The troll in me is ready to spark up another age-old Android vs. iPhone debate. Apple has touted that the iPhone has a superior camera system compared to other rivals. However, in recent years, some Android users have claimed that the Pixel series has been catching up.
To settle the score, I decided to run a quick camera test to determine which top-of-the-line phone — the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL or the iPhone 15 Pro Max — takes better photos.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max, released last year, boasted a new telephoto sensor that allowed the phone to zoom in on photos up to 5X via optical zoom, up from 3X on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, a new variant for the Pixel series, offers impressive, improved Super Res Zoom (30X vs. 20X digital zoom on the Pixel 8 Pro).
But the question is, how do they stack up against each other?
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max camera test
We’ve got two smartphone behemoths that offer photos from many perspectives, including the wide lens, telephoto sensor, ultrawide shooter, and selfie camera. Let’s explore them all.
Wide lens
Pixel 9 Pro XL
Pixel 9 Pro XL shot of Northport Bay in New York
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max shot of Northport Bay in New York
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Analysis: The details on the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s photo are more sharp and pronounced. For example, the blades of the grass, the leaves on the trees, the texture of the tree trunks, and the ripples of the bay appear to be more crisp and well-defined. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s shot, on the other hand, has a softer look.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL appears to have a brighter look and it’s slightly more exposed.
Finally, the colors in the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s shot are slightly more vibrant while the iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers a more natural look. I’m a sucker for an image with sharp, defined details, so the winner here is the Android device.
Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Wide camera specs
Pixel 9 Pro XL: 50MP, f/1.7 aperture, and 1.2µm
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 48MP, f/1.8 aperture, and 1.22µm
Ultrawide lens
Pixel 9 Pro XL
Pixel 9 Pro XL shot of Manhattan
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max shot of Manhattan
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Analysis: The iPhone 15 Pro Max produced a significantly more detailed shot with the ultrawide shooter. It captured more details like the reflections on the glass buildings and textures on the billboards. Sharpness is well maintained throughout the image.
The iOS device also captured more vibrancy and delivered richer colors. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL lacks the definition the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s ultrawide shooter offers.
For example, if you look at the sky, the blue hues are more vivid on the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s shot. But on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, they look more muted — and even the clouds lack detail.
Mashable Light Speed
Winner: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Ultrawide camera specs
Pixel 9 Pro XL: 48MP, f/1.7, 123 degrees
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 12MP, f/2.2, 120 degrees
Telephoto
Pixel 9 Pro XL
Pixel 9 Pro XL shot of the Bryant Park Hotel (5X zoom)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max’s shot of the Bryant Park Hotel (5X zoom)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Analysis: On the right of the image, you’ll find water shooting out of a nearby fountain. On the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s telephoto shot, the water droplets are more defined and sharper compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s interpretation of the scene.
Looking at the tippy-top of the Bryant Park Hotel, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a warmer look, which is particularly noticeable when you look at the golden decorative finial featured on the building’s pinnacle. Details like the brickwork, arches, and other ornamental features appear to be more pronounced on the Pixel 9 Pro XL compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max produced a darker, cooler image, offering a more dramatic look. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, on the other hand, is noticeably brighter.
This one was a tough one, but again, I have a preference for sharper images, so this one goes to the Google device.
Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL
Telephoto specs
Pixel 9 Pro XL: 48MP, f/2.8, 5X optical zoom
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 12MP, f/2.8, 5X optical zoom
Selfie
Pixel 9 Pro XL
Pixel 9 Pro XL’s selfie shot
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max’s selfie shot
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Analysis: One positive about the Pixel 9 Pro XL is that it offer a greater field of view for selfies, so you can see more of my upper body in the shot. However, my skin tone looks less warm and my reddish hair color and burgundy top look more muted.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, captured more details on my top. Plus, my complexion is more true-to-life. Even the leathery texture of my bag appears to be more prominent on the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s capture.
Winner: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Selfie camera specs
Pixel 9 Pro XL: 42MP, f/2.2
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 12MP, f/1.9
Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max camera test winner
There isn’t a clear winner here. As cliche as it sounds, it depends on your preference. To sum things up, the Pixel 9 Pro XL excels with its wide lens shooter and telephoto sensor. The iPhone 15 Pro Max snaps better selfies and ultrawide shots.
The Google phone tends to offer brighter images, which may be appealing to those who prefer a highly illuminated look to their photos. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s shots are more balanced and true-to-life, so for consumers who have a preference for natural color accuracy, the Apple device is their best bet.
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Credit: Apple
iPhone 15 Pro Max in Blue Titanium
