Let’s get ready to rumble! Watch the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max showdown.

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This Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max face-off will help you understand how Google’s new addition to the Pixel series compares to Apple’s most premium flagship phone.

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max price and specs

The Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,099 and comes with the following specs:

• Google Tensor G4 processor and Titan M2 security coprocessor
• 16GB of RAM
• 128GB of storage
• 6.8-inch, 2992 x 1344-pixel OLED display
• Android 14 (Android 15 coming soon)

The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, has a starting price tag that is $100 pricier than the Pixel 9 Pro at $1,119 via Apple (or $33 per month for 36 months via Verizon or AT&T via Best Buy) and it comes with the following specs:

• A17 Pro chip
• 8GB of RAM
• 256GB of storage
• 6.7-inch, 2796 x 1290-pixel display
• iOS 17 (iOS 18 coming soon)

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max design

Both the iPhone and Pixel series have a signature look, but Google slightly tweaked the design of its new-generation line. For example, the Pixel series’ design language once featured a camera bar that extends to the chassis’ edges.

However, Google has made the camera bar on the back of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the other new Pixels, more island-like.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL, made out of recycled aluminum. comes in the following colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a length of 6.4 inches and is 0.3 inches thick. If you’re wondering about how heavy it is, it weighs 7.8 ounces.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max, packed inside a titanium frame, continues to have its triple-camera array on the top-right corner. It comes in four colorways: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Natural Titanium.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a little shorter than the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 6.3 inches. It’s also slightly thicker (0.33 inches).

Both have an IP68 water resistance rating, which means they can handle water submergence of up to about five feet.

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max display

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch, 2992 x 1344-pixel display. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, has a 6.7-inch, 2796 x 1290-pixel panel. Based on these specs, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a slightly larger display and higher resolution.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a Ceramic Shield panel, which Apple claims is tougher than other phone displays. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which can be found across the entire non-foldable Pixel 9 line.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a less distracting display with a hole-punch selfie camera in the top center. In the same spot, the iPhone 15 Pro Max sports the pill-shaped Dynamic Island, which delivers animated information like Apple Pay transactions, low battery warnings, AirDrop transfers, and more.

In my experience, both have a zippy panel. After all, they both support a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Now, let’s take a look at brightness:

• Pixel 9 Pro XL: Up to 2,000 hits (HDR)
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: Up to 1,600 nits (HDR)

When it comes to high dynamic range (HDR) content, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can reportedly climb to 2,000 nits compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 1,600 nits.

As far as peak brightness is concerned, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can jump to 3,000 nits. Compare this to the 2,000-nit peak brightness of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max cameras

Let’s take a look at the selfie camera first:

• Pixel 9 Pro XL – 42MP, f/2.2 aperture
• iPhone 15 Pro Max – 12MP, f/1.9 aperture

On paper, it appears that the Pixel 9 Pro XL has an edge of the iPhone 15 Pro Max with its selfie camera delivering a higher megapixel count, which should offer better detail and higher-resolution pictures.

Next, let’s check out the wide camera:

• Pixel 9 Pro XL – 50MP, f/1.68 aperture
• iPhone 15 Pro Max – 48MP, f/1.8 aperture

Here, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, just based on specs alone, appears to have a tiny edge over the iPhone 15 Pro Max when it comes to the main camera, with a slightly higher megapixel count and a possible advantage in low-light conditions.

Thirdly, let’s look at the ultrawide camera, which is helpful for capturing as much background as possible. (You’ll want to choose this lens for any sweeping landscape shots.)

• Pixel 9 Pro XL – 48MP, f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree field of view
• iPhone 15 Pro Max – 12MP, f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree field-of-view

Based on the information we have, the Pixel 9 Pro XL should offer a wider field of view compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It may also offer more visually pleasing photos in low-light conditions.

Based on the megapixel count, the Pixel 9 Pro XL may deliver better details.

Finally, let’s check out the telephoto lens, which is ideal for portraits and zoomed-in shots.

• Pixel 9 Pro XL – 48MP, f/2.8, aperture, 5x optical zoom
• iPhone 15 Pro Max – 12MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom

The similarities here are that the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the iPhone 15 Pro Max both rely on the telephoto lens to deliver 5x optical zoom. Once you zoom in beyond 5x, the software kicks in.

On the Pixel 9 Pro XL, it can climb up to 30x digital zoom. I’ve experimented with it myself, and it’s pretty darn incredible. From two miles away inside a building in Manhattan’s Pier 57, I could zoom in on sightseers visiting The Edge, the tallest observation deck in New York City.

The Pixel 9 series, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL on the far right.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s digital zoom can climb up to 25X. Both have excellent telephoto in my experience, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s Super Res Zoom can hone in on objects just a little bit more.

On paper, it may seem like the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the win. However, there are plenty of other factors at play when it comes to cameras, including image processing, software algorithms, and more.

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max AI features

Apple plays it a little safe when it comes to AI. For consumers who