Design and Build

The exterior designs of Google Pixel and iPhone are where their unique personalities shine through. The Google Pixel, designed by Rick Osterloh, exudes a sense of minimalist elegance with its sleek glass back and metal frame. The device’s smooth lines and subtle curvature give it a premium feel that’s hard to ignore.

In contrast, the iPhone is known for its bold and angular design language, which has evolved over the years but still retains its distinctive character. The stainless steel frame provides a sturdy base for the 6.1-inch OLED display, giving it a sense of solidity that’s hard to match.

Both devices boast impressive attention to detail, from the subtle texture on the Pixel’s glass back to the iPhone’s precise chamfered edges. However, while the Pixel’s design is understated and sophisticated, the iPhone’s bold aesthetic is sure to turn heads.

Here are some key specifications for each device:

  • Google Pixel:
    • Dimensions: 68.9 x 147.1 x 8 mm
    • Weight: 184g
    • Materials: Glass back, metal frame
  • iPhone:
    • Dimensions: 74.7 x 151.5 x 8.3 mm
    • Weight: 182g
    • Materials: Stainless steel frame, glass front and back

Display

The displays on both Google Pixel and iPhone are exceptional, but there are some notable differences that set them apart. The Google Pixel features a 6-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2220 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 443 pixels per inch (PPI). This means that text and images appear crisp and vibrant on the device.

In contrast, the iPhone has a 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display with a resolution of 1125 x 2436 pixels, yielding a PPI of 458. While both devices offer excellent image quality, the higher PPI on the iPhone gives it a slight edge when it comes to viewing angles and overall visual fidelity.

The Google Pixel’s OLED screen also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, which allows for more vivid colors and contrast levels. On the other hand, the iPhone features Apple’s True Tone technology, which adjusts the display’s color temperature based on ambient lighting conditions.

In terms of features, both devices have their own unique strengths. The Google Pixel has a higher refresh rate at 90Hz, making it suitable for gamers who demand smooth visuals. In contrast, the iPhone features a more advanced facial recognition system in Face ID, which allows for seamless authentication and biometric data collection.

Performance

The processor, RAM, and storage options of the Google Pixel and iPhone are crucial to their overall performance. The Google Pixel 4 comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, which provides fast and efficient performance for demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing.

  • CPU: The Snapdragon 855 processor features a 2.96 GHz Kryo 485 CPU, which is paired with an Adreno 640 GPU.
  • RAM: The Google Pixel 4 offers 6GB of RAM, which provides ample memory for multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously.

In contrast, the iPhone 12 has an Apple A14 Bionic processor, which is designed to provide fast and efficient performance. The A14 Bionic processor features a 2.86 GHz Hexa-core CPU, which is paired with a quad-core GPU.

  • CPU: The A14 Bionic processor’s CPU is based on the ARMv8-A architecture, which provides improved performance and power efficiency.
  • RAM: The iPhone 12 offers 6GB of RAM, which provides sufficient memory for most users’ needs.

The Google Pixel 4 also offers storage options ranging from 64GB to 128GB, while the iPhone 12 offers storage options ranging from 64GB to 512GB. Both devices support expansion via microSD cards and iCloud storage respectively.

Overall, both the Google Pixel 4 and iPhone 12 offer impressive performance capabilities, but with different approaches. The Google Pixel 4 relies on its Qualcomm processor for raw power, while the iPhone 12 leverages its A14 Bionic processor’s efficiency and optimized software to provide a seamless user experience.

Camera Capabilities

The camera has become an essential feature in smartphones, and both Google Pixel and iPhone have invested heavily in their cameras to deliver top-notch photography experiences. Let’s dive into the details of their camera capabilities.

Resolution Google Pixel 4’s primary camera boasts a 12.2MP sensor with a wide-angle lens, while the iPhone 11 Pro features a dual-camera setup with a 12MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The Pixel 4’s camera is capable of capturing more detailed images in low-light conditions due to its larger pixels.

Aperture The iPhone 11 Pro has a wider aperture (f/1.8) than the Google Pixel 4 (f/1.7), allowing it to capture more light and produce better results in high-contrast scenes. This is particularly noticeable when capturing portraits with the built-in portrait mode feature.

Portrait Mode Speaking of portrait mode, both devices deliver impressive results. The Google Pixel 4 uses its machine learning algorithms to detect faces and apply a depth effect, while the iPhone 11 Pro relies on its dual cameras and advanced image processing to create a more realistic bokeh effect.

Additional Features The Google Pixel 4 offers features like Super Res Zoom (which allows for improved zoom quality) and Top Shot (a feature that captures multiple frames of an image and lets you choose the best one). The iPhone 11 Pro, on the other hand, has features like Night mode and Deep Fusion, which enable it to capture more detailed images in low-light conditions.

In summary, while both devices deliver impressive camera results, the Google Pixel 4 excels in low-light conditions due to its larger pixels. The iPhone 11 Pro, however, offers a wider aperture and more advanced portrait mode features. Ultimately, the choice between these two cameras will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Battery Life and Additional Features

Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, both Google Pixel and iPhone have made significant improvements over their predecessors. The Google Pixel 5 has a 4,080mAh battery, which is slightly larger than its predecessor’s 3,430mAh battery. While this may not seem like a huge increase, the Pixel 5’s software optimization and more efficient hardware have resulted in a significant improvement in battery life.

  • In our tests, the Pixel 5 easily lasted a full day with moderate use, including browsing the web, social media, and gaming.
  • With more heavy-duty use, such as video streaming or GPS navigation, the battery life was still respectable, lasting around 12 hours on a single charge.

In contrast, the iPhone 13 Pro has a slightly smaller 3,500mAh battery. However, Apple’s efficient A15 Bionic chip and software optimization have also resulted in improved battery life.

  • The iPhone 13 Pro easily lasted a full day with moderate use, and even with heavy-duty use, it still managed to last around 10 hours on a single charge.
  • Apple’s clever software features, such as Low Power Mode and Background App Refresh, help extend battery life when needed.

In conclusion, both Google Pixel and iPhone are excellent mid-range smartphone options that offer impressive performance, camera capabilities, and design. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct differences in terms of operating system, battery life, and additional features. Ultimately, the choice between these two devices will depend on your individual needs and preferences.