Pixel 9 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Which flagship should you buy?
Breaking down specs, cameras, AI, and battery life for 2025’s best flagship.
Picking between the Google Pixel 9 Pro and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is like choosing between Messi and Ronaldo; both are at the top of their game, but they play differently. The iPhone 16 Pro is built for speed and performance, while the Pixel 9 Pro is packed with AI-smart features and customization.
They are both great high-end gadgets, so which one do you think suits your needs? Let’s dive into their specs, strengths, and trade-offs to help you decide.
David Adubiina
1/ Design & Build
If there's anything Apple and Google pay attention to, it's design. The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a titanium frame, smaller chassis, and two buttons (Action + Camera Control). It also has a tough ceramic shield glass, keeping the classic flat edges.
The Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, has a recycled aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It also comes with a larger, more immersive feel and its signature camera bar.
Which wins? The iPhone’s titanium frame and Ceramic Shield glass make it a more durable choice.
2/ Display
The iPhone 16 Pro has a 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate, True Tone, and peak brightness of 2,500 nits.
The Pixel 9 Pro fights back with a larger 6.7-inch LTPO OLED panel matching the iPhone's 120Hz refresh rate, with HDR10+ support, an Always-On Display, and 2,400 nits peak brightness.
Which wins? The iPhone’s brighter screen and color accuracy give it a slight edge, but the Pixel’s bigger, more versatile display with Always-On convenience makes it a strong contender.
3/ Performance
The iPhone 16 Pro comes fully packed with Apple’s cutting-edge A18 Pro chip (3nm), which is incredibly fast with unmatched efficiency. It has an incredible performance in gaming, multitasking, and AR.
The Pixel 9 Pro takes a different approach with its Tensor G4, which focuses on AI smarts and real-world use like voice recognition, photo processing, and adaptive features.
Which wins? The iPhone dominates in raw power and efficiency, making it the king of performance. But if AI smarts and on-device learning matter more to you, the Pixel sits there.
4/ Camera
When it comes to the camera, both gadgets bring in exceptional features. The iPhone 16 Pro delivers a pro-grade 48MP triple-camera system featuring a 5x telephoto zoom, advanced Photonic Engine processing, ProRAW flexibility, and professional 8K video capabilities with cinematic tools.
Not to be outdone, the Pixel 9 Pro counters with a 50MP triple-camera setup that includes an upgraded ultrawide lens, 5x zoom, and Google's signature AI-powered features like Real Tone color accuracy, Magic Eraser, and dramatically improved Night Sight.
Which wins? The iPhone takes the lead for videographers and pros with its superior video capabilities and ProRAW support, while the Pixel is perfect for photographers who want smarter computational photography and more accessible editing tools.
5/ Battery & Charging
The iPhone 16 Pro packs a 3,582mAh battery delivering solid 23-hour video playback, supported by 30W wired charging and 25W MagSafe wireless with Qi2 compatibility for versatile charging options.
The Pixel 9 Pro responds with a beefier 4,700mAh cell promising 28+ hours of endurance, matching the 30W wired charging while offering slightly slower 21W wireless (boostable to 23W with Pixel Stand).
Which wins? The Pixel is ahead with its larger capacity and longer endurance, while the iPhone offers more consistent wireless charging speeds. Choose Pixel for longevity or iPhone for charging flexibility.
6/ Storage & RAM
The iPhone 16 Pro offers storage options from 128GB to 1TB, paired with 8GB RAM, utilizing Apple's tight iOS optimization to maximize performance despite the smaller memory footprint.
The Pixel 9 Pro matches the 1TB maximum storage while packing a more generous 12GB RAM, providing extra headroom for heavy multitasking and future-proof performance.
Which wins? While the Pixel offers more raw RAM for power users, the iPhone has an optimized software that can do more with less.
7/ Software & OS
The iPhone 16 Pro runs iOS 18, delivering Apple’s signature polished interface, deep ecosystem integration, tight privacy controls, and the new Apple Intelligence features for smarter on-device processing.
The Pixel 9 Pro launches with Android 14, offering Google’s AI-first approach, packed with exclusive tools like Call Screening, Hold for Me, and real-time AI enhancements that work seamlessly out of the box.
Which wins? iOS 18’s refined ecosystem and privacy focus make the iPhone ideal for Apple loyalists, while the Pixel’s AI-native Android experience is perfect for those who want cutting-edge, practical smarts.
8/ Connectivity
The iPhone 16 Pro delivers top-tier global 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Ultra Wideband (UWB) for precise tracking, Face ID security, USB-C, and unmatched accessory compatibility.
The Pixel 9 Pro matches with 5G (mmWave in select regions), Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3, but stands out with its under-display fingerprint sensor for those who prefer touch over Face ID.
Which wins? The iPhone’s UWB and broader accessory support give it the edge.
9/ Price
We don't expect a disparity in prices since both gadgets are high-end on their wing. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 (128GB) and climbs to $1,499 for 1TB, which is consistent with Apple’s premium pricing.
The Pixel 9 Pro also starts at $999 but undercuts Apple at higher storage tiers, offering better value for those needing more space.
Which wins? It’s a tie on base pricing, but the Pixel wins for budget-conscious buyers needing more storage.
Conclusion
If you’re already living in Apple’s ecosystem, with a Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch, the iPhone 16 Pro is the obvious choice. It delivers unmatched performance, incredible video capabilities, and up to 6 years of security updates.
But if you’re an Android fan who loves customization and AI-powered convenience, the Pixel 9 Pro is the ultimate alternative, offering smarter features, better battery life, and a more open approach to software.
Whichever is your pick, you’re getting one of the best phones on the planet.
David Adubiina
