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WhichPhoneToBuy

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes out ahead on 5 counts and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max on 0.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max for

No clear advantage on the specs we have.

Pick the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for

  • Bigger battery: 5,060 vs 4,685 mAh (8% more)
  • Lighter: 221 g vs 227 g (6 g less)
  • Brighter display: 3,000 vs 2,000 nits peak
  • More RAM: up to 16 GB vs 8 GB
  • Cheaper at launch: $1,099 vs $1,199

Size comparison

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is 1 mm wider, 0.3 mm thinner and 6 g heavier than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Its screen is 0.1" larger.

  • Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
AnnouncedSeptember 9, 20241August 13, 2024
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2024August 22, 2024
Launch price$1,199$1,099 (better)
BodyApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Size163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm
Thickness8.3 mm8.5 mm
Weight227 g221 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 XL
Size6.9"6.8"?
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDLTPO OLED
Resolution1320 × 28681344 × 2992
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 XL
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 Pro XL
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 XL
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 XL
Capacity4,685 mAh15,060 mAh (better)
Wired charging—37 W
Wireless charging25 W23 W
Reverse wireless—Yes1
ConnectivityApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
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 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 Pro Max and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL pages.

Quick answers

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max bigger than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is 1 mm wider, 0.3 mm thinner and 6 g heavier than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Its screen is 0.1" larger.
Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has the bigger battery: 5,060 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 XL launched at $1,099, against $1,199 for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (US launch prices; street prices drop over time).

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