Apple iPhone 16 Pro / Google Pixel 8 Pro

ProMotion changes the refresh rate with the content: 120 Hz smoothness when scrolling and gaming, lower rates on still images to save power. Apple quotes 1000 nits typical, 1600 nits HDR peak, 2000 nits outdoor peak and 1 nit minimum; peaks are not sustained full-screen brightness.

An LTPO panel can drop the refresh rate as low as 1 Hz for static content, saving power with the always-on display and while reading, and rises to 120 Hz for motion. Google notes it is not available for all apps or content. Because the corners are rounded, the actual viewable area is less than 6.7 inches.

The matte back shows fewer fingerprints; the standard Pixel 8 has a polished back and a matte frame.

Apple says A18 Pro, built on second-generation 3 nm technology, runs the same workload 15% faster with 20% less power than the previous generation; the GPU is up to 20% faster and hardware ray tracing up to 2× faster. The chip also enables faster USB 3 transfers and ProRes recording.

The Pro system covers a 10× optical zoom range from 0.5× to 5×, with digital zoom up to 25×. The 2× image is a 12 MP crop from the centre of the 48 MP main sensor, not a separate camera.

Optical and electronic stabilisation work together on the wide and telephoto cameras. Zoom beyond 5x is digital. Pro controls allow manual shutter, ISO and focus and high-resolution (50 MP) shots. A multi-zone laser autofocus sensor helps focus in low light.

4K at 120 fps allows high-frame-rate 4K footage that can be slowed down. Log recording produces a flat image that leaves more room for colour grading. High-bit-rate ProRes needs an external drive.

Video Boost uploads video to Google’s servers to reprocess colour, lighting and stabilisation; it needs the Google Photos app and the result is not instant. Night Sight Video uses this processing in low light.

Apple says Camera Control combines a tactile switch, a force sensor and a capacitive surface: a click opens the camera, while a light press and finger slide adjust zoom, exposure or depth of field.

mmWave and satellite services vary by country. Cellular model numbers are A3083 and A3084.

Apple notes that iPhone 16 Pro sold in the US is not compatible with physical SIM cards; models for other markets have a SIM tray.

10 Gb/s transfers need a USB 3 cable. Wireless charging power depends on the adapter and charger.

Resistance can diminish over time; liquid damage voids the warranty.

Google measures the HDR figure at a 100% on-pixel ratio and the peak figure at a 5% on-pixel ratio; 2,400 nits is a ceiling for small bright areas.

Tensor G3 includes a TPU that accelerates on-device AI models. Titan M2 is a separate security chip that protects the lock screen and encryption keys.

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

The standard Pixel 8 has a fixed-focus front camera; the autofocus on the 8 Pro keeps close selfies sharp.

Google says the sensor can measure the temperature of an object, such as a pan or milk in a baby’s bottle. Google said it applied to the FDA for body-temperature use; that use depends on the country.

Google quotes beyond 24-hour battery life and up to 72 hours in Extreme Battery Saver (many features including 5G off). Figures use the separately sold Google 30 W USB-C charger (USB-PD 3.0 PPS). Battery Share significantly reduces the phone’s battery life.

Wi-Fi 6E is listed in Japan and Wi-Fi 6 in Taiwan, Singapore and India. Ultra-Wideband measures direction and distance to compatible devices.

eSIM support depends on the operator.

The bundled cable runs at USB 2.0 speed. There is no headphone jack. A Quick Switch adapter is in the box.

The period counts from when the device first became available on the US Google Store (12 October 2023).

Colour availability varies by region.