BeastCompare

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Pixel 9 Pro: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 18 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 92.8/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro Max
93/ 100
Launch price$1,499
Google · 2024

Pixel 9 Pro

Pixel 9 Pro
86/ 100
Launch price$999
Head-to-head

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins 6 of 8 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
6 wins
Pixel 9 Pro
Pixel 9 Pro
1 win
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
iPhone 18 Pro MaxPixel 9 Pro
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeediPhone 18 Pro Max
    96
    95
  • CameraiPhone 18 Pro Max
    94
    91
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfiePixel 9 Pro
    76
    88
  • BatteryiPhone 18 Pro Max
    94
    78
  • DisplayiPhone 18 Pro Max
    95
    90
  • ConnectivityiPhone 18 Pro Max
    100
    95
  • SecurityTie
    100
    100
  • ValueiPhone 18 Pro Max
    58
    55
Key differences
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery5,567 mAh vs 4,700 mAh
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max charges faster45W vs 27W
  • Pixel 9 Pro has a sharper main camera50 MP vs 48 MP
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger screen6.9" vs 6.3"
  • Pixel 9 Pro is lighter199 g vs 249 g
  • Pixel 9 Pro launched cheaper$999 vs $1,499
  • Pixel 9 Pro has a sharper selfie camera42 MP vs 18 MP
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has newer Bluetooth6 vs 5.3
  • Pixel 9 Pro has more RAM16 GB vs 12 GB
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the faster chipApple A20 Pro (2 nm) vs Google Tensor G4
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max can text for help by satelliteYes vs No
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • ✓Bigger 5,567 mAh battery (+867 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
  • ✓6.9" display at 120 Hz
Reasons to buy Pixel 9 Pro
  • ✓50 g lighter (199 g vs 249 g), easier to hold
  • ✓$500 cheaper at launch ($999 vs $1,499)
  • ✓50 MP main camera

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationiPhone 18 Pro MaxPixel 9 Pro
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen typeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby VisionLTPO OLED
Screen Size6.9"6.3"
Resolution & Density1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)2856x1280 (495 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz adaptive
Brightness1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)3,000 nits peak
Screen ProtectionCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On displayNot listed
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorApple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
CPU CoresHexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)Not listed
GPU GraphicsApple GPU (7-core graphics)Mali-G715 MP7
Operating SystemiOS 27Android 14
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory12GB LPDDR5X16 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage SpeedNVMe fast flashNot listed
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Camera
Primary Camera48 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)50 MP, f/1.68, OIS, Samsung GNK
Telephoto Zoom48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS48 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS
Ultrawide Camera48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)48 MP, f/1.7
LiDAR / DepthTOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)None
5. Video
Main Camera Video
4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps1080p@240fps10-bit HDRDolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps)ProRes RAWApple Log 2Spatial 3D video & stereo sound
Not listed
Front Video
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
Not listed
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens18 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)42 MP, f/2.2
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Pixel 9 Pro Lightest Chassis
Dimensions163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm
Weight249 g (8.78 oz)199 g
Build MaterialsGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass backNot listed
SIM TypeNano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM supportNot listed
Water ResistanceIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity5,567 mAh4,700 mAh
Wired Fast Charging45W wired fast charging27W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging25W wireless charging21W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerYes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)Not listed
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)Wi-Fi 7
BluetoothBluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE5.3
USB Port & SpeedUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video outUSB-C 3.2
NFCYes (Apple Pay Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsFace ID, LiDAR scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerNot listed
Satellite FeaturesEmergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satelliteNot listed
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsBlack, Silver, Glacier, BurgundyNot listed
Launch Price$1,499$999
Our verdict

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins — BeastScore 92.8/100

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 4,700 mAh) and faster charging (45W vs 27W). The Pixel 9 Pro is worth a look if you prefer its sharper main camera (50 MP vs 48 MP).

Buy iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want

Larger battery: 5,567 mAh vs 4,700 mAh · Faster wired charging: 45W vs 27W

Buy Pixel 9 Pro if you want

More RAM: 16 GB vs 12 GB · Lighter: 199 g vs 249 g (50 g less)

Common questions

Which is better: iPhone 18 Pro Max or Pixel 9 Pro?

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 4,700 mAh) and faster charging (45W vs 27W). The Pixel 9 Pro is worth a look if you prefer its sharper main camera (50 MP vs 48 MP). BeastScore: iPhone 18 Pro Max 92.8/100, Pixel 9 Pro 85.6/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between iPhone 18 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro?

iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery. Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch display and 4700 mAh battery.

How do iPhone 18 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro compare for speed?

iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 96/100 for performance; Pixel 9 Pro scores 95/100.

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Gear for the iPhone 18 Pro Max

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