The iPhone 15 Pro brings some tasty upgrades to Apple’s smartphone platform, but with the Google Pixel 8 Pro recently unveiled at the Made by Google 2023 event, you might want to think carefully about which phone you'll snag first.
So, now that the iPhone 15 Pro is official, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro was just made official as of today, which flagship smartphone should you get your hands on? Let’s find out.
iPhone 15 Pro vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Specs
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max | Google Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 inches / 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 pixels / 1290 x 2796 pixels | 1,344 x 2,992 pixels |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | 128GB (15 Pro only), 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB. 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| CPU | A17 Pro (3nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4nm) |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Cameras | 48MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (periscope lens on 15 Pro Max) | 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto |
| Battery capacity | 3,274 mAh (Pro), 4,422 mAh (Pro Max) | 4,950 mAh |
| Design materials | Glass and Titanium | Glass and aluminum |
| Connectivity | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 6.6 ounces | 7.5 ounces |
| Dimensions | 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.3 in | 6.4 x 3.0 x 0.3 inches |
iPhone 15 Pro vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Price
The rumors were true about iPhone 15 Pro Max getting a $100 price hike, thanks to Apple dropping the 128GB model and putting 256GB as its base. But the 128GB iPhone 15 Pro maintains that $999 price tag.
It was also rumored beforehand that the Google Pixel 8 Pro would be increasing in price by $100, and that similarly turned out to be true. This means both the Pixel 8 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro have officially landed at the same price point.
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: $999
- iPhone 15 Pro: $999
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1,199
This means we can compare the nitty gritty without being bogged down by disclaimers regarding price. Google usually comes in cheaper, but in this case, neither will save you money.
iPhone 15 Pro vs. Google Pixel Pro: Design
iPhone 15 Pro’s transition to Titanium makes for a redesign that is small but impactful. The iPhone’s traditional mute toggle has been replaced with an Action Button, the metal band now has a slight curvature to make the phone a little more comfortable in the hand, and the Lightning port is gone!
Thanks to the whole Apple vs EU saga, the Union legislation has forced Apple’s hand to adopt this standardized port, and I could not be more excited to see the back of Lightning (though I have a lot of useless cables now).
The Google Pixel Pro 8 introduces matte back glass for the first time, alongside being built with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. We also have Obsidian, Porcelain and Bay colors confirmed for the Pixel 8 Pro. The base Pixel 8 retains the Obsidian option, but also features Hazel and Rose color schemes.
The Pixel 8 pro measures 6.4 x 3.0 x 0.3 inches and weighs 7.5 ounces, while the iPhone 15 Pro measures 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.3 in and weighs 6.6 ounces, making the latter both heavier and larger.
| Phone | Google Pixel 8 Pro | Google Pixel 8 | iPhone 15 Pro Max | iPhone 15 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4 x 3.0 x 0.3 inches | 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches | 6.3 x 3.0 x 0.3 in | 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches |
| Weight | 7.5 oz | 6.6 oz | 7.8 ounces | 6.6 ounces |
You will get the same color-coordinated slab with a bold aluminum protrusion across the back housing the camera bump. It certainly stands out from the more generic smartphones out there. Not only that, but Google has bested Apple when it comes to battery capacity too.
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: 4,950mAh
- iPhone 15 Pro: 3,274mAh
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4,422mAh
Of course, battery life is not all based around the size of the battery inside — a lot of the formula comes down to software optimization and the power draw of components too. But in reality, a bigger battery is always going to help the situation.
It’s fortunate to see the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max’s battery capacity go up (especially after the weak longevity of the iPhone 14 Pro), but the Pixel 8 Pro is going into this face-off with a numbers advantage.
iPhone 15 Pro vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Display
- iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED display, 2556 x 1179-pixel resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED display, 2796 x 1290-pixel resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: 6.7-inch, LTPO AMOLED display, 2992 x 1344-pixel resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
The iPhone 15 Pro’s display remains largely identical to last year’s model — same resolution, same LTPO technology, and the same adaptive refresh rate from 1-120Hz. For the next big display upgrade, you’ll have to wait for the iPhone 16, which is rumored to make the jump to a micro lens array (MLA) that provides better brightness and power efficiency.
Google’s Pixel 8 Pro panel (beyond being a flat display rather than curved at the edges) is getting a brightness upgrade from 1,400 to 1,600 nits peak brightness, which is 400 less than the 2,000 nits you can get from the 15 Pro. It also features a 1344 x 2992-pixel resolution LTPO OLED panel.
iPhone 15 Pro vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Processor
- iPhone 15 Pro: A17 Pro with 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: Google Tensor G3 with nine-core CPU, and Immortalis-G715s MC10 GPU
The iPhone 15 Pro makes the leap over to TSMC’s 3-nanometer process with A17 Pro — packing 19 billion transistors in A17 Pro (up from 16 billion in A16 Bionic), 10% faster CPU performance, 20% faster graphics, and support hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
Google’s Tensor G3 chipset is built on a 4-nanometer process, and looks like it will get an impressive update in performance too. It starts with a nine-core CPU with a top speed of 3.00GHz, and the 10-core Immortalis variant of the G715 GPU could also unlock ray tracing capabilities too.
You can also look forward to Google upgrading what Tensor is well known for — its AI smarts. Codenamed “Rio,” this new TPU runs at a faster speed, and looks set to increase speeds of processing AI and Machine Learning tasks.
It's almost unfair to talk processing power when comparing Apple's iPhone and Google's Pixel. The winner in this race has been evident for years, and that certainly won't change this time. The Pixel 8 Pro's upgrade to a Google Tensor G3, while certainly yielding the potential for great improvements in performance, won't be anywhere near enough to take down the iPhone 15.
Through our own tests, the iPhone 15 Pro managed a multi-core score of 7,194 and single-core score of 2,890 with its A17 Pro. Even the iPhone 15 Plus, which is only $899, yielded a multi-core score of 6,280 and single-core score of 2,551.
We haven't been able to test the Google Pixel 8 Pro's performance just yet ourselves, but a leaked Geekbench 6 test from YouTuber M. Brandon Lee reveals some preliminary data. The Pixel 8 Pro’s Geekbench 6 scores were 1,760 for single-core and 4,442 for multi-core. Compared to the Pixel 7 Pro’s 1,407 single-core and 3,385 multi-core, this is a rather decent jump in performance, but it still stands no chance against the iPhone 15.
iPhone 15 Pro vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Cameras
- iPhone 15 Pro Max gets an updated 48MP wide camera, and the brand new 12MP 5x telephoto with periscope lens (or tetraprism, if you’re nasty)
- Google Pixel 8 Pro continues with an 50MP main camera, while its telephoto remain 48MP. However, its ultrawide camera gets a massive upgrade from 12MP to 48MP with this new model.
The iPhone 15 Pro continues Apple’s lineage of offering stellar camera systems, as the 48MP sensor has been updated with a wider aperture. Beyond that, the Pro Max ditches the standard telephoto lens (which has a fixed magnification in the 15 Pro), and makes the leap to a 5X periscope lens, although Apple refers to it as a tetraprism design.
| Phone | Google Pixel 8 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wide camera | 50MP wide (f/1.68) | 48MP wide (24mm f/1.78) | 48MP wide (24mm f/1.78) |
| Ultrawide camera | 48MP ultrawide | 12MP ultrawide (13mm f/2.2) | 12MP ultrawide (13mm f/2.2) |
| Telephoto camera | 48MP telephoto (f/2.8) | 12MP telephoto (77mm f/1.78) w/ 3x optical zoom | 12MP periscope telephoto w/ 5x optical zoom (120mm f/2.8 aperture) |
But if smartphone aficionados know one thing, it's that Google really brings the heat in the photography department, and the Pixel 8 Pro is no different. It's built with a 50MP Octa PD wide camera that makes the most of Tensor G3’s power and AI to deliver new features like staggered HDR for improved low light performance.
We're also getting a renovated 48MP ultrawide for more detail than what you’d get on the 12MP of the 15 Pro, and the Pixel 8 Pro could be the phone to beat for snapping pictures.
Outlook
I make no bones about the iPhone 15 Pro bringing some impressive updates to hardware design, cameras, and its peak performance. But given what seems to be coming down the line from Google Pixel 8 Pro, the latter could be the right choice for certain individuals.
The 15 Pro will absolutely reign as Apple performance champion with its A17 Pro, alongside its improved battery life and great camera. On top of that, iOS 17 has brought some warmly welcomed changes to the software side of it.
However, Google’s skinned version of Android is capable of great AI-driven features that Apple is still catching up with, the Tensor G3 looks set to bring the generational leap we were missing with Pixel 7, and that camera system may pip the Cupertino crew to the post with upgrades to both hardware and software.
