The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the new top-of-the-line flagship from Google. The Pixel 9 Pro is closer to the iPhone 15 Pro, which I’ve had since launch. The two Google phones differ in pricing and size but the Pixel 9 Pro sports the same camera setup as the Pixel 9 Pro XL; so this comparison is valid for both $999 and $1,099 Google flagships with the $999 Apple phone.

I spent the past week shooting and comparing photos with the two flagship phones. I wasn’t surprised with the results but this gave me insights on where Apple needs to improve with the iPhone 16 Pro and alerted me to certain Pixel limitations that make no sense.

Also: I replaced my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with the Pixel 9 Pro XL for two weeks – and can’t go back

The Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL come equipped with a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide angle sensor with a 123-degree field-of-view, and a 48MP 5x optical zoom-capable telephoto lens. By comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro sports a 48MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide angle lens with a 120-degree field of view, and a 12MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. On the front, you get a 42MP camera, while the iPhone has a 12MP selfie shooter. The on-paper specs aren’t enough to know the full story. Here’s why.

Note: All photos were taken in point-and-shoot, which means I didn’t tap to focus on the subject. The phones were pointed on the subject and the choice of focus was left on the algorithms. I’m choosing limited sample photos because of web limitations.

View at Google

Pixel gets skin tones right

Both primary cameras shoot great images in daylight. They offer details in the shadows, good dynamic range, and vibrant colors. However, when it comes to skin tones, Google gets closer to real colors. While the human subjects shot on the iPhone look fine, when comparing side by side, you’ll notice the warmer skin tones and Google colors being closer to reality. The differences start showing up in tricky lighting situations and humans as subjects – both situations that are most prevalent in day-to-day life.