iPhone 16 vs Pixel 9: Battle of the Compact Titans!

The iPhone 16 is finally here with the all-new Apple A18, and ready to take down the competition. However, the Pixel 9 went official not too long ago with its Tensor G4 chip, and directly butts heads with the latest iPhone in the segment. So, if you’re in the market for the latest and greatest compact flagships, which is the ideal choice? Let’s find out in this detailed comparison where we have pitted the iPhone 16 vs Pixel 9.

iPhone 16 vs Pixel 9: Specs at a Glance

Design and Build

Apple doesn’t like change, as is evident from the iPhone design we get every year. This year, the iPhone 16 is no exception. From the dimensions to the build quality, the iPhone 16 remains exactly the same as its previous generations and is equally premium. You get the same glass back paired with analuminum frame and an IP68 rating.

However, even now, the iPhone 16 doesn’t have any protection of any sort at the back. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 usesGorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on its rear panel. However, the frame is aluminum on the Pixel 9 as well, and it’s IP68-rated too.

But, one thing about the Pixel 9 is that it’s quite different from its predecessor, which I realized when reviewing the Pixel 9 (review). It’s slightly bigger and bulkier now at 198 grams, making theiPhone 16 much lighterat around 171 grams. So, if you’re looking for a lighter phone, the iPhone 16 may tickle your fancy more. If you prefer that heft though, the Pixel 9’s in-hand feel may match your taste more.

Moreover, this year’s Pixel 9 certainly has more personality, special thanks to that oval camera module design. The iPhone 16 goes back to using a minimalistic and vertical camera module design as last seen on the iPhone X. While I prefer it over the square module we’ve been seeing on later iPhones, it’s got nothing on the Pixel 9’s module.

Not only does thePixel 9’s camera module design look better, but is alsomore stableon a desk. For someone as lazy as me who desk-types a little too much, the slight elevation and zero wobble come in way too handy.

Thebutton placement is certainly better on the iPhone 16though, for it equally divides the power button and volume rockers on each side of the frame. There’s also anew Capture Buttonon iPhone 16. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 places them all on the right, which I don’t prefer.

However, what I really like is thatboth phones come in a variety of different colors. The iPhone 16, for example, comes in five different colors this year, with Ultramarine, Teal, and Pink being the new options on top of the classic White and Black. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 comes in the Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, and Wintergreen colors.

The iPhone 16 hasn’t changed enough to be called a design upgrade of any sort, while the Pixel 9 is quite the refreshingly aesthetic successor that certainly wins takes the crown here.

Display

The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate this year as well. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 sports a bigger 6.3-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While both are FHD+ displays, thefaster refresh rate on the Pixel 9certainly gives it the upper hand.

Not to mention that the Pixel 9 usesGorilla Glass Victus 2protection on the display as well, just like it does at the rear. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 uses Ceramic Shield. I have been using the Pixel 9 extensively without any tempered glass, and have been keeping it with quite a few phones in my bag, and it hasn’t turned up any scratches.

However, theCeramic Shieldon the iPhone 16 this year is, as Apple says,50% tougher than the first-generation. So, you can expect to see some solid scratch and crack resistance, from the looks of it.

As for peak brightness, on paper, the iPhone 16 sports 1600 nits. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 comes with 2,700 nits, making it much brighter. So, you can expect to get more visibility both outdoors and indoors with the Pixel 9. However, the iPhone 16 compensates with more pixel density at 460 PPI as compared to the Pixel 9’s 422 PPI. Going by that, the iPhone 16’s display should offer more sharpness.

However, overall, the Pixel 9’s display is certainly better.

Performance

Apple has always been leaps and bounds ahead in the performance game, thanks to their powerful chipsets. This time, from the iPhone 15’s A16 Bionic, we get to see a straight jump toA18on the iPhone 16. This 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU is more than powerful to get you through anything and everything.

According to Apple, this 5-core “desktop-class” GPU is35% more energy efficient than the iPhone 15’s A16 Bionicwhile being40% faster. The CPU is 6-core (2 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores) like the A16, but 30% faster this time around. Besides, it features a new neural engine with 17% more memory bandwidth which gives room for Apple Intelligence to thrive.

Talking about Google’s Tensor series of chipsets, they never deliver optimum numbers in benchmarks, and this year is no different. However, while the 8-core Tensor G4 (1 prime core, 3 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) does lag behind in synthetic benchmarks, it doesn’t hold back on delivering good day-to-day performance. During my time with it, I never noticed a stutter or a lag, no matter how many apps I had open and running in the background.

However, the Apple A18 is significantly more powerful and will certainly deliver a more premium experience than the Pixel 9’s Tensor G4!

Software Experience and AI Features

The iPhone 16 runs on iOS 18 right out of the box, and this OS certainly does act as a catalyst in the Androidification of iPhones. From home screen personalization to lock screen customizations,RCS in Messages, and a completelyredesigned Control Center, iOS 18 really does breathe new life into iPhones. Not to mention that iPhone’s Shortcuts opens the door to an infinite set of features, which I’ve always been jealous of as an Android boy!

On the other hand, the Android 14-based Pixel UI on the Pixel 9 is quite ahead in terms of features and aesthetics. Android users have been enjoying elementary features likeplacing apps anywhere on the home screenand a dedicated Game Mode for years now. Not to mention that Pixel’s haptic integration is solid and more refined than the iPhones.

Then come the AI features, where the Pixel 9 certainly is way more polished and complete. It’s understandable since Google has been improving on its Gemini AI models for quite some time now. On the other hand, the iPhone 16’sApple Intelligenceis a baby that needs quite a bit of growing to get somewhere.

Right now, whileWriting Toolsand phone call recording can come in very handy, theClean-Up toolin the Photos app doesn’t perform nearly as well. Theweb page summarizationis also a pretty basic AI feature that almost every other Android phone offers right now.

In comparison, thePixel 9 AI featureslikePixel Screenshots,Add Me, Pixel Studio, Reimagine in Magic Editor, Gemini Live, Auto Frame, and more, are satisfyingly innovative.

While the overall software experience can be subjective, the Pixel 9’s seamlessness coupled with that fast refresh rate definitely is more satisfying to use. Besides, the Pixel 9 is also backed by 7 years of software update support, bringing it super close to the kind of support iPhones get.

Cameras

The iPhone 16 doesn’t make any changes in the camera department and borrows it all from its predecessor. You get to see the same48MP primary sensor with its 12MP ultra-wide. This newultra-wide sensor also brings autofocusto the vanilla model, as it was only limited to the Pros previously.

Most importantly, the newultra-wide sensor also doubles down as a macro sensor, which was also limited to the top models previously. So, that’s a nice addition. At the front though, there’s the same 12MP selfie shooter.

On the other hand, while the Pixel 9 features the same50MP Octa PD primary sensoras the Pixel 8, it features a much better48MP ultra-wideas opposed to a 12MP sensor. At the front though, there’s the same10.5MP selfie shooter.

On paper, apart from the more megapixels on the Pixel 9’s ultra-wide, there’s not much of a difference between the two phones. Only a side-by-side shot comparison will reveal the winner here. But, don’t worry, I’ll update you right here with a nice and fair camera comparison between them as soon as I get my hands on the iPhone 16.

However, the iPhone 16’s new capture button will most likely take the camera experience to a whole new level. A light touch gets rid of all the other elements in the camera app UI and shifts the focus on the subject. In addition, as you swipe sideways, you can zoom in or zoom out into your frame.

Battery and Charging

Year after year, Apple has been working towards introducing bigger batteries on its iPhones, and the iPhone 16 offers a bigger battery this year as well. And, as always, the rated battery capacity is not known, so I guess you will have to take Apple’s word for it for now.

On the other hand, thePixel 9 brings a 4,700mAh battery, which is definitelybigger than the vanilla new iPhone’s rated capacity. However, iOS has always been less power-hungry than Android and manages background activity better. As a result, despite offering a smaller battery, the iPhone 16 is expected to keep up with the Pixel 9, delivering afull day of backupwith ease.

Charging speeds have always been a major drawback in iPhones, and sadly, the iPhone 16 doesn’t get any better in this regard. You still get a maximum of around20W, which can fully charge the phone inroughly 1.5 hours. The Pixel 9 offers faster27Wfast charging support, which it tops off around the same time as the battery is bigger.

However, the strangest good thing about the iPhone 16 this year is that it now supports 25W MagSafe charging speeds. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 is limited to 12W of wireless charging.

Which Is the Better Vanilla?

The age-old raging Android vs iOS debate doesn’t make sense to me anymore. It’s about who can bring the most value for the money you shell out. And, in all honesty, you still don’t get the best hardware on both these phones. You still don’t get LTPO or faster charging on the two phones. Besides, the iPhone 16 still sticks to the outdated 60Hz refresh rate.

However, if you favor performance over anything and the iPhone’s famed videography experience, the iPhone 16 is a solid option. On the other hand, if a stellar multimedia experience is what you’re looking for, the Pixel 9 is your pick.

As for software experience, there’s no clear winner here, for they both have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. If you want a better app ecosystem, nothing can beat the iPhone right now. Moreover, if you’re already a part of the Apple ecosystem, it doesn’t make sense for you to go out the door and get the Pixel 9.

But, the Pixel 9 certainly has a better set of AI features and a more refreshingly aesthetic design. It all boils down to your priorities and expectations, by the end of the day. Bottomline is, both are excellent compact phones that can handle anything and everything for you, without breaking a sweat.

Sagnik Das Gupta

Sagnik is a tech aficionado who can never say “no” to dipping his toes into unknown waters of tech or reviewing the latest gadgets. He is also a hardcore gamer, having played everything from Snake Xenzia to Dead Space Remake.

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