The Google Pixel was always destined to be the iPhone for Android users. This year, that belief is stronger than ever, with the new Pixel 9 series Available in Standard, Pro and Pro XL versions and starting at $799, $999 and $1,099 respectively.

Also: I tried Google’s $1,799 Pixel 9 Pro Fold and am ready to switch from Samsung

If the pricing model and configurations don’t suggest an Apple-like playbook, wait until you see and touch the phones in person. I spent an intimate morning with the latest devices ahead of this week’s Made by Google event, and the new design language – which favors flattened edges, pastel colors, and ultra-thin bezels – often reminded me of the iPhone 15 Pro that was in my pocket.

To be clear: This is a good thing, and I’m not the only one who thinks Google should build a phone that’s more comfortable to hold, exudes a premium look, and looks less like Cyclops from X-Men. After testing the three Pixel 9 models, here’s my quick take on each one as you consider whether they’re worth the upgrade.

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Google Pixel 9 will be a surprise hit

The vanilla Pixels 9 isn’t as flashy as its Pro siblings, but for $799 ($100 more than last year’s Pixel 8), Google has made it significantly better in all areas. The changes include a larger, brighter display with up to 2,700 nits, a larger 4,700mAh battery, 12GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, an improved 48MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, and Google’s new Tensor G4 chip.

Also: The $799 Pixel 9 could be Google’s surprise hit this year. Here’s why

These are all flagship features you’d normally find on a phone that costs hundreds of dollars more, but I’m betting that many customers will consider the Pixel 9 for another reason: color options. I commend Google for being a bit more ambitious with its industrial design this year, covering the flattened form factor in pastel shades that can best be described as refreshing. This may be the first time I’ve considered getting a pink phone for everyday use—that’s how good “Peony” looks in real life.

The Pixel 9 is also the same size as the Pixel 9 Pro and has a 6.3-inch display that’s comfortable to hold and operate with one hand. It doesn’t have the same LTPO panel as the Pro, meaning the refresh rate won’t drop below 60Hz to reduce animation load and thus reduce battery consumption, but the 4,700mAh capacity should keep the Pixel 9 running for a full day.

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Finally, the 48MP ultra-wide angle camera with autofocus feels like an upgrade that users won’t appreciate until they use it. A sharper and larger sensor means you can now capture more colors and details when shooting landscape views, and you’ll also benefit from better macro photos.

Google Pixel 9 Pro gets an XL size (and even more confusing)

Since the very first Pixel, Google has always released its smartphones in pairs: one in a regular, market-appropriate size and another that’s a few inches bigger. In fact, there was an “XL” model of the original Pixel, which the company later replaced with the “Pro” brand. That also meant that the smaller, non-Pro phone often had to forego flagship camera features, display upgrades, and other software benefits.

Also: Everything that was announced at Made by Google 2024

This year, Google is combining the best of both worlds, offering a Pixel 9 Pro XL model to suit the needs of big-screen fans, while also offering a smaller Pro variant with the same camera configuration and feature set. The latter is a big win for users who want flagship features without the often inconvenient size. It also means there are now five Pixel phone models to choose from, including the budget-oriented Pixels 8a and the cutting-edge Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

In addition to the size options, the Pixel 9 Pro also gets you 16GB of RAM (up from 12GB on the Pixel 9), up to 1TB of storage, a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a more practical 42MP front-facing camera. In my demo, what impressed me most about the front-facing camera wasn’t its resolution and detail, but how much of my surroundings it was able to capture. With a 103-degree field of view, the Pixel 9 Pro is perhaps the easiest phone to use for taking group selfies and landscape portraits.

Also: Google’s new Pixel screenshots could be the feature that finally makes me use AI

Other camera upgrades include the ability to process Super Res Zoom in videos, which means better detail when shooting far away subjects, and Video Boost, which upscales content to 8K – ideal for videographers or professionals who want to crop out high-resolution images.

Google is bundling the Google One AI Premium Plan with the Pixel 9 Pro modelswhich includes access to the latest Google AI features like Gemini Live and 2TB of cloud storage. Of course, how useful this is depends on how much you rely on Gemini to summarize, create, and interpret information. Having demoed most, if not all, of the Pixel’s new software features, including Add Me, Pixel Screenshots, Call Summary, and Gemini Live, there are certainly enough tools to make the Pixel 9 Pro worthy of your consideration for AI alone.