iPhone 17 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Phone of the Year vs Most Improved
Both placed at MKBHD's Smartphone Awards in different years and on different criteria: iPhone 17 won 2025 Phone of the Year for being the most rounded recommendation; Pixel 9 Pro won 2024 Most Improved for fixing nearly every complaint about its predecessor. They're priced $200 apart. Which is right for you?
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 17
Apple · 2025 · From $799
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Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google · 2024 · From $999
Round wins
iPhone 17: 4 · Google Pixel 9 Pro: 2 ·Ties: 2
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Google Pixel 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz LTPO |
| Processor | Apple A19 | Google Tensor G4 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| Camera | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP front | 50MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 48MP 5x telephoto |
| Battery | 3,279 mAh | 4,700 mAh |
| OS | iOS 19 | Android 14 |
| Starting price | $799 | $999 |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display
TieiPhone 17: 6.1-inch ProMotion OLED. Pixel 9 Pro: 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO. Both 120Hz, both ~3,000 nits peak. Pick based on size preference.
Performance
Winner: iPhone 17A19 outperforms Tensor G4 by roughly 30% in benchmarks. For typical use it's invisible; for sustained workloads it's noticeable.
Camera (stills)
Winner: Google Pixel 9 ProPixel 9 Pro has triple cameras (main + ultrawide + 5x telephoto) vs iPhone 17's dual (main + ultrawide). Pixel's telephoto and AI editing tools win for everyday photography.
Camera (video)
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 has 4K60 Cinematic mode and the deeper creator-app ecosystem. Pixel 9 Pro has Audio Magic Eraser and Video Boost but trails iPhone on raw video quality.
AI features
Winner: Google Pixel 9 ProPixel 9 Pro has the broader on-device AI catalog: Magic Editor, Pixel Studio, Audio Magic Eraser, Call Screen, Recorder transcription. Apple Intelligence has caught up but Pixel's feature set is wider.
Battery
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 averages 6.5–7.5 hours of screen-on time; Pixel 9 Pro averages 5.5–6.5. Real difference.
Software longevity
TieBoth ship 7 years of major OS updates. iOS 19 is more polished; Pixel UI is cleaner. Pick on platform preference.
Price
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17: $799. Pixel 9 Pro: $999. iPhone is $200 cheaper at base — and won Phone of the Year for it.
Final verdict
iPhone 17 is the easier recommendation for most buyers — Phone of the Year is rarely awarded by accident. Pixel 9 Pro is the right pick if you specifically want clean Android, on-device AI features (Magic Editor, Pixel Studio), or the better stills camera. Most general buyers will be happier with the iPhone 17.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 17 or the Pixel 9 Pro?
iPhone 17 (MKBHD's 2025 Phone of the Year) for most buyers — better value, longer battery, more polished OS. Pixel 9 Pro (2024 Most Improved) if you specifically want clean Android, on-device AI features, or telephoto camera at this price tier.
Is the Pixel 9 Pro better than the iPhone 17 for photography?
For stills: yes, marginally — better telephoto reach and AI editing tools. For video: no — iPhone 17 wins on quality and creator-app ecosystem.
Is iPhone 17 worth $200 less than Pixel 9 Pro?
Yes — and that's why MKBHD called it Phone of the Year. The Pixel adds telephoto camera and AI features; the iPhone adds better battery, OS polish, and saves you $200.