Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Display, Cameras and Key Specs Compared

The Pixel 9 Pro XL appears to be Google's answer to another high-end flagship phone: the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

As Apple's Pro models have gained popularity thanks to their more advanced cameras, higher processing power and, in the case of the Pro Max, larger display, it appears Google wants to flex its power through a bigger device, too.

But how do the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the iPhone 15 Pro Max stack up? Here's a breakdown of the key specs on each device. 

Pricing and storage go hand-in-hand

Let's start with one of the most important questions: price. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a lower starting price of $1,100, but it also starts at a smaller storage tier of 128GB. The iPhone 15 Pro Max begins at $1,200 for 256GB of storage. (You can also get the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 256GB.)

Both phones also have the option for 512GB and 1TB of internal storage. Neither have expandable memory.

Display sizes almost match up

The Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 15 Pro Max have comparable displays, with the Pixel sporting a 6.8-inch OLED display and the iPhone touting a slightly smaller 6.7-inch OLED. Both have a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. 

There's an under-display fingerprint sensor on the Pixel 9 Pro, while the iPhone opts for Face ID (or, like the Pixel, a passcode). Both feature an Always-on display, which lets you see the time and notifications on your lock screen without waking up your device.

Overall, the phones share almost the exact same dimensions. The Pixel measures 6.4 inches tall, 3 inches wide and .3 inches deep, while the iPhone is 6.29 inches tall, 3.02 inches wide and 0.32 inches deep. They both weigh 221g.

Camera differences

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 50-megapixel wide, 48-megapixel ultrawide and 48-megapixel telephoto camera. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max features a 48-megapixel wide, 12-megapixel ultrawide and 12-megapixel telephoto lens. Both have 5x optical zoom. The two phones can also capture 4K video.

The Pixel has a 42-megapixel front-facing camera, while the iPhone features a 12-megapixel one. (And here is where I insert my mandatory reminder that resolution isn't the only key factor in a phone camera; things like camera sensors matter, too. We'll have to see how the Pixel 9 Pro XL performs in the real world.)

Batteries, processors and software

Google says the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 5,060 mAh battery, while Apple doesn't disclose its battery capacity but says the iPhone 15 Pro Max can offer up to 29 hours of video playback.

Both feature USB-C ports, thanks to Apple finally adopting the charging standard last year. Neither features a headphone jack.

The Pixel is equipped with Google's Tensor G4 processor, while Apple's A17 Pro chip powers the 15 Pro Max. Stay tuned to CNET's follow-up coverage for more on how actual performance stacks up.

Another key difference is, of course, each phone's mobile software. The Pixel 9 Pro XL arrives with Android 14 (though Android 15 is slated to arrive soon), while the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with iOS 17 (and iOS 18 drops in the fall). You'll be able to keep your Pixel up to date longer, though; Google supports up to seven years of OS and security updates, while Apple supports up to five years. 

And finally, the Pixel gets a big new feature Apple debuted two years ago: satellite connectivity. This lets users send texts via satellite when there isn't a regular signal, which can be helpful in a crisis. Apple introduced its Emergency SOS system two years ago, allowing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users to send texts to summon emergency services. 

Below is a closer breakdown of how the specs on the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 15 Pro Max compare.