I used the Google Pixel 9 Professional XL and Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max for per week: Here is what I realized

Apple has had a lock on informal smartphone customers because the unique iPhone. Clients who stroll into service shops for his or her subsequent system reply to the iPhone’s pleasant (learn: secure) UI and classy design. It’s a category of thousands and thousands who don’t care about benchmarks and suppose a Snapdragon is a Pokémon.

Apple has its fans, and the corporate presents loads of pro-grade efficiency and instruments on its telephones, however I don’t really feel these are the primary promoting factors for many homeowners.

Google understands this, and it’s spent the previous couple of years remodeling its Pixel lineup right into a extra consumer-friendly package deal. Every part from its {hardware} design to the software program expertise and advertising technique means that Google is making an attempt to win over informal customers who may in any other case select an iPhone. I used the Google Pixel 9 Professional XL and Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max side-by-side for per week; let’s focus on how nicely Google did.

What I like concerning the Google Pixel 9 Professional XL

Show and efficiency enhancements

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Google has created its greatest Pixel cellphone in years with the Pixel 9 Professional XL. I’ve had my misgivings about earlier Pixel units, however between the Pixel 8 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL, Google has addressed largely all considerations.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL’s 6.8-inch Tremendous Actua show is beautiful; it’s a brilliant and vibrant show protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. I used to be already impressed with the show on the Pixel 8 Professional, and the Pixel 9 Professional XL builds off that success. Pixel panels was once inferior, however Google turned a weak point right into a energy.

I’m additionally not keen on the argument that individuals ought to wait till the Pixel 10 as a result of TSMC will manufacture the Tensor G5.

Don’t imagine any nonsense you hear concerning the Tensor G4. It’s a remarkably succesful chipset offering greater than sufficient uncooked efficiency for day by day duties and a full slate of Google’s Gemini Nano options. The Pixel 8 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL have been a number of the smoothest experiences I’ve had on Android, and the narrative that the Tensor G4 is underpowered isn’t correct.

Nevertheless, it’s not good, and you will note higher gaming efficiency on the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Nonetheless, gaming is the final space the place Google is noticeably behind Apple and different Android producers.

I’m additionally not keen on the argument that individuals ought to wait till the Pixel 10 as a result of TSMC will manufacture the Tensor G5. The principle issues TSMC resolved for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 had been energy effectivity and warmth administration, gadgets Google has largely addressed with the Tensor G3 and G4.

The Tensor G5 isn’t going to instantly out-benchmark chips just like the Snapdragon 8 Elite except Google makes a acutely aware effort to extend horsepower, which it most probably gained’t. It’s not the corporate’s focus, and given how nicely the Pixel 9 Professional XL performs with day by day duties and AI features, it feels unnecessarily up the fee simply to look higher on a Geekbench take a look at. I’d like higher gaming efficiency, however not if it means a dearer system.

Android 15 turned out to be fantastic

I’m happy to report that Android 15 runs nicely on the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Materials You might be a far cry from inventory Android, however Google has made its front-end person expertise extra interesting and beginner-friendly.

Don’t be fooled; it’s nonetheless Android, however Google has refined its aesthetics. I liked the longer promised assist lifetime of Google’s newer units, and I’m glad the corporate has stored up with quarterly characteristic drops, even when particular person Android variations don’t imply as a lot anymore.

I do know that Google spent numerous time highlighting the options of Gemini Nano, however I don’t use them a lot. Pixel Studio works nicely, but it surely’s restricted. I’m extra optimistic about Gemini Stay than others, but it surely’s nonetheless not one thing I’d exit of my approach to make use of often. Nonetheless, Google’s software program extras like Now Taking part in all the time make me smile, and I miss them when utilizing different telephones.

It is nonetheless a Pixel digicam

Cameras are an fascinating dialog subject. I desire the hotter tones of the iPhone 16 Professional Max’s images, however I’m comfy admitting that for those who take 100 point-and-shoot photographs, you’ll just like the Pixel 9 Professional XL output extra. Night time Sight is healthier at low-light images, and if you wish to tweak your photos in Lightroom and even with Google’s enhancing instruments, you’ll recognize the pure tones and particulars of the Pixel’s imagery.

Nevertheless, I nonetheless give the iPhone 16 Professional Max the sting when capturing movies.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL digicam samples

Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max digicam samples

What I like concerning the Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max

Previous, however dependable design

It’s odd to say I just like the iPhone 16 Professional Max design. It’s largely unchanged from the iPhone 11, however Apple is aware of what works, and customers haven’t been turned off but. I don’t just like the elevated dimension of the Professional Max this yr, although. It’s solely a tenth of an inch larger than the Pixel 9 Professional XL, but it surely makes all of the distinction. The iPhone 16 Professional Max nearly turns into unwieldy with a case, and I’ve giant arms.

I wouldn’t thoughts as a lot if Apple used the additional area nicely. Certain, content material and video games have extra show, however iOS 18 doesn’t let you add further icons to the house display — it’s simply stretched lifeless area. Other than that, the show is beautiful, and also you’ll love it. I desire the iPhone 16 Professional Max panel to the Pixel 9 Professional XL’s show barely, but it surely’s an in depth matchup.

The A18 Professional chipset is spectacular. Benchmarks apart, it retains cool and performs intensive duties fantastically. I don’t sit there and edit 4K video on my iPhone, however you’ll discover higher gaming in comparison with the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Don’t get slowed down within the spec sheet for those who’ve by no means thought-about an iPhone. You may see 8GB of RAM in comparison with 16GB within the Pixel 9 Professional XL, however Apple manages RAM in another way, and it doesn’t affect efficiency.

iOS 18 opened issues up a bit

I all the time chuckle watching Android customers’ faces as I describe the modifications to iOS 18. Sure, Apple gave us “customization” choices, but it surely’s nothing Pixel customers haven’t had for years.

Nevertheless, it’s satisfying to lastly transfer and resize widgets with out breaking my house display, and I like how Apple handles icon customization. Google hasn’t been capable of get themed icons to work throughout the board in years, however Apple appears to have it coated. All advised, iOS 18 is a strong replace, even when Apple Intelligence simply acquired to our units.

I don’t have a lot of a learn on Apple Intelligence but. Pure language searches within the Pictures app seem to work nicely, however I’m reserving judgment till all the slate is launched. I hope it saves the Digital camera Management button as a result of I’m having a tough time seeing the purpose proper now. Zooming is considerably simpler utilizing your fingers on the show.

I’m not getting the identical wonderful battery life on the iPhone 16 Professional Max I acquired from my iPhone 15 Professional Max. It might be software program or utilization variations, however even barely much less battery life is incredible — nicely over 8 hours of display on time with a single cost. Google matches the iPhone 16 Professional Max on battery, however I might give one other slight nod to the iPhone because it lasts a contact longer. Charging speeds are anemic on each units.

It’s not onerous to advocate the Pixel 9 Professional XL

Not way back, I might’ve all the time advisable an iPhone for first-time smartphone customers or much less tech-savvy individuals — that’s not essentially the case anymore. I nonetheless suppose the iPhone 16 Professional Max has so much to supply, however Google has performed a superb job making Android extra user-friendly and giving the Pixel 9 Professional XL a lovely design.

I see no purpose to modify for those who’re already deeply engrained in Apple’s ecosystem. Nevertheless, in case you are on the lookout for a change or haven’t used both cellphone, the Pixel 9 Professional XL is certainly price a glance this yr.

• Google Pixel 9 Professional XL

  The Pixel 9 Professional XL has a brand new identify, but it surely fills the identical slot as 2023’s Pixel 8 Professional, having comparable specs with roughly the identical footprint. The non-XL Pixel 9 Professional is new to the lineup as a smaller premium flagship providing. With the 9 Professional XL, nonetheless, you get Google’s quickest charging, an even bigger display and battery, and all the digicam and Gemini AI smarts you’d get within the smaller 9 Professional.

• Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max

  The Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max sports activities the model new A18 Professional chipset with 8GB of RAM, with spectacular benchmarks for uncooked efficiency. The Professional Max mannequin will get larger this yr, that includes a 6.9-inch Tremendous Retina OLED show refreshing at 120Hz. Apple Intelligence has began to roll out, giving customers added AI performance like extra pure Siri conversations and higher looking within the Pictures app.