Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
iPhone 16 Plus delivers Apple's refined ecosystem with a stunning 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display and the efficient A18 chip, though its 60Hz refresh rate feels dated. Pixel 9 Pro XL counters with a superior 1-120Hz LTPO OLED screen, dramatically better camera system (50MP main with OIS, 48MP telephoto with 5x zoom, 48MP ultrawide), and significantly more RAM (16GB vs 8GB). Google's 37W charging crushes Apple's 20W, while the 5060mAh battery outlasts the 4674mAh. Video capabilities strongly favor Pixel with 8K recording and AI-enhanced Video Boost. Performance remains close with their respective flagship chips, but Pixel's computational photography excels in real-world shots. At $200 more, Pixel 9 Pro XL justifies premium pricing through camera prowess, faster charging, and superior display tech. iPhone 16 Plus suits those prioritizing iOS ecosystem, but Pixel 9 Pro XL is the more capable flagship for demanding users.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 221 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.68, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 42 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@30fps (Video Boost), 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MP, f/1.7, 123-degree |
| Telephoto | — | 48 MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 5060 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 37W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 23W (Pixel Stand) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2992 x 1344 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 1-120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 3000 |
| 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 A18 | Google Tensor G4 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Pros
- Exceptional 3000-nit display brightness
- Best-in-class computational photography
- Seven years of OS and security updates
- 16 GB RAM enables on-device Gemini AI features
- Premium build with flat aluminum frame
Cons
- Slow 37W wired charging compared to rivals
- Tensor G4 lags Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in raw performance
- Expensive starting price
- Runs warm under sustained load
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