Editor's note:
Since their debuts, the iPhone 11 Pro and Google Pixel 4 have been surpassed by new models. We've checked the below to ensure accuracy and relevance for the time of writing, though pricing and availability will differ from when we first reviewed these devices.
Apple's iPhone 11 Pro and Google's Pixel 4 are two of the more popular phones on the planet at the moment. These two flagship devices represent the best of their respective universes—iOS and Android—with high prices to match. The Pixel 4 starts at $799, while the iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999 (for their respective 64GB versions).
If you're trying to decide which of these two phones to buy, look no further. We've done a detailed breakdown of their respective strengths and weaknesses to help you figure out whether the iPhone 11 Pro or the Pixel 4 is right for you.
Google Pixel 4 XL Vs. iPhone 11 Pro Max
Google Pixel 4 vs. iPhone 11 Pro: Cameras
Google Pixels consistently feature some of the best smartphone cameras available, and the company appears to have done it again with the 4 and 4 XL. Both devices sport a 16 megapixel telephoto lens and 12.2 megapixel wide-angle lens in the back—double the number of lenses that were in the Pixel 3 XL. But where Google really shines is in its coupling of great cameras with top software innovations; this year, that comes in the form of the new astrophotography mode.
Apple, of course, is no slouch either when it comes to cameras. The iPhone 11 Pro does Google one better with not two but three rear-facing cameras:
- A wide-angle lens
- A telephoto lens
- A ultra-wide lens
Apple has also upgraded its camera software for the iPhone 11 Pro, adding Night Mode for low-light photos, and the ability to capture 4K video with all three lenses.
Based on specs alone, you might give the edge to Apple in this department. A real life comparison of the pictures taken by the respective devices seems to back this up as well: a New York Times article showed the iPhone 11 Pro taking crisper, nicer nighttime photos than the Pixel 4.
Google Pixel 4 vs. iPhone 11 Pro: Displays
One of Google's main talking points for this year's Pixel 4 is its 90Hz OLED display. The company argues that the 90Hz refresh rate makes for a smooth-as-butter swiping and scrolling experience (almost every other phone tops out at 60Hz). Our brief hands on with the device supports this assertion.
Of course, it's hard to quibble with the iPhone 11 Pro and its brilliant Super Retina XDR OLED display. Granted, our reviewer was hard pressed to detect a difference between the 11 Pro's display and that of its predecessor, despite Apple claiming that it's 30% brighter. Still it's safe to say that iPhone 11 Pro is at the very least a match for the Pixel 4 in the display department.
Google Pixel 4 XL vs. iPhone 11 Pro: Batteries
Simply put, the iPhone 11 Pro wipes the floor with the Pixel 4 when it comes to battery life. The regular 11 Pro has a 3,046 mAh battery, while the 11 Pro Max has a massive 3,969 mAh battery. This is coupled with efficiency advancements in the device's A13 processor.
The Pixel 4, meanwhile sports a 2,800 mAh battery, and the Pixel 4 XL has a 3,700 mAh battery. This round's clear victor is the iPhone 11 Pro.
Explore the iPhone 11 Pro Range
The iPhone 11 Pro comes in three different storage capacities.
Processors and Performance
One of the biggest gripes about the Pixel 4 so far is that it features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, which will become obsolete in about 6 months. Granted this seems to be a spec complaint rather than a real life performance one, since there haven't been many comments on the device's actual speed when performing everyday smartphone tasks.
On the other end of the spectrum, the A13 Bionic processor found in the iPhone 11 Pro has been heralded as a real step forward for the company, improving on the already fast and efficient performance of last year's A12 chip. The critical consensus seems to be that Apple knocked it out of the park in this regard. Advantage: iPhone 11 Pro.
Google Pixel 4 vs. iPhone 11 Pro: New Features
The Pixel 4 brings Google's new Soli motion-detection chip to market. Known as Motion Sense, this allows users to "skip songs, snooze alarms, and silence phone calls, just by waving your hand." Reviewers have been divided on whether this is useful or just gimmicky, but at the very least it means you can now unlock your Pixel with your face, just like you can with newer iPhones.
The iPhone 11 Pro (and iPhone 11), meanwhile, marks the debut of Night Mode, allowing users to capture crisp, detailed pictures in low light (i.e. at night). However, just as Google was late to the face unlock game, so is Apple with this feature. After all, it was last year that Google introduced Night Sight.
Google Pixel 4 vs. iPhone 11 Pro: Price
For many of us, the decision on whether to buy the Google Pixel 4 or the iPhone 11 Pro will come down to one thing: price. And on this, there's no argument: the Pixel 4 is your cheaper option.
The iPhone 11 Pro, for all of its highlights, is really expensive. The smaller iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999 (64GB version), while the 11 Pro Max starts at $1,099 (64GB) on up to $1,449 for the 512GB version. That's a lot of coin.
Indeed, the Pixel 4 seems downright affordable by comparison, with the smaller version starting at $799 and the Pixel 4 XL starting at $899 (64GB versions). The 128GB iterations are $100 more expensive.
- Awesome camera with key software upgrades
- Huge battery
- Next level A13 processor
- High price
- Reasonable price for a flagship phone
- Rich display
- Motion Sense feature
- Some features fall short of the iPhone 11 Pro
Chris Holmes
Staff Writer
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