They are already here. The two most anticipated smartphones of the year have finally been announced and the truth is that they are exactly what we expected. On the one hand, Google Pixel 9 has arrived as the second generation of AI-powered mobile phones of Mountain View, consolidating the implementation of Gemini (its virtual assistant). On the other hand, we have iPhone 16 Debuts With Apple Intelligence (being the first generation of smartphones with AI from Cupertino), a cool new button and a lot more power with the A18 chip.
In this comparison we will only deal with the two standard models of these cell phone series, basically because They are the two compact flagships that represent Android and iOS this year. So, if you don’t have a preference for any specific operating system and want to see what the best standard Apple and Google phones have to offer, join us as we compare the iPhone 16 and the Google Pixel 9 to find out which is better.
Comparison table: iPhone 16 vs. GooglePixel9
|
Specifications |
iPhone 16 |
The Google Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions and weight | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm. 170 grams. | Dimensions: 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm. It weighs 198 grams. |
| Screen | 6.1″ Full HD+ display (2556 x 1179 pixels) with OLED panel, 460 ppi, refresh rate of Frequency 60 Hz and maximum brightness of 2000 nits. | 6.3″ Full HD+ display (2400 x 1080 pixels) with OLED panel, 422 ppi, refresh rate of Frequency 120 Hz and maximum brightness of 2700 nits. |
| Processor | Apple A18 3nm with 5-core graphics. | Google G4 Tensor 4nm with Mali-G715 MC7 graphics. |
| RAM Memory | 6 GB LPDDR5 (it is said). | 12 GB LPDDR5x motherboard. |
| Warehousing | 128 / 256 / 512 GB. | 128 / 256 GB. |
| Rear camera | Double: Main of 48 MP with f/1.6. Ultra wide angle 12 MP with f/2.2 and 120° field of view. Record in 4K at 60 FPS. |
Double: Main of 50 MP with f/1.68. Ultra wide angle 48 MP with f/1.7 and 123° field of view. Record in 4K at 60 FPS. |
| Front camera | 12 MP with f/1.9. Record in 4K at 60 FPS. | 10.5 MP with f/2.2. Record in 4K at 60 FPS. |
| Connectivity | USB-C 2.0Tri-band WiFi 7, Dual SIM 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS, GNSS, NavlC, NFC, facial recognition (Face ID), stereo speakers, two additional buttons (action button and camera control) and IP68 certification against dust and water. | Type C 3.2Tri-band WiFi 7, Dual SIM 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS, GNSS, NavlC, NFC, Google Cast, integrated Google One VPN, fingerprint reader under the screen2D facial recognition, stereo speakers, SOS Satellite Connection and IP68 certification against dust and water. |
| Drums | Not indicated with quick charging 20 Lever and wireless charging 25 Lever. | 4700mAh with quick charging 27 weekswireless charging 15 Lever and reverse charging. |
| Operating system | iOS 18. | Android 14. |
| Price | From €959. | From €899. |
More similar in design than it seems
Both Google and Apple have chosen not to take any risks on their standard flagships. Both have top-notch build quality.with a flat aluminum frame, glass back and curved corners. In addition, both have IP68 dust and water resistance, as well as a protective layer for the screen to prevent accidental scratches and breakages.
What sets them apart are the camera modules. On the back, The iPhone 16 has a module that arranges its two sensors verticallyone above the other. Instead, the Pixel 9’s rear camera is arranged horizontally, with one sensor next to the other.
We could say it Google’s proposal is more minimalist by bundling the two sensors into a single black oval, having a smaller punch-hole for the selfie camera, and having only two physical buttons (the iPhone 16 has four). However, they are very similar. The advantage of the iPhone 16 is that it is smaller and less heavy (it is half a centimeter shorter and weighs 28 grams less).
While Apple wants to reinvent the wheel, Google wants to keep it simple
The iPhone 16 has buttons everywhere. In addition to the basic volume and power buttons, it has an action button that you can assign different functions to (activate Siri, turn on voice recorder, etc.) and a new camera control button. The latter allows use and configure the camera without touching the screen, as the button can detect movements and different pressure levelsN. Additionally, the camera button lets you use Apple’s “Google Lens” to get information about what the camera sees. It’s a very useful button, but it’s difficult to master, and you’ll likely be stuck with the on-screen controls.
On the other hand, The Pixel 9 keeps things simple without implementing any weird controls.. What differentiates it most from the iPhone 16 in terms of accessibility is the fingerprint reader integrated into the screen, which Apple’s phone does not have because its Face ID (facial recognition) is equally secure and easier to use. Note that the Pixel 9 also has facial recognition, but it does not work as well as Apple’s.
Two super-high-quality screens, but… why does the iPhone 16 still run at 60Hz?
In terms of screen, both phones offer spectacular image quality with an HDR-compatible OLED panel. However, the Pixel 9 outshines the iPhone 16 in several respects. It has a 6.3-inch display with 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rateproviding a smooth and premium experience. In addition, it has a maximum brightness of 2,700 nits, ideal for outdoor use.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16 has a slightly smaller display (0.2″ smaller) and a maximum brightness of just 2,000 nits, which puts it at a disadvantage in terms of outdoor visibility. Furthermore,remains at a standard 60Hz refresh rate (half that of the Pixel 9)so it feels less fluid even if its processor is equally or more powerful.
Even if it’s true The iPhone 16 also has the advantage of Dynamic IslandOverall, the Pixel 9’s screen offers better specs.
Similar in AI, but Google is a year ahead
An interesting difference between these two phones lies in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) features they offer. Google’s Pixel 9 boasts AI features like email summary, text message generation, photo creation from scratch with Pixel Studio, fake group photos with Add Me, and human-like conversations with Gemini Live. On top of that,Apple’s AI feature set is quite similarwhich lets you generate images with Image Playground, summarize and transcribe audio recordings, summarize emails and notifications, and even create new emojis on the fly.
However, Apple is slowly rolling out these features in beta form after the launch of the iPhone 16 Google’s AI features are now firmly implemented on the Pixel 9 and they work great.. While it remains to be seen how well Apple will be able to introduce artificial intelligence into its phones, it’s clear that Google has the edge in this department.
The power of the iPhone 16 will subdue anyone
The iPhone 16 debuts with the 3-nanometer A18 chip, which automatically positions it as one of the most powerful phones on the market. The 4-nanometer Google Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 is not bad at all, but according to the technical specifications of both processors, Google’s chip is a step belowespecially in games.
In terms of memory, the Pixel 9 has 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. Apple never says how much RAM its phones have, but this iPhone 16 is believed to have 16GB. The best thing about the Apple mobile in this regard is that it has a 512GB variant of storage space, which is a big plus considering neither phone has expandable storage.
Which camera is better? Tough decision
The Pixel 9 has a solid camera setup with a 50MP wide-angle lens, a 48MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 10.5MP selfie camera. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 has two rear cameras (a 48MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens) and a 12MP selfie camera.
While the iPhone 16’s camera hasn’t been tested yet, it’s worth noting that it can record video and space images for Apple Vision Pro, which the Pixel 9 can’t. While it’s not possible to determine for sure which lens set is better, They probably have similar performance with subtle differences.
The winner in battery life is the iPhone 16
According to the data provided by the manufacturers, this is the battery life and fast charging speed of the iPhone 16 and Google Pixel 9:
- iPhone 16: 22 hours of video playback and fast charging up to 50% in about 30 minutes.
- Pixel 9: 15.5 hours of video playback and fast charging up to 55% in about 30 minutes.
As you can see, they are related to loading speed, but The iPhone 16 far surpasses the Pixel 9 in battery life. And no wonder, its A18 chip built on a 3nm process promises superlative energy efficiency.
Bottom line: The iPhone 16 is great, but it doesn’t beat the Pixel 9
Another important difference between the iPhone 16 and the Pixel 9 is the price. The Apple phone costs €959, while the Google one costs €899. This leaves the Pixel 9 as the best mobile phone in the comparison; Not only is it cheaper, but it also offers a significantly better screen, a more minimalist and practical design, and more reliable artificial intelligence.
But if you end up choosing the iPhone 16, we don’t blame you. It’s a brutal phone with more power for gaming and longer battery life.. Ultimately, it all comes down to what you prefer: more versatile software, a smoother display, and an ergonomic design (the Pixel 9) or raw performance, lots of buttons, and integration into a closed ecosystem (the iPhone 16).
