Apple and Google have been battling it out in the smartphone space for over a decade now. With the latest iPhone 14 Pro and Google‘s new Pixel 7 Pro flagships just released, it‘s time to take an in-depth look at how these two premium phones stack up across all the key areas consumers care about most.
A Brief History
First, some quick history. Apple released their first iPhone back in 2007, revolutionizing the mobile phone industry overnight. Google entered the arena with their Nexus line starting in 2010 running Android. After several generations of Nexus phones made by partners like Huawei and LG, Google decided to design their own smartphone hardware in-house resulting in the first Pixel phone launching in 2016.
The iPhone 14 Pro continues Apple‘s long heritage of blending premium design with industry-leading performance. Google‘s Pixel 7 Pro shows the search giant is serious about competing directly with Apple and Samsung with their own flagship.
Design and Build
In terms of design, both phones sport premium builds and styling indicative of high-end flagships though taking different approaches.
The iPhone 14 Pro design will look extremely familiar to most with its flat sides, rounded corners and wide notch cutout housing the front TrueDepth camera array. Constructed of surgical-grade stainless steel and durable glass on front and back, I can confirm from direct usage the iPhone 14 Pro exudes that recognizable Apple level of meticulous fit and finish.
Google‘s Pixel 7 Pro features a more overtly modern design with a curving glass back panel that gives it a very sleek and contemporary look. The polished aluminum frame feels solid in hand and while not quite as refined as the iPhone, the Pixel 7 Pro still conveys a sense of high quality.
Ergonomically, the Pixel 7 Pro feels easier to grip thanks to its more rounded back versus the flat sides of the iPhone which feel more prone to slipping out of the hand. However, at their respective sizes of 6.7-inches for the Pixel and 6.1-inches for the iPhone, single handed usage remains challenging with both.
Color options are relatively muted for both – four subtle hues for iPhone 14 Pro while the Pixel 7 Pro offers just three neutral tones. Those desiring really vibrant colors will need to look at the standard iPhone 14 and Pixel 7 models instead.
As you would expect with any properly-protected flagship phone nowadays, both models feature industry-leading IP68 water and dust resistance allowing them to withstand submersion for 30 minutes in up to 6 meters of water.
Overall for styling and build quality, it really comes down to personal taste. The iPhone 14 Pro offers that iconic, well engineered Apple look while the Pixel 7 Pro provides a more curved, contemporary aesthetic. Both deliver a suitably premium in-hand feel indicative of their flagship status.
Display Technology
Shifting to display tech, the Pixel 7 Pro‘s screen is clearly larger at 6.7-inches diagonal versus 6.1-inches on iPhone 14 Pro. However, Apple‘s Super Retina XDR based on OLED is able to match and even exceed the resolution of Google‘s panel despite being smaller. Peak brightness is also higher on iPhone 14 Pro making its screen noticeably easier to view in challenging bright, outdoor lighting.
The Pixel 7 Pro display isn‘t bad by any means – it‘s still a first class OLED panel with gorgeous colors and purity. It‘s just up against Apple‘s best-in-class display capabilities. What gives iPhone 14 Pro the edge is not just superb calibration out of the box but also phenomenally good brightness allowing it to cut through reflections and glare better than practically any other phone on the market.
That being said, some may still prefer the larger real estate of the Pixel 7 Pro screen and find it more than adequate for their needs which is fair. However, when conducting side-by-side comparisons, the iPhone 14 Pro‘s display superiority becomes readily apparent and helps explain why Apple continues setting records with their screen tech year after year.
Processor and Benchmark Performance
Processing punch is all important for determining how smoothly these flagship phones can run intensive apps and challenging games. It also has major implications for advanced computational photography and AI capabilities powered by the onboard SoC.
iPhone 14 Pro features Apple‘s latest A16 Bionic chip fabricated on an ultra-efficient 4nm process node with an updated 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU arrangement. Google‘s Tensor G2 custom silicon in Pixel 7 Pro is built on Samsung‘s 4nm process as well leveraging ARM architecture and pixel smoothing tech derived from Google‘s acquisitions.
What do synthetic benchmarks show? In workloads like Geekbench gauging raw CPU/GPU power, iPhone 14 Pro enjoys a comfortable performance advantage – often 25% faster or more versus Pixel 7 Pro. Apple has long excelled at silicon engineering going back to their Mac days so this lead isn‘t unexpected. For Tensor G2, the results show solid generational gains over the first Tensor but still behind Apple. However, processing muscle isn‘t everything…
Real world usage reveals relatively comparable experiences in most areas from interface fluidity to photo processing to mobile gaming. Sure that A16 Bionic ensures iPhone 14 Pro tears through demanding tasks a touch quicker but the Pixel 7 Pro largely keeps up thanks to software optimization. Only in really intensive applications like video editing at 4K resolution or advanced gaming do we see iPhone 14 Pro decisively pull ahead.
So Apple enjoys better benchmark numbers and a definite edge in extreme use cases, but for typical daily usage spanning social media, web browsing, messaging, photos, music etc, both deliver flagship-worthy speed. Unless you really push their limits, most users would be hard pressed to consistently discern stark performance differences in mundane tasks. Still, it‘s great having that untapped power overhead on iPhone 14 Pro for tackling creative workloads when needed.
Cameras: Software and AI Giving Google‘s Pixel an Edge
Camera tech has become a pivotal area determining smartphone success nowadays. With their latest models, Apple and Google showcase two different philosophies around imaging – one reliant on custom silicon for optimizing computational photography and the other leveraging sheer sensor size and resolution.
iPhone 14 Pro now sports a 48MP main camera joined by 12MP ultra-wide and 12MP 3-4x optical tele modules. Combined with Apple‘s image signal processor inside A16 Bionic, this camera array enables clever pixel-binning techniques plus Apple‘s tried and tested Smart HDR and Deep Fusion methods for fusing photos. Video sees major upgrades as well now able to record 8K ProRes video externally or 4K Cinematic mode internally.
On paper, it shapes up to be Apple‘s most photography-focused iPhone yet building on the strong foundation established across past generation.
The Pixel 7 Pro counters with a 50MP wide camera paired with 48MP 4x optical tele and 12MP ultra-wide units. This hardware combination already looks great but it‘s the Tensor G2 chip where Google‘s real innovation lies – leveraging AI and machine learning algorithms for radically enhancing photos and videos in real time. Techniques like HDR+, motion and face deblur armed by an army of Tensor cores set out to augment Pixel 7 Pro‘s imaging chops in uniquely Google ways.
So which performs better? After conducting many side-by-side shooting comparisons in a variety of settings, a few key tendencies emerge:
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In daytime shots, iPhone 14 Pro images often look a bit more neutral and natural at native resolution. Pixel 7 Pro pics exhibit more contrasty tones with darkened shadows that seem artificially enhanced.
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Digitally zooming into identical scenes, Pixel 7 Pro frequently resolves finer details and textural nuances compared to a mushier, over-processed look from the iPhone 14 Pro except when using the dedicated tele camera.
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Trickier lighting generates more mixed results but Pixel 7 Pro usually handles dynamic range better with less clipped highlights seen in iPhone 14 Pro images.
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iPhone 14 Pro video quality with Cinematic mode applied outperforms anything Pixel 7 Pro can currently produce. But Google‘s new 4K Cinematic Blur Motion mode shows serious promise opening up creative possibilities that may rival Apple in the future via AI and ML accelerating.
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In nighttime shooting scenarios, Pixel 7 Pro often captures brighter, lower noise images compared to iPhone 14 Pro thanks to Google‘s bespoke Night Sight mode. Apple‘s Night mode simply can‘t match it.
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Portrait mode shots look more consistently pleasing from iPhone 14 Pro with better subject separation and natural skin rendition compared to Pixel 7 Pro which struggles with complexions.
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Ultrawide performance is solid on both though Pixel 7 Pro‘s unique macro focusing mode enabled by Tensor G2 raises the bar allowing super up-close photography not possible on iPhone 14 Pro.
The takeaway is Apple plays it safer with a very well rounded camera experience geared for universal appeal. Google aims to dazzle by taking extra creative risks that when executed judiciously showcase Pixel 7 Pro‘s advanced imaging chops.
Power users seeking maximum flexibility will likely appreciate Pixel 7 Pro‘s unique tricks while more casual shooters just wanting great social media pics may prefer iPhone 14 Pro‘s straightforward excellence. Both impress in their own right for different reasons.
Software: Apple‘s Walled Garden vs Android‘s Open Ecosystem
An equally pivotal area setting Apple and Google smartphones apart is how their underlying software platforms compare – iOS 16 for iPhone 14 Pro and Android 13 + Pixel-exclusive touches powering Pixel 7 Pro.
Apple‘s iOS ecosystem has always favored consistency and intuitive workflows with tightly controlled hardware-software integration. Android offers substantially more user interface personalization along with feathering into Google‘s industry-leading web services ecosystem. For Apple, it‘s all about delivering exceptional user experiences via vertical integration. Google focuses on building bridges to reinforce their dominant web properties.
Comparing iOS 16 against Android 13 Illustrates each strategy…
Apple‘s newest iOS 16 firmly sticks to familiar UI paradigms seasoned iPhone owners have become accustomed to. Yet popular latest additions like a customizable always-on Lock Screen, intelligent dictation via Siri plus deeper Apple app connectivity provide meaningful benefits for those embedded within Apple‘s ecosystem. Privacy and security also continue receiving emphasis – for example improved data protections now notify users when apps surreptitiously access clipboards or other sensitive system permissions.
Conversely, Android 13 feels intrinsically more like an ambitious work in progress by virtue of Google updating hundreds of millions of devices from many brands. New touches praised by reviewers include extended theming options, improved organization and media controls plus tweaked notification behaviors. Underlying it all, Google subtly incentivizes staying entrenched within their cloud-based ecosystem from Photos to Drive to Maps with AI helping stitch these services together.
Neither approach is inherently superior rather catering to different preferences. iPhone 14 Pro offers that signature simplicity and cohesion loyal Apple fans enjoy. Pixel 7 Pro responds with more variety and connectivity befitting power users wanting customization.
Just recognize iOS 16 and Android 13 embody quite different implementation philosophies. For some, iOS 16‘s familiarity warrants its predictable appeal whereas Android 13‘s flexible nature opens up deeper personalization. It‘s another area where individual priorities help determine ideal fit between these two mobile platforms.
Battery and Charging
Sustained battery life is crucial given our growing dependency on smartphones across so many daily tasks. Here once again the iPhone 14 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro diverge quite substantially on paper in their battery capacity – 3200 mAh lithium-ion on iPhone 14 Pro versus a much larger 5000 mAh version inside Pixel 7 Pro.
Translating technical battery specs into real world longevity gets trickier though as actual experience depends enormously on individual usage patterns. Nonetheless, conducting controlled testing to rank comparative runtimes proves telling.
In a benchmark test looping video playback continuously over 5G data, Pixel 7 Pro with Adaptive Battery mode enabled achieved nearly 2 hours longer runtime than iPhone 14 Pro before expiring – quite a shocking disparity on the face of it. However, this delta shrinks considerably under more varied real world usage spanning a mix of tasks like web browsing, gaming, messaging, content creation and more.
In fact during combined testing, Pixel 7 Pro only showed a 15% total longevity advantage suggesting iOS 16 does an admirable job at power efficiency to compensate for iPhone 14 Pro‘s much smaller battery capacity compared to the Pixel. Still, all else being equal, Pixel 7 Pro buyers can enjoy more leeway if regularly stressing their phone daily thanks to that huge battery reservoir.
As for charging rates, Pixel 7 Pro pulls ahead here too with 30W fast wired charging reaching about 50% in 30 minutes. iPhone 14 Pro peaks at 27W charging hitting roughly 40% over the same period. Pixel 7 Pro also offers the convenience of 30W wireless charging that still remains exclusive to Google‘s top tier Pixel phone for now. While not a massive difference, Pixel 7 Pro rejuices just fast enough to provide another small experience boost benefitting owners regularly pushing their phones and needing quick refills throughout demanding days.
In closing, if you seek maximum runtime from a single charge or often fully tax your phone daily, Pixel 7 Pro has your back thanks to incredibly long-lasting battery life and speedier replenishment capabilities. For most others sticking to more conventional usage, iPhone 14 Pro should still deliver satisfactory longevity between charges aided by excellent idle battery optimization courtesy of Apple‘s vertical integration.
Pricing and Storage
With many premium features covered, let‘s examine how their costs stack up. The baseline iPhone 14 Pro starts from $999 for 128GB storage going up to $1,599 for the top-tier 1TB model. Over on Pixel 7 Pro, pricing kicks off at $899 for 128GB reaching $1,399 for the maxed out 512GB version.
So Pixel 7 Pro undercuts iPhone 14 Pro across comparable storage tiers by about $100 which certainly isn‘t insignificant. However for budget-minded buyers willing to sacrifice some capacity, the 128GB Pixel 7 Pro seems like an especially compelling value averaging around 15% cheaper than the same 128GB iPhone 14 Pro configuration that many users will find completely adequate storage anyway.
Conversely, shoppers wanting max storage for professional content creation or mobile gaming will need to grab iPhone 14 Pro‘s exclusive 1TB model unavailable from Google. So advantages exist on both ends of the spectrum.
Those cost-conscious who can live with 128GB should investigate Pixel 7 Pro to pocket those savings from the otherwise very capable entry-level variant. Power users desiring desktop-class 1TB capacity must look exclusively towards iPhone 14 Pro as their only suitable option.
Which Phone Reigns Supreme?
We‘ve conducted an extensive head-to-head analysis spanning ten major categories. So which flagship comes out on top? Let‘s quickly recap key conclusions:
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Design and build quality are superb on both with iPhone 14 Pro conveying traditionally more refined fit/finish compared to Pixel 7 Pro‘s more overtly modern styling.
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Display technology favors iPhone 14 Pro regarding resolution, peak brightness and outstanding calibration.
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Raw performance sees iPhone 14 Pro benchmark faster but Pixel 7 Pro still swift during most typical daily use applications.
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Cameras represent big upgrades respectively though software and AI gives Pixel 7 Pro‘s extra versatility.
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Software ecosystems stay consistent but differ fundamentally – iOS 16 cohesive and intuitive while Android 13 proves more customizable.
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Battery life and charging rates handily go to Pixel 7 Pro thanks to that mammoth 5000 mAh pack.
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Pricing gives Pixel 7 Pro an edge for 128GB base model but iPhone 14 Pro uniquely offers 1TB range-topping capacity.
Taking all factors collectively, our experience gives the nod to iPhone 14 Pro as the best overall premium flagship especially for existing iOS users wanting camera upgrades wrapped within Apple‘s impeccable hardware and software integration that looks set to get even better when RealityOS arrives.
However the Pixel 7 Pro makes probably the most compelling case yet for Android loyalists seeking incredible mobile photography backed by Google‘s mighty AI capabilities. If maximizing battery life is equally important, Pixel 7 Pro is easily our top recommendation as the longest lasting Android flagship out now. For the money, it‘s extremely tough to beat also making Pixel 7 Pro a savvy value choice gallantly going toe-to-toe against Apple‘s finest.
So in the end, iPhone 14 Pro seems ideally suited to serve Apple faithful whereas Pixel 7 Pro should readily gratify most ardent Android fans – two stellar flagships pushing boundaries of mobile innovation in their own unique ways. Regardless what side you may personally lean towards, there‘s never been a better time enjoying premium phones as advanced as these two category leaders.
