Google has launched the Pixel 8 Pro, a direct ‘competitor’ to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. But is it also better than the iPhone?
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the successor to the Pixel 7 Pro. The device has a flat screen, in contrast to the curved edges of its predecessor. It is a so-called LPTO panel, which, just like the screen of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, can switch back to 1 Hz for static images to save the battery.
1. Screen and dimensions
Both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 8 Pro have a 6.7-inch display. The screen of the Pro Max has a resolution of 1290 x 2796 pixels (460 ppi) and that of the Pixel 8 Pro has a resolution of 1344 x 2992 pixels (489 ppi). The screen-to-body ratio is 89.8% on the Pro Max and 87.4% on the 8 Pro.
The 8 Pro therefore has a slightly higher resolution and pixel density, and the front of the Pro Max consists of a slightly larger screen. The iPhone measures 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm and the 8 Pro 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm. In addition, the Pro Max is 0.08 g heavier (221 vs 213 g), which is of course negligible.
2. Battery life: capacity is not everything
The battery of the Google Pixel 8 Pro has a capacity of 5050 mAh. Charging is possible with a maximum of 30 watts and wirelessly with a maximum of 23 watts. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 4441 mAh battery that charges with up to 25 watts (and wirelessly up to 15 watts). Both devices charge 50 percent within 30 minutes.
On the iPhone 15 Pro Max you can watch video for about 29 hours with a full battery. We have not yet been able to test the battery life of the Google Pixel 8 Pro, but it is probably between 24 and 27 hours. The iPhone (as almost always) lasts longer with a less powerful battery because the software and hardware are better matched.
3. Camera: more (mega)pixel(s) except for selfies
Although the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a top camera, the Google Pixel 8 Pro manages to go even further. For example, the standard camera of the Pro Max has 48 megapixels and the Pixel 8 Pro just exceeds that with 50 megapixels. The Pixel’s telephoto and ultrawide cameras even have 48 megapixels, while the Pro Max has 12 megapixels.
Only the front camera has fewer megapixels than the iPhone: 10.5 megapixels compared to 12 megapixels. Well, megapixels certainly don’t say everything. In practice, you can easily take beautiful photos with both devices.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Pixel 8 Pro: other differences
Unlike the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Google Pixel 8 Pro does not have Face ID. Instead, there is a fingerprint scanner under the screen. We find Face ID more useful, but that is of course very personal.
Furthermore, the Pixel is available with storage space from 128 GB. With the iPhone you can’t go lower than 256 GB. When it comes to RAM, the Pixel once again goes one step further: you get 12 GB as standard, while the iPhone gets stuck at 8 GB.
Here too, despite less RAM, the Pro Max is not noticeably slower because the software and hardware are so well matched. Google has also built in some more useful photo editing options as standard, which are quite reminiscent of Photoshop.
Which Pro smartphone is better?
That is difficult to say and will have to be proven by further tests. On paper, the Pixel has better specifications in a number of areas, but the Pro Max has a better coordination of hardware and software. This means that on balance they are very evenly matched.
Whether you choose one or the other mainly depends on which device you like better, which operating system you prefer and how much money you want to spend. The suggested retail price of the Google Pixel 8 Pro is 1099 euros, that of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is 1229 euros.
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