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This Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. iPhone 15 Professional Max face-off will make it easier to perceive how Google’s new addition to the Pixel sequence compares to Apple’s most premium flagship cellphone.
The Pixel sequence is now extra much like the iPhone sequence than ever. As an alternative of getting a dual-phone household, Google added a 3rd mannequin this technology. (One might even argue that the Pixel sequence has a four-phone household if the launch of the brand new Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold counts.)
Whether or not you are caught in iPhone vs. Android evaluation paralysis, otherwise you’re simply curious in regards to the variations between the Pixel 9 Professional XL and iPhone 15 Professional Max, you’ve got come to the suitable place.
I examined Apple Intelligence on my iPhone 15 Professional Max: 3 methods it spoiled me rotten
Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. iPhone 15 Professional Max value and specs
The Pixel 9 Professional XL begins at $1,099 and comes with the next specs:
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Google Tensor G4 processor and Titan M2 safety coprocessor
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16GB of RAM
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128GB of storage
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6.8-inch, 2992 x 1344-pixel OLED show
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Android 14 (Android 15 coming quickly)
You can too improve the Pixel 9 Professional XL to 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage variants. In my expertise as a cellphone reviewer, 128GB turns into full in just below two years, so I might go for 256GB for worry-free utilization (you probably have the cash to blow, in fact).
The iPhone 15 Professional Max, however, has a beginning price ticket that’s $100 pricier than the Pixel 9 Professional at $1,119 through Apple (or $33 per 30 days for 36 months through Verizon or AT&T through Greatest Purchase) and it comes with the next specs:
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A17 Professional chip
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8GB of RAM
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256GB of storage
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6.7-inch, 2796 x 1290-pixel show
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iOS 17 (iOS 18 coming quickly)
With the iPhone 15 Professional Max, you may as well improve to 512GB and 1TB of storage.
Proper off the bat, the most important distinction is the RAM. As a rule, extra reminiscence implies that app juggling will likely be smoother and extra seamless. Nonetheless, in my expertise, regardless of having much less reminiscence, the iPhone 15 Professional Max would not have any points with balancing a number of apps. That is seemingly do to its optimized working system (iOS manages sources fairly successfully while not having an excessive amount of RAM).
Up to now, in relation to pricing, the Pixel 9 Professional XL and iPhone 15 Professional Max are tied. The previous could also be cheaper, however provides much less storage.
TLDR: The Pixel Professional XL might have extra RAM (internals that profit app juggling), however the iPhone 15 Professional Max runs on iOS, which identified to be fairly environment friendly at app administration, even when a number of apps are operating within the background. The Pixel 9 Professional XL’s beginning value could also be $100 cheaper, nevertheless it provides much less storage.
Winner: Draw
Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. iPhone 15 Professional Max design
Each the iPhone and Pixel sequence have a signature look, however Google barely tweaked the design of its new-generation line. For instance, the Pixel sequence’ design language as soon as featured a digicam bar that extends to the chassis’ edges.
Right here is final yr’s Pixel sequence telephones. See how the digicam bar extends from edge to edge? The Pixel 9 sequence now has an island-style digicam bar.
Credit score: Alex Perry / Mashable
Nonetheless, Google has made the digicam bar on the again of the Pixel 9 Professional XL, and the opposite new Pixels, extra island-like.
Holding the Google Pixel 9 Professional XL
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The Pixel 9 Professional XL, made out of recycled aluminum. comes within the following colours: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz.
The Pixel 9 Professional XL has a size of 6.4 inches and is 0.3 inches thick. Should you’re questioning about how heavy it’s, it weighs 7.8 ounces.
The iPhone 15 Professional Max, packed inside a titanium body, continues to have its triple-camera array on the top-right nook. It is available in 4 colorways: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Pure Titanium.
Credit score: Apple
The iPhone 15 Professional Max is somewhat shorter than the Pixel 9 Professional XL at 6.3 inches. It is also barely thicker (0.33 inches).
Each have an IP68 water resistance ranking, which suggests they will deal with water submergence of as much as about 5 toes.
TLDR: The Pixel 9 Professional XL has an island-style digicam bar on the again whereas the iPhone 15 Professional Max continues its upper-left digicam array signature design language. The Pixel 9 Professional XL is taller and thinner than the iPhone 15 Professional Max.
Winner: Pixel 9 Professional XL
Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. iPhone 15 Professional Max show
The Pixel 9 Professional XL has a 6.8-inch, 2992 x 1344-pixel show. The iPhone 15 Professional Max, however, has a 6.7-inch, 2796 x 1290-pixel panel. Primarily based on these specs, the Pixel 9 Professional XL has a barely bigger show and better decision.
The Google Pixel 9 Professional XL’s show
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The iPhone 15 Professional Max has a Ceramic Defend panel, which Apple claims is more durable than different cellphone shows. The Pixel 9 Professional XL has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which might be discovered throughout the complete non-foldable Pixel 9 line.
The Pixel 9 Professional XL has a much less distracting show with a hole-punch selfie digicam within the high heart. In the identical spot, the iPhone 15 Professional Max sports activities the pill-shaped Dynamic Island, which delivers animated info like Apple Pay transactions, low battery warnings, AirDrop transfers, and extra.
iPhone 15 Professional Max
Credit score: Apple
In my expertise, each have a zippy panel. In any case, they each assist a variable refresh fee of as much as 120Hz. Now, let’s check out brightness:
Pixel 9 Professional XL: As much as 2,000 hits (HDR)
iPhone 15 Professional Max: As much as 1,600 nits (HDR)
In relation to excessive dynamic vary (HDR) content material, the Pixel 9 Professional XL can reportedly climb to 2,000 nits in comparison with the iPhone 15 Professional Max’s 1,600 nits.
So far as peak brightness is worried, the Pixel 9 Professional XL can bounce to three,000 nits. Evaluate this to the two,000-nit peak brightness of the iPhone 15 Professional Max.
Mashable Gentle Velocity
TLDR: The Pixel 9 Professional XL, in comparison with the iPhone 15 Professional Max, has a brighter show in addition to the next decision panel.
Winner: Pixel 9 Professional XL
Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. iPhone 15 Professional Max cameras
Let’s check out the selfie digicam first:
Pixel 9 Professional XL – 42MP, f/2.2 aperture
iPhone 15 Professional Max – 12MP, f/1.9 aperture
On paper, it seems that the Pixel 9 Professional XL has an fringe of the iPhone 15 Professional Max with its selfie digicam delivering the next megapixel rely, which ought to provide higher element and higher-resolution footage.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Nonetheless, the iPhone 15 Professional Max’s selfie digicam ought to carry out higher in dim environments and provide superior bokeh (that cool blurry background impact) attributable to its wider aperture.
Subsequent, let’s try the vast digicam:
Pixel 9 Professional XL – 50MP, f/1.68 aperture
iPhone 15 Professional Max – 48MP, f/1.8 aperture
Right here, the Pixel 9 Professional XL, simply primarily based on specs alone, seems to have a tiny edge over the iPhone 15 Professional Max in relation to the principle digicam, with a barely greater megapixel rely and a potential benefit in low-light situations.
Thirdly, let us take a look at the ultrawide digicam, which is useful for capturing as a lot background as potential. (You will wish to select this lens for any sweeping panorama pictures.)
Pixel 9 Professional XL – 48MP, f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree area of view
iPhone 15 Professional Max – 12MP, f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree field-of-view
Primarily based on the data now we have, the Pixel 9 Professional XL ought to provide a wider area of view in comparison with the iPhone 15 Professional Max. It might additionally provide extra visually pleasing images in low-light situations.
iPhone 15 Professional Max
Credit score: Apple
Primarily based on the megapixel rely, the Pixel 9 Professional XL might ship higher particulars.
Lastly, let’s try the telephoto lens, which is right for portraits and zoomed-in pictures.
Pixel 9 Professional XL – 48MP, f/2.8, aperture, 5x optical zoom
iPhone 15 Professional Max – 12MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom
The similarities listed below are that the Pixel 9 Professional XL and the iPhone 15 Professional Max each depend on the telephoto lens to ship 5x optical zoom. When you zoom in past 5x, the software program kicks in.
On the Pixel 9 Professional XL, it might climb as much as 30x digital zoom. I’ve experimented with it myself, and it is fairly darn unbelievable. From two miles away inside a constructing in Manhattan’s Pier 57, I might zoom in on sightseers visiting The Edge, the tallest remark deck in New York Metropolis.
The Pixel 9 sequence, with the Pixel 9 Professional XL on the far proper.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The iPhone 15 Professional Max’s digital zoom can climb as much as 25X. Each have glorious telephoto in my expertise, however the Pixel 9 Professional XL’s Tremendous Res Zoom can hone in on objects only a little bit extra.
On paper, it could look like the Pixel 9 Professional XL has the win. Nonetheless, there are many different elements at play in relation to cameras, together with picture processing, software program algorithms, and extra.
TLDR: The Pixel 9 Professional XL can zoom in nearer on objects in comparison with the iPhone 15 Professional Max. Pixel 9 Professional XL’s cameras seem to outperform the iPhone 15 Professional Max’s lenses, however there are different elements to think about. We’ll have to check them each first to know for positive.
Winner: Pixel 9 Professional XL
Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. iPhone 15 Professional Max AI options
Apple performs it somewhat protected in relation to AI. For customers who’re very privateness centered and anxious in regards to the accountable use of AI, the iPhone 15 Professional Max is the one for you. Earlier this yr, the Cupertino-based tech large debuted Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new suite of AI options.
Genmoji is a brand new Apple Intelligence function coming to iPhones within the close to future.
Credit score: Apple
Apple Intelligence, which at the moment has some options accessible to strive on the beta model of iOS 18, provides perks like Name Recording and Writing Instruments, in addition to AI-powered Siri, Mail, Messages, and Safari.
Apple is taking a really delicate strategy with AI. A number of the extra complicated options, like Genmoji (AI-generated emojis) and Picture Playground (AI-generated photographs through prompts) aren’t even accessible but for testing. That is seemingly as a result of Apple desires to take its time with a tough area like AI.
Google, however, goes all out. Try a number of the following AI options you need to use on the Pixel 9 Professional XL:
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AI-powered climate app – AI-generated summaries of the climate with suggestions on the way to gown
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Screenshot search – Discover screenshots in your screenshot album with pure language search
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Pixel Studio – Create AI-generated photographs
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Reimagine – Choose an object in any picture and remodel it into one thing else
Under, watch Reimagine remodel a highway right into a raging river. And people do not even scratch the floor of what Google has to supply by way of AI.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
These options can be found now on the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Apple Intelligence will likely be accessible a while later this yr when iOS 18 formally drops, however some options could also be delayed.
TLDR: Apple Intelligence is greatest for privacy-focused customers who do not thoughts that Apple performs it protected in relation to AI. For many who wish to dive head first into AI, the Pixel 9 Professional XL is your greatest wager.
Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. iPhone 15 Professional Max battery
Apple claims that, in response to its video playback battery check, the iPhone 15 Professional Max can last as long as 29 hours. Google, however, stories that the Pixel 9 Professional XL can final over 24 hours primarily based on a combined utilization profile of discuss, information, standby and different options.
A Mashable article on the Pixel 9 Professional XL
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
As a result of Google’s check is barely extra intensive than Apple’s investigation, it is tough to match each runtimes. As such, you will have to attend till we check each telephones in-house to find out which really has the higher energy effectivity.
Primarily based on previous expertise, the A-series chip contained in the iPhones are usually extra power environment friendly in comparison with the Google Tensor processors contained in the Pixels. So if I used to be a betting lady, I might put my cash on the iPhone 15 Professional Max for greatest battery life.
Winner: iPhone 15 Professional Max
TLDR: We haven’t any exams performed but, however primarily based on previous expertise, the iPhone 15 Professional Max might beat the Pixel 9 Professional XL.
Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. iPhone 15 Professional Max: Which is greatest?
With out having the chance to do any in-depth testing, on paper, it seems to be just like the Pixel 9 Professional XL has the sting — for now.
We’ll replace this web page as soon as we have got our fingers on the Pixel 9 Professional XL and we overview it totally.