When the rumor mill first suggested that the Google Pixel 9 Pro could be a relatively compact flagship complete with a periscope telephoto camera, I was immediately hooked. An Android phone that crams almost all the features one expects from a modern flagship into a small-ish body is just what I’ve always wanted. I ordered mine on launch day and have loved it every day since.
However, I can objectively see that my love for the Pixel 9 Pro is tainted by the fact that it is the only game in town. If I wanted a phone of similar caliber and size, the best option would be an iPhone 16 Pro — and I have zero desire to adopt iOS. Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is very compact, but its camera system isn’t close to the same level as the Pixel 9 Pro, so that’s not an option, either. Really, if you want the best Android phone in the smallest size possible in 2025, your only option right now is the Pixel 9 Pro.