Apple iPhone 15 vs Google Pixel 8 Pro
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 15 delivers a compact, lightweight flagship with excellent display quality and processing power in a $799 package, featuring the proven A16 Bionic chip and reliable 60Hz Super Retina XDR OLED screen. Google's Pixel 8 Pro commands a $200 premium but justifies it with a larger 6.7-inch display (1-120Hz LTPO), superior camera system including 5x optical zoom and computational photography prowess, significantly larger 5050mAh battery, faster 30W charging, and the custom Tensor G3 chip optimized for AI features. The iPhone excels in compact form factor, thermal efficiency, and ecosystem integration, while the Pixel 8 Pro dominates in raw specs, camera versatility, and battery longevity. Budget-conscious buyers should choose the iPhone 15 for excellent flagship performance; those prioritizing camera capability and display innovation should invest in the Pixel 8 Pro.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 if…
- →Dynamic Island brought to base model
- →48 MP main camera upgrade
- →Switched to USB-C port
Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if…
- →Outstanding camera system with 5x telephoto
- →Seven years of OS and security updates
- →Bright 2400-nit Super Actua display
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15
Pros
- Dynamic Island brought to base model
- 48 MP main camera upgrade
- Switched to USB-C port
- Strong A16 Bionic performance
- Comfortable lightweight design
Cons
- Stuck at 60Hz refresh rate
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Pros
- Outstanding camera system with 5x telephoto
- Seven years of OS and security updates
- Bright 2400-nit Super Actua display
- Built-in temperature sensor
- On-device AI features
Cons
- Tensor G3 prone to thermal throttling
- Slow 30W wired charging
- Heavy at 213 g
- Expensive at launch
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 | Google Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 171 g | 213 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 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/1.95, 125.5-degree |
| Telephoto | — | 48 MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3349 mAh | 5050 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 23W (Pixel Stand) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2992 x 1344 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 1-120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2400 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Google Tensor G3 |
| 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.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Google products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 15 or the Google Pixel 8 Pro.