Google has officially launched the Pixel 9 Pro on August 13, alongside three other new Pixel devices, just as Apple revealed the iPhone 16 Pro at its “It’s Glowtime” event on September 9.
The critical question now is whether the Pixel 9 Pro can rival Apple’s stronghold in the high-end smartphone market. While a final judgment awaits further testing, initial comparisons are available based on key specifications.
Read more: Apple Watch Series 10 Unveiled – Prepare to Be Amazed by the New Display!
Design and Display
Both the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro feature 6.3-inch screens, making them similar in size and weight, though their designs differ. The Pixel 9 Pro introduces a new camera bar design that protrudes from the back, with flat sides resembling Apple’s style, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro maintains its classic square camera bump with three lenses and flat surfaces. Both phones use LTPO panels with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate; however, the Pixel 9 Pro boasts up to 3000 nits of peak brightness compared to the iPhone 16 Pro’s 2000 nits.
Performance and Software
AI capabilities have become crucial in modern smartphones. The iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with Apple’s new A18 chipset, featuring an upgraded Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and a 20% improvement in cooling for enhanced performance. In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro uses the Tensor G4 chipset, optimized for AI, and includes 16GB of RAM compared to the iPhone’s 8GB. While Apple’s AI features, such as Visual Intelligence and Photographic Styles, are still in beta, Google’s AI functions are already operational. Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro offers seven years of OS updates, surpassing Apple’s five years.
Camera Capabilities
The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a 48MP ultrawide camera that doubles as a macro lens, a 5x optical zoom telephoto lens, and a new Camera Control button. The Pixel 9 Pro features a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP periscope zoom lens with 5x optical zoom. Google’s computational photography is expected to significantly impact image quality, with a more detailed camera comparison to follow.
Battery and Charging
While Apple has not disclosed the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery capacity, it is anticipated to be smaller than the Pixel 9 Pro’s. Historically, Apple’s devices perform efficiently with smaller batteries. Charging speeds show the iPhone 16 Pro reaching 50% in 35 minutes, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro charges to 55% in 30 minutes with 45W charging.
Final Thoughts
Both smartphones are focused on AI-driven advancements, and the competition will likely hinge on software and AI features rather than hardware alone. The outcome of this rivalry will depend on how each device’s AI capabilities are implemented and utilized. As one analyst noted, the real contest will center on AI, machine learning, chatbots, and large language models.
