while it can be painted as consumer-friendly and expanding the level of choice, this splitting of the Pixel Pro into two handsets, to me, feels like subterfuge.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL, which despite the new suffix is still very much the direct follow-up to last year’s Pixel 8 Pro, is more expensive than its predecessor, while the Pixel 9 Pro starts at the same price but has lower specs.

Together, they produce an illusion of continuity but in reality, one charges the same for less and the other asks more for the same.

Needless to say, this messy pricing structure hasn’t made the best first impression with me but that doesn’t mean that my mind is made up about the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL.

We’ll have full reviews coming very soon, so be sure to check back then to see if either handset can bring me around after this wobbly introduction.