iPhone 15 Plus vs Pixel 8 Pro
Apple versus Google: the iPhone 15 Plus and the Pixel 8 Pro go after the same flagship smartphone buyer. The Pixel 8 Pro wins more of the areas that we compared (4 of 5), and its most convincing lead is in display.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 8 Pro wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Pixel 8 Pro wins
- Camera Pixel 8 Pro wins
- Battery & Charging Pixel 8 Pro wins
- Price iPhone 15 Plus wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Display6.6
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera4.2
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Pixel 8 Pro has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
The iPhone 15 Plus lists 60 Hz; the Pixel 8 Pro comes in at 120 Hz. That’s not a rounding error. Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
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The Pixel 8 Pro has an extra rear camera
At 3 versus 2, this is a decisive lead for the Pixel 8 Pro, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 0.04 in slimmer body
If thickness is one of your priorities, this settles it: the iPhone 15 Plus leads clearly with 0.31 in to the Pixel 8 Pro’s 0.35 in. Thickness sometimes buys battery or camera hardware, so the Pixel 8 Pro’s extra depth isn’t necessarily wasted.
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The iPhone 15 Plus has a 0.42 oz lighter build
The iPhone 15 Plus nudges ahead with 7.09 oz, while the Pixel 8 Pro lists 7.51 oz. A few grams won’t matter, but bigger gaps add up in a pocket or a small bag over a full day.
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The Pixel 8 Pro has a bigger top storage option
The numbers aren’t close. The Pixel 8 Pro lists 1 TB for max storage, while the iPhone 15 Plus lists 512 GB. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the Pixel 8 Pro’s bigger maximum.
Design & Size
- iPhone 15 Plus 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
- Pixel 8 Pro 6.40 in × 3.01 in × 0.35 in
The iPhone 15 Plus and the Pixel 8 Pro take up almost exactly the same space. If lightness matters, note the 0.42 oz gap in favor of the iPhone 15 Plus. Slimness goes to the iPhone 15 Plus, 0.04 in thinner overall.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.40 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.01 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 7.09 oz (winner) | 7.51 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 8 Pro leads
The display comparison is one-sided. The Pixel 8 Pro leads where it counts. The Pixel 8 Pro has the edge with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison. If this section decides it for you, choose the Pixel 8 Pro.
Refresh rate
iPhone 15 Plus: 60 Hz Pixel 8 Pro: 120 Hz You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Pixel 8 Pro feels more fluid in everyday use.
Peak brightness
iPhone 15 Plus: 2,000 nits Pixel 8 Pro: 2,400 nits Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Performance
Too close to call
Call the performance round a draw. Neither phone gives you a reason to choose it on performance.
CPU cores
iPhone 15 Plus: 6 Pixel 8 Pro: 9 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
Pixel 8 Pro leads
This area is close, with the Pixel 8 Pro just ahead of the iPhone 15 Plus. On the Pixel 8 Pro, you get a bigger top storage option. The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone. On memory & storage alone, the Pixel 8 Pro gets the nod.
Max storage
iPhone 15 Plus: 512 GB Pixel 8 Pro: 1 TB Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Camera
Pixel 8 Pro leads
The Pixel 8 Pro is the clear pick if camera is what you care about most. The Pixel 8 Pro adds an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Pixel 8 Pro gives you more lenses to choose from. The iPhone 15 Plus steps ahead thanks to a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. The camera verdict goes to the Pixel 8 Pro.
Rear cameras
iPhone 15 Plus: 2 Pixel 8 Pro: 3 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Pixel 8 Pro’s extra lens adds.
Ultra-wide camera
iPhone 15 Plus: 12 MP Pixel 8 Pro: 48 MP If you rarely switch to the wide view, this won’t matter much; if you use it often, it will.
Battery & Charging
Pixel 8 Pro leads
The Pixel 8 Pro squeezes out a win in the battery & charging section. The Pixel 8 Pro comes with faster 23 W wireless charging. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the Pixel 8 Pro refills quicker there. For battery & charging, the Pixel 8 Pro is the one to beat.
Wireless charging
iPhone 15 Plus: 15 W Pixel 8 Pro: 23 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
There isn’t a number to compare on software & updates, just names. Look at the rows below to see how the iPhone 15 Plus and the Pixel 8 Pro differ.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | LTPO OLED (Super Actua) |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2992 x 1344 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 489 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,400 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | Google Tensor G3 |
| CPU cores | 6 | 9 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 48 MP (winner) |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 48 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 11 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,050 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 26 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 30 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 23 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 17 | Android 14 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.40 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.01 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 7.09 oz (winner) | 7.51 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $899 (winner) | $999 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch price difference is small: $100, favoring the iPhone 15 Plus. The Pixel 8 Pro justifies part of its $100 premium with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and an extra rear camera.
These are US launch prices, recorded October 2023; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 15 Plus if…
- you want the slimmer phone (0.31 in vs 0.35 in)
- you want the lighter phone (7.09 oz vs 7.51 oz)
- you want the sharper selfie camera (12 MP vs 11 MP)
- you want more value for your money ($100 less at launch)
Choose the Pixel 8 Pro if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (1 TB vs 512 GB maximum)
- you want the sharper ultra-wide camera (48 MP vs 12 MP)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 15 Plus or the Pixel 8 Pro?
We’d point most buyers to the Pixel 8 Pro. The main exception is if you specifically want a 0.04 in slimmer body, where the iPhone 15 Plus has the edge.
Is the iPhone 15 Plus bigger than the Pixel 8 Pro?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the iPhone 15 Plus and the Pixel 8 Pro differ only marginally.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 15 Plus or the Pixel 8 Pro?
The Pixel 8 Pro leads on camera specs thanks to an extra rear camera and a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 15 Plus or the Pixel 8 Pro?
The Pixel 8 Pro has the stronger display on paper, with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 20% higher peak brightness.
Which costs less, the iPhone 15 Plus or the Pixel 8 Pro?
The Pixel 8 Pro launched at $100 more than the iPhone 15 Plus, based on prices as of October 2023.
Is the iPhone 15 Plus lighter than the Pixel 8 Pro?
On the scale, the iPhone 15 Plus comes out ahead at 0.42 oz lighter than the Pixel 8 Pro.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 15 Plus and the Pixel 8 Pro are aimed at each other, and I think the gaps between them are more interesting than the headlines. The biggest reason I lean toward the Pixel 8 Pro is simple: it has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Plus, the Pixel 8 Pro gets an extra rear camera, which I wouldn’t overlook. The iPhone 15 Plus isn’t without merit: a 0.04 in slimmer body is a real advantage.
Who should get which? The iPhone 15 Plus for a slim build, the Pixel 8 Pro for display.
My pick: the Pixel 8 Pro, though I’d happily point you to the iPhone 15 Plus if you know that a 0.04 in slimmer body would make a real difference in your routine.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.