Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 4a
The Verdict
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Google Pixel 4a sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Google Pixel 4a is the cheaper of the two at $349 versus $1,199, a difference of about $850. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max stands out for 48mp periscope telephoto with 8x optical zoom, while Google Pixel 4a is praised for incredible value at $349. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- →48MP periscope telephoto with 8x optical zoom
- →4823 mAh battery for all-day use
- →Up to 2TB storage
Buy the Google Pixel 4a if…
- →Incredible value at $349
- →Same 12.2 MP camera quality as Pixel 4
- →Headphone jack retained
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Pros
- 48MP periscope telephoto with 8x optical zoom
- 4823 mAh battery for all-day use
- Up to 2TB storage
- Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- Spatial Video recording
Cons
- 227g is heavy
- Still 27W wired charging
- $1199 starting price
- Aluminum unibody less premium feel than titanium
Google Pixel 4a
Pros
- Incredible value at $349
- Same 12.2 MP camera quality as Pixel 4
- Headphone jack retained
- Compact and lightweight at 143 g
- Clean stock Android with fast updates
Cons
- No water resistance rating
- 60Hz display
- No wireless charging
- Single rear camera only
- Plastic build feels cheap
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Google Pixel 4a |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 19 | Android 10 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 143 g |
| Material | Aluminum unibody frame, Ceramic Shield 2 | Polycarbonate unibody |
| IP rating | IP68 | No official rating |
| Dimensions | 163 x 78 x 8.3 mm | 144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 24 MP, f/1.9 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@120fps ProRes, Spatial Video | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 48 MP, f/2.8, 8x optical zoom, periscope | — |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP, f/2.2 | — |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4823 mAh | 3140 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 18W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.9 inches | 5.81 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion | OLED |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2868 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | 6-core | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | 6-core GPU | Adreno 618 |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 (Thunderbolt) | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.0 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
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 17 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 4a.