Google unveiled four phones making up its latest flagship series in August, and the $799 Pixel 9 is the entry-level model set to compete with Apple’s $700 iPhone 15 from last year, among other rivals. (The iPhone 15 series starts at lowered prices now that the iPhone 16 lineup has arrived.)
Compared to the Pixel 8, the Pixel 9 has an updated design with a more pronounced camera bump, higher RAM and incremental improvements such as larger screen, slightly bigger battery and a new Tensor G4 processor. A more prominent change is the new ways AI appears on the entire Pixel 9 lineup, building on last year’s AI features.
Read more: Pixel 9 Pro XL Review: Google Goes All In on AI, for Better or Worse
Apart from the distinct experiences offered by Android and iOS, a key differentiator between the Pixel 9 and the iPhone 15, at least this year, will likely be AI features. As mentioned earlier, the Pixel 9 gets fresh AI features designed to make the lineup feel more intuitive and useful. For instance, Pixel Screenshot allows you to ask questions about the screenshots on your phone. There are also AI-generated weather summaries and a new scary-sounding feature called Reimagine, which lets you transform a photo by typing in a prompt.
Meanwhile, Apple is gearing up for the public launch oh Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s AI platform, this week. The suite if AI features is expected to make its debut on the iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Pro models, leaving the base iPhone 15 out completely. As part of Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker has promised features including an upgraded Siri, the option to use with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and a revamped Notes app capable of generating summaries with AI and transcribing audio in real-time. Apart from price, this is probably one of the bigger differentiators to keep in mind.
With its changed design, the Pixel 9 also got heavier. It weighs 198 grams, which is about 27 grams heavier than the iPhone 15. With that heavier build, the Pixel 9 houses larger screen, although the iPhone 15’s has a higher resolution. iPhone 15 also boasts the Dynamic Island feature, which is a shape-shifting area on the top of the display that helps with multitasking.
New to the Pixel 9 lineup is satellite connectivity, or the ability to send text messages to emergency responders using satellites when you lack regular signal or an internet connection. Apple introduced its Emergency SOS system two years ago.
For more information on how Google’s Pixel 9 differs from the iPhone 15, take a look at our specs chart below. You can also read our iPhone 15 review for first-hand insights.
Watch this: Google Pixel 9 Review: More AI, a New Look and a Higher Price
Pixel 9 vs. iPhone 15
| Google Pixel 9 | Apple iPhone 15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate | 6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels |
| Pixel density | 422 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6×2.8×0.3 inches | 2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 152.8x72x8.5 mm | 71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 198g (7 oz.) | 171g (6.02 oz) |
| Mobile software | Android 14 | iOS 17 |
| Camera | 50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Front-facing camera | 10.5-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 | A16 Bionic |
| RAM/storage | 12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None |
| Battery | 4,700 mAh | Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed) |
| Fingerprint sensor | Under display | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C (USB 2.0) |
| Headphone jack | None | None |
| Special features | Satellite SOS; 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; IP68 dust and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 45W fast charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wireless Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor | Dynamic Island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity |
| US price starts at | $799 (128GB) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) |
| UK price starts at | Converts to £637 (128GB) | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) |
| Australia price starts at | Converts to AU$1,211 (128GB) | AU$1,499 (128GB), AU$1,699 (256GB), AU$2,049 (512GB) |
Read More: Pixel 9 vs. iPhone 15: Which Flagship Phone Should You Choose?
