Quick Reference - Pixel 9 Series

Model Screen Size Resolution (px) PPI Refresh Rate Technology
Pixel 9 6.3" 1080×2424 ~422 60-120Hz Actua OLED
Pixel 9 Pro 6.3" 1280×2856 495 1-120Hz Super Actua LTPO
Pixel 9 Pro XL 6.8" 1344×2992 486 1-120Hz Super Actua LTPO

Pixel 9 Series (2024)

Pixel 9

Display: 6.3" Actua display
Resolution: 1080×2424 pixels
PPI: ~422 pixels per inch
Technology: OLED
Refresh Rate: 60-120Hz (adaptive)
Brightness: 2,700 nits peak
Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Pro Tip: The Pixel 9 offers flagship specs at a more accessible price. The 6.3" Actua display is bright and vibrant with excellent color accuracy. FHD+ resolution keeps battery life strong.

Pixel 9 Pro

Display: 6.3" Super Actua display
Resolution: 1280×2856 pixels
PPI: 495 pixels per inch
Technology: LTPO OLED
Refresh Rate: 1-120Hz (adaptive LTPO)
Brightness: 3,000 nits peak
Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Pro Tip: The Pixel 9 Pro packs flagship specs into a compact 6.3" body. At 495 PPI, it's one of the sharpest smartphone displays available. LTPO enables 1Hz for always-on display efficiency.

Pixel 9 Pro XL

Display: 6.8" Super Actua display
Resolution: 1344×2992 pixels
PPI: 486 pixels per inch
Technology: LTPO OLED
Refresh Rate: 1-120Hz (adaptive LTPO)
Brightness: 3,000 nits peak
Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Pro Tip: The Pro XL offers maximum screen real estate at 6.8" with the same stunning Super Actua display. Ideal for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. Larger battery too.

Pixel Foldable

Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Main Display: 8.0" LTPO OLED (unfolded)
Main Resolution: 2076×2152 pixels
Main PPI: ~373 pixels per inch
Cover Display: 6.3" OLED
Cover Resolution: 1080×2424 pixels
Cover PPI: ~422 pixels per inch
Refresh Rate: 1-120Hz (both screens)
Pro Tip: The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an 8" main display—the largest on any Pixel. Design apps to support both the tall cover screen and the nearly square main screen for optimal foldable experience.

Understanding Pixel Display Technology

Actua vs Super Actua Displays

Google uses two display tiers across the Pixel 9 lineup:

Actua Display (Pixel 9)

  • Technology: OLED (not LTPO)
  • Resolution: FHD+ (1080×2424)
  • Refresh Rate: 60-120Hz adaptive (cannot go below 60Hz)
  • Brightness: 2,700 nits peak
  • Benefits: Excellent quality, better battery life than LTPO at high refresh rates

Super Actua Display (Pixel 9 Pro/XL)

  • Technology: LTPO OLED
  • Resolution: QHD+ (1280×2856 or 1344×2992)
  • Refresh Rate: 1-120Hz adaptive (can drop to 1Hz)
  • Brightness: 3,000 nits peak
  • Benefits: Sharper, brighter, more efficient at static content (always-on display)

LTPO Technology Explained

LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) allows the display to dynamically adjust refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz based on content:

  • 1Hz: Always-on display (clock, notifications)
  • 60Hz: Static images, reading
  • 120Hz: Scrolling, gaming, animations

This saves significant battery compared to fixed or limited-range refresh rates.

Peak Brightness Advantages

At 3,000 nits peak, Super Actua displays are among the brightest smartphone screens available. This enables:

  • Perfect visibility in direct sunlight
  • HDR video with stunning contrast
  • Accurate colors even in bright environments

Design Guidelines for Pixel Devices

Material You Design

Pixel phones showcase Material You, Google's adaptive design language. Use Material Design 3 components for seamless integration with system theming and dynamic color.

Support Variable Refresh Rate

LTPO displays can drop to 1Hz for static content. Avoid unnecessary animations on static screens to maximize battery efficiency. Use declarative UI frameworks like Jetpack Compose.

HDR Content Optimization

Pixel displays support HDR10+ with 3,000 nit peaks. For media apps, provide HDR versions of video content. Use proper color spaces (Display P3, Rec. 2020) for vibrant visuals.

Edge-to-Edge Design

Pixel phones have minimal bezels. Use WindowInsets API to handle status bar, navigation bar, and display cutouts (camera hole). Embrace edge-to-edge design for immersive experiences.

Dark Mode First

OLED displays save battery with dark pixels. Design for dark mode by default. Use true black (#000000) backgrounds for maximum energy savings and infinite contrast.

120Hz Smooth Animations

All Pixel 9 models support 120Hz. Ensure smooth animations and scrolling. Avoid frame drops—users will notice on high refresh rate displays. Target 120fps for interactions.

Foldable Considerations

For Pixel Fold, support both cover (tall 20:9) and main (nearly square) screen orientations. Use responsive layouts that adapt to aspect ratio changes seamlessly.

Test on Real Devices

Pixel displays have unique color calibration. Test on actual Pixel hardware to ensure colors, brightness, and animations look as intended. Emulators don't accurately represent OLED quality.

Leverage AI Features

Pixel phones have Google Tensor processors with AI acceleration. Consider integrating on-device ML features like image segmentation, voice recognition, or real-time translation.

Screen Size Comparison

Physical Dimensions

Model Screen Size Dimensions (mm) Weight
Pixel 9 6.3" 152.8 × 72.0 × 8.5 mm ~198g
Pixel 9 Pro 6.3" 152.8 × 72.0 × 8.5 mm ~199g
Pixel 9 Pro XL 6.8" 162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm ~221g
Pixel 9 Pro Fold (unfolded) 8.0" 155.2 × 150.2 × 5.1 mm ~257g
Pixel 9 Pro Fold (folded) 6.3" (cover) 155.2 × 77.1 × 10.5 mm ~257g

Pixel 9 vs 9 Pro: Same Size, Different Specs

Interestingly, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro have identical physical dimensions (6.3" screen, same body size). The differences are:

  • Display: Pro has higher resolution (1280×2856 vs 1080×2424)
  • PPI: Pro is sharper (495 PPI vs 422 PPI)
  • Technology: Pro uses LTPO (1-120Hz) vs standard OLED (60-120Hz)
  • Brightness: Pro is brighter (3,000 vs 2,700 nits)
  • Cameras: Pro adds telephoto lens

Choosing the Right Size

6.3" (Pixel 9/9 Pro): Perfect for one-handed use, fits in pockets easily. Ideal for most users who want flagship features in a compact form.

6.8" (Pixel 9 Pro XL): Maximum screen real estate for media, gaming, productivity. Still pocketable but requires two hands for comfortable use.

8.0" (Pixel 9 Pro Fold): Tablet-like experience when unfolded. Best for multitasking, reading, and creative work. Heavier and thicker when folded.