I used the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for a month: Here's what impressed me and what didn't

When the leaks came out (and even during the official keynote), I wasn't sure I liked the new design of the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

I was genuinely disappointed with the renders; it was a drastic shift from previous Pixel designs, with Google switching to flat sides and a different camera visor — and man, those renders looked bad. People were saying it looked just like an iPhone — even Daniel Bader said as much in our Pixel 9 Pro XL review.

But this was a classic case of "don't judge a book by its cover." The moment I took the Pixel 9 Pro XL out of the box, I realized I had judged it too harshly. Now, I genuinely love it. While Google has moved away from the initial Pixel design, and as someone who primarily uses an iPhone, I could see myself buying a Pixel this time.