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WhichPhoneToBuy

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 9

The Google Pixel 9 comes out ahead on 5 counts and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max on 4.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max for

  • Faster wireless charging: 25 W vs 15 W
  • Bigger screen: 6.9" vs 6.3"
  • Optical zoom (5×), which the other lacks
  • More storage: up to 1 TB vs 256 GB

Pick the Google Pixel 9 for

  • Lighter: 198 g vs 227 g (29 g less)
  • More compact: 10.2 mm shorter
  • Brighter display: 2,700 vs 2,000 nits peak
  • More RAM: up to 12 GB vs 8 GB
  • Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1,199

Size comparison

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is 10.2 mm taller, 5.6 mm wider, 0.3 mm thinner and 29 g heavier than the Google Pixel 9. Its screen is 0.6" larger.

  • Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm
  • Google Pixel 9152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9
AnnouncedSeptember 9, 20241August 13, 2024
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2024August 22, 2024
Launch price$1,199$799 (better)
BodyApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9
Size163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm
Thickness8.3 mm8.5 mm
Weight227 g198 g (better)
FrametitaniumPolished metal
Backtextured matte glassSilky matte glass
Water resistanceIP68IP68
ColoursBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert TitaniumPeony, Wintergreen, Porcelain, Obsidian1
DisplayApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9
Size6.9"6.3"
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDActua
Resolution1320 × 2868 (better)1080 × 2424
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness2,000 nits2,700 nits1 (better)
ProtectionCeramic ShieldGorilla Glass Victus 2
Performance and softwareApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9
ChipsetA18 ProGoogle Tensor G4
CPU6-core (2 performance + 4 efficiency)1x 3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 + 3x 2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 + 4x 1.9 GHz Cortex-A5201
Ships withiOSAndroid 14
OS updates—7 years (to Aug 2031)
Security updates—7 years (to Aug 2031)
MemoryApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9
RAM8 GB12 GB (better)
Storage256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (better)128 GB / 256 GB
Card slot—No1
CamerasApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9
Rear48 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Telephoto (5× optical), OIS 48 MP Ultrawide50 MP Main 48 MP Ultrawide
Main camera48 MP50 MP
Optical zoom5× (better)None
Front12 MP10.5 MP
Video4K Dolby Vision at 120 fps4K
BatteryApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9
Capacity4,685 mAh14,700 mAh
Wired charging—27 W1
Wireless charging25 W (better)15 W
Reverse wireless—Yes1
ConnectivityApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9
5GYesYes1
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.35.3
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C, USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s)USB-C 3.2
Headphone jack—No1
eSIMYesYes
Satellite messagingYesYes
FeaturesApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9
Fingerprint—Under display1
Stereo speakers—Yes1

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

Quick answers

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max bigger than the Google Pixel 9?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is 10.2 mm taller, 5.6 mm wider, 0.3 mm thinner and 29 g heavier than the Google Pixel 9. Its screen is 0.6" larger.
Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 9?
The Google Pixel 9 has the bigger battery: 4,700 mAh against 4,685 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
Which was cheaper at launch?
The Google Pixel 9 launched at $799, against $1,199 for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (US launch prices; street prices drop over time).

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