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Lab Benchmark Battle

Pixel 5a vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing display brightness, chipset benchmark percentiles, multi-camera arrays, battery capacity, and charging speeds.

Smartphone Battle
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄
Google · 2021

Pixel 5a

Pixel 5a
72/ 100
Launch MSRP$449 USD
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro Max
93/ 100
Launch MSRP$1,499 USD
WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS iPhone 18 Pro Max BETTER THAN Pixel 5a?

Tap an area on the radar to inspect category hardware facts

Pixel 5a
iPhone 18 Pro MaxWinner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta
SPEC FACTORPixel 5aiPhone 18LEADER
Refresh Rate60Hz120Hz120Hz
Battery Capacity4,680 mAh5,567 mAh+5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging18W45W45W Max
Main Camera Sensor12.2 MP48 MP48 MP
Screen Display Size6.34"6.9"6.9"
Chassis Weight183g249g183g Lightest
Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Pixel 5a:
  • ✓66g lighter chassis (183g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
  • ✓$1050 lower launch MSRP ($449 vs $1499)
  • ✓12.2MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max:
  • ✓Larger 5,567 mAh battery capacity (+887 mAh more capacity)
  • ✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
  • ✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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SpecificationPixel 5aiPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen Type & TechOLEDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Screen Size6.34"6.9"
Resolution & Density2400x1080 (413 ppi)1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate60 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness450 nits peak1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Screen ProtectionScratch-resistant glassCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On display
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorHigh performance SoC Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)
CPU CoresMulti-core high performanceHexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)
GPU GraphicsIntegrated GraphicsApple GPU (7-core graphics)
Operating SystemAndroid 11iOS 27
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory6 GB LPDDR12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage128GB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Storage SpeedHigh-speed flashNVMe fast flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Camera
Primary Camera12.2 MP, f/1.7, OIS48 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)
Telephoto ZoomNone (Digital zoom only)48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS
Ultrawide Camera16 MP, f/2.248 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
LiDAR / DepthNoneTOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video
4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps1080p@240fps10-bit HDRDolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps)ProRes RAWApple Log 2Spatial 3D video & stereo sound
Front Video
4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens8 MP, f/218 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Pixel 5a Lightest Chassis
Dimensions156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight183 g249 g (8.78 oz)
Build MaterialsGlass front, metal/glass frameGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass back
SIM TypeNano-SIM / eSIM supportNano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP67IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity4,680 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging18W wired fast charging45W wired fast charging
Wireless ChargingNot supported25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingReverse wireless chargingReverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerStereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)
Bluetooth5.0Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video out
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (Apple Pay Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsBiometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compassFace ID, LiDAR scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Satellite FeaturesEmergency SOS via satellite (select markets)Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsStandard finishesBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy
Launch Price$449$1,499 / €1,600
Editorial Lab Verdict

iPhone 18 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 92.8/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, iPhone 18 Pro Max ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) architecture and verified 94/100 camera rating.

When to buy Pixel 5a:
Lighter body: 183g (66g lighter in hand) · Lower launch price: $449 (save $1050)
When to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max:
Higher overall BeastScore: 92.8 vs top rival 72.0 · Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+887 mAh more)
Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Pixel 5a vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Which phone is better: Pixel 5a or iPhone 18 Pro Max?

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads with an overall BeastScore of 92.8/100 compared to Pixel 5a (72.0/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 92.8 vs top rival 72.0 and Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+887 mAh more).

What are the primary battery and display differences between Pixel 5a and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Pixel 5a is equipped with a 6.34-inch display and 4680 mAh battery, while iPhone 18 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery.

How do the camera capabilities compare between Pixel 5a and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

In lab hardware evaluations, Pixel 5a scores 72/100 in camera performance, while iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 94/100.

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