Google recently unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, directly challenging Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Let’s break down how these top-tier contenders stack up.
Size and Build:
- The iPhone 15 Pro models boast a sleek titanium and glass construction, making them lighter than previous versions.
- The iPhone 15 Pro is 5.77 inches long and 2.78 inches wide, while the Pro Max measures 6.29 by 3.02 inches.
- Both iPhones are 0.32 inches thick.
- The Pixel 9 Pro features a matte glass back and a polished aluminum frame.
- It’s slightly longer than the iPhone 15 Pro at 6 inches, but just as wide at 2.8 inches. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is 6.4 inches long and 3 inches wide.
- Both Pixels are around 0.3 inches thick.
Display:
Also Read:
- iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display
- Pixel 9 Pro: 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED display
- Pixel 9 Pro XL: 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display
- All models feature OLED technology, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (ProMotion on iPhone), and Always-On display.
- The Pixel 9 Pro models have a slightly higher resolution and pixel density than their iPhone counterparts.
- Both iPhone and Pixel claim impressive brightness levels, suitable for various lighting conditions.
Cameras:
- iPhone 15 Pro:
- 48MP Wide (with 2nd-gen sensor-shift OIS)
- 12MP Ultra Wide (120-degree field of view)
- 12MP Telephoto (3x optical zoom on Pro, 5x on Pro Max, with sensor-shift OIS)
- LiDAR scanner for enhanced low-light focus and AR applications
- Pixel 9 Pro:
- 50MP Octa PD Wide
- 48MP Quad PD Ultrawide
- 48MP Quad PD Telephoto (5x optical zoom, up to 30x Super Res Zoom)
- Multi-zone laser detect autofocus (LDAF)
- Both offer advanced video capabilities, including 4K recording, slow-motion, and cinematic modes.
- iPhone 15 Pro boasts ProRes video recording and external drive support.
- Pixel 9 Pro features 8K video recording and Super Res Zoom video.
Performance:
- iPhone 15 Pro: A17 Pro chip with 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 8GB RAM
- Pixel 9 Pro: Google Tensor G4 chip with 1-3-4 core configuration, Titan M2 security coprocessor, and 16GB RAM
- Both chips are designed for AI-centric tasks and high performance.
Other Features:
- Both lines offer 5G, Wi-Fi (6E on iPhone, 7 on Pixel), Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra Wideband, and USB-C connectivity.
- iPhones have exclusive satellite connectivity for emergency SOS and roadside assistance
- iPhones support MagSafe wireless charging
- Pixels support Qi wireless charging
Price and Availability:
- iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 (128GB)
- iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (256GB)
- Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999
- Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,099
Which to Buy?
- The Pixel 9 Pro models offer advantages in display size, resolution, and camera capabilities.
- iPhone 15 Pro models excel in video features, satellite connectivity, and the Apple ecosystem integration.
- Consider your priorities and budget to make the best choice. If you’re an Android user looking for a powerful and feature-rich device, the Pixel 9 Pro series is a strong contender. If you’re invested in the Apple ecosystem and value video capabilities and satellite connectivity, the iPhone 15 Pro might be a better fit.
Please let me know if you’d like any additional information or have specific areas you’d like to explore further!
Comparison Table
| Specification | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Google Pixel 9 Pro | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| Price (starting) | $999 | $1,199 | $999 | $1,099 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 | 6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 | 6 x 2.8 x 0.3 | 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 |
| Weight (ounces) | 6.6 | 7.81 | 7 | 7.8 |
| Processor | A17 Pro | A17 Pro | Google Tensor G4, Titan M2 security co-processor | Google Tensor G4, Titan M2 security co-processor |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Display type | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (Pro),<br>6.7-inch Super Retina XDR (Pro Max),<br>ProMotion, Always-on display, TrueTone | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (Pro),<br>6.7-inch Super Retina XDR (Pro Max),<br>ProMotion, Always-on display, TrueTone | 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED (Pro),<br>120Hz display | 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED (Pro XL),<br>120Hz display |
| Resolution | 2,556 x 1,179 at 460ppi (Pro),<br>2,796 x 1,290 at 460 ppi (Pro Max) | 2,556 x 1,179 at 460ppi (Pro),<br>2,796 x 1,290 at 460 ppi (Pro Max) | 2,856 x 1,280 at 494ppi (Pro) | 2,992 x 1,344 at 482ppi (Pro XL) |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID | Under-display fingerprint reader, Face Unlock | Under-display fingerprint reader, Face Unlock |
| Connectivity | 5G (Sub-6GHz and mmWave), Gigabit-class LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra Wideband Gen 2, Emergency SOS via Satellite, Roadside Assistance via Satellite, USB-C | 5G (Sub-6GHz and mmWave), Gigabit-class LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra Wideband Gen 2, Emergency SOS via Satellite, Roadside Assistance via Satellite, USB-C | 5G (Sub-6GHz and mmWave), Gigabit-class LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra Wideband, USB-C, Satellite SOS | 5G (Sub-6GHz and mmWave), Gigabit-class LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra Wideband, USB-C, Satellite SOS |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide, 12MP Telephoto with 3x optical zoom (Pro), 12MP Telephoto with 5x optical zoom (Pro Max) | 48MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide, 12MP Telephoto with 3x optical zoom (Pro), 12MP Telephoto with 5x optical zoom (Pro Max) | 50MP Octa PD Wide, 48MP Quad PD Ultra Wide, 48MP Telephoto with 5x optical zoom | 50MP Octa PD Wide, 48MP Quad PD Ultra Wide, 48MP Telephoto with 5x optical zoom |
| Video | 4K 60fps, 4K 60fps HDR with Dolby Vision, 1080p 240fps Slo-Mo, ProRes 4K 60fps with external recording, Cinematic Mode, Action Mode | 4K 60fps, 4K 60fps HDR with Dolby Vision, 1080p 240fps Slo-Mo, ProRes 4K 60fps with external recording, Cinematic Mode, Action Mode | 8K 30fps, 4K 60fps with HDR, 1080p 240fps Slo-Mo, Optical image stabilization, Electronic image stabilization | 8K 30fps, 4K 60fps with HDR, 1080p 240fps Slo-Mo, Optical image stabilization, Electronic image stabilization |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth with Autofocus | 12MP TrueDepth with Autofocus | 42 MP with Autofocus | 42 MP with Autofocus |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, Wide spectrum Microphones | Stereo speakers, Wide spectrum Microphones | Stereo speakers, 3 Microphones | Stereo speakers, 3 Microphones |
| Battery Size | Up to 23 hours video playback (Pro), Up to 29 hours video playback (Pro Max) | Up to 23 hours video playback (Pro), Up to 29 hours video playback (Pro Max) | 24+ hours | 24+ hours |
| Colors | Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium | Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium | Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian | Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian |
