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

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Technologies

Tinder Users Must Start Logging In With Their Faces, Starting Nationwide

The social app now has new US requirements including face identification to help quell longstanding problems with catfishing and more.

US Tinder users will find a new feature when they open up the dating app starting Wednesday: A mandatory Face Check on their phones will be required before they can log into their profiles.

The Face Check step will begin with a new request to record a video of your face, a more casual version of setting up Apple’s Face ID login. Tinder will then run checks comparing your face data to your current profile pics and automatically create a small face badge for your profile. We already know how it works, because Tinder has already launched the feature in Canada and California before the full US rollout.

The technology, powered by FaceTec, will keep biometric data of the user’s face in encrypted form but discard the scanning video for privacy. Tinder will be able to use the face data to detect duplicate accounts, in an effort to cut down on fake profiles and identity theft.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

Tinder’s facial recognition rollout is also made to prevent catfishing, or people pretending to be someone else on Tinder to scam or blackmail them. But that also points to a deeper problem on the rise in dating apps — a growing number of bots, many controlled by AI, are designed to glean personal information or fool users into scammy subscriptions, among other problems.

Tinder’s working against these bots on several fronts, including this Face Check push as well as ID Check, which requires a government-issued ID and other types of photo verification.

The dating app also recently released a feature in June to enable double-dating with your friends, which Tinder reports is especially popular with Gen Z users. If you’re worried about the latest hazards on Tinder, we have guide to safety practices.

A representative for Tinder did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Oct. 23

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 23.

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

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Like some weather, memories and I.P.A.s
Answer: HAZY

5A clue: Statement that’s self-evidently true
Answer: AXIOM

7A clue: Civic automaker
Answer: HONDA

8A clue: What fear leads to, as Yoda told a young Anakin
Answer: ANGER

9A clue: Foxlike
Answer: SLY

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Verbal «lol»
Answer: HAHA

2D clue: Brain signal transmitter
Answer: AXON

3D clue: Hits with a witty comeback
Answer: ZINGS

4D clue: Sing at the top of a mountain, maybe
Answer: YODEL

6D clue: Name of the famous «Queen of Scots»
Answer: MARY

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Oct. 23 #599

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Oct. 23, No. 599.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle might be Halloween-themed, as the answers are all rather dangerous. Some of them are a bit tough to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Please don’t eat me!

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Remember Mr. Yuk?

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

POND, NOON, NODE, BALE, SOCK, LOVE, LOCK, MOCK, LEER, REEL, GLOVE, DAIS, LEAN, LEAD, REEL

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers: