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WhichPhoneToBuy

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 9 Pro

The Google Pixel 9 Pro comes out ahead on 5 counts and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max on 2.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max for

  • Faster wireless charging: 25 W vs 21 W
  • Bigger screen: 6.9" vs 6.3"

Pick the Google Pixel 9 Pro for

  • Lighter: 199 g vs 227 g (28 g less)
  • More compact: 10.2 mm shorter
  • Brighter display: 3,000 vs 2,000 nits peak
  • More RAM: up to 16 GB vs 8 GB
  • Cheaper at launch: $999 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 28 g heavier than the Google Pixel 9 Pro. Its screen is 0.6" larger.

  • Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro
AnnouncedSeptember 9, 20241August 13, 2024
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2024September 4, 2024
Launch price$1,199$999 (better)
BodyApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro
Size163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm
Thickness8.3 mm8.5 mm
Weight227 g199 g (better)
Frametitaniumpolished metal
Backtextured matte glassmatte glass
Water resistanceIP68IP68
ColoursBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert TitaniumPorcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian
DisplayApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro
Size6.9"6.3"
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDLTPO OLED
Resolution1320 × 28681280 × 2856
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness2,000 nits3,000 nits (better)
ProtectionCeramic ShieldGorilla Glass Victus 2
Performance and softwareApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro
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 Sep 2031)
Security updates—7 years (to Sep 2031)
MemoryApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro
RAM8 GB16 GB (better)
Storage256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB
CamerasApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro
Rear48 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Telephoto (5× optical), OIS 48 MP Ultrawide50 MP Main 48 MP Ultrawide 48 MP Telephoto (5× optical)
Main camera48 MP50 MP
Optical zoom5×5×
Front12 MP42 MP
Video4K Dolby Vision at 120 fps8K at 30 FPS
BatteryApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro
Capacity4,685 mAh14,700 mAh
Wired charging—27 W
Wireless charging25 W (better)21 W
Reverse wireless—Yes
ConnectivityApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro
5GYesYes
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
eSIMYesYes
Satellite messagingYesYes
FeaturesApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro
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 Pro Max and Google Pixel 9 Pro pages.

Quick answers

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max bigger than the Google Pixel 9 Pro?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is 10.2 mm taller, 5.6 mm wider, 0.3 mm thinner and 28 g heavier than the Google Pixel 9 Pro. Its screen is 0.6" larger.
Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 9 Pro?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro 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 Pro launched at $999, against $1,199 for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (US launch prices; street prices drop over time).

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