Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15: Which should you buy?

The Pixel 9 features significant improvements over its predecessor, including an upgraded camera, more RAM, a larger battery, and a brighter display. All that comes at a price, though, and puts the Pixel 9 right in the crosshairs of the iPhone 15. How do the two base models compare? Here’s a look at the Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15!

Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15: Specs

Google upgraded the Pixel 9’s display to offer a peak brightness of 2,700 nits, compared to the 2,000 nits of the iPhone 15. Of course, more telling when it comes to screen performance is the refresh rate. While the Pixel 9 has a dynamic 60-120Hz refresh rate, the iPhone 15 is stuck on 60Hz. There’s been plenty of discourse about the iPhone 15’s basic display spec compared to Android alternatives at this price range and how Apple users won’t care. However, there’s no denying that the Pixel 9’s display is better in this regard, making everything feel a touch smoother and faster.

The Pixel 9’s Tensor G4 isn’t a giant leap over its predecessor, with Google focusing more on building a processor that can better handle AI tasks. Performance won’t be bad by any stretch, but it’s not going to be drastically different from the Pixel 8 series. At least it’s not older hardware, as is the case with the iPhone 15 and the A16 Bionic. That said, the A16 (that powered the iPhone 14 Pro devices) outperformed every 2023 Android flagship and kept up with early 2024 releases. So the iPhone 15 is certainly no slouch in the performance department. Everything is perfectly optimized and runs exactly how you’d expect it.

This optimization is why Apple doesn’t feel the need to pack its iPhones with too much RAM. The iPhone 15 comes with just 6GB of RAM, while the Pixel 9 gets an upgrade to 12GB of RAM. While less RAM doesn’t make as much of a difference in performance, there is a consequence this time, with the iPhone 15 missing out on Apple Intelligence. Whether you care about AI features or not, it’s a surprising misstep that Apple will definitely correct with the upcoming iPhone 16 series. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 will come with all the Gemini features Google has to offer.

The two phones offer 128GB or 256GB storage options, but the iPhone 15 offers a 512GB version as well. With their aluminum frames and glass on the front and back, durability isn’t much of a concern. In fact, the iPhone 15 proved to be more durable than its larger siblings. Both are also well-protected from the elements, with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15: Design, size comparison, and colors

The Pixel 9 isn’t much wider than the iPhone 15, but it is taller and thicker to account for the slightly larger display and bigger battery. The Pixel 9 gets an interesting design update, particularly when you look at the flat sides that are very iPhone-esque. The camera bump gets an update, too, with a pill-shaped bump that isn’t edge-to-edge like the metal bar of previous generations. The color-matched pill also gives it a more refined look.

The iPhone 15, on the other hand, remains largely unchanged from the back. If you’ve seen an iPhone for the past three or four years, nothing here is going to surprise you. One change, though, is the addition of the dynamic island up front, taking the place of the large notch that felt outdated years ago. It’s a small but significant change that gives the iPhone 15 a modern, classier look.

The iPhone 15 offers a lot more in terms of color, with blue, green, yellow, pink, and black available. The Pixel 9 has more colorways to choose from than before, too. Along with the standard Obsidian (black) and Porcelain (white), you have the choice between Wintergreen (hazel) and Peony (pink). The iPhone 15 and Pixel 9 colors are generally muted and not flashy at all, but there’s at least a variety.

Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15: Camera

The Pixel 9’s camera upgrade gives it an edge over the iPhone 15. The latter’s 48MP primary shooter goes toe-to-toe with the former’s 50MP camera. But the Pixel 9 now has an upgraded 48MP ultrawide secondary lens that gives it the lead over the iPhone 15’s 12MP ultrawide. Neither has the benefit of a telephoto lens, though, so any zoom features are software-based.

Speaking of software, the Pixel 9 will get all of Google’s smartphone photography AI smarts, with plenty of new features that should take the already good experience to the next level. While the iPhone 15 is capable of taking fantastic photos and shooting quality videos, the Pixel 9 should prove to be the better of the two if you can utilize all its features properly. That said, neither is likely to disturb the ranking of the best smartphone cameras, though, with their respective Pro iterations being the better options overall.

Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15: Battery life and charging

Despite having a relatively small battery, the iPhone 15 offers solid battery life, comfortably lasting a full day with everyday use. The Google Pixel 9 should be somewhat similar despite its much larger battery, but you won’t have to worry about running out of juice before the end of the day.

The story stays the same when it comes to charging. The iPhone 15 has a smaller battery but slower 20W charging, so it’ll take around the same time as the Pixel 9’s 27W charging. The difference in speeds means you’ll get a bigger boost with the Pixel 9 when it comes to short-term charging, say for 30 minutes, but the total time for a full charge should be similar. Both phones also offer wireless charging, but the slow speeds make it best suited for overnight charging. None of these charging speeds hold a candle to the likes of OnePlus and Nothing, but it’s at par with the likes of Samsung.

Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15: Price and availability

The Pixel 9 gets a $100 jump in price, bringing it to the same starting point as the iPhone 15. The latest Pixel went up for pre-order today, August 13, and will be on general sale on August 22 on the Google Store, Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 is widely available across all retailers and the Apple Store. However, the model might be discontinued when the iPhone 16 series launches later this year.

Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15: Which should you buy?

The Google Pixel 9 is quite a big upgrade from its predecessor and brings plenty of features that make it worth the price hike. Solid performance, an improved display, a better camera setup, all the AI smarts to go with it, and a larger battery all give it a leg up over the iPhone 15.

Of course, the iPhone 15 is a good phone with reliable performance, an excellent camera, and solid battery life. But while the Pixel 9 claws closer to its Pro iterations, the differences between the iPhone 15 and the Pro and Pro Max are far more distinct. It just feels like the Pixel 9 justifies its price tag while the iPhone 15 doesn’t. Whether that’s going to change anybody’s mind is a whole other story. The Pixel 9 does enough to be a worthwhile alternative to consider. But if you are already invested in the Apple ecosystem, you’re probably already looking ahead at the iPhone 16 instead.

Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15: FAQ