Summary
- The Pixel 10 Pro offers plenty of improvements over the Pixel 9 Pro, including a more capable chipset, brighter screens, and magnetic wireless charging.
- While it might have a more versatile camera setup than the iPhone 16 Pro, the Tensor G5 is no match for the A18 Pro chip’s raw performance. Another key difference is the operating systems.
- The Pixel 10 Pro runs on Android 16 out of the box, while the iPhone 16 Pro currently runs on iOS 18, and, soon, Apple’s iOS 26 with a Liquid Glass design.
The Pixel 10 Pro is here, and it comes with a similar price tag as the iPhone 16 Pro. So, for $999, which of the handsets suits you better? Is it the Tensor G5-powered Pixel or the iPhone that features the A18 Pro chipset? Let’s find out.
Price & Availability
The Pixel 10 Pro starts from $999 for the baseline variant with 128GB of storage. Currently available for pre-orders, the handset will go on sale beginning August 28, 2025.
The iPhone 16 Pro has been on sale since September 2024. Despite a few sales, the device is currently available at $999 for the base model with 128GB of storage.
128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB | |
Pixel 10 Pro | $999 | $1,099 | $1,219 | – |
iPhone 16 Pro | $999 | 1,099 | $1,299 | $1,499 |
Horizontal vs. Square-Shaped Camera Module
Whether it is Google or Apple, both companies have found their signature design language, and neither of them is willing to make any significant change to it. And while it includes certain similarities, such as a metallic frame and a glass back panel with matte finish, it also contains some striking differences.
For Google, the design language includes a punch-hole screen in the front, an aluminum frame on the side, a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back panel, and, the most important element of all, the horizontal camera visor that houses the triple rear-facing camera setup (along with the temperature sensor).
For Apple, this includes a pill-shaped notch up top (what it calls the Dynamic Island) with minimal screen bezels that blend into the titanium frame, and a square-shaped camera module (with rounded edges) that houses the three cameras in a triangular alignment (with the LiDAR sensor).
When it comes to dimensions, the Pixel 10 Pro is taller, wider, and thicker than the iPhone 16 Pro. Further, Google’s latest handset weighs 207 grams, making it eight grams heavier than the iPhone (and the Pixel 9 Pro for that matter).
Even though both phones come with an official IP68 dust and water resistance rating, Google’s smartphone can survive ingress damage up to a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, while the iPhone can survive up to a maximum depth of six meters during the same time.
Last but not least, the Pixel is available in four colorways: Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, and Obsidian. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro comes in four different titanium-infused shades: Black, White, Natural, and Desert.
Pixel 10 Pro Offers a Brighter Screen
The Pixel 10 Pro boasts a 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED screen, which has a resolution of 2856 x 1280 pixels (495 ppi), supports variable refresh rate (1-120Hz as it uses an LTPO panel), and a peak brightness of 3,300 nits. This makes the screen brighter than the one on the Pixel 9 Pro.
Coming to the iPhone 16 Pro, it also gets a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 2622 x 1206 pixels (460 ppi), supports ProMotion technology (1-120Hz), but runs behind with a lower 2,000 nits peak brightness. However, the iPhone’s display can reach a minimum brightness of a nit.
Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
It’s worth pointing out that Apple equips the iPhone 16 Pro with the Dynamic Island, a clever combination of hardware and software that makes the pill-shaped cutout interactive and useful for checking background activities. You can also get a similar notification system on an Android phone, but via a third-party application.
Both phones support HDR content and have a similar contrast ratio. Even so, it is the Pixel 10 Pro that comes out on top with its brighter screen, implying that it would be easier to use the phone under direct sunlight.
Tensor G5 vs. A18 Pro
Every year, Google launches a new chipset with its flagship Pixel series, and every year, I look forward to it, hoping that it might come closer to its competitors in terms of raw performance. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with the Tensor G5, but Google has indeed made some real progress in that area.
The Pixel 10 Pro features the new Tensor G5 SoC, which, unlike the previous chips, is based on TSMC’s latest 3nm fabrication technology, which helps increase the peak performance and energy efficiency at the same time. The chipset includes a 3.78 GHz prime core, five performance cores, two efficiency cores, and supports on-device AI processing.
It runs alongside 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of Zoned UFS storage, which is better at sustaining peak read/write speeds and lasts longer than regular UFS 3.1 storage modules. With all the improvements, the Pixel 10 Pro scores about 20% and 45% better in GeekBench 6’s single/multi-core CPU test, which is a substantial improvement over the Pixel 9 Pro.
But despite making significant strides in CPU performance, the Tensor G5 can’t (or doesn’t want to) catch up with the chip on the iPhone 16 Pro: the A18 Pro (3nm). The hexa-core chip sports two 4.05 GHz prime cores, four efficient cores, a six-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine for tackling all the Apple Intelligence features that require on-device processing.
With 8GB of RAM and up to 1TB of NVMe storage, the iPhone 16 Pro scores much higher in synthetic benchmarks. In fact, its single-core GeekBench 6 scores are among the highest on any smartphone, and Apple could only improve upon it with the purported A19 Pro chip expected to arrive with the iPhone 17 Pro. So what real-world difference does all this make?
Well, the Pixel 10 Pro should offer a smooth and snappy UI experience, wherein apps open quickly and there’s no issue with moderate to heavy multitasking and other day-to-day tasks. However, when it comes to more demanding tasks, such as editing videos or playing video games (at higher graphics settings), the iPhone 16 Pro should be able to handle those better.
Android 16 vs. iOS 18
The Pixel 10 Pro offers Android 16 out of the box, Google’s latest operating system that comes with new features like Live Updates, Notification Cooldown, the ability to capture HDR screenshots, new emojis from Unicode 16.0, and other security-related updates.
Like the Pixel 9, the Pixel 10 series will also get seven years of major Android and security updates (along with exclusive Pixel Drops). Google has also announced a couple of new Gemini AI features, such as speak-to-edit functionality via the Photos app, the Camera Coach, and the Magic Cues feature that offers helpful insights from Google apps.
Conversely, the iPhone 16 Pro currently runs on iOS 18 (upgradable to iOS 26), which looks and feels different. It features a revamped Control Center, a new Photos app with better search, more customization options for the Home Screen, a native app lock, and several changes to Apple’s system apps.
Although Apple doesn’t commit to a specific number or range of software updates, Apple typically provides around five years of iOS support (six for some models). You also get plenty of AI-based features as part of Apple Intelligence, except for the personal context and on-screen awareness for Siri (which might come next year).
Both Phones Offer a Triple Camera Setup
Whether it is the Pixel 10 Pro or the iPhone 16 Pro, both phones get three rear-facing cameras, including a primary sensor, an ultrawide sensor, and a dedicated telephoto sensor. However, it is the camera and editing-related features that make a world of difference.
Pixel 10 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro | |
Primary Camera | 50MP (f/1.68, 1/1.3″, OIS) with AF | 48MP (f/1.8, 1/1.28″, sensor-shift OIS) with AF |
Secondary Camera | 48MP (f/1.7, 123° FOV, 1/2.55″) ultrawide with AF | 48MP (f/2.2, 120° FOV, 1/2.55″) ultrawide with AF |
Tertiary Camera | 48MP (f/2.8, 1/2.55″, OIS) telephoto; 5x optical zoom with AF | 12MP (f/2.8, 1/3.06″, OIS) telephoto; 5x optical zoom with AF |
Selfie Camera | 42MP (f/2.2, 103° FOV) with AF | 12MP (f/1.9, OIS) with AF |
With the telephoto zoom lens, the Pixel 10 Pro provides Pro Res Zoom up to 100x, while the iPhone 16 Pro maxes out at 25x. Although both phones can record 4K HDR videos, the Pixel can record in 10-bit HDR, while the iPhone can capture Dolby Vision (12-bit) footage.
On the Pixel 10 Pro, you also get 8K video recording in up to 30 fps via the Video Boost feature (which uses cloud processing for upscaling videos). Google also offers features like Pro Mode for taking manual control over pictures, a new Camera Coach feature that helps improve the overall composition, and the new Edit with Ask Photos capability that lets you edit photographs via voice commands (using the Gemini AI assistant).
Some iPhone-specific features include ProRes and Log video recording, 4K recording at up to 120 fps, QuickTake Video, sensor-shift stabilization for photos and videos, four microphones for studio-quality audio, and the Audio Mix feature. The iPhone 16 Pro also features the Camera Control button for quick captures and the latest-generation Photographic Styles.
Moreover, it is the higher-resolution telephoto camera and the software-based features that give the Pixel 10 Pro’s camera an edge.
Pixel 10 Pro Should Last Longer Between Charges
The Pixel 10 Pro sports a 4,870 mAh battery that lasts over 30 hours of regular usage (and up to 100 hours in the Extreme Battery saver mode). Further, it can charge up to 55% in about 30 minutes using a 30W USB-C PPS charger. The handset also supports Google’s Pixelsnap wireless charging at 15W (along with Qi2 charging). What’s odd is that after mentioning the improved battery life in the embargoed spec sheets, Google has backtracked to claiming “24+ hours” of battery life in the official spec sheet (that got published on the website).
In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro has a 3,582 mAh battery (from unofficial sources), which provides up to 27 hours of offline video playback. Further, the phone charges up to 50% in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter (via the USB Type-C 3.2 port).
Apple’s proprietary 25W MagSafe charging is faster than what you get with regular Qi2-compatible chargers. But based on how the Pixel 9 Pro performs in several battery tests, I’m confident that the Pixel 10 Pro will reign supreme in terms of battery life.
What About Connectivity Options?
Connectivity options on the Pixel 10 Pro include 5G (mmWave and Sub-6 GHz), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v6.0, NFC, Google Cast, dual-band GNSS GPS, an ultra-wideband chip for precision tracking using Google’s Find Hub, and support for the Thread networking technology. You also get Satellite SOS.
The iPhone 16 Pro also supports 5G (mmWave and Sub-6 GHz), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.3, NFC, dual-frequency GPS, a second-generation ultra-wideband chip for Precision Finding via the Find My network, and support for Thread networking. Last but not least, the iPhone also provides satellite connectivity for emergencies.
While the Pixel 10 Pro provides a USB Type-C 3.2 port, the iPhone 16 Pro has a USB 3 port.
Which Phone Is Right for You?
Looking at the comparison objectively, it is the Pixel 10 Pro that provides brighter screens, longer software support, a more versatile camera setup with innovative editing features, and a battery that lasts longer on a charge.
In comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro offers a much more powerful processor, along with the flexibility to record Log and ProRes videos (with excellent stabilization), and seamless connectivity with other Apple devices.
You can also base your decision on your preference for the operating system. If you prefer stock Android, you can’t go wrong with the Pixel 10 Pro. However, if you prefer the existing features of iOS 18 and like the Liquid Glass look of iOS 26, the iPhone 16 Pro should be the right way to go.
- Brand
-
Google
- SoC
-
Google Tensor G5
- Display
-
6.3-inch Super Actua, 20:9
- RAM
-
16 GB RAM
- Storage
-
128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB with Zoned UFS / 1 TB with Zoned UFS
- Battery
-
4870mAh
The Pixel 10 Pro offers an upgrade over the base model with the powerful Google Tensor G5 chip, more RAM, and more storage (if you need it).
-
- SoC
-
A18 Pro
- Display
-
2,622 x 1,206 resolution (460 ppi)
- RAM
-
8GB
- Storage
-
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Ports
-
USB-C
- Operating System
-
iOS 18
A version of Apple’s newest iPhone with a larger screen featuring a camera button, a programmable action button, and artificial intelligence features.
