iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Pixel 6 Pro: is it worth the change in camps
All of the most popular phone manufacturers have at least two and often more flagship models for their customers to choose from. Names including the words “Pro” “Max”, “Ultra”, and so on usually tend to adorn the crème de la crème of these high-end smartphone lineups.
In the cases of Apple and Google, we are, of course, talking about the Pro Max and Pro models respectively. More particularly, today we will be pitting against each other the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro Max, set to be launched in September, and the already available Pixel 6 Pro from Google.
Pro Max would have a significant advantage of being one generation/year newer than the Pixel 6 Pro. Nevertheless, given the completely different software and approach of the two companies, there is plenty of room for speculation about which one would be better at what.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that Apple might up the price of this year’s iPhones.
Below, we will compare the iPhone 14 Pro Max to Google’s Pixel 6 Pro based on all we know about Apple’s future flagship phone.
Design and display quality
The iPhone finally looses the notch
Design-wise, Google brought something fresh to the table when it introduced the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro on October 19, 2021. Some loved it, some hated it, but its looks were what made it stand out the most.
Apple, however, likes to play it a bit safer when it comes to changing the way its products look. Judging by what we have seen so far from leaked renders, rumors, and iPhone 14-series molds, it would seem that this trend will continue in 2022 as well, with very small changes.
There is only one major design change that, by now, we know is very likely to happen with the Pro models — replacing the notch for an i-shaped punch-hole display.
When it comes to size, the two phones are more similar than different, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max being slightly shorter than the Pixel 6 Pro, a bit wider, and less thick. The screen-to-body ratio on both should also be very similar.
Water and dust resistance are usually a given when we enter the realm of a manufacturer’s best of the best. The Pixel 6 Pro has an IP 68 rating, and we can safely assume the same for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, given that previous models also did.
In terms of biometrics, the iPhone, as we all know by now, does not have a fingerprint scanner. Thankfully, FaceID is the best of its kind and does the job most of the time. The Pixel 6 Pro, on the other hand, has a fingerprint scanner, although by now it has earned a reputation for being buggy and slow.
Performance and Software
Awesome power or AI and smart features
Google debuted its first-ever in-house chip with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro called Tensor. Tensor is not exactly known for being the fastest chipset in terms of raw CPU and GPU power so it might seem like a disappointment at first for some.
You see, Google knows what it is best at, AI. That is why when it made its first chipset, the search engine giant decided to focus its resources on AI computing, with one of the best examples being the Google Assistant and photo processing.
Things look way different on Apple’s side, though. With iPhones, it is all about power and efficiency. Just like its predecessors, the iPhone 14 Pro Max will likely once again top the charts when it enters the benchmark races. All of that horsepower translates into amazing performance while doing tasks on your phone, taking high-res videos, or playing games.
Camera
New camera = Pixel left in the dust?
When we talk about camera systems on the absolute best flagships, things can get a little subjective. The Pixel phone became popular thanks to its main selling point of having an awesome camera powered by AI that is capable of taking some of the best images from a phone.
Now, when it comes to taking snapshots the Pixel is still one of the best phones out there. But the iPhone 14 Pro Max is rumored to come with a brand new 1/1.3-inch 48MP sensor for the main camera, which could give it a significant edge over the Pixel 6 Pro.
The new sensor should greatly improve Night mode on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, helping it catch up to the Pixel 6 Pro, which is known for its great low-light performance.
Video-wise, the Pixel 6 Pro is not doing badly at all, but simply cannot match anything that the iPhone 13 is capable of, let alone the iPhone 14 Pro Max and its improved camera. One area where the Pixel could remain superior, though, is the audio recording while shooting video.
Last but not least, the latest rumors say that the iPhone 14 Pro Max would also come with a new front-facing camera with an f/1.9 aperture and the ability to auto-focus. Despite knowing all of that, though, we still haven’t heard anything about the number of megapixels.
Nevertheless, the selfie shooter on the Pixel 6 Pro is already not as good in terms of focusing and detail as that of the current iPhone Pro models, so it is safe to assume that gap would only increase with the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Audio Quality and Haptics
A win-win situation
The dual speakers on the Pixel 6 Pro are quite loud, producing a rich sound that’s pleasing to the ears. As for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, there is no information regarding its speakers yet, so for now, we can assume they will remain the same, meaning they would sound similarly as great as those on the Pixel.
As for haptics, the iPhone usually has no trouble in that department. However, that also stands true for the Pixel, at least in more recent years, so we can expect the two to perform similarly here too.
Battery Life and Charging
Endurance vs Speed
Battery life and charging is one area where the battle between the Pixel 6 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max gets a little interesting, and choosing between the two would depend on what you prefer for your experience.Given that the iPhone 13 Pro Max is one of the battery life champions of 2021, it is safe to assume that the new model would also do well in that regard. However, the Pixel 6 Pro is likely to be the superior handset when it comes to charging speed (30W), as there is no word that the iPhone 14 Pro Max will come with more than the 27W its predecessor is capable of.
iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Pixel 6 Pro Specs Comparison
You can check out and compare the full list of specs and features for the Pixel 6 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max in our comparison page.
Everything we know about the iPhone 14 Pro Max is based on leaks, reports, and rumors, so take this information with a grain of salt.
| Specs | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Pixel 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.33 x 3.05 x 0.31 inches (160.7 x 77.58 x 7.85 mm) | 6.45 x 2.99 x 0.35 inches (163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm) |
| Weight | 7.41 oz; 210g | |
| Screen | 6.7 inches, OLED, 120Hz, HDR | 6.7 inches, P-OLED, 120Hz, HDR |
| Processor | Apple 16 Bionic | Tensor |
| RAM | 6GB | 12GB |
| Rear Cameras | 48 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide, 12 MP 3x telephoto | 50 MP main, 48 MP 4x telephoto, 12 MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 11.1 MP | |
| Battery Size | 4,323mAh | 5003 mAh |
| Charging Speeds | Wired: 27.0W; Wireless: 15.0W | Wired: 30.0W; Wireless: 23.0W |
| Price | $1199 | $899 |
Summary and Final Verdict
So… is making the transfer from one camp to the other worth it for the iPhone 14 Pro Max? Well, that depends on whether you see yourself as belonging to one camp or not. If you have not pledged allegiance to either manufacturer, then the question becomes more easily debatable.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max, when it comes out, will be a 1-year newer device than the Pixel 6 Pro. Performance improvements, taking photos and videos, longer battery life, etc., are all not something to disregard.
However, the iPhone Pro Max has always been a significantly expensive phone, and if the rumors are true, it is about to become even more pricey, jumping from $1099 for the base model to $1199. The Pixel 6 Pro, on the other hand, is still a great device that would satisfy most people’s needs for the most part and you can get it for $899.
Not to mention that it is just as good, or might even remain better in some regards when compared to the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro Max, like for example the charging speeds and AI capabilities.
At the end of the day, it boils down to how much you are willing to pay for a phone as expensive as the iPhone 14 Pro Max and whether those improvements you would get with the phone are of any value to you.