iPhone 16 Plus vs Pixel 9 Pro
The iPhone 16 Plus and the Pixel 9 Pro are two different answers to the same flagship smartphone brief, each with its own set of priorities. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 3 of 5 areas go to the Pixel 9 Pro, and the gap is widest in display.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 9 Pro wins
- Performance iPhone 16 Plus wins
- Memory & Storage Pixel 9 Pro wins
- Camera Pixel 9 Pro wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 Plus wins
- Price iPhone 16 Plus wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Display7.1
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera5.7
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 9 Pro has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Pixel 9 Pro makes its strongest case: 120 Hz against 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Pixel 9 Pro feels more fluid in everyday use.
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The Pixel 9 Pro has 50% higher peak brightness
The Pixel 9 Pro clearly leads on peak brightness, and 3,000 nits versus 2,000 nits is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
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The Pixel 9 Pro has an extra rear camera
On rear cameras, the Pixel 9 Pro posts 3 against 2 for the iPhone 16 Plus, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
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The Pixel 9 Pro has a bigger top storage option
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 1 TB for the Pixel 9 Pro versus 512 GB for the iPhone 16 Plus. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
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The Pixel 9 Pro has a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide
The iPhone 16 Plus lists 12 MP; the Pixel 9 Pro comes in at 48 MP. That’s not a rounding error. If you rarely switch to the wide view, this won’t matter much; if you use it often, it will.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 Plus 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
- Pixel 9 Pro 6.02 in × 2.83 in × 0.33 in
If compact matters to you, the Pixel 9 Pro is the one to look at. The iPhone 16 Plus is physically larger all round. On weight, call it even. On thickness, the iPhone 16 Plus leads by 0.03 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Pixel 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.02 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 2.83 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.33 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz | 7.02 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 9 Pro leads
The iPhone 16 Plus is outclassed on display; the Pixel 9 Pro leads by a clear margin. The Pixel 9 Pro comes with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 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. On display alone, the Pixel 9 Pro gets the nod.
Refresh rate
iPhone 16 Plus: 60 Hz Pixel 9 Pro: 120 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.
Peak brightness
iPhone 16 Plus: 2,000 nits Pixel 9 Pro: 3,000 nits If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Pixel 9 Pro’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
Performance
iPhone 16 Plus leads
On balance, the iPhone 16 Plus leads the performance section, just not by much. The iPhone 16 Plus wins here with a newer 3 nm chip process. The iPhone 16 Plus’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much. For performance, the iPhone 16 Plus is the one to beat.
Process node
iPhone 16 Plus: 3 nm Pixel 9 Pro: 4 nm Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
CPU cores
iPhone 16 Plus: 6 Pixel 9 Pro: 8 Treat the core count as background information; the chipset name tells you far more about real performance.
Memory & Storage
Pixel 9 Pro leads
On memory & storage, the Pixel 9 Pro comes out slightly ahead. The Pixel 9 Pro takes this one 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. Bottom line for memory & storage: the Pixel 9 Pro has the edge.
Max storage
iPhone 16 Plus: 512 GB Pixel 9 Pro: 1 TB Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the Pixel 9 Pro’s bigger maximum.
Camera
Pixel 9 Pro leads
On camera, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Pixel 9 Pro. The Pixel 9 Pro delivers an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Pixel 9 Pro gives you more lenses to choose from. Prioritize camera, and the Pixel 9 Pro is where you should land.
Rear cameras
iPhone 16 Plus: 2 Pixel 9 Pro: 3 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Pixel 9 Pro’s extra lens adds.
Ultra-wide camera
iPhone 16 Plus: 12 MP Pixel 9 Pro: 48 MP A sharper ultra-wide keeps more detail at the edges of landscape, architecture and group shots.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 Plus leads
This area is close, with the iPhone 16 Plus just ahead of the Pixel 9 Pro. The iPhone 16 Plus scores with faster 25 W wireless charging. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience. So if battery & charging tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 16 Plus.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16 Plus: 25 W Pixel 9 Pro: 21 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
This section is descriptive. The iPhone 16 Plus and the Pixel 9 Pro list different components for software & updates, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Pixel 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.3 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | LTPO OLED (Super Actua) |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2856 x 1280 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 495 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Pixel 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | Google Tensor G4 |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm (winner) | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 16 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Pixel 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Pixel 9 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 | 42 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 (8K via Video Boost) |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Pixel 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 4,700 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 27 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 27 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W (winner) | 21 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Pixel 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 18 | Android 14 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Pixel 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.02 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 2.83 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.33 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz | 7.02 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Pixel 9 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
Price barely moves the needle here: the Pixel 9 Pro launched $100 higher. The Pixel 9 Pro justifies part of its $100 premium with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 50% higher peak brightness.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2024. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if…
- you care about efficiency under the hood (3 nm vs 4 nm process node)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.31 in vs 0.33 in)
- you want faster wireless charging (25 W vs 21 W)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($100 less)
Choose the Pixel 9 Pro if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (3,000 nits vs 2,000 nits peak brightness)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you need as much on-device space as you can get (1 TB vs 512 GB top option)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 16 Plus or the Pixel 9 Pro?
We’d point most buyers to the Pixel 9 Pro. The main exception is if you value a newer 3 nm chip process above everything else.
Which is larger, the iPhone 16 Plus or the Pixel 9 Pro?
Size goes the other way: the iPhone 16 Plus is larger (6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in), and the Pixel 9 Pro is the smaller option (6.02 × 2.83 × 0.33 in).
Which is faster, the iPhone 16 Plus or the Pixel 9 Pro?
Going by the specs, the iPhone 16 Plus comes out ahead: it offers a newer 3 nm chip process.
Does the iPhone 16 Plus have a stronger camera setup than the Pixel 9 Pro?
On paper, the Pixel 9 Pro has the stronger camera setup, with an extra rear camera and a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus’s display better than the Pixel 9 Pro’s?
The Pixel 9 Pro has the stronger display on paper, with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 50% higher peak brightness.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus cheaper than the Pixel 9 Pro?
The Pixel 9 Pro launched at $100 more than the iPhone 16 Plus, based on prices as of September 2024.
Executive Summary
I read both spec sheets (the iPhone 16 Plus’s and the Pixel 9 Pro’s) so you don’t have to. What I like most about the Pixel 9 Pro here is a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. On top of that, the Pixel 9 Pro adds an extra rear camera. The iPhone 16 Plus does have a strong card to play: a newer 3 nm chip process.
For performance, the iPhone 16 Plus fits better. For display, the Pixel 9 Pro is the better match.
My pick: the Pixel 9 Pro for most people, with the iPhone 16 Plus as the smarter choice if you specifically want a newer 3 nm chip process, where the iPhone 16 Plus has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.