iPhone 16 vs. Pixel 9: Price Cuts Spark Fierce Flagship Battle

Apple and Google Flagships See Discounts as Foldable Pre-orders Wind Down

With Samsung’s latest foldable devices nearing the end of their pre-order window, attention is shifting to significant price drops on Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup and Google’s Pixel 9 series. Both tech giants are vying for consumer attention with competitive offerings.

Pro-Level Showdown: Size, Screens, and Snappers

The top-tier models, Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL, boast nearly identical 6.9-inch and 6.8-inch displays, respectively, both featuring smooth 120Hz LTPO technology. While both are equipped with impressive camera systems, Google’s Pixel appears to have an edge with its 48MP periscope lens reaching 113mm, compared to the iPhone’s 12MP lens at 120mm. For a deeper dive and sample images, a detailed comparison article is available.

Stepping down, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro share 6.3-inch displays. The iPhone is marginally slimmer and shorter, with both devices weighing in at 199g. Camera specifications mirror their larger counterparts. However, availability of the Pixel 9 Pro is currently limited on Amazon.

Bridging the Gap: The Plus Model and Standard Offerings

Apple’s iPhone 16 Plus, featuring a larger 6.7-inch screen and a 4,674mAh battery, currently has no direct competitor in Google’s Pixel 9 lineup.

In the standard tier, the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 goes head-to-head with the 6.3-inch Pixel 9. The Pixel boasts a larger main camera sensor (50MP vs. 48MP) and a higher-resolution ultrawide lens (48MP vs. 12MP). Conversely, the iPhone 16 demonstrates superior battery endurance, lasting 15 hours and 42 minutes in active use tests compared to the Pixel 9’s 13 hours and 5 minutes.

Budget-Conscious Choices: A Look at the Entry-Level

Even the more affordable options present distinct differences. The iPhone 16e, priced over €600, features a single 48MP rear camera with a smaller 1/2.55-inch sensor. The Pixel 9a counters with a 48MP main sensor (1/2.0-inch) and an accompanying 13MP ultrawide lens. While the iPhone 16e sports a prominent notch on its 6.1-inch display, the Pixel 9a’s punch-hole cutout on its 6.3-inch screen is less intrusive.

Performance-wise, the Apple A18 chip outperforms Google’s Tensor G4. However, the Pixel 9a offers better battery life (12 hours and 42 minutes versus the iPhone 16e’s 11 hours and 53 minutes), largely attributed to its larger battery capacity. The average smartphone battery life in 2024 is around 13 hours and 46 minutes according to recent industry reports (TechInsights 2024).