Connect with us

Technologies

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Massive Phone Specs Compared

Apple and Google both have gigantic phones. Here’s how their specs compare.

With a 6.9-inch display, Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max is a real beefy bit of kit. But then Google’s 6.8 inch Pixel 9 Pro XL is also a real pocket-stretcher. Both Apple and Google’s flagships pack a stellar lineup of top tech, from their next-gen processors to powerful camera setups. And of course there’s a host of AI features on both models. 

Let’s dive into the specs to see how these two mobile giants compare. You’ll find a side-by-side spec chart at the end of this article.

The size is the big similarity here, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s screen measuring in at 6.9 inches — a mere 0.1 inch larger than the 6.8-inch Pixel XL display. It’s hardly a difference you’d likely notice, but if your primary concern is getting the most screen for your money, then the iPhone leads the way. And while the Pixel’s 486ppi pixel density is slightly higher than the iPhone’s 460ppi, again, it’s not really a difference you’ll likely notice in everyday use.

See more: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Compelling Upgrade With My Favorite iPhone Feature in Years

Both phones run on home-grown processors but the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s Tensor G4 has disappointed in benchmark tests, performing closer to last year’s midrange phones and barely outpacing its predecessor. By comparison, even the iPhone 15 Pro Max blew the Pixel out of the water, and the 16 Pro Max whupped the Pixel’s proverbial on our suite of benchmarks. For your everyday emailing and Instagram scrolling you likely won’t notice any difference, but the iPhone is certainly better equipped for things like ray tracing-enabled video games.

The iPhone and Pixel both pack the standard trio of rear cameras — main, ultrawide and 5x telephoto. The Pixel put up a good fight in my recent camera shootout. However, the iPhone’s inclusion of ProRaw imagery and ProRes video encoding — along with the new 4K slow motion mode — makes the iPhone more appealing to photo and video creators.

Neither phone offers expandable storage, but both offer storage capacities up to 1TB and IP68 water resistance.

iPhone 16 Pro Max specs vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness 6.9-inch LTPO OLED; 2,868×1,320 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate 6.8-inch LTPO OLED; 2,992×1,344 pixels; 1-120Hz variable refresh rate
Pixel density 460 ppi 486 ppi
Dimensions (inches) 6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches 6.4x3x0.3 inches
Dimensions (millimeters) 163 x 77.6 x 8.25mm 162.8×76.6×8.5 mm
Weight (grams, ounces) 227g (7.99 oz) 221g (7.8 oz)
Mobile software iOS 18 Android 14
Camera 48-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (5x telephoto) 50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (5x telephoto)
Front-facing camera 12-megapixel 42-megapixel
Video capture 4K 4K
Processor Apple A18 Pro Google Tensor G4
RAM/storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 16GB + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Expandable storage None None
Battery/charging speeds Undisclosed, Apple claims up to 33 hours video playback 5,060 mAh
Fingerprint sensor None (Face ID) Under display
Connector USB-C USB-C
Headphone jack No None
Special features Apple Intelligence, Action Button, Camera Control button, 4x audio mics, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2000 nits display brightness range, IP68 resistance, titanium framecolors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium Satellite SOS; 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; IP68 dust and water resistance; Video Boost with 8K Upscaling; Macro Focus on ultrawide; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; 3,000-nit peak brightness; 45W fast charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wireless Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor
US starting price $1,199 (256GB) $1,099 (128GB)
UK starting price £1,199 (256GB) Converts to £860 (128GB)
Australia starting price AU$2,149 (256GB) Converts to AU$1,670 (128GB)

Should you buy the iPhone or the Pixel?

Despite all the flashy specs and features, the two biggest factors most people should consider if choosing between these two phones is price and software. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts a $1,199 compared to the $1,099 Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Is the Pro Max $100 better than the Google’s biggest Pixel? Honestly, those prices are deceptive. The Pixel comes with 128GB of storage compared to Apple’s 256GB. If you upgraded to a 256GB 9 Pro XL, it costs the same as Apple’s phone.

In terms of software one phone runs iOS and the other Android. Clearly if you, your family or close friends are on Android or iOS, that will be a huge factor in determining which phone is best for you. While Apple promises five years of major OS upgrades, Google commits to seven years. At the end of the day, whether you opt for an iPhone 16 Pro Max of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, you’re getting an excellent phone that should last you for years.

Check Out the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s Cameras, Display and Colors

See all photos

Technologies

Act Fast to Save 15% on This Powerful CarbonMag Portable Charger

This Sharge charger can keep you powered on the go, and right now you don’t have to pay full price.

There’s nothing worse than your phone dying in the middle of the day, especially when finding an outlet means being stuck in an uncomfortable situation. MagSafe portable wireless chargers are a great fix for that, as they snap onto the back of your phone and charge it while you go about your day. One solid pick that won’t weigh your phone down like a brick is the CarbonMag MagSafe portable charger by Sharge. And right now it can be yours for less with this Prime Day deal.

Thanks to Prime Day, you can currently snag it for 15% off with the code QHUAPIWG at checkout — bringing the price down from $70 to just $59. That’s the same cost as the smaller 5,000mAh model, but this one gives you double the battery capacity for the same price.

This device is made out of carbon fiber, which makes it 40% lighter than your usual power banks and 80% more durable than chargers made with the materials normally used. It gets you a 10,000mAh battery capacity, enough to charge your devices multiple times throughout the day. You’ll enjoy up to 15W wireless charging, which can power an iPhone 15 from 0% to 55% in just 44 minutes.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

The charger also features ultrastrong (but safe) magnets that maintain a stable hold on your smartphone. You can use the built-in USB-C port for pass-through charging or to power another device at the same time. The only catch? We don’t know when the discount code expires, so you might want to hurry.

Impulse Buys Under $25 That Make Surprisingly Great Gifts

See all photos

Why this deal matters

MagSafe wireless chargers can be a game-changer for anyone tired of juggling wires throughout the day. This deal gets you a slim, lightweight, yet powerful option at a $11 discount for a limited time. We recommend acting while you can.

Continue Reading

Technologies

Save Up to $35 Off a Baseus Charging Station This July 4th and Stay Powered Up All Weekend

When USB ports aren’t enough, a Baseus charging station is what you need. Power all your gadgets with multiple well-spaced AC outlets and no clutter.

Keeping all your gear charged can be a job unto itself, and it gets more complicated when you have visitors. Whether you’re having guests this Fourth of July weekend or you just need a better charging solution for your family, a charging station could be the answer. But even the best charging stations can only share so many watts between devices, which is why the best charging stations from brands like Anker and Baseus not only feature multiple USB ports but also multiple AC outlets. AC outlets accommodate those few devices that still use proprietary chargers, and it lets you expand beyond the included 2-4 USB ports without sacrificing wattage when you need to top off everyone quickly before heading out.

The Fourth of July deals are bouncing into next week’s Amazon Prime Day to give us some of the best savings of the year a week early. Among the dozens of mobile accessories Baseus has on sale this holiday weekend is a trio of towers that can declutter your desk and keep everything you need ready and recharged. Available in 6-in-1, 7-in-1 for $65, and 10-in-1 varieties, these charging stations all offer two USB-C ports, at least one USB-A port and multiple AC outlets. Just note: You’ll need to clip the on-page coupon to get the lowest possible price.

For the best blend of power and ports, Baseus’ 100W 7-in-1 USB-C charging station can fast charge a laptop at 65W — full speed for all Chromebooks and many Windows laptops — while a phone and tablet each standard charge at 15W and still leave 5W for your smartwatch while your non-USB tech or your desk’s smart speaker can use the AC ports on both sides and the back of the tower. These towers are part power delivery chargers and part surge protectors with surge and lightning protection to keep your digital lifelines from frying should calamity strike.

The Baseus $35 10-in-1 desktop charging station model may sound like it’s the most powerful, but it only offers 35 watts to share between the two USB-C and USB-A ports, leaving the lion’s share of the station’s potential power to the six AC ports. This isn’t to say 35W between four ports is useless, but you’ll want to use those ports for lower-powered devices like recharging your smartwatch or wireless earbuds.

If you’re looking to charge multiple phones and tablets with those ports, you’re probably better off going with the 6-in-1 USB-C Charging Station at $50, which may only have three AC ports but features a retractable USB-C cable in addition to one standard USB-A and one USB-C port. Those three ports share 65W, meaning that you can charge both a phone and tablet at full speed rather than both getting middling speeds.

Why this deal matters

I use a 100W charging station like this at my desk and have another next to my couch for both me and my guests to keep our phones powered and ready. Being able to stick my 65W travel charger into one of the AC ports and fast charge four phones instead of two — well, one phone and my Chromebook — when I have people over and then swap it back to powering my oil diffuser or smart speaker once they’re gone is a godsend, and since the wall outlets are spread out across multiple sides of the tower instead of sandwiched next to each other in a line, I never have to worry about bulky plugs blocking out half my ports.

Because these charging stations double as surge protectors, you can also click their switch to power off and disconnect everything when severe weather comes, unlike standard charging stations you would have to unplug. Living in lightning capital of the U.S. makes this feature more important to me than most, but it can also be handy for parents wanting a one-click shut-off for all the kids’ consoles and computers.

We’re still days away from Prime Day, and deals like these will continue to drop through the next week, but these chargers are all within a few dollars of their lowest prices ever. We’ll watch for further price drops and competing deals throughout the holiday week, including Anker’s plethora of deals on chargers, speakers and smart home appliances.

Continue Reading

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for July 4, #284

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 4, No. 284.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.


Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has kind of a July 4 flavor. But come on, New York Times puzzle makers, is the blue category really a sport? Read on for hints and the answers. And pass the mustard.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.  

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: What you won.

Green group hint: Lone Star State sports.

Blue group hint: Chow down.

Purple group hint: Not cold.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: A monetary reward.

Green group: A Texas basketball player.

Blue group: Nathan’s hot dog contest eating winners.

Purple group: Hot ____.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is a monetary reward. The four answers are prize, purse, stakes and winnings.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is a Texas basketball player. The four answers are Maverick, Rocket, Spur and Wing.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Nathan’s hot dog contest eating winners. The four answers are Bertoletti, Chestnut, Kobayashi and Sudo.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is hot ____. The four answers are corner, dog, hand and stove.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © Verum World Media