The iPhone 16 lineup is here, and it’s a big deal.
With new chipsets, improved cameras, tweaked displays, and of course Apple Intelligence AI features on all four phones, there’s plenty to be excited about.
In previous years, the new iPhone has arrived before the Pixel flagships, giving Google a chance to assess its competition before going public.
However, things are a little different in 2024, as the Pixel 9 series launched in August. Despite this, Google’s flagship lineup has the edge in a few key areas.
If the following features are important to you, you’ll definitely be happier with the Pixel 9.
Faster loading
Across both the iPhone 16 and Pixel 9 lineups, charging speeds vary significantly. But here, we’re talking about the maximum power at which either phone can charge, making this a duel between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Google comes out on top, with a maximum charge of 37W that reaches 70% in 30 minutes. However, to get these speeds, you’ll need to buy Google’s 45W ‘Power Charger’, which costs £29.99/$29.99.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max, meanwhile, only draws 25W, while Apple claims a more mediocre 50% output in 30 minutes. And you’ll still need a compatible charger to take advantage of it.
Macworld
Macworld
Macworld
However, Apple wins on wireless charging, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max offering 25W compared to 23W for the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
A high-quality fingerprint sensor
Since its introduction on the iPhone X in 2017, Face ID has been a huge success for Apple. The secure face unlock solution has been a great alternative to the physical fingerprint sensor, allowing Apple to move to an all-screen design.
But seven years later, in-display fingerprint sensors have evolved. The typically underwhelming optical scanners have been replaced by ultrasonic scanners on some Android phones, including the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL. It’s a huge step forward in terms of speed and reliability.
Impressively, Google pairs this with secure facial unlocking on the Pixel 9 series, allowing you to authenticate payments or log into banking services with your face or finger. It’s a level of flexibility that Apple can’t match.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
AI Features at Launch
Since its announcement at WWDC last June, there has been a lot of talk about Apple Intelligence. could revolutionize the way you use your iPhone.
The emphasis is on “could,” because we don’t know yet. Apple Intelligence will initially arrive in beta in October, with no specific date revealed for a final launch. New features are also expected to be released gradually over time.
On the other hand, the Pixel 9 phones have a range of AI features that you can try out right out of the box. These include photo editing tools like Best Take and Add Me, as well as deep integration with the Gemini virtual assistant.
YouTube / Apple
YouTube / Apple
YouTube / Apple
Google’s AI doesn’t always work perfectly, but the company has been building it into its phones for a year now, and it’s more accomplished than you might think.
Research Circle
While Circle to Search is an AI feature, it’s so useful that it deserves its own section. Essentially, it lets you perform a Google Image search for anything you see on your screen simply by circling it.
This is especially handy on social media, where you can easily find a place or product you’re not sure about. Apple also offers image text extraction and translation features similar to Circle to Search, but Google’s solution is more powerful and useful.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Higher megapixel cameras
The Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 16 Pro Max both appear to offer some of the best all-around camera systems on the market.
In our Pixel 9 Pro XL review, we praised the image clarity and balance of colors and tones in photos. It’s not yet clear where the iPhone 16 Pro Max stands, but there are a few areas where Google has the edge, at least on paper.
Perhaps the biggest plus point is the selfie camera. We were really impressed with the Pixel’s 42MP sensor, but the iPhone retains the 12MP lens from the 15 Pro Max. Then there are the telephoto lenses, which offer 5x optical zoom on both phones, but the Pixel uses a 48MP lens instead of the iPhone’s 12MP.
A higher megapixel count doesn’t always mean better photos, but the 9 Pro XL’s pixel binning process (where four pixels are combined into one for a 12MP image) should deliver higher quality photos.
The iPhone should still have the edge in one area: video, an area where many Android phones struggle.
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