iPhone 17 vs Pixel 9 Pro XL: Phone of the Year vs Big Pixel
iPhone 17 won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. Pixel 9 Pro XL is the largest, longest-battery Pixel — same camera and software as the Pixel 9 Pro (2024 Most Improved). They're priced $300 apart.
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 XL
Google · 2024 · From $1099
Round wins
iPhone 17: 2 · Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: 4 ·Ties: 1
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.8-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 | 5,060 mAh |
| OS | iOS 19 | Android 14 |
| Starting price | $799 | $1099 |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display size
Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XLPixel 9 Pro XL: 6.8-inch. iPhone 17: 6.1-inch. Pick on size preference.
Performance
Winner: iPhone 17A19 outperforms Tensor G4 by roughly 30% in benchmarks. iPhone wins.
Camera
Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XLPixel 9 Pro XL has triple-camera system including 5x telephoto. iPhone 17 has dual main + ultrawide. Pixel wins for zoom.
AI features
Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XLPixel has the broader on-device AI catalog. Apple Intelligence has caught up but Pixel's feature set is wider.
Battery
Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XLPixel 9 Pro XL: 7+ hours screen-on. iPhone 17: 6.5–7.5 hours. Roughly even, slight Pixel edge.
Software longevity
TieBoth ship 7 years of major OS updates.
Price
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17: $799. Pixel 9 Pro XL: $1,099. iPhone is $300 cheaper.
Final verdict
iPhone 17 for most buyers — Phone of the Year, $799 starting, and the most polished day-to-day experience. Pixel 9 Pro XL ($1,099) for buyers who specifically want a 6.8-inch display, 5x telephoto camera, the best on-device AI features, or you're already invested in the Google ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
iPhone 17 or Pixel 9 Pro XL: which to buy?
iPhone 17 (MKBHD's 2025 Phone of the Year) for most buyers — better value, more polished OS, longer battery for size class. Pixel 9 Pro XL if you want bigger display, telephoto camera, or the best AI features.
Is the Pixel 9 Pro XL worth $300 more than iPhone 17?
Only if you specifically want telephoto camera, 6.8-inch display, or Pixel's AI features. Otherwise the iPhone 17 is the smarter buy.
Which has the better camera?
Pixel for everyday family stills (telephoto + AI editing) and iPhone for video. Pick based on what you shoot.