieved this by putting the camera behind the screen (with an uncovered punch hole) and by switching back to an aspect ratio (20:9) that more closely matches competitors from Samsung and OnePlus. The original Fold had a 6:5 aspect ratio that didn't play nice with some major apps. The more squarish aspect ratio means that standard apps will look more normal and not be cut off on the main display, but that larger main screen size also pays a dividend with the cover display. At 6.3 inches, it's full-flagship size and, for as much as I like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 which also has a 6.3-inch screen but one that is taller and narrower, having the extra cover display width makes using the screen more pleasurable to use, and I expect it will make it easier to type. It also makes the Fold 9 Pro look almost indistinguishable from a regular smartphone.
Looking at the screen front-on, the only giveaway that this is a foldable is the squared-off left side, which accommodates the hinge, where the right side is curved; it's a bit of interesting asymmetry. I also noticed that the bezel around the Pixel Fold 9 Pro's cover screen is slightly thicker than that of the Pixel 9, but without making the screen size any smaller.
In my brief hands-on session with the phone I only spent a little time exploring each core feature, but I did hold onto and play with the device for over an hour, and I didn't want to put it down.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold rear camera array (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
If there's a downside to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's new look, it's the new camera array. I've never loved the Google Pixel Fold's metallic camera band, but I like the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold brushed metal camera array box less. The curved rectangle is too big, and lacks the elegance of the rest of the device, although this is a minor niggle.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: cameras
Speaking of cameras, I used all five (!) of them, but not enough to draw any conclusions. Here's what you get with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold:
Main wide: 48 MP f/1.7 Quad PD
Ultra-wide: 10.5MP f/2.2 Dual PD 127 FoV
Telephoto: 10.8MP f/3.1
Front camera: 10MPf/2.2
Inner camera: 10MP Dual PD
I know, that's a lot of cameras. I do like that Google didn't skimp on the main-screen camera – 10MP is more than double the megapixels you'll get with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6's main-screen camera. As for why we have such odd telephoto and ultra-wide pixel counts, Google would only say that it made some allowances for fitting the cameras into what is admittedly a very thin system.
Still, none of these numbers are huge upgrades over the previous camera array. The cover and main-screen cameras got a small MP upgrade. The Ultra-wide jumps from a 121-degree FoV to 127 degrees. I'm also glad Google didn't downgrade from the 5x optical zoom to 3x zoom.
I briefly tried all these lenses, and the photos looked fine, but I'll have more to say when I conduct a full review.
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Main camera (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
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2x camera (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
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5x camera (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
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Ultrawide camera (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
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Camera on cover screen (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
We did, by the way, get a chance to try one of the new photo-editing tricks Google's touting for the entire Pixel line: 'Add me'. It let me take a photo of two fellow TechRadar team members, and then add myself. All I had to do was walk into the frame after taking the initial photo and, with guidance from someone taking the photo (and an on-screen augmented reality guide), position myself appropriately. The final result makes it look as if I was in the original shot – I think Pixel 9 Pro Fold owners are going to love this.
I also saw a demonstration of a Fold-specific camera feature called 'Made you look.' The concept is simple: you display on the cover screen something distracting or entertaining for your subject (typically a child) to look at while you try to take a picture of them. You choose this setting in the camera app, and on the cover screen, an animation appears of, for instance, smiling cartoon birds. Yes, the image makes you smile – and that's the point. A child will look at it and laugh, and you'll get a great photo of them. Meanwhile, the main screen on the other side is still a big, unobstructed viewfinder. It's a small but clever and fun little photography feature.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: specs and performance
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold's main screen is a whopping 8 inches (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
As with most other core features, I don't have much to say about performance at this stage. Inside the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google's new Tensor G4 chip. Google claims the chip is capable of 45 ToPs or Tokens Per Second, and that it's 20% faster for web browsing and 17% faster on app launching. Benchmarks will help me see how it compares to Apple's A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
I am pleased that Google has squeezed in 16MP of RAM, especially because a chunk of that is apparently devoted to handling onboard AI tasks.
One of those AI tasks will be powering Google Gemini, and especially features like Gemini Live (available with the Gemini Advanced subscription). This adds a conversational AI chatbot that can answer questions in a natural-sounding voice, and handles interruptions better than some people I know. In my chat, I asked Gemini about getting better sleep, and how caffeine intake might impact my sleep. As it answered, I interrupted and asked if I could drink Coke. It told me I could, but warned me that Coke has caffeine and drinking it might impact my sleep. As it droned on, I interrupted and said I had to go. It paused and said. 'Okay, goodbye." Pretty impressive.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold ships with Android 14 and a promised seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates. That's quite a commitment, especially for a phone with moving parts. If your phone holds up, the updates will be there to support it.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Battery life is rated for 25 hours, which would be considerably more than you could expect from the Pixel Fold (15 hours). That's surprising considering the battery is slightly smaller, but Google is claiming that its Tensor G4 mobile CPU is more efficient – I'll know better once we run some tests. The phone ships with a USB-C cable, but you'll need to supply your own adapter. The device also supports Qi-based wireless charging.
The dual-SIM (nano and eSIM) 5G phone supports Bluetooth 5.3 and, notably, up to WiFi 7 for some future-proofing,
What a difference a generation makes. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, left, and the Pixel Fold (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The name of this phone might seem long and less than memorable, but I think it's accurate. This is a folding premium or Pro phone. Instead of standing apart from all the Pixel 9 phones, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold fits in well with the rest of the lineup.
Overall, this is a redo done right. The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold looks like a regular smartphone when closed, and opens into a mini tablet. The screens are sharp and bright (2,700 nits for the pair), and appeared responsive. The cameras are decent if not ground-breaking, but as an overall dual-purpose package with a lot of baked-in AI, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will, even at $1,799 / £1,749, probably appeal to a lot of would-be foldable phone buyers, who should keep an eye out for trade-ins and other deals that will lower the price-barrier to entry. I would not be surprised if it ends up near the top of our best foldables list.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold preview: also consider
OnePlus Open The OnePlus Open has a cover display that looks more like a normal smartphone than any other tablet foldable phone. The inner display is also bigger as a result.
Google Pixel Fold The Google Pixel Fold is an excellent, multidimensional handset that feels equally at home as a beefy smartphone or a pint-sized tablet, and it marries that versatility with strong performance and stellar photography. If you think of the Pixel Fold as two devices in one, the high price almost makes sense. Read our full Google Pixel Fold review
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is available for pre-order now for $1,099 / £1,099, and it will be on shelves August 22, the same day as the Pixel 9. Google is holding the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Fold a bit longer, until September 4, so if you want a new Pixel as soon as possible, the XL is the best phone you can choose.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is 99% the same phone as the Google Pixel 9 Pro. If you think that makes sense, you haven't been following the world of smartphones, because phone makers like Apple and Samsung always save one or two special tricks for the biggest phones they make. If you want the best cameras, or all of the hidden features, you must buy the biggest phones.
Not so with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Every feature that you'll find on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is also available on the smaller Pixel 9 Pro, even (especially!) the 5x zoom camera. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has two distinct hardware advantages over the Pixel 9, but neither of them are completely clear, and both are related to the larger size.
First of all, the Pixel 9 Pro XL gets a larger, 6.8-inch Super Actua display. It's much bigger than the 6.3-inch screen on the Pixel 9 Pro, and it packs more pixels, offering a higher resolution.
So, is the Pixel 9 Pro XL screen better? Not exactly. Both displays can reach the same eye-burning 3,000 nits peak brightness. Both displays use LTPO technology for a low-power, always-on display that runs at an astonishing 1Hz. Both offer 24-bit color, and the same contrast ratio and other specs.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has more pixels, but with a larger screen area the pixels get a bit more room to spread out. Because the Pixel 9 Pro packs its pixels more densely, we'd say that screen is marginally sharper, with a higher pixel density.
In truth, the difference is probably invisible to human eyes, and both phones are more sharp than any iPhone or Galaxy phone you can buy right now. Google makes the best displays for a smartphone, whether you get the big one or the small one.
The cameras are the same on the Pixel 9 Pro... no, really
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
And this is the entire point of the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The only choice to make is big one or small one. You don't have to wonder whether you really need a 5x zoom camera, like the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers, instead of only 3x zoom, as you get with the iPhone 15 Pro.
Apple is being kind to Pro buyers. With Samsung, if you want the best cameras, you can't just buy the larger Galaxy S24 Plus (Samsung has no Pro models). That phone has the same cameras as the Galaxy S24. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the real step up, and it's a huge step up to 200MP on the main sensor, a 5x zoom lens (instead of 3x), larger sensors all around, and more.
Oh, and if you buy the Galaxy Ultra phone you have to take the S Pen. Samsung doesn't make a phone with the best cameras and no pen for those who don't want or need it.
Besides the screen, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has better 'power'
(Image credit: Philip Berne/ Future)
When I asked Google to spell out clearly the differences between the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL, I got two answers. The first was the display, as mentioned. The second was a more cryptic "power." I assumed Google meant a larger battery inside, but there's something else going on.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL does indeed have a larger battery. The XL phone comes with a battery that's around 5,060mAh, while the Pixel 9 Pro uses a cell that's only 4,700mAh, the same capacity as the battery in the Pixel 9.
Charging speed has been improved to 45W, and Google says these phones charge faster than any Pixel that came before. That's not a very lofty claim, but I do appreciate fast charging. Unfortunately, you'll have to find a fast charger, because Google doesn't include a new-fangled plug in the box.
Here's where things get weird. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro can both use a 45W charger, just like the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Google says the smaller phones will charge up to 55% in about 30 minutes. So, they will fill around 2,600mAh of battery in 30 minutes.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL will reach up to 70% charge in about 30 minutes, using the same 45W charger. Google claims that it will charge more than 3,500mAh in the same time the Pixel 9 Pro takes to charge 2,600 mAh, with the same 45W charger. I'm very curious about this, and I'll investigate during my full review.
The bottom line, below the screen and power
The Pixel 8 Pro next to a Pixel 9 Pro XL (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Other than the larger screen and the apparent power differences, there really is no other difference between the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Pixel 9 Pro. This is an unusual development, but quite welcome, as I think it will make the Pixel 9 family as a whole much easier to explain to potential buyers.
You can read about all of the features coming to the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL in my hands-on look at the former two phones. The Pixel 9 misses out on some new AI video enhancement features, in addition to the 5x zoom lens found on the Pro models. Google's new Gemini Live Conversation tool also won't be coming to the Pixel 9, so far as we've heard.
If you're considering the Pixel 9 Pro XL, it's an easier choice this year. You don't have to pay more just because you wanted the best cameras. If that's all you needed, you can save money and order the smaller Pixel 9 Pro without hesitation. If you mostly wanted a larger display, the Pixel 9 Pro XL gives you the best big display you'll find on a smartphone today. It's bright and colorful, a real winner with great low-power LTPO features as well.
There was no XL model last year, but I should note that the Pixel 8 Pro went on sale within a month of launch, to coincide with the end-of-year shopping season. This year's Pixel 9 family launches months earlier, but I'd still anticipate aggressive sales to come before the year ends. If you don't need this phone right away, it wouldn't hurt to wait for a deal.
