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5 phones you should buy instead of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

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The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a fantastic smartphone, offering top-tier features such as Google’s Tensor G4 chip, a stunning triple-lens camera system, and generous storage options, making it one of the best phones on the market. However, there are other impressive smartphones you might want to consider if you’re looking for different features, value for money, or simply a smaller or cheaper model. Below, we explore the best alternatives to the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Google Pixel 9 Pro: A Compact Option

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If you love the Pixel experience but prefer a smaller, more compact device, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is a fantastic alternative. It offers many of the same features as the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but in a more manageable size. The 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED display provides the same vibrant colors, high pixel density (495 ppi), and a variable refresh rate of 1Hz to 120Hz, ensuring a smooth viewing experience.

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The camera system is identical to the XL version, featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens. The selfie camera is equally impressive, with 42MP resolution. Inside, the Pixel 9 Pro is powered by the Tensor G4 chip, paired with 16GB RAM, ensuring excellent performance. While the battery is slightly smaller (4700mAh compared to the XL’s 5060mAh), it still offers a full day of use and fast charging capabilities. The Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999, making it a solid alternative for those who don’t want a huge device but still want flagship features.

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Google Pixel 9: The Budget-Friendly Option

For those who want the Pixel 9 experience at a lower price, the Google Pixel 9 is an excellent choice. It features a 6.3-inch screen, like the Pixel 9 Pro, but with slightly lower specs. The display has a resolution of 422 ppi, and the maximum brightness is 2700 nits, which is still plenty bright for most situations. The camera system on the Pixel 9 consists of a 50MP main sensor and a 48MP ultrawide lens, without the telephoto lens, making it a great option for casual photographers who don’t need zoom capabilities.

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The Pixel 9 is also powered by the Tensor G4 chip, but with 12GB of RAM, which is still plenty for most users. Storage is limited to 128GB or 256GB, but the Gemini AI features are still present, ensuring a great overall experience. The Pixel 9 is available for $799, making it an affordable alternative that still provides a high-quality camera, smooth performance, and the familiar Pixel software experience.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Premium Flagship

If you’re looking for a larger and more powerful phone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a top contender. This phone features a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of 1Hz to 120Hz and a peak brightness of 2500 nits. Though it’s not quite as bright as the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the display’s quality is still exceptional, and the Gorilla Armor glass reduces reflections, making it easy to view in direct sunlight.

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Inside, the Galaxy S24 Ultra runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip, which delivers superior performance compared to the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 models. The camera system is also one of the best, featuring a 200MP main camera, a 10MP 3x telephoto lens, a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The S24 Ultra also includes an S Pen stylus for enhanced productivity and creativity. With a starting price of $1,300, it’s a more expensive alternative but well worth the price for users looking for a top-tier display, camera, and productivity features.

OnePlus 12: The Affordable Flagship

For a budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t compromise on performance, the OnePlus 12 is a standout choice. The OnePlus 12 features a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4500 nits, making it one of the brightest displays on the market. The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and offers up to 16GB of RAM, ensuring a fast and smooth experience.

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The camera system is impressive as well, featuring a 50MP main camera, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 48MP ultrawide lens. With the Hasselblad partnership, the OnePlus 12 also delivers excellent color-tuning for more natural-looking photos.

What makes the OnePlus 12 particularly appealing is its price. Starting at $800, it’s much more affordable than the Pixel 9 Pro XL and offers excellent value for the money. Plus, with fast charging speeds of up to 100W globally, the OnePlus 12 is a solid choice for anyone looking for flagship-level performance at a lower cost.

iPhone 16 Pro Max: A Premium iOS Option

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If you’re willing to switch to iOS, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an excellent alternative to the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 1Hz to 120Hz variable refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2000 nits. Although it’s not quite as bright as the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the iPhone’s display is still of exceptional quality.

The camera system on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a significant upgrade this year, with a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The 12MP selfie camera ensures high-quality selfies, and the new Camera Control button offers enhanced control over the camera settings. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the A18 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM, which may seem less compared to Android competitors but delivers outstanding performance.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max runs iOS 18, with the addition of Apple Intelligence AI features, making it a great alternative for those who prefer Apple’s ecosystem. With a starting price of $1,099, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a premium experience, though it is priced similarly to the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

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Conclusion

While the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a fantastic experience with its stunning camera system, powerful processor, and vibrant display, there are plenty of worthy alternatives to consider. Whether you prefer a smaller and more affordable model like the Pixel 9 or the budget-friendly OnePlus 12, or a more premium device like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max, there’s a phone out there to suit every need and budget.

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