iPhone 15 Pro vs Pixel 9 Pro: Best Camera 2023 vs Most Improved 2024
iPhone 15 Pro won Best Camera at MKBHD's 2023 Smartphone Awards. Pixel 9 Pro won Most Improved at MKBHD's 2024 awards. Now both can be had for around $700–$1,000 — the iPhone 15 Pro at $599–$699 refurbished, the Pixel 9 Pro at $999 new.
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 15 Pro
Apple · 2023 · From $999
_front.svg){kind=tracking}
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google · 2024 · From $999
Round wins
iPhone 15 Pro: 2 · Google Pixel 9 Pro: 5 ·Ties: 1
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro | Google Pixel 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz LTPO |
| Processor | Apple A17 Pro | Google Tensor G4 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| Camera | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP 3x telephoto | 50MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 48MP 5x telephoto |
| Battery | 3,274 mAh | 4,700 mAh |
| OS | iOS 17 | Android 14 |
| Starting price | $999 | $999 |
| Released | 2023 | 2024 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display
Winner: Google Pixel 9 ProPixel 9 Pro: 6.3-inch LTPO at 3,000 nits. iPhone 15 Pro: 6.1-inch ProMotion at 2,000 nits. Pixel is brighter.
Performance
Winner: Google Pixel 9 ProTensor G4 in Pixel 9 Pro is roughly 25% faster than A17 Pro in iPhone 15 Pro for AI workloads. Apple wins on raw GPU.
Camera (stills)
Winner: Google Pixel 9 ProPixel 9 Pro has triple-camera system (5x telephoto). iPhone 15 Pro has 3x telephoto. Pixel wins on zoom.
Camera (video)
Winner: iPhone 15 ProiPhone 15 Pro has ProRes Log. Pixel video is good but trails iPhone.
AI features
Winner: Google Pixel 9 ProPixel 9 Pro has the broader on-device AI catalog. Apple Intelligence on 15 Pro is supported but slower than newer iPhones.
Battery
TieBoth 5.5–6.5 hours screen-on.
Software longevity
Winner: Google Pixel 9 ProPixel 9 Pro: 7 years from launch. iPhone 15 Pro: 4+ remaining years. Pixel wins.
Price
Winner: iPhone 15 ProiPhone 15 Pro refurbished: $599–$699. Pixel 9 Pro: $999. iPhone is $300 cheaper.
Final verdict
Buy the Pixel 9 Pro at $999 if budget allows — newer chip, longer support runway, and the best on-device AI features. Buy the iPhone 15 Pro refurbished at $599–$699 if you want into iOS at the lowest possible price with full Apple Intelligence support.
Frequently Asked Questions
iPhone 15 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro: which to buy?
Pixel 9 Pro at $999 if budget allows — newer chip, longer support, better AI features. iPhone 15 Pro refurbished at $599–$699 if you want iOS at the lowest price with Apple Intelligence.
Is the iPhone 15 Pro still worth buying in 2026?
Yes refurbished at $599–$699 — won MKBHD's 2023 Best Camera, supports Apple Intelligence, and has 4+ years of iOS updates remaining.
Which has the better camera, iPhone 15 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro?
Pixel 9 Pro for stills (5x telephoto + AI editing). iPhone 15 Pro for video (ProRes Log). Both are excellent.