iPhone 16 Pro vs Pixel 9 Pro: Which is the Best ‘Pro’ Flagship in 2024? Here’s Our Full Specs Comparison

Apple recently dropped its top-end iPhone 16 series in India and globally. While the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, retained the same price as their predecessors, the iPhone 16 Pro got a price cut in India.

Moreover, it got upgraded with the same specifications as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, albeit in a smaller form factor. However, Apple isn't alone here. Google implemented the same strategy with the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, the latter of which is a larger version of the former. But how do Apple and Google's latest 'Pro' smartphones compare? Let's find out!

iPhone 16 Pro vs Pixel 9 Pro: Full Specifications Comparison

Design and Build

The iPhone 16 Pro retains the same design language as its predecessor, although its screen has grown to 6.3 inches. From the square camera bump to the flat sides, nothing has changed in terms of design. The Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, has shrunk to 6.3 inches, while flattening the sides and edges, making it feel more like an iPhone.

Google has also changed the rear camera setup, now opting for a horizontal camera bar that doesn't extend to the sides of the device like the previous generation. Apple's Ceramic Shield screen protector has gotten stronger this year, although Google uses equally tough Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to protect the display.

Moreover, both phones use Corning Glass on the back, although Google opts for the latest Victus 2 protection. Both phones also feature an IP68 rating for protection against dust and water. Finally, the Pixel 9 Pro's frame is made from aluminium, while Apple uses Titanium on the iPhone 16 Pro. However, both phones weigh 199 grams, while the iPhone 15 Pro is slightly slimmer.

Display

Both the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro feature a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. However, the Pixel 9 Pro's screen boasts a higher resolution and pixel density, making it sharper and more vibrant.

Moreover, the display on the Pixel 9 Pro can also achieve a significantly higher level of brightness than that of the iPhone 16 Pro. The one advantage to the iPhone is Dolby Vision support. While both phones have the Always-on display option, Apple turns things up a notch with the advanced functionality of the Dynamic Island notch.

Performance

In terms of raw performance, the A18 Pro chipset on the iPhone 16 Pro is second to none. With the Pixel 9 Pro's Tensor G4 barely able to keep up with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, this isn't much of a competition. Moreover, the Tensor G4 is also prone to overheating, something we don't see with the A18 Pro, giving the latest iPhone the upper hand in gaming.

However, as we stride to a future where software trumps hardware and AI is the name of the game, there's little to separate the two phones. While Google's Tensor chips have always prioritised AI performance, Apple's A18 Pro also has an improved NPU to better deal with machine learning tasks. With AI playing a more key role in day-to-day tasks, everyday performance should be similar between the two phones.

Both Apple and Google offer a top-notch software experience. The two tech giants also announced a ton of cool AI features coming to their respective devices. However, Apple Intelligence is still in its infancy, with many of its features still in beta. Google's AI-based features are easily accessible as well as being tried and tested. Lastly, Google also offers two additional years of software support over Apple.

Cameras

While the camera setups on both phones feature the same array of sensors, the 50MP primary sensor on the Pixel 9 Pro is slightly smaller than the 48MP shooter on the iPhone 16 Pro. Despite both phones opting for a 48MP ultrawide lens, the Pixel 9 Pro's sensor has a brighter aperture. Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro also features a high-resolution telephoto camera as the iPhone 16 Pro.

Up front, the Pixel 9 Pro also gets an upgraded 42MP selfie camera, a bump up from the 12MP selfie camera on the iPhone 16 Pro. However, with both Apple's and Google's heavy reliance on software, minor advantages in hardware won't make a major difference in camera performance. So unless we test out the two phones, we'll have to call this one down the middle.

Battery Life & Charging Speed

The Pixel 9 Pro houses a large battery for a compact smartphone. And while Apple doesn't disclose the battery capacity on iPhones, the tech giant has confirmed that the iPhone 16 Pro will offer a 10% improvement in battery life. Both phones don't come with an adapter in the box and offer relatively slow charging. However, the iPhone 16 Pro offers faster wired and slightly faster wireless MagSafe charging than the Pixel 9 Pro.

iPhone 16 Pro vs Pixel 9 Pro: What's the Difference?

On paper, it is hard to separate the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro. Google has a distinct advantage when it comes to software features, display quality, better compatibility with third-party devices, and if we've being a bit biased photography. On the other hand, Apple deliver better battery life, performance, and if we are to let go of our biases, improved videography.

If you prioritize photography and AI features in your smartphone, the Pixel 9 Pro would be an excellent choice. However, if video capabilities are your main focus, the iPhone 16 Pro stands out as the clear winner. Moreover, we've noticed heating issues on the Pixel 9 Pro when capturing video under harsh sunlight.