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Lab Benchmark Battle

Pixel 9 Pro XL 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 ⇄
Pixel 9 Pro XL
· 2024

Pixel 9 Pro XL

$1099
87.2/ 100
Overall
Exceptional
BeastScore
87.2
Benchmark
Performance95/100
Camera91/100
Battery86/100
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max

$1499
92.8/ 100
Overall
Exceptional
BeastScore
92.8
Benchmark
Performance96/100
Camera94/100
Battery94/100

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Pixel 9 Pro XL:
  • ✓28g lighter chassis (221g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
  • ✓$400 lower launch MSRP ($1099 vs $1499)
  • ✓50MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max:
  • ✓Larger 5,567 mAh battery capacity (+507 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 9 Pro XLiPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen
Screen Type & TechLTPO OLEDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Screen Size6.8"6.9"
Resolution & Density2992x1344 (486 ppi)1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness3,000 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
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 14iOS 27
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory16 GB12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1024GB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Storage SpeedHigh-speed flashNVMe fast flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics
Primary Camera50 MP, f/1.68, OIS, Samsung GN248 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)
Telephoto Zoom48 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS
Ultrawide Camera48 MP, f/1.748 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 Lens10.5 MP, f/2.218 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)
7. Body & Dimensions
Dimensions162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight221 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 ResistanceIP68IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
8. Battery & Charging
Battery Capacity5,060 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging37W wired fast charging45W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging23W wireless charging25W 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 7Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)
Bluetooth5.3Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.2USB 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$1099$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 architecture and verified 94/100 camera rating.

When to buy Pixel 9 Pro XL:
More system memory: 16GB RAM vs max 12GB · Lighter body: 221g (28g lighter in hand)
When to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max:
Higher overall BeastScore: 92.8 vs top rival 87.2 · Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+507 mAh more)
Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Pixel 9 Pro XL vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

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

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads with an overall BeastScore of 92.8/100 compared to Pixel 9 Pro XL (87.2/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 92.8 vs top rival 87.2 and Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+507 mAh more).

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

Pixel 9 Pro XL is equipped with a 6.8-inch display and 5060 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 9 Pro XL and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

In lab hardware evaluations, Pixel 9 Pro XL scores 91/100 in camera performance, while iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 94/100.

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