Google’s Pixel lineup is where you go if you’re an Android purist who wants to experience the OS without any of that bloat that other OEMs like to slap on it. This year, it released the Google Pixel 9 series, and even though the hardware isn’t the kind of thing that power users will drool over, the software is the best it has ever been.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the best model of the bunch—even more so than the foldable—at least for those who like the most powerful specs. It’s had a bit of a rocky start after its launch, but those things have been ironed out already. Another perk for the late adopters: the device is now at its cheapest ever.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Is Enjoying A $250 Discount For Black Friday; Its Biggest Price Slash Since Launch
There’s a reason why, as tech lovers, we hype up Black Friday so much. It’s because if there’s ever an amazing chance to get tech that you’ve been longing over for the entire year, it’s Black Friday. You’re almost guaranteed to see sweet deals all around, from electronics manufacturers to mobile carriers. And yes, that includes smartphone OEMs like Google too.
Google is currently running a Black Friday deal on its Pixel 9 Pro XL, which is the highest-specced non-foldable device of its current generation. As a flagship, it’s not shocking that the device launched at $1,099. That’s a lot of money, but hey, that’s what the phone landscape looks like these days, so no one is going to single out Google for that pricing. Regardless, that’s a lot, and most people aren’t willing to spend over a grand for a phone.
Thankfully, that $1,099 price tag drops by $250, thanks to Google’s Black Friday promo. To be clear, that drops it to $849, which is the lowest price that the phone has been since it was launched. That new price is just $50 more than the regular price for the base Pixel 9, so if you’re not particular about a compact device, this is a deal you shouldn’t let slide.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Has Had Its Hiccups, But It Is Still A Great Device
On paper, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a fantastic device, and it’s the one that I’d choose from the latest lineup. Google finally embraces modern smartphone design and trends with a flat back, flat frame, and thin bezels all around the 6.8-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED display. It’s a very sleek phone, undeniably. You also get a killer camera setup, as expected, and a max configuration of 16GB/1TB.
However, there are some choices that won’t please power users. It didn’t launch with Android 15, though it’s gotten it now. It has only UFS 3.1 storage. The Google Tensor G4 isn’t the one if you like benchmarks. And, the device dealt with bugs after launch, like corner taps not registering and issues with the camera and charging.
However, those bugs have been sorted out, and if you know you prioritize the actual experience of the smartphone over what’s written on paper, you might like what Google has done here. It’s hard to deny that the Pixel 9 Pro XL puts the “smart” in smartphone.