Pixel 9 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: Can Google's latest rival Apple’s?

As both phones emphasize AI-driven innovations, the ultimate result will be determined by user experience

Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 9 Pro as part of a larger launch on August 13, introducing four new Pixel devices. Just weeks later, Apple followed suit with the iPhone 16 Pro at its "It’s Glowtime" event on September 9.

Now, the question arises: can the Pixel 9 Pro challenge Apple’s dominance in the high-end smartphone market? While the final verdict is pending testing, we already have key specifications and insights to make an early comparison. "We're running all the tests and benchmarks, so the final verdict is still under a question mark," said tech analysts.

Design and Display

The iPhone 16 Pro now features a 6.3-inch screen, while the Pixel 9 Pro has shrunk to the same size. Both devices are strikingly similar in size and weight, but design differences set them apart. The Pixel 9 Pro introduces a revamped camera bar, which sticks out from the back of the device. Its flat sides create a design language closer to Apple's. The iPhone 16 Pro, on the other hand, retains its familiar square camera bump with three lenses and flat surfaces.

In terms of display, both phones boast LTPO panels with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate. Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro reaches 2000 nits peak brightness, while the Pixel 9 Pro pushes ahead with up to 3000 nits, positioning the two neck and neck in display performance.

Performance and Software

Hardware has become less of a defining factor as artificial intelligence (AI) dominates the smartphone world. The iPhone 16 Pro is powered by Apple’s new A18 chipset, which includes an upgraded Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for machine learning tasks. Apple claims a 20% improvement in cooling, enhancing sustained performance.

Google’s Pixel 9 Pro features the Tensor G4 chipset, designed specifically for AI. While the Pixel has 16GB of RAM, the iPhone relies on just 8GB, as iOS tends to require less memory due to its optimized ecosystem. Both devices also support the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard.

Apple’s AI capabilities were a focal point of the "It’s Glowtime" event, introducing features like Visual Intelligence and Photographic Styles, although these are still in beta. "Most of the Apple Intelligence features are either in beta or months away," the analysts noted. Google, however, could have an advantage here, as its AI functions are already implemented. Pixel devices now also offer seven years of OS updates, outpacing Apple's five years.

Camera Capabilities

The iPhone 16 Pro introduces a 48MP ultrawide camera, which also functions as a macro lens, alongside a 5x optical zoom telephoto lens. Apple also debuted a new Camera Control button, mimicking the feel of a traditional shutter button.

The Pixel 9 Pro, meanwhile, offers a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP periscope zoom lens with 5x optical zoom. As with previous models, Google’s computational photography will likely play a significant role in image quality. A detailed camera comparison will follow once sample photos are available.

Battery and Charging

Apple has not disclosed the exact battery capacity of the iPhone 16 Pro, though it is expected to be smaller than the Pixel 9 Pro's. Historically, Apple has optimized its devices to perform well despite having smaller batteries. Charging speeds remain relatively unchanged, with the iPhone 16 Pro reaching 50% in 35 minutes, while the Pixel 9 Pro offers faster charging at 45W, reaching 55% in 30 minutes.

Final Thoughts

As both phones emphasize AI-driven innovations, the ultimate battle between the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro will come down to software implementation rather than just hardware. With AI becoming a cornerstone for both brands, the competition is expected to evolve around machine learning and computational features.

It’s still too early to declare a winner, but as one analyst put it, "the battle will be held on the AI grounds of machine learning, chatbots, and large language models."