iPhone 15 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The iPhone 15 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro represent the pinnacle of smartphone engineering from their respective ecosystems. This comparison isn't about simply declaring a 'winner,' but dissecting where Apple's silicon and software prowess clash with Google's AI-driven approach to mobile photography and user experience. We'll focus on the tangible benefits each phone delivers, from raw performance to real-world battery endurance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw processing power, demanding mobile gaming, and seamless video editing, the iPhone 15 Pro is the clear choice. Its A17 Pro chip and superior display brightness offer a noticeable advantage. However, the Pixel 7 Pro remains a compelling option for photography enthusiasts and those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 15 Pro Google Pixel 7 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A31021, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GE2AE
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A31021, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GE2AE
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GP4BC
Launch
Announced2023, September 122022, October 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 22Available. Released 2022, October 13
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm (5.77 x 2.78 x 0.33 in)162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight187 g (6.60 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~461 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetApple A17 Pro (3 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUApple GPU (6-core graphics)Mali-G710 MP7
OSiOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec.4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, Dolby Vision HDRHDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 3274 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural TitaniumObsidian, Snow, Hazel
ModelsA2848, A3101, A3102, A3104, iPhone16,1GP4BC, GE2AE, GFE4J
Price$ 489.68 / C$ 849.99 / £ 559.99 / € 648.47€ 248.84 / $ 204.00 / £ 259.99 / ₹ 36,999
SAR1.14 W/kg (head)     1.16 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 796369 (v9) GeekBench: 3187 (v5.1) GFXBench: 34fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

  • Superior processing power with the A17 Pro chip
  • Brighter and more visible display in sunlight
  • Faster wired charging and MagSafe wireless charging
  • Long-term software support from Apple

  • Ecosystem lock-in
  • Potentially higher repair costs

Google Pixel 7 Pro

  • Exceptional computational photography and AI features
  • Clean and intuitive Android experience
  • Seamless integration with Google services
  • Competitive wireless charging speeds

  • Less powerful processor compared to the A17 Pro
  • Display is less bright than the iPhone 15 Pro

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1786 nits compared to the Pixel 7 Pro’s 1090 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both feature excellent color accuracy, the iPhone’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor use. The Pixel 7 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a marketing term; both displays offer excellent contrast. Neither specification details refresh rate, but both are expected to have adaptive refresh rates for smooth scrolling and power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are equipped with advanced camera systems capable of capturing stunning photos and videos. However, their approaches differ. The Pixel 7 Pro leverages Google’s computational photography prowess, excelling in dynamic range and low-light performance. The iPhone 15 Pro, while also employing computational techniques, focuses on delivering a more natural look. Without specific sensor size data, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but Apple’s history suggests a larger main sensor. Both support video recording, but the A17 Pro’s image signal processor (ISP) likely offers more advanced video processing capabilities. The absence of detail on lens apertures makes a detailed comparison difficult.

Performance

Apple’s A17 Pro, fabricated on a 3nm process, represents a substantial leap in mobile silicon. Its hexa-core CPU (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) is architecturally different from the Pixel 7 Pro’s octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Tensor G2 (5nm). The A17 Pro’s smaller node allows for greater transistor density and improved thermal efficiency, meaning sustained performance under load will likely be higher. While the Tensor G2 excels at AI and machine learning tasks, the A17 Pro dominates in CPU and GPU benchmarks. The iPhone 15 Pro will offer a smoother experience in graphically intensive games and applications.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Pro achieves an active use battery score of 12:58h and an endurance rating of 86h, slightly exceeding the Pixel 7 Pro’s 83h endurance rating. While the Pixel 7 Pro offers 23W wired and wireless charging, the iPhone 15 Pro supports both PD2.0 wired (50% in 30 min) and 15W wireless charging via MagSafe and Qi2 (requiring iOS 17.2). The iPhone also offers 4.5W reverse wired charging. The slightly better endurance rating of the iPhone 15 Pro, combined with faster wired charging, gives it a slight edge in battery performance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro if you need uncompromising performance for demanding tasks like video editing, high-end mobile gaming, or professional workflows. Its robust ecosystem and long-term software support are also key benefits. Buy the Google Pixel 7 Pro if you prioritize computational photography, a clean Android experience, and seamless integration with Google services. The Pixel’s AI features and unique camera capabilities make it ideal for casual photographers and those seeking a smart, intuitive smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Google Tensor G2 chip overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Tensor G2 is a capable chip, its 5nm process and architecture are less thermally efficient than the iPhone 15 Pro’s 3nm A17 Pro. Users may experience some throttling during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming, leading to reduced frame rates. The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ How does the iPhone 15 Pro’s MagSafe charging compare to the Pixel 7 Pro’s wireless charging?
The iPhone 15 Pro supports 15W MagSafe wireless charging, offering a secure and efficient connection. The Pixel 7 Pro supports 23W wireless charging, which is faster, but lacks the magnetic alignment of MagSafe. Both also support Qi2, but the iPhone requires iOS 17.2 for full compatibility.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 700+ nit difference in peak brightness is quite noticeable, especially outdoors. The iPhone 15 Pro’s display remains easily readable in direct sunlight, while the Pixel 7 Pro may require you to shield the screen or seek shade.
❓ What are the benefits of the A17 Pro's 3nm process?
The 3nm process allows for a significantly higher transistor density within the same chip area. This translates to increased performance, improved power efficiency, and reduced heat generation compared to the Pixel 7 Pro's 5nm Tensor G2.