Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max scores 8.6 in our rating, and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL scores 8.0. The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads in performance, camera, battery and value for money, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is ahead in display and software support. At launch in the US, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL cost $100 less ($1,099 vs $1,199). The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the newer phone, announced Sep 9, 2024.
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Key differences
Why choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Bigger screen 6.9 inches vs 6.8 inches
- Newer model Sep 9, 2024 vs Aug 13, 2024
- Faster wireless charging 25 W vs 23 W
- Thinner 8.25 mm vs 8.5 mm
- Secure 3D face unlock
Why choose the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Bigger battery 5,060 mAh vs 4,685 mAh
- Brighter screen 3,000 nits vs 2,000 nits
- Lower launch price $1,099 vs $1,199
- More RAM 16 GB vs 8 GB
- Lighter 221 g vs 227 g
- Higher-resolution video 8K@30 vs 4K@120
PhoneRanked scores
Calculated from specs, relative to phones from the same year and price range. How we rate phones
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Overall
8.6
8.0
Display
8.2
8.5
Performance
8.2
6.3
Camera
8.8
8.6
Battery
7.0
6.2
Design
8.7
8.5
Software support
7.4
9.2
Value for money
5.7
4.6
Display
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Size
6.9 inches
6.8 inches
Type
OLED, Super Retina XDR
OLED, Super Actua
Resolution
1320 × 2868 px
1344 × 2992 px
Pixel density
460 ppi
486 ppi
Refresh rate
120 Hz
120 Hz
Adaptive refresh
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Peak brightness
2,000 nits
3,000 nits
HDR
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
—
Protection
Ceramic Shield (latest generation)
Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Performance
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Process
3 nm
4 nm
Max CPU clock
—
3.1 GHz
GPU
Apple 6-core GPU
Mali-G715 MP7
RAM
8 GB
16 GB
Storage
256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB
128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB
Storage type
—
UFS 3.1
microSD slot
✕ No
✕ No
Cameras
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Main camera
48 MP, f/1.78
50 MP, f/1.68, 1/1.31"
Optical stabilization
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Ultrawide
48 MP
48 MP
Telephoto
12 MP, 5× optical, periscope
48 MP, 5× optical
Optical zoom
5×
5×
Rear cameras
3
3
Rear video
4K@120
8K@30
Front camera
12 MP
42 MP
Front video
—
4K@60
Battery and charging
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Capacity
4,685 mAh
5,060 mAh
Battery type
Li-Ion
—
Wired charging
—
37 W
Wireless charging
25 W
23 W
Reverse wireless
✕ No
✓ Yes
Charger in box
✕ No
✕ No
Design and build
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Dimensions
163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm
162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm
Thickness
8.25 mm
8.5 mm
Weight
227 g
221 g
Form factor
Bar
Bar
Frame
Titanium
Aluminum
Back
Glass
Glass
Water resistance
IP68
IP68
Fingerprint
None
Under-display ultrasonic
3D face unlock
✓ Yes
✕ No
SIM
eSIM only
Nano-SIM + eSIM
Colors
Black Titanium, Desert Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium
Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz
Connectivity and features
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
5G
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
USB
USB-C 3.x
USB-C 3.x
NFC
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
3.5 mm jack
✕ No
✕ No
Stereo speakers
—
✓ Yes
Satellite
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
IR blaster
✕ No
✕ No
Software
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
OS at launch
iOS 18
Android 14
OS updates
—
7 years
Security updates
5 years
7 years
Launch and price
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL
Announced
Sep 9, 2024
Aug 13, 2024
Released
Sep 20, 2024
Aug 22, 2024
Status
Discontinued
Discontinued
US launch price
$1,199
$1,099
Green marks the stronger value in a row. Specs come from official manufacturer data, cross-checked with established tech media; each phone page lists its sources. Report an error
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