Apple iPhone XS vs Google Pixel 4 XL
The Verdict
Both flagships deliver premium experiences with distinct strengths. Apple's iPhone XS excels with its Super Retina OLED display (725 nits brightness) and A12 Bionic processor, offering snappier performance and superior color accuracy in iOS 12. Google's Pixel 4 XL counters with a larger 6.3-inch P-OLED screen at 90Hz refresh rate and larger 3700 mAh battery (vs 2658 mAh), providing noticeably smoother scrolling and extended endurance. Camera capabilities favor the Pixel with its 16MP telephoto and computational photography prowess, while the iPhone's telephoto performs admirably too. Storage options lean toward Apple (up to 512GB), though the Pixel's 6GB RAM versus iPhone's 4GB impacts multitasking. At $899, the Pixel 4 XL undercuts the $999 iPhone XS while delivering superior battery life and display smoothness. For iOS devotees seeking premium build quality, the iPhone XS remains compelling; Android users prioritizing value, battery life, and refresh rate fluidity should opt for the Pixel 4 XL.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XS if…
- →First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- →eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- →Excellent Super Retina OLED display
Buy the Google Pixel 4 XL if…
- →Astrophotography mode was groundbreaking
- →90Hz smooth display
- →Soli radar for Motion Sense gestures
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone XS
Pros
- First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- Excellent Super Retina OLED display
- Improved Face ID speed over iPhone X
- Premium stainless steel build
Cons
- Small battery at 2658 mAh
- No ultrawide camera
- 5W charger in the box
- Minimal upgrade over iPhone X
- No Night mode for camera
Google Pixel 4 XL
Pros
- Astrophotography mode was groundbreaking
- 90Hz smooth display
- Soli radar for Motion Sense gestures
- Excellent telephoto camera for portraits
- Face unlock with 3D face recognition
Cons
- No ultrawide camera
- Large forehead bezel for Soli radar
- No fingerprint scanner at all
- Motion Sense was gimmicky and limited
- Battery life was mediocre
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone XS | Google Pixel 4 XL |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 10 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 177 g | 193 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm | 160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | 16 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2658 mAh | 3700 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 18W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 11W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.8 inches | 6.3 inches |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | P-OLED |
| Resolution | 2436 x 1125 | 3040 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.78 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 640 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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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