Apple iPhone 17 Pro / Google Pixel 9 Pro

ProMotion raises the refresh rate to 120 Hz for scrolling and games and lowers it for static content to save power, which lets the Always-On lock screen stay lit at a very low rate. Measured as a standard rectangle the diagonal is 6.27 inches.

It is a higher-resolution panel in the same body as the Pixel 9; 495 ppi renders text and photo edges more sharply. Because the corners are rounded, the visible area is slightly smaller than the measured diagonal.

3,000 nits is a short peak reached in sunlight under auto-brightness, not sustained full-screen brightness. The 1-nit floor helps reading in the dark without glare.

HDR brightness is measured with the whole screen lit and peak brightness with only 5% lit; the peak applies to small bright areas in sunlight.

Apple says Ceramic Shield 2 resists scratches 3x better than the previous generation, and the back resists cracks 4x better than the previous back glass. The anti-reflective coating is meant to keep the screen readable in bright light.

The vapor chamber spreads A19 Pro heat into the chassis; Apple claims up to 40% better sustained performance than the previous generation. Aluminium conducts heat better than the titanium frame of earlier Pro models.

Neural Accelerators in the GPU cores speed up on-device AI work; hardware ray tracing computes realistic lighting and reflections in games.

Usable space is lower than the label because the OS and apps take room. There is no memory card slot.

The 2× view is not a separate lens; it uses the centre of the 48MP sensor for a 12MP image. Default photos are 24MP.

Pro controls allow full 50 MP capture; the Pixel 9 only saves binned 12.5 MP photos. Optical quality is offered at 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x and 10x.

Macro shots use the Ultra Wide camera; the phone can switch automatically when you get close to a subject.

8× (200 mm) is a crop from the centre of the 4× telephoto sensor, which Apple calls optical-quality zoom. The telephoto sensor is 56% larger than the previous generation's.

Magnification beyond 5x is done in software; Google says 10x still gives near-optical quality. A multi-zone laser (LDAF) sensor assists focusing.

4K 120 fps ProRes records only to external storage over USB-C. Apple Log 2 and ProRes RAW leave room for colour grading; Genlock keeps several cameras in sync.

Video Boost processes recorded video on Google’s cloud servers to improve colour, lighting and stabilisation, so the result is not available immediately and an internet connection is needed. 8K and Super Res Zoom Video are only available with Video Boost on.

The square sensor allows landscape group selfies while holding the phone upright; Dual Capture records front and rear cameras at once, up to 4K 30 fps.

These figures are for the nano-SIM + eSIM model (A3523/A3526). Apple says eSIM-only models last longer because they fit a bigger battery.

The battery matches the Pixel 9’s capacity. Figures come from pre-production tests in the US using a median user profile.

Fast charging needs a high-wattage USB Power Delivery adapter; a 20 W adapter charges more slowly.

25 W needs the new MagSafe Charger or a Qi2 25 W-capable charger; older Qi chargers run at lower power.

10 Gb/s needs a USB 3 cable; the cable in the box is a charging cable. Video can go to a monitor or TV over a suitable USB-C cable.

Thread builds a low-power mesh with smart-home devices; Ultra Wideband finds AirTags and compatible devices with direction and distance. Wi-Fi 7 needs a compatible router.

The UWB chip measures distance and direction to compatible devices and tags with centimetre-level precision; the standard Pixel 9 lacks it.

This model has a physical SIM tray; models sold in some countries are eSIM-only. eSIM needs carrier support.

Dual-frequency GPS reduces location drift among tall buildings. Satellite features vary by country; Apple offers them free for two years after activation.

Testing is done in lab conditions; resistance may decline over time and liquid damage is not covered by warranty.

Camera Control is a touch-sensitive side button that opens the camera and lets you slide to adjust zoom and exposure. LiDAR helps autofocus in the dark and portrait depth.

Outside this range the phone may pause charging or dim the display.

The LTPO panel drops as low as 1 Hz for static content and the always-on display to save power, and rises to 120 Hz when scrolling. Google notes 120 Hz is not available in every app.

The finishes are the reverse of the Pixel 9, which has a glossy back and a matte frame. The aluminium in the housing is 100% recycled.

Google notes the protection can diminish with wear, repair or drops and that liquid damage voids the warranty.

It is the same chip as the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL; there is no performance difference.

There is no card slot; storage and colour options vary by region.

No charger is included. 37 W wired charging is only on the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL.

The rear temperature sensor measures surface temperatures of objects through the Thermometer app; the standard Pixel 9 lacks it.

The period counts from the first sale date on the US Google Store. Satellite SOS works only in the US.

The size matches the Pixel 9; it weighs 1 g more.