So, I've been hearing a lot of buzz about the Google Pixel 9 Pro being practically a twin of the iPhone 16 Pro. Same size, same feel, similar cameras, and supposedly the same image quality. But after spending some serious time with both phones, snapping photos side-by-side, I'm not so convinced.

I'm here to break down my findings on these two camera titans. At first glance, their photos might seem almost identical, especially with both set to auto exposure. But when you start digging deeper and testing them in specific scenarios, the differences really start to emerge.

You can find the FREE PROJECT FILES for both cameras so you can dive in and explore for yourself. If you're still on the fence after you read this blog, you can take my free "Which Camera Should I Buy?" quiz!

I also made a YOUTUBE VIDEO on this comparison so you can watch it after you read this blog. 

One of the first things I noticed was how these phones handled low light. I took a shot of a train in a dimly lit area, and the Pixel 9 Pro had noticeable banding in the sky – a telltale sign of over-compression and loss of detail. The iPhone 16 Pro, on the other hand, handled the noise reduction much better, producing a cleaner image.

Next up, I pitted the wide-angle lenses against each other. With both phones set to the same exposure, the difference in color was striking. The Pixel 9 Pro leaned towards a cooler, bluer tone, while the iPhone 16 Pro seemed to boost the saturation, especially in the reds and yellows. Personally, I preferred the more realistic look of the Pixel 9 Pro.

Another interesting difference popped up when I tested the zoom capabilities. The Pixel 9 Pro had a noticeable shift in colors as I zoomed in, while the iPhone 16 Pro maintained consistent colors across its lenses. This is a key factor to consider if you shoot a lot of video with your phone.

These are just a few of the real-world tests I put these cameras through. Throughout my experiment, I took over 60 video and photo comparisons, and I'm even making some of the raw files available for download so you can follow along and pixel-peep to your heart's content.

And just to be clear, this isn't sponsored by Apple or Google. I'm just a camera enthusiast sharing my honest opinions.

Features and Functionality

Before we dive deeper into image quality, let's talk about the phones themselves. Both the Pixel 9 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro are priced the same, starting at $999 for the 128GB version. They also have a very similar size and feel, with sleek designs and large displays.

One thing I noticed is that both phones are a bit slippery without a case. I ended up getting a case for the iPhone 16 Pro for a better grip and to protect the lenses.

Both have USB-C ports and side buttons, but the iPhone 16 Pro has buttons on both sides, which can be a bit annoying when using a tripod. I prefer the cleaner design of the Pixel 9 Pro in this regard.

The Pixel 9 Pro boasts a 50MP wide camera, a 48MP ultrawide with macro focus, and a 48MP telephoto lens. The iPhone 16 Pro has a 48MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto lens. 

As I mentioned earlier, the Pixel 9 Pro's telephoto lens produced sharper images, especially in low light. However, the iPhone 16 Pro maintained more consistent colors while zooming.

The Pixel 9 Pro offers more manual control within its camera app, allowing you to adjust settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. The iPhone 16 Pro, on the other hand, requires a third-party app for full manual control.

I also found the Pixel 9 Pro's "blur" mode to produce a more natural-looking bokeh effect compared to the iPhone 16 Pro's "cinematic" mode.

One major advantage for the iPhone 16 Pro is its ability to shoot Apple ProRes, while the Pixel 9 Pro requires a paid app for RAW video recording.

Image Quality

Both phones have excellent autofocus systems, which is essential for quick snapshots and video recording.

 In my photography tests, both cameras produced surprisingly similar results in daylight conditions. However, the Pixel 9 Pro seemed to handle white balance more consistently in indoor settings.

Both cameras apply a significant amount of sharpening in-camera, which can make images look artificial. I found the Pixel 9 Pro's sharpening to be a bit less aggressive, resulting in a more natural look.

 Interestingly, the iPhone 16 Pro produced a more accurate green color in my green screen test, which could make keying a bit easier.

In macro mode, the Pixel 9 Pro again produced a more natural-looking image with less aggressive sharpening.

 For content creators, vertical video is a must. While both phones performed well, I noticed that the iPhone 16 Pro had slightly better stabilization in vertical mode.

In my vlogging test, both cameras produced excellent image quality, but the iPhone 16 Pro's audio recording was noticeably better.

 I was impressed with the cinematic capabilities of both phones. They both captured beautiful shots with natural motion blur and vibrant colors.

To test color accuracy, I used a color checker chart. The Pixel 9 Pro tended to produce warmer tones, while the iPhone 16 Pro was a bit cooler.

 Both phones have excellent stabilization systems, but the iPhone 16 Pro edged out the Pixel 9 Pro in my walking test.

In low light, both cameras performed well, but the iPhone 16 Pro consistently produced cleaner images with less noise.

 Despite having a dedicated "Night Sight" mode, the Pixel 9 Pro was surprisingly outperformed by the iPhone 16 Pro in my night shots. The iPhone 16 Pro handled the low light conditions better, producing sharper images with less noise and banding.

 Both cameras exhibited noticeable ghost flares when shooting towards bright lights. This is a common issue with smartphone cameras, and neither phone had a clear advantage in this area.

In my rolling shutter test, the Pixel 9 Pro showed less warping during fast pans, indicating a faster sensor readout.

 Both cameras handled backlighting situations well, preserving detail in the shadows and highlights.

Interestingly, the iPhone 16 Pro captured a more yellow sun color, while the Pixel 9 Pro's sun appeared whiter.

 As I mentioned earlier, the iPhone 16 Pro tends to oversaturate colors, making images look less natural. The Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, produced more true-to-life colors.

When it comes to audio recording, the iPhone 16 Pro had a clear advantage, capturing richer and more detailed sound.

Conclusion

Both the iPhone 16 Pro and the Google Pixel 9 Pro are incredible camera phones, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

The Pixel 9 Pro excels in telephoto zoom, natural blur, and realistic color rendering. It also offers more manual control and unique features like "Night Sight" and "Magic Editor."

The iPhone 16 Pro boasts smoother color transitions when zooming, superior low light and night performance, better stabilization, and higher-quality audio recording.

Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize natural image quality and manual control, the Pixel 9 Pro is a great option. If you need the best possible low-light performance, stabilization, and audio recording, the iPhone 16 Pro might be the better choice.

No matter which phone you choose, you're sure to capture stunning photos and videos.