Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Google Pixel 9
The Verdict
Both phones deliver flagship performance, yet serve different priorities. Apple's iPhone 15 Plus impresses with its massive 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and proven A16 Bionic chip, though its 60Hz refresh rate feels dated against modern standards. Google's Pixel 9 counters with a brighter Actua OLED screen (2700 nits), faster 60-120Hz adaptive refresh, superior ultrawide lens (48MP, 123°), and more RAM (12GB vs 6GB). Battery capacity favors Pixel (4700mAh) with quicker 27W charging versus Apple's 20W. The Pixel 9 also includes cutting-edge Tensor G4 AI features and costs $100 less. For computational photography and modern display tech, Pixel 9 edges ahead. iPhone 15 Plus remains excellent for ecosystem continuity and video stability, but Pixel 9 delivers better overall value and flagship features at a lower price point.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Plus if…
- →Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- →Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- →48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
Buy the Google Pixel 9 if…
- →Excellent main and ultrawide cameras
- →Seven years of OS updates
- →Premium flat-edge design
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Pros
- Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- 48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
- First USB-C port on a standard Plus model
- Large display great for media consumption
Cons
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion upgrade
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
- Bulky and heavy for everyday use
Google Pixel 9
Pros
- Excellent main and ultrawide cameras
- Seven years of OS updates
- Premium flat-edge design
- 12 GB RAM is generous for the price
- Bright 2700-nit display
Cons
- No telephoto lens
- Slower charging than competitors
- Tensor G4 not a benchmark leader
- Only two storage options
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Google Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 201 g | 198 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.68, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10.5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MP, f/1.7, 123-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4383 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 27W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W (Qi) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.3 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Actua OLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2424 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60-120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2700 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Mali-G715 MC7 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Google Tensor G4 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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