For once, though, Google’s newest Pixel 9 series, which it announced at the Made by Google event, represented something more than just another entry into the smartphone market. With newer design—flat edges, extremely rounded corners, and also a clever pricing strategy—you could tell Google borrowed a few pages from Apple. But deep down into the devices, you will notice that Google has managed to outshine Apple in some very critical areas—especially as far as value for money is concerned.
This is how Google’s Pixel 9 lineup outflanks Apple’s iPhone series:
Same Powerful CPU Across the Board
Remember when Apple would cram the same high-end CPU into every iPhone it released, and that was that? That all changed for the iPhone 12 lineup, as now Apple decided to reserve the latest A14 Bionic chip only for the Pro models, leaving the standard iPhone 12 to make do with last year’s A13 chip. It’s been that way ever since: for every phone, Apple has different CPUs in the standard and Pro models.
Samsung has the same strategy, mostly filling regional models of the standard S-series phones with an Exynos chip, while Ultra models are fit with the more powerful Snapdragon chip.
Google, on the other hand, doesn’t play favorites. Whether you buy the basic Pixel 9 or spend extra on the Pixel 9 Pro, both are powered by the same Tensor G4 chip, so even that budget model has the muscle to handle everything you throw at it without compromise.
120Hz Display for Smooth Performance
Before the Pixel 7 series, there was always a difference: Google’s standard Pixel models topped out at a refresh rate of 90Hz. With the Pixel 9, though, Google is finally putting a 120Hz display refresh rate into both the regular and Pro models. True, there are still disparities in things like brightness and resolution of displays between the standard and Pro models, but thanks to this 120Hz refresh rate, the experience is smooth across all versions.
In the meantime, Apple is sticking by a 60Hz panel for its regular models of the iPhone, and if the rumors concerning the iPhone 16 are to be believed, this is not going to change soon.
Premium Build, No Matter the Variant
Apple has long differentiated its standard and Pro models by the materials used in the build. The more affordable iPhones get aluminum frames, while the Pro models boast stainless steel, and most recently, titanium with the iPhone 15 Pro. Samsung follows suit with its S24 series.
Google is using a similar set-up, with the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro both having an aluminum frame, but with one key difference: the finish—satin for the Pixel 9 and polished for the Pro. So, no matter which one you go for, you get an authentically premium feel.
High-Speed USB-C Across the Lineup
When Apple finally made the switch to USB-C with the iPhone 15, it also introduced a discrepancy in port speeds. The discrepancy is such that standard models got slower USB 2.0, which runs up to 480 Mb/s, while the Pro models enjoy the faster USB 3.0, which goes to 10Gb/s. This doesn’t mean much for most people but is important for big pros who move huge files back and forth.
In contrast, Google doesn’t do this. All models in the entire Pixel 9 range feature a high-speed USB-C 3.2 port, which makes quick data transfer no matter which model you pick up.
Noteworthy AI Features
AI Features for All Noteworthy is the fact that, even with the most affordable Pixel 9 model, the full power of Google’s suite of Gemini AI features is available thanks to the uniform inclusion of the Tensor G4 chip. Only a few features related to the camera remain exclusive to the Pro models, such as Video Boost and Super Res Zoom Video; all the others are found in the entire lineup.
On the contrary, Apple has limited new AI capabilities and the updated Siri experience, including integrations for ChatGPT, to just its iPhone 15 Pro. This means that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will come with less capable advanced AI, due to the older A16 chip.
Flagship Camera System, No Pro Price Tag Of course,
The telephoto lens isn’t found in the basic model, the Pixel 9, but its primary and ultra-wide cameras are identical to those included in the Pixel 9 Pro. So, in terms of resolution, aperture, field of view, and image sensor size, one gets the very best in photography even without having to spend on the Pro variant.
More difference lies in the case of Apple: what it denominates as regular and Pro versions of the iPhone series. An f/2.4 aperture for the ultra-wide lens in the iPhone 15 is slightly less wide than that in the iPhone 15 Pro, which has an f/2.2 aperture. The second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization and multiple focal lengths are features available in the Pro models alone.
The Bottom Line:
A Flagship Experience on a Budget Where Apple seems determined to herd buyers toward their more expensive Pro versions, Google has gone down a more consumer-friendly route with the Pixel 9. Providing a high-end experience even with the base model, Google really makes one wonder if that extra $200 for the Pro version is worth it. So, for everyone out there waiting for that flagship experience and not quite prepared to drop all that extra dough, the Pixel 9 may just be the better buy.
