Apple’s iPhone 16 family is the latest flagship phone lineup on the block, but Google just released the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL last month, which makes them ripe for comparison. We’ve already tested the latest Pixels, all of which have scored four stars or higher, with the Pixel 9 nabbing our Editors’ Choice award. We’ve yet to put the iPhone 16s through their paces, but for now, we can draw some preliminary conclusions based on the spec sheets.
Price: Which Phone Offers More For Less?Both the iPhone 16 and Pixel 9 lineups offer multiple phones at a variety of prices. The iPhone 16 starts at $799 for 128GB of storage, the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 for 128GB of storage, the iPhone 16 Pro begins at $999 for 128GB of storage, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199, though it comes with 256GB of storage.
Pixel 9 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 9 starts at $799 for 128GB, the Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999 with 128GB of storage, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL begins at $1,099 with 256GB of storage. When looking at base model pricing, the two lineups are equally matched, though the Pixel 9 Pro XL is $100 cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple offers more storage configurations across its lineup than Google does for the Pixels—but it also charges more to upgrade. Winner: TieDesign: More Similarities Than DifferencesSmartphones generally have the same rectangular design, and the iPhone 16 and Google Pixel 9 families share plenty of design elements. They both feature metal frames with glass panels on the front and back, rounded corners, multiple color options, and a significant camera bump on the back.
iPhone 16 (Angela Moscaritolo)
The camera module of the Pixel lineup is a metallic island positioned horizontally across the back of the phone. The iPhone 16 cameras are placed vertically and tucked into the back left corner. The three-camera bump of the iPhone 16 Pro forms a small triangle on the phone’s back left side. The 6.1-inch iPhone 16 measures 5.81 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.00 ounces, while the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus measures 6.33 by 3.06 by 0.31 inches and weighs 7.03 ounces. The 6.3-inch 16 Pro sits between these two in terms of size, measuring 5.89 by 2.81 by 0.32 inches and weighing 7.03 ounces. Finally, the 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max is the largest phone of the bunch in both size and weight, measuring 6.42 by 3.06 by 0.32 inches and weighing 7.99 ounces.
Pixel 9 Pro (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro both have 6.3-inch displays and measure and weigh the same: 6.0 by 2.8 by 0.30 inches and 7.0 ounces. The 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL is the largest phone at 6.4 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches, though it is ever so slightly lighter than the 16 Pro Max at 7.8 ounces. Apple and Google’s phones are all rated IP68, which means they can withstand dust and water immersion.The iPhone lineup uses a ceramic glass shield to protect the front of the phone, while the Pixel 9 phones use Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max feature titanium frames, while the entire Pixel lineup uses aluminum frames. These phones are generally similar in design, and your choice will ultimately come down to which colors and camera modules you find more appealing. Winner: TieDisplay: May the Highest Nit WinThe iPhone 16 lineup comes in four different screen sizes: 6.1, 6.3, 6.7, and 6.9 inches. By comparison, the Google Pixel 9 lineup has only two screen sizes: 6.3 inches and 6.8 inches. If you want a smaller phone, the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 is your best bet.
iPhone 16 (Angela Moscaritolo)
The 6.1-inch iPhone 16 sports a Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2,556 by 1,179 pixels and a density of 460 pixels per inch (ppi). The slightly larger 6.3-inch Google Pixel 9 has a lower resolution of 2,424 by 1,080 pixels at a density of 422ppi. The 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus, which doesn’t have a Pixel 9 equivalent, has a resolution of 2,796 by 1,290 pixels at 460ppi.Both the iPhone 16 Pro and the Google Pixel 9 Pro have 6.3-inch OLED displays. The Pixel 9 Pro has a resolution of 2,856 by 1,280 pixels at 495ppi, while the iPhone 16 Pro’s resolution is lower, at 2,622 by 1,206 pixels at 460ppi. Similarly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a higher resolution (2,992 by 1,344 pixels, 486ppi) than the iPhone 16 Pro Max (2,868 by 1,320 pixels, 460ppi).
Pixel 9 (Iyaz Akhtar)
The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL reach 3,000 nits at their brightest, while all the phones in the iPhone 16 lineup reach a maximum of only 2,000 nits. All of Google’s phones have a maximum 120Hz refresh rate, and the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL have an adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. However, to get a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate on an iPhone, you’ll have to upgrade to the 16 Pro or Pro Max. Winner: Pixel 9 Performance: Tensor G4 vs. A18 Pro We haven’t tested Apple’s latest A18 and A18 Pro chips yet, but history tells us that they will most likely be fast. Apple’s silicon has long reigned supreme in phones, tablets, and computers, and there’s no indication that this will change with its latest offerings.
Meanwhile, Google’s Tensor G4 and Titan M2 processors don’t fare well on benchmarking software. Google tunes them for machine learning tasks and claims that the G4 launches apps 17% faster and browses the web up to 20% quicker than last year’s G3. The chip got trounced roundly in our benchmark testing by the Samsung Galaxy S24 and its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. We expect Apple’s chips to do just as well, if not better, than Qualcomm’s offerings. Winner: iPhone 16Cameras: Does One Out-Pixel the Other?Apple’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a 48MP fusion camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The 16 Pro and Pro Max have the same 48MP fusion camera, plus a 48MP ultra-wide camera and a 12MP telephoto camera. The cameras on the regular iPhone 16 have 2x optical zoom, while the iPhone 16 Pro cameras boast 5x optical zoom. All cameras in the lineup have a 12MP TrueDepth front camera for selfies and Face ID. The iPhone 16 can capture 4K video at 60fps, while the Pro models can take 4K video at 120fps for a slow-motion effect. All iPhone 16 models can shoot full HD spatial video at 30fps. This year, Apple added a lot of advanced videography tools and carried over high-quality formats like ProRES.Meanwhile, the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL share the same 50MP main and 48MP ultra-wide cameras. The Pro series gets a large 48MP telephoto camera, which has a 5x optical zoom like the iPhone 16 Pro. Google’s front cameras feature a 10.5MP sensor on the Pixel 9, while the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL come with a much higher-resolution 42MP selfie camera. Google’s Pixel 9 can shoot video up to 4K60, while the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL can effectively get 8K video at 30fps using the cloud-based Video Boost feature.
iPhone 16 Pro (Angela Moscaritolo)
Google has a host of AI-enhanced editing features that do not have an iOS equivalent, including Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, and Photo Unblur, which are also available to other Android phones. Pixel-exclusive features include Audio Magic Eraser, Best Take, and Add Me, the latter of which combines two images so that you can add someone to a group shot. If AI editing is important to you, the Pixel lineup is the way to go. If video prowess is more your thing, the iPhone might have the edge.Winner: TieBattery Life: Which Phone Lasts the Longest?Apple doesn’t specify the size of its batteries, though the company did state during its event that iPhone batteries have received a size boost across the lineup. We will reserve our final judgment until we’ve had a chance to fully test the new models.
iPhone 16 (Angela Moscaritolo)
The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro both come with a 4,700mAh battery, while the 9 Pro XL has a 5,060mAh battery. We found that the Pixel 9 lasted 11 hours and 45 minutes when running an HD video on Wi-Fi at full brightness. Last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max lasted longer than 20 hours. We’d be surprised if the iPhones don’t beat the Pixels this year, too.None of these phones comes with a charger, so you’ll have to buy your own or use one you have around the house. Depending on the type of charger used, all the phones support approximately the same charging speeds (25 to 30W).Winner: Tie (for now)Software Support: How Many Years Will You Get Updates?Apple doesn’t say exactly how long it will offer software support for its phones, but generally, you’ll be able to get updates for seven to eight years after the device has been released.
Pixel 9 Pro XL (Iyaz Akhtar)
Google explicitly states that it will offer seven years of iOS upgrades and security updates for the Google Pixel lineup. Consistent updates are a win for everyone, and both companies have shown their commitment to providing longevity to their devices.No one has really tested Apple Intelligence yet, the company’s AI competitor to Gemini. Gemini AI is still a work in progress, and, we expect the same of Apple Intelligence—particularly given the piecemeal way Apple intends to roll out the features over the next few months.Winner: TieThe Verdict: Is There a Winner?You can’t go wrong with any of these phones. Both the iPhone 16 and Pixel 9 lineups offer great specs and software at similar prices, though ultimately, the choice will come down to your preference of operating system. If you’re an Android user, the Google Pixel 9 will look tempting compared with other Android devices, but iOS fans simply have to choose which iPhone they want.We look forward to fully testing the latest iPhones soon. Until then, be sure to check out PCMag’s coverage of Apple Glowtime.
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