Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 7a
The Verdict
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Google Pixel 7a sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Google Pixel 7a is the cheaper of the two at $499 versus $1,199, a difference of about $700. 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 7a is praised for flagship tensor g2 chip at mid-range price. 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 7a if…
- →Flagship Tensor G2 chip at mid-range price
- →64 MP main camera greatly improved over Pixel 6a
- →Five years of OS and security updates
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 7a
Pros
- Flagship Tensor G2 chip at mid-range price
- 64 MP main camera greatly improved over Pixel 6a
- Five years of OS and security updates
- Wireless charging added vs previous generation
- Compact and easy to use one-handed
Cons
- Only one storage option (128 GB)
- Slow 18W wired charging
- Plastic back feels less premium than glass
- No telephoto camera
- 90Hz capped (not adaptive)
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Google Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 19 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 193.5 g |
| Material | Aluminum unibody frame, Ceramic Shield 2 | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 163 x 78 x 8.3 mm | 152.4 x 72.9 x 9.0 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 64 MP, f/1.89, OIS |
| Front camera | 24 MP, f/1.9 | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@120fps ProRes, Spatial Video | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 48 MP, f/2.8, 8x optical zoom, periscope | — |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4823 mAh | 4385 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 18W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 7.5W (Qi) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.9 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion | OLED |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2868 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1400 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | 6-core | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | 6-core GPU | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro | Google Tensor G2 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 (Thunderbolt) | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
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 7a.