iPhone 15 Plus vs Pixel 8
If you’re shopping for a phone in the flagship smartphone class, the iPhone 15 Plus and the Pixel 8 are likely both on your shortlist. Look at the scorecard and the Pixel 8 stands out, ahead in 2 of 5 areas. The display numbers explain a lot of that. Price is part of the story too: the Pixel 8 launched at $200 less than the iPhone 15 Plus.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 8 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 15 Plus wins
- Camera iPhone 15 Plus wins
- Battery & Charging Pixel 8 wins
- Price Pixel 8 wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Display5.6
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Camera1.6
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
-
The Pixel 8 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
The Pixel 8 doesn’t just edge this one; 120 Hz against 60 Hz is a lead you’ll feel. 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.
-
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 0.04 in slimmer body
Big gap, real consequences. The iPhone 15 Plus’s 0.31 in versus the Pixel 8’s 0.35 in changes how the two compare in daily use. It’s a difference you mostly notice in the hand and in tight pockets.
-
The Pixel 8 has a 0.49 oz lighter build
This one is close enough that other factors could outweigh it, but on paper the Pixel 8 leads with 6.60 oz to 7.09 oz. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
-
The iPhone 15 Plus has a bigger top storage option
The Pixel 8 is clearly behind on max storage (256 GB against 512 GB), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
-
The Pixel 8 has
The iPhone 15 Plus sits lower on cpu cores at 6; the Pixel 8 lists 9. Think about which suits your habits. Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Design & Size
- iPhone 15 Plus 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
- Pixel 8 5.93 in × 2.79 in × 0.35 in
Physically, these two aren’t the same size: the iPhone 15 Plus is larger in overall dimensions. The Pixel 8 is 0.49 oz lighter, making the iPhone 15 Plus the heftier of the two. The iPhone 15 Plus keeps a lower profile: 0.04 in thinner than the Pixel 8.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 5.93 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 2.79 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 7.09 oz | 6.60 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 8 leads
Here the Pixel 8 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Pixel 8 brings a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Pixel 8 feels more fluid in everyday use. The iPhone 15 Plus stands out with 7.5% sharper pixel density. Prioritize display, and the Pixel 8 is where you should land.
Refresh rate
iPhone 15 Plus: 60 Hz Pixel 8: 120 Hz Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
Screen size
iPhone 15 Plus: 6.7 in Pixel 8: 6.2 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
Too close to call
The iPhone 15 Plus and the Pixel 8 match each other closely in this area. If performance was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
CPU cores
iPhone 15 Plus: 6 Pixel 8: 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
iPhone 15 Plus leads
Call it a small but real win for the iPhone 15 Plus in this area. The iPhone 15 Plus comes with 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. Anyone shopping mainly on memory & storage should start with the iPhone 15 Plus.
Max storage
iPhone 15 Plus: 512 GB Pixel 8: 256 GB Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 15 Plus’s bigger maximum.
Camera
iPhone 15 Plus leads
The camera comparison is tighter than it first looks, with the iPhone 15 Plus marginally ahead. The iPhone 15 Plus wins here with a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. Front cameras are often an afterthought, so a higher-resolution sensor is a small but welcome edge for the iPhone 15 Plus. In short, the iPhone 15 Plus is the better-equipped phone for camera.
Front camera
iPhone 15 Plus: 12 MP Pixel 8: 11 MP If you mainly use the front camera for calls, the gap is minor; if you post selfies often, the iPhone 15 Plus’s extra resolution helps.
Battery & Charging
Pixel 8 leads
The Pixel 8 does a little better in the battery & charging section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the iPhone 15 Plus. The Pixel 8 pulls ahead with faster 18 W wireless charging. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the Pixel 8 refills quicker there. If this section decides it for you, choose the Pixel 8.
Wireless charging
iPhone 15 Plus: 15 W Pixel 8: 18 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
For software & updates, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.2 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | OLED (Actua) |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi (winner) | 428 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | Google Tensor G3 |
| CPU cores | 6 | 9 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB (winner) | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 11 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 4,575 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 26 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 27 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 18 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 5.93 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 2.79 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 7.09 oz | 6.60 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $899 | $699 (winner) |
“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
At launch, the iPhone 15 Plus cost $200 more than the Pixel 8. In percentage terms, that’s 29%. Paying $200 more for the iPhone 15 Plus doesn’t buy you the better overall package.
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 plan to buy a high-capacity version (512 GB vs 256 GB maximum)
- you want the sharper screen (460 ppi vs 428 ppi)
- you want the sharper selfie camera (12 MP vs 11 MP)
Choose the Pixel 8 if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want the lighter phone (6.60 oz vs 7.09 oz)
- you want faster wireless charging (18 W vs 15 W)
- you want an always-on display
- you’d rather keep $200 in your pocket
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 15 Plus or the Pixel 8?
The Pixel 8 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if having a 0.04 in slimmer body matters more to you than the rest.
Which is larger, the iPhone 15 Plus or the Pixel 8?
The larger model here is the iPhone 15 Plus (6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in); the Pixel 8 is more compact at 5.93 × 2.79 × 0.35 in.
Does the iPhone 15 Plus have a stronger camera setup than the Pixel 8?
The iPhone 15 Plus has the edge for photography, offering a sharper 12 MP selfie camera.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 15 Plus or the Pixel 8?
On display specs, the Pixel 8 leads thanks to a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and an always-on display.
Which costs less, the iPhone 15 Plus or the Pixel 8?
At launch, the Pixel 8 undercut the iPhone 15 Plus by $200. These figures are as of October 2023, and street prices can change.
Is the iPhone 15 Plus lighter than the Pixel 8?
The iPhone 15 Plus is the heavier of the two; the Pixel 8 saves 0.49 oz.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 15 Plus versus the Pixel 8 is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Apple and Google made different bets. Start with the headline difference (the Pixel 8 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz), and a lot of the decision falls into place. It also helps that the Pixel 8 has a 0.49 oz lighter build. The iPhone 15 Plus does have a strong card to play: a 0.04 in slimmer body.
I’d match them like this: memory & storage to the iPhone 15 Plus, display to the Pixel 8.
My pick: the Pixel 8 gets my vote, but the iPhone 15 Plus is the right call if you need a 0.04 in slimmer body, which only the iPhone 15 Plus offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.