By 
Google’s decision to shift over to a more premium device profile for its Pixel hardware range is essentially the company going after the likes of Apple and Samsung, which have long reigned supreme in the premium smartphone segment. The Pixel 9 series is the result of years of research and development, but is it enough to hold its own against more popular rivals?
We’re of course referring to the iPhone 15 Pro – Apple’s grasp on the North American smartphone market is undoubtedly impressive, and it’s no secret that Google wants to establish a stronger foothold here with the launch of its newest phones. In particular, the Pixel 9 Pro wants to win users over with some nifty hardware upgrades, so how does it compare to the iPhone 15 Pro? let’s take a look!
Display Specs
In terms of display hardware, the Pixel 9 Pro boasts a slightly larger 6.3-inch display compared to the iPhone 15 Pro’s 6.1-inch screen. Both phones utilize OLED technology for vibrant colours and deep blacks, and they both support a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
However, the Pixel 9 Pro edges out the iPhone 15 Pro with a higher peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits, making it better for outdoor visibility. Of course the larger size helps as well, which doesn’t pose much of an issue since the phone manages to keep things mostly compact. Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro has a sharper 1280 x 2856 pixel resolution, versus the 1179 x 2556 screen on the 15 Pro.
Design and Build
Depending on who you’re talking with, smartphone design is usually a subjective matter. There’s no denying the premium feel of both devices however – the iPhone 15 Pro comes with its signature titanium frame, while the Pixel 9 Pro opts for a more traditional metal frame, which does raise some eyebrows considering the similar pricing between both devices.
It should also be noted that the Pixel 9 fuses design elements from its predecessors (like the camera bar), into a more modern-looking design with flat edges and a rear panel. It looks a whole lot like the iPhone 15 Pro from the front actually, and at first glance you might even mistake Google’s 2024 flagship for its iOS-powered rival. The 9 Pro also houses a larger battery at 4,700 mAh, which outsizes the 15 Pro’s 3,274 capacity cell. Of course, differences in software and individual usage patterns will factor into actual battery performance.
Performance and Software
This is where the two diverge significantly – the iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro chip is renowned for its raw power and efficiency, and it’s even able to play AAA console ports like Resident Evil Village. While the Pixel 9 Pro’s Tensor G4 chip offers strong performance, it’s generally considered a step behind Apple’s silicon in terms of overall speed. The Pixel 9 Pro does offer more RAM though with 16GB compared to the iPhone 15 Pro’s 8GB, but the impact on real-world performance might be less pronounced than the chipset difference.
Software also plays a part – in case you didn’t know yet, the iPhone 15 Pro runs on iOS 17, while the Pixel 9 Pro comes with Android 15. Both operating systems will offer a different approach to user experiences. For one, Android gives users more freedom in terms of software customizability, and while Apple is slowly changing iOS to offer the same features, the latter’s strongest point is when it’s used in an Apple-centric ecosystem alongside other Apple devices like iPads, Macs and Apple Watches.
Camera Hardware
Both phones feature triple camera systems, but there are notable differences. The Pixel 9 Pro’s 50MP main sensor is accompanied by higher-resolution 48MP telephoto and ultrawide lenses, in addition a 42MP selfie camera. By comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro’s 48MP main sensor is paired with 12MP telephoto and ultrawide lenses, with a lower-resolution 12MP selfie camera.
Of course, megapixels aren’t everything – the battle for smartphone camera dominance is often determined by computational photography these days, in addition to user preference. Google’s phones usually lean towards warmer tones and rich contrast, while iPhones go all-in with the HDR and more yellowish tones in general.
Similar Pricing
Both the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro start at $999 for the base models. As we’ve just seen, both phones have their own strengths and weaknesses, although the Pixel 9 Pro offers a bit more for your money in terms of hardware; another factor to consider is whether or not you’re willing to switch software and hardware ecosystems, as Android and iOS both differ greatly in several key areas (although that’s a discussion for a different time).
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Comments