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WhichPhoneToBuy

Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes out ahead on 6 counts and the Apple iPhone 16 Plus on 3.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Apple iPhone 16 Plus for

  • Lighter: 199 g vs 221 g (22 g less)
  • Thinner: 7.8 mm vs 8.5 mm
  • Cheaper at launch: $899 vs $1,099

Pick the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for

  • Bigger battery: 5,060 vs 4,674 mAh (8% more)
  • Smoother display: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • Brighter display: 3,000 vs 2,000 nits peak
  • Optical zoom (5×), which the other lacks
  • More RAM: up to 16 GB vs 8 GB
  • More storage: up to 1 TB vs 512 GB

Size comparison

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is 1.9 mm shorter, 1.2 mm wider, 0.7 mm thinner and 22 g lighter than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Its screen is 0.1" smaller.

  • Apple iPhone 16 Plus160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchApple iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
AnnouncedSeptember 9, 20241August 13, 2024
ReleasedSeptember 20, 20241August 22, 2024
Launch price$8991 (better)$1,099
BodyApple iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Size160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm
Thickness7.8 mm (better)8.5 mm
Weight199 g (better)221 g
Frame—polished metal
Backglass1matte glass
Water resistanceIP68IP68
ColoursUltramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black1Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian
DisplayApple iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Size6.7"6.8"?
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDLTPO OLED
Resolution1290 × 27961344 × 2992 (better)
Refresh rate60 Hz120 Hz (better)
Peak brightness2,000 nits13,000 nits (better)
Protection—Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Performance and softwareApple iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
ChipsetApple A18Google Tensor G4
CPU6-core (2 performance + 4 efficiency)11x 3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 + 3x 2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 + 4x 1.9 GHz Cortex-A5201
Ships withiOS 18Android 14
OS updates—7 years (to Aug 2031)
Security updates—7 years (to Aug 2031)
MemoryApple iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
RAM8 GB116 GB (better)
Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (better)
CamerasApple iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Rear48 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Ultrawide50 MP Main 48 MP Ultrawide 48 MP Telephoto (5× optical)
Main camera48 MP50 MP
Optical zoomNone5× (better)
Front12 MP42 MP
Video4K at 60 fps18K at 30 FPS
BatteryApple iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Capacity4,674 mAh15,060 mAh (better)
Wired charging—37 W
Wireless charging25 W23 W
Reverse wireless—Yes1
ConnectivityApple iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
5GYes1Yes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 71Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.315.3
NFCYes1Yes
USBUSB-C: USB 2.0 480 Mbit/sUSB-C 3.2
eSIMYes1Yes
Satellite messagingYes1Yes
FeaturesApple iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Fingerprint—Fingerprint Unlock1
Stereo speakers—Yes

Highlighted: the better value where one is clearly better. Sources for each phone are listed on the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL pages.

Quick answers

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Plus bigger than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is 1.9 mm shorter, 1.2 mm wider, 0.7 mm thinner and 22 g lighter than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Its screen is 0.1" smaller.
Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has the bigger battery: 5,060 mAh against 4,674 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
Which was cheaper at launch?
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus launched at $899, against $1,099 for the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL (US launch prices; street prices drop over time).

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