Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs. Pixel 7 Pro: Has Google closed the gap?

Whether on purpose or not, Google has been following a tried-and-true path pioneered by Apple when it comes to its smartphone endeavors over the past few years. How do the Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max compare despite having identical features? Here is all the information you require.

It’s not always fair to compare Android and iOS like for like. Nevertheless, when contrasting two fundamentally distinct software and hardware ecosystems, the contrasts between the daily experiences on Pixel and iPhone are about as comparable as it gets. The Pixel line-up is frequently described to as the “iPhone of Android” for good reason.

That assertion is less likely to hold true for us, but we would concur that Google’s smartphone portfolio offers the most easy transition for iPhone customers making the switch.

That assertion is less likely to hold true for us, but we would concur that Google’s smartphone portfolio offers the most easy transition for iPhone customers making the switch.

Equipment and design

This couple can be distinguished visually from a distance. The design languages of Google and Apple are significantly dissimilar. The 2022 flagship phones, the Pixel and iPhone, are hefty, monstrous devices despite having obvious stylistic distinctions. Metal and glass predominate in high-end hardware. The frame of the iPhone 14 Pro Max is made of stainless steel, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro’s is made of aluminum.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max’s distinctive “Deep Purple” hue stands out, but the matte frosted glass and glossy side rails also have a striking appearance.
Although “Space Black” is my personal favorite color, it can’t be denied that this year’s Pixel hues lack some of the vibrancy of previous iterations.
However, the Pixel 7 Pro in the “Hazel” hue is a remarkable choice.
Unfortunately, Google chose glossy finishes this time.

When you put a case on either phone, this is irrelevant.
The addition of a case is not as noticeable on the Pixel 7 Pro as it is on the iPhone 14 Pro Max because the Pixel 7 Pro is almost 30g lighter.
a portion of this enlarged bulk is likely due to the usage of stainless steel which is heavier than aluminum.

Displays

Both of the 6.7-inch, 120Hz AMOLED panels that come with this pair are outstanding. Due to its entirely flat screen, the iPhone 14 Pro Max unquestionably has an edge in many respects (both physically and figuratively). Even while Google has lessened this when compared directly to the Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 7 Pro still has issues with usability.

The screen’s curves look fantastic visually. It’s difficult to contest the fact that flat panels simply function better with gesture-based user interfaces in practice. Here, that is accurate. Even with this branding, if you care about pure resolution, the Pixel 7 Pro’s higher fidelity QHD+ screen offers greater pixel density, though this is less obvious when side-by-side. Apple refers to its screen as the “Super Retina XDR display.”

On the iPhone, there is also a sizable in-screen punch-hole that Apple has renamed “Dynamic Island.” It is a sizable and occasionally annoying inclusion. Nevertheless, it has been included into the program through both first-party applications and an increasing number of third-party apps, including media players and more.

Additionally, the “Dynamic Island” is where cutting-edge 3D face scanning technology can be found. You don’t need to look at your phone to securely unlock it, which makes it safer than the software-based face unlock added to the Pixel 7 Pro. Instead, you can use the improved in-display fingerprint scanner.

On paper, maximum brightness levels are comparable, but the iPhone 14 Pro Max outperforms the Pixel 7 Pro in this area by a small margin. The iPhone’s increased peak brightness performs far better in daytime. Even after some recent improvements, Apple’s implementation of the Always-on display is terrible and pales in comparison to the all-powerful At a Glance widget on the Pixel 7 Pro.

Software and performance

In terms of features and functionality, Android and iOS have gotten closer together over time. However, things have changed in a more noticeable way from a visual and identity perspective with the arrival of Android 12.

The epitome of Apple’s vision for iOS is the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Little has actually changed since gesture-based navigation was debuted with the iPhone X in 2017; hence, it is straightforward, clearly defined, and still feels familiar. Depending on how you feel about your tech, that could be viewed as both a good and a negative.

On the other hand, Material You has drastically altered the appearance and experience of Android. The Pixel 7 Pro’s fundamental functionality is wallpaper-based theming. Additionally, usability is prioritized with special Pixel-only functionality. Playing now, The top of the iceberg consists of At a Glance plus Tensor-powered features like real-time translation and practical camera tools.

One of the greatest draws of the iPhone series is the frequently mentioned “Apple ecosystem.” Many users undoubtedly value features like AirDrop, FaceTime, and iMessage. With RCS in Google Messages, integration with Meet, and even Nearby Share between ChromeOS and Android devices, Android is, however, closing the gap. On Pixel, the machine-learning functionality is where you’ll notice the most noticeable improvements. Despite its strengths, the iPhone and iOS are lacking in this area.

From the perspective of an Android user, the way iOS handles customization is a significant improvement but is still highly restrictive. The way iOS handles notifications is another improvement. Bundled notifications are annoying, and Android 13 feels years ahead of its predecessors in this area. It is true that notifications frequently arrive faster on the iPhone.

Without going into a detailed comparison of iOS 16 and Android 13, both platforms are clear and uncomplicated. However, it is possible that the two could have significantly distinct updating schedules. Apple’s support period is flexible. We bet that at least five years of OS upgrades are likely throughout its lifecycle because previous models frequently received seven or eight years’ worth of updates on a regular basis.

For the Pixel 7 series, Google will provide five years of support; however, this support is only available for the first three years. The last OS to be made available through official channels is expected to be Android 16. For the following two years, regular monthly security patches will be offered.

It’s an absolute tie when evaluating the internal processing capability of each smartphone. The best mobile processor currently on the market is Apple’s 4nm-based A16 Bionic chip. Despite being a good processor, the Tensor G2 isn’t the best Android chipset. All apps and the majority of games can be run at medium-to-high settings, and it is still capable.

Despite the significantly smaller 6GB RAM allocation compared to the 12GB RAM allocation on the Pixel 7 Pro, iOS has excellent memory management. Where credit is due, it’s difficult to dispute how effectively optimized the system is. Although Google has narrowed the gap, there is still a ways to go.

Battery

The battery life and charging capabilities are another area where the Pixel 7 Pro appears to outperform the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone makes up for its shortcomings with economy and power consumption. It’s possible that the Pixel 7 Pro’s 5,000mAh battery is needed to power a slightly higher resolution screen, but it’s well known that Android power management is subpar compared to iOS.

According to our observations, the Pixel 7 Pro has a good battery life and can be used all day. In contrast, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a monster battery that comfortably lasts two days on medium to light use. Although there are several factors at play and Apple appears to have a shorter lifespan than its predecessor, it is difficult to dispute that the company remains the market leader in this area.

Officially, charging speeds are comparable. Although the iPhone 14 Pro Max and Pixel 7 Pro are both listed at 30W, the actual charging speeds are lower—27W as opposed to 23W. With the Pixel 7 Pro, wireless charging will happen considerably more quickly if you purchase the new Pixel Stand. Your accessories’ inclusion of 5W reverse wireless charging delivers the Pixel the edge.

Cameras

The Pixel and iPhone have relatively comparable camera systems, but there are significant differences in how they are developed and optimized. Although the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera hardware is not the most advanced, it is expertly calibrated and supported by world-class algorithms.

The enhanced Super Res Zoom now has an undeniable advantage because to the excellent 30x zoom, which is now accessible on Pixel and at all zoom levels. This is not to imply that the zoom on the iPhone 14 Pro Max is subpar; it all depends on your preferred “style.” Apple favors photographs that are more authentic and less edited. Google favors images with clear, precise features that are contrasted and stylised.

Skin tone exposure is a category in which the Pixel excels. Since Google’s Real Tone processing ensures that everyone receives accurate skin tone exposure in all camera modes, Apple needs to take this issue seriously going forward. The Pixel 7 Pro can adjust and fine-tune images more than is possible with standard RAW images thanks to Apple ProRAW supports – but for regular folk this is not necessarily worth the hassle.

Additionally, Pixel is the only gadget that effectively handles moving objects. When you want to swiftly capture moments that you might otherwise miss, this is very crucial. You can choose the best image out of several in the situation thanks to features like Top Shot. The Pixel actually shines for basic point-and-shoot smartphone photography.

The Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are incomparable when it comes to video and mobile videography. With support for ProRes, no recording time restrictions, and more, Apple’s expertise in video recording remains unmatched. With one distinctive feature that allows you to choose between all of the back camera sensors when shooting 4K 60fps, Google has focused and improved its video recording skills.

Which should you select between the Pixel 7 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max?

Most folks won’t have a hard time deciding between the Pixel and iPhone. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the only phone you should buy if you enjoy iOS. The Pixel 7 Pro is one of the best smartphones available right now if you prefer Android. It’s a difficult decision if you’re undecided, and it will depend on what you require from your device. Do you need access to iMessage or do you frequently use Apple services? If so, an iPhone is what you need.

Given that the Pixel 7 Pro costs about $200 less than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, it provides a lot for the money. It has no major compromises and is the greatest Pixel to yet. The difference between Apple’s and Google’s finest products felt widening in recent years. It’s closer than ever this year, which is good news for upcoming releases. The Pixel 7 Pro is a good choice if you do want an Android phone. However, since you’re on an Android-focused website, your decision has probably already been made.