Apple has had a lock on informal smartphone customers for the reason that unique iPhone. Prospects who stroll into provider shops for his or her subsequent machine reply to the iPhone’s pleasant (learn: protected) UI and classy design. It’s a category of tens of millions who don’t care about benchmarks and suppose a Snapdragon is a Pokémon.
Apple has its lovers, and the corporate presents loads of pro-grade efficiency and instruments on its telephones, however I don’t really feel these are the principle promoting factors for many house owners.
Google understands this, and it’s spent the previous few years remodeling its Pixel lineup right into a extra consumer-friendly bundle. All the pieces from its {hardware} design to the software program expertise and advertising and marketing technique means that Google is attempting to win over informal customers who would possibly in any other case select an iPhone. I used the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Apple iPhone 16 Professional Max side-by-side for per week; let’s talk about how effectively Google did.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: The best big Android phone
Google’s large flagship earns its $100 value bump after which some
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 telephone in years with the Pixel 9 Professional XL. I’ve had my misgivings about earlier Pixel gadgets, 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 Super Actua show is attractive; it’s a vibrant 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 spot right into a power.
I’m additionally not keen on the argument that folks 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 every day duties and a full slate of Google’s Gemini Nano options. The Pixel 8 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL have been a few of the smoothest experiences I’ve had on Android, and the narrative that the Tensor G4 is underpowered isn’t correct.
Nonetheless, 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 folks ought to wait till the Pixel 10 as a result of TSMC will manufacture the Tensor G5. The primary issues TSMC resolved for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 had been energy effectivity and warmth administration, objects 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 until Google makes a aware effort to extend horsepower, which it almost certainly received’t. It’s not the corporate’s focus, and given how effectively the Pixel 9 Professional XL performs with every day duties and AI features, it feels unnecessarily up the associated fee simply to look higher on a Geekbench take a look at. I’d like higher gaming efficiency, however not if it means a costlier machine.
Android 15 turned out to be fantastic
I’m happy to report that Android 15 runs effectively on the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Materials It’s possible you’ll 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 cherished the longer promised help lifetime of Google’s newer gadgets, 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 loads of time highlighting the options of Gemini Nano, however I don’t use them a lot. Pixel Studio works effectively, nevertheless it’s restricted. I’m extra optimistic about Gemini Live than others, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not one thing I’d exit of my approach to make use of usually. Nonetheless, Google’s software program extras like Now Enjoying at all times make me smile, and I miss them when utilizing different telephones.
It is nonetheless a Pixel digicam
Cameras are an attention-grabbing dialog matter. I favor the hotter tones of the iPhone 16 Professional Max’s images, however I’m snug admitting that if you happen to take 100 point-and-shoot pictures, you’ll just like the Pixel 9 Professional XL output extra. Evening Sight is best at low-light images, and if you wish to tweak your pictures in Lightroom and even with Google’s modifying instruments, you’ll admire the pure tones and particulars of the Pixel’s imagery.
Nonetheless, I nonetheless give the iPhone 16 Professional Max the sting when taking pictures 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 12 months, although. It’s solely a tenth of an inch larger than the Pixel 9 Professional XL, nevertheless it makes all of the distinction. The iPhone 16 Professional Max virtually turns into unwieldy with a case, and I’ve giant arms.
I wouldn’t thoughts as a lot if Apple used the additional area effectively. Positive, content material and video games have extra show, however iOS 18 doesn’t mean you can add extra icons to the house display screen — it’s simply stretched lifeless area. Except for that, the show is attractive, and also you’ll love it. I favor the iPhone 16 Professional Max panel to the Pixel 9 Professional XL’s show barely, nevertheless it’s a detailed matchup.
The A18 Professional chipset is spectacular. Benchmarks apart, it retains cool and performs intensive duties superbly. 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 if you happen to’ve by no means thought-about an iPhone. You would possibly 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 influence efficiency.
iOS 18 opened issues up a bit
I at all times chuckle watching Android customers’ faces as I describe the adjustments to iOS 18. Sure, Apple gave us “customization” choices, nevertheless it’s nothing Pixel customers haven’t had for years.
Nonetheless, it’s pleasant to lastly transfer and resize widgets with out breaking my dwelling display screen, and I like how Apple handles icon customization. Google hasn’t been in a position to get themed icons to work throughout the board in years, however Apple appears to have it coated. All informed, iOS 18 is a stable replace, even when Apple Intelligence simply acquired to our gadgets.
I don’t have a lot of a learn on Apple Intelligence but. Pure language searches within the Photographs app seem to work effectively, however I’m reserving judgment till your entire 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 could possibly be software program or utilization variations, however even barely much less battery life is implausible — effectively over 8 hours of display screen on time with a single cost. Google matches the iPhone 16 Professional Max on battery, however I’d give one other slight nod to the iPhone because it lasts a contact longer. Charging speeds are anemic on each gadgets.
It’s not laborious to advocate the Pixel 9 Professional XL
Not way back, I’d’ve at all times beneficial an iPhone for first-time smartphone customers or much less tech-savvy folks — that’s not essentially the case anymore. I nonetheless suppose the iPhone 16 Professional Max has quite a bit to supply, however Google has achieved a wonderful job making Android extra user-friendly and giving the Pixel 9 Professional XL a satisfying design.
I see no motive to change if you happen to’re already deeply engrained in Apple’s ecosystem. Nonetheless, if you’re in search of a change or haven’t used both telephone, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is unquestionably value a glance this 12 months.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Pixel 9 Professional XL has a brand new title, nevertheless it fills the identical slot as 2023’s Pixel 8 Professional, having related 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, a much bigger display screen and battery, and the entire digicam and Gemini AI smarts you’d get within the smaller 9 Professional.
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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 12 months, 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 out within the Photographs app.
