Google Pixel 8 / Apple iPhone 15 Plus

Google Pixel 8: Pixel 8 (2023); 128 and 256 GB; Obsidian, Hazel and Rose. The Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8a are separate models.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus: iPhone 15 Plus; 128, 256 and 512 GB. Apple’s spec page lists model numbers A3090 and A3094; models sold outside the US have a SIM tray. The iPhone 15, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are separate models.

SpecificationGoogle Pixel 8Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Release year20232023
Display6.2-inch Actua OLED; 1080 × 2400, 428 ppi; 20:9; Smooth Display 60–120 Hz; always-on display

Google quotes 1400 nits for HDR and 2000 nits peak; contrast above 1,000,000:1. Because the corners are rounded, the visible area is slightly smaller than the 6.2-inch rectangle.

Google		6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED; 2796 × 1290, 460 ppi; Dynamic Island, True Tone, Wide colour (P3)

Dynamic Island uses the front camera cut-out as an area for notifications and Live Activities. Apple does not list ProMotion for this model; the display is not 120 Hz. Because the corners are rounded, the actual viewable area is slightly smaller than the 6.69-inch rectangle.

Apple
Body and durabilityCorning Gorilla Glass Victus front and back; matte aluminium frame; IP68

IP68 (IEC 60529) applies when the device leaves the factory; Google notes the phone is not waterproof or dustproof and resistance is not permanent. The aluminium in the housing is 100% recycled.

Google		—
Processor and securityGoogle Tensor G3; Titan M2 security chip

Google provides seven years of Android OS, security and Pixel Drop updates from when the device first became available on the US Google Store.

Google		—
Memory and storage8 GB LPDDR5X RAM; 128 GB or 256 GB UFS 3.1

Storage options vary by region and channel; there is no memory card slot.

Google		—
Rear cameras50 MP wide (ƒ/1.68, 1/1.31-inch sensor, 82°, optical + electronic stabilisation); 12 MP ultrawide with autofocus (ƒ/2.2, 125.8°); Super Res Zoom up to 8x

There is no telephoto camera; 8x zoom is software-based. Autofocus on the ultrawide enables Macro Focus shots.

Google		48MP Main (26 mm, ƒ/1.6, sensor-shift OIS); 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, ƒ/2.4, 120°); 12MP 2x Telephoto (52 mm, ƒ/1.6)

The 2x telephoto is not a separate lens; it uses the centre of the 48 MP main sensor (Apple says it is “enabled by quad-pixel sensor”). Photos can be 24 MP or 48 MP; digital zoom goes up to 10x.

Apple
Video4K at 24/30/60 fps on rear and front cameras; 10-bit HDR video; slow motion up to 240 fps; HEVC (H.265) and AVC (H.264)

Editing features such as Audio Magic Eraser require the Google Photos app.

Google		4K at 24/25/30/60 fps; HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps

Action mode crops the image to apply strong digital stabilisation when running or in a vehicle, which is why it tops out at 2.8K.

Apple
Front camera and unlocking10.5 MP dual PD selfie camera (ƒ/2.2, fixed focus, 95°); under-display fingerprint sensor and Face Unlock Google—
Battery and chargingMinimum 4485 mAh (typical 4575 mAh); beyond 24 hours, up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver; up to 27 W wired and 18 W wireless charging; Battery Share

27 W is measured with the Google 30 W USB-C Charger (USB-PD 3.0 PPS) and gives about 50% in 30 minutes; the adapter is sold separately. 18 W wireless needs the Pixel Stand (2nd gen); Qi EPP chargers give up to 12 W.

Google		—
WirelessWi‑Fi 7 (802.11be, 2.4/5/6 GHz; US, Canada, UK, EU and Australia); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; dual-band GNSS

It is listed as Wi‑Fi 6E in Japan and Wi‑Fi 6 in Taiwan, Singapore and India. The model for Europe and other markets is GPJ41.

Google		5G (sub-6 GHz, 4x4 MIMO); Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; second-generation Ultra Wideband; NFC with reader mode

Ultra Wideband shows the direction and distance of a nearby item or friend in Find My; availability varies by region. This UK page does not list mmWave 5G.

Apple
SIMDual SIM (single nano-SIM + eSIM)

eSIM depends on the carrier and country.

Google		Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM); Dual eSIM support

The SIM tray is on models sold outside the US; eSIM use depends on carrier support.

Apple
Port and audioUSB Type-C 3.2; stereo speakers; three microphones

The USB-C cable in the box is USB 2.0.

Google		—
SensorsProximity, ambient light, accelerometer, gyrometer, magnetometer, barometer Google—
Size and weight150.5 × 70.8 × 8.9 mm; 187 g Google160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm; 201 g Apple
Brightness and contrast—1,000 nits typical; 1,600 nits peak (HDR); 2,000 nits peak (outdoor); 2,000,000:1 contrast

The outdoor peak is used briefly in strong sunlight; the HDR peak applies to HDR video and photos.

Apple
Processor—A16 Bionic; 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency), 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine Apple
Storage—128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB Apple
Front camera and Face ID—12MP TrueDepth (ƒ/1.9, autofocus); Face ID Apple
Safety features—Emergency SOS via satellite and Roadside Assistance via satellite; Crash Detection

Satellite features work only in certain countries and in open areas without mobile or Wi-Fi coverage.

Apple
Battery—Up to 26 hours video playback, 20 hours streamed, 100 hours audio; built-in lithium-ion

Apple quotes 6 hours more video playback than the iPhone 15.

Apple
USB-C and charging—USB-C, USB 2 (up to 480 Mb/s), DisplayPort; up to 50% in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter; MagSafe up to 15W, Qi up to 7.5W

Although the port is USB-C, data speed is USB 2. Native DisplayPort output over USB-C mirrors video up to 4K HDR. No power adapter is included; a USB-C charge cable that supports fast charging is in the box.

Apple
Durability and materials—IP68 (maximum depth of 6 metres up to 30 minutes, IEC 60529); aluminium design, Ceramic Shield front, colour-infused glass back Apple
Colours—Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink Apple