Google Pixel 8 vs Apple iPhone 15: Which do you have to purchase?

In a way, there’s no extra elementary a battle within the platform wars than pitting the Google Pixel 8 vs Apple’s iPhone 15. Whereas each Apple and Google have higher-spec gadgets — the Pixel 8 Professional and the iPhone 15 Professional/Professional Max, respectively — these are the newest “default” gadgets for Android and iOS. They’re additionally what extra individuals are doubtless to purchase, being lots of of {dollars} cheaper than their Professional counterparts. So placing apart Android Authority‘s bias for a second, which telephone do you have to purchase for those who’re versatile on the platform query?

As you’ll be able to see, the telephones aren’t far aside in most respects. It looks like Apple and Google had been nicely conscious of what one another would have in the marketplace by fall 2023. Even the telephones’ shows are every able to 2,000 nits of peak brightness open air, though the iPhone 15 tends to be barely brighter in regular situations.

It’s value noting that as is common for Apple, some iPhone 15 specs that appear weak on paper — primarily RAM and battery capability — is probably not in observe. As a result of Apple has hermetic {hardware} and software program integration, it’s capable of optimize efficiency in a manner Google can solely dream of, regardless of its Tensor chips.

One thing we overlooked of our specs is that whereas each telephones now assist USB-C, the iPhone 15 solely helps sluggish USB 2.0 information speeds, whereas the Pixel 8 is supplied with USB 3.2. Google does make you purchase a separate cable to take advantage of that, but for those who frequently switch gigabytes of video or different information, chances are you’ll robotically want the Pixel 8.

Nonetheless up within the air is how nicely Google’s new Tensor G3 processor stacks up in opposition to the A16 Bionic. Whereas the A16’s efficiency is well-documented, because it was used within the iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max, we’re not allowed to share our Tensor G3 benchmarks simply but. Keep tuned!

Virtually talking, there’s not a lot distinction between the telephones in dimension. The Pixel 8 does in fact have a barely bigger 6.2-inch show, however by way of different dimensions, it’s not that a lot larger.

The place you may discover issues just a little is in thickness and weight. The Pixel 8 is available in at 8.9mm thick versus the iPhone 15’s 7.8mm, and it’s a bit heavier at 187g. Which may make the iPhone 15 marginally extra snug within the hand and simpler to slot in a pocket.

This can be a powerful space to speak about for a couple of causes, largely as a result of we’ve but to totally check the pair of telephones. We’ll replace this comparability with galleries at a later date. Specs-wise, the merchandise are extraordinarily shut. The iPhone 15 is Apple’s first non-Professional mannequin with a 48 megapixel most important digicam, simply shy of the Pixel 8’s 50 megapixels. Certainly, Apple and Google every declare 2x “optical-quality” zoom, though what they actually imply is that their sensors can do a 2x crop with no noticeable high quality setback. Each firms have but to place true telephoto lenses on an entry-level or mid-range gadget — as soon as once more, we’re caught with an ultrawide because the secondary. Something past 2x zoom is aided by additional computational pictures trickery.

Actually, Apple and Google every depend on a variety of regularly evolving processing wizardry. That’s very true within the case of Google, which presents quite a lot of post-shot enhancement choices that Apple doesn’t, akin to Finest Take, Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, and Face Unblur. That, mixed with issues like an Astrophotography mode, might push the Pixel 8 excessive for individuals who depend on their telephone for all their pictures.

Apple remains to be identified for having a few of the finest digicam tech within the trade, nonetheless, so nobody needs to be disenchanted with an iPhone. Relating to video, the iPhone 15 ought to be capable of go toe-to-toe or higher, supporting 4K at as much as 60fps, and matching the Pixel 8’s {hardware} and software program stabilization (on the primary lens). The iPhone 15 may even shoot in Dolby Imaginative and prescient, whereas the Pixel is restricted to “simply” 10-bit HDR. About the one video benefits the Pixel 8 appears to carry (on the floor) are a macro focus recording mode and Audio Magic Eraser for deleted undesirable sounds. We’ll be taught extra quickly.

As hinted, Apple appears to be outperforming the battery specs it has on paper. Though the iPhone 15 is supplied with a 3,349mAh pack, nominally a lot smaller than the Pixel 8, Apple claims the gadget can deal with as much as 20 hours of continuous video, whereas Google will solely promise “past 24-hour” battery life when utilizing a mixture of capabilities. In observe, we’d anticipate each telephones to have some cost left on the finish of a day, however not sufficient you could skip charging in a single day. That’s par for the course.

One motive you may choose the Pixel 8 is its Excessive Battery Saver mode. This goes past the low-power mode most smartphones have, shutting down all however probably the most important capabilities to push battery life as much as 72 hours. You’ll need to keep away from utilizing it, however for those who’ve ever been apprehensive about how lengthy your telephone will final after a protracted flight or an prolonged energy outage, it could possibly be interesting.

The Pixel 8’s 27W wired charging is quicker than the common iPhone 15, although not the 15 Professional or Professional Max, and also you’ll nonetheless want to purchase your personal USB Energy Supply PPS-compatible adapter to make that occur (there’s no charger within the field). Likewise, whereas the telephone can deal with 18W wi-fi charging, that’s solely with Google’s 2nd gen Pixel Stand. You’ll max out at 12W with a standard Qi charger, which is under the 15W the iPhone 15 can deal with with a licensed MagSafe accent. Google additionally doesn’t seem to have plans to assist Qi2 on the Pixel 8, whereas that’s already within the works for the iPhone 15 lineup.

Keep in mind that the iPhone 15 is restricted to 7.5W with Qi chargers, and doesn’t supply an equal of the Pixel 8’s Battery Share reverse wi-fi charging. The one reverse charging it has is wired, and even then it’s meant largely for Apple Watches and AirPods. You possibly can doubtlessly use it with different gadgets in the event that they assist the USB-PD spec.

Although Apple has mercifully averted mountain climbing costs this yr, there’s little question that it considers the iPhone 15  a “premium” product, given its $799 entry charge. When you shoot a variety of pictures and video you’ll be able to even spring $1,099 for a 512GB mannequin, although at that time you’re spending as a lot as you’d on a 256GB iPhone 15 Professional.

The Pixel 8 solely has 128 and 256GB storage choices, however slides in cheaper on each counts. That makes it a reasonably whole lot — until in fact going with an Android telephone may sacrifice a few of the Apple ecosystem in your family. Extra on that in a second.

Relying on the place you reside, you may also have to attend longer for the Pixel 8. In the intervening time, it’s scheduled to ship in 20 nations on October 12, versus the 40-plus the iPhone 15 arrived in on September 22. Hopefully, Google’s attain ought to develop, however the firm doesn’t have the identical distribution capability as Apple.

Actually, primarily based purely on options, it’s arduous to go fallacious with both. They each have stable efficiency, and will even dispel a few of the curiosity in shopping for their Professional variations now you could get 2x digital zoom with out hurting photograph high quality. We’d steer in the direction of the Pixel 8 for causes like worth, photograph software program, a much bigger show, and sooner wired charging, however the iPhone 15 has issues to advocate akin to MagSafe, construct high quality, top-notch video recording, and the well-proven A16 Bionic chip.

After all, the elephant within the room is that many individuals at the moment are purchased into both the Android or Apple ecosystems, and selecting one sacrifices some great benefits of the opposite. Android customers have a neater time switching telephone and accent manufacturers, as an illustration, in addition to elevated customization choices, and tie-ins with the Google providers even iPhone homeowners customers day by day. Apple’s deep cross-product integration is difficult to beat nonetheless, permitting gadgets like iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watches, and Macs to work seamlessly with one another (more often than not). There’s a little bit of that on the Android aspect, however even manufacturers like Google and Samsung are enjoying catch-up.

When you’re already invested in a single ecosystem or the opposite, it’s in all probability most secure to stay with whichever telephone is connected to it. If one thing has nudged you in the direction of making a platform swap, now’s a reasonably good time to vary lanes, notably now that we’ve received interchangeable energy cables.