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InnoReviews

Google Pixel 9a vs iPhone XS Max

WINNER
Google Pixel 9a

Google

Google Pixel 9a

$499

53.6Inno Score
VS
iPhone XS Max

Apple

iPhone XS Max

$1,099

33.9Inno Score
43.9Performance30
55.8Display29.7
42.7Camera35.3
56.3Battery23
94.7Features73.3
13 spec wins — Google Pixel 9a3 spec wins — iPhone XS Max

InnoReviews verdict

Google Pixel 9a wins this phone face-off, 53.6 to 33.9, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+33) and display (+26). iPhone XS Max still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Google Pixel 9a

  • Stronger performance score: 44 vs 30
  • Stronger display score: 56 vs 30
  • Stronger camera score: 43 vs 35
  • Stronger battery score: 56 vs 23
  • Stronger features score: 95 vs 73
  • Lower launch price: $499 vs $1,099

Reasons to pick the iPhone XS Max

  • 13% lower thickness: 7.7 mm vs 8.9 mm

Display

Display comparison: Google Pixel 9a versus iPhone XS Max
SpecGoogle Pixel 9aiPhone XS Max
Screen size6.3 ″6.5 ″+3%
Panel typeOLEDOLED
Resolution1080x24242688x1242
Pixel density422 ppi458 ppi+9%
Refresh rate120 Hz+100%60 Hz
Peak brightness2,700 nits+332%625 nits
Screen-to-body84 %—

Performance

Performance comparison: Google Pixel 9a versus iPhone XS Max
SpecGoogle Pixel 9aiPhone XS Max
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G4Apple A12 Bionic
AnTuTu 101,050,000+46%Top 45%720,000Top 68%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,900+73%Top 38%1,100Top 63%
Geekbench 6 (multi)4,500+61%Top 42%2,800Top 67%
RAM (max)8 GB+100%4 GB
Storage options128/256GB64GB / 256GB / 512GB
Storage typeUFS 3.1NVMe

Camera

Camera comparison: Google Pixel 9a versus iPhone XS Max
SpecGoogle Pixel 9aiPhone XS Max
Main camera48 MP+300%12 MP
Main aperturef/1.7f/1.8
Ultra-wide13 MP—
Telephoto—12 MP
Optical zoom—2 x
Max video4K@60fps4K@60fps
Front camera13 MP+86%7 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Google Pixel 9a versus iPhone XS Max
SpecGoogle Pixel 9aiPhone XS Max
Capacity5,100 mAh+61%3,174 mAh
Wired charging23 W+53%15 W
Wireless charging8 W8 W
Active use endurance12 h—

Design

Design comparison: Google Pixel 9a versus iPhone XS Max
SpecGoogle Pixel 9aiPhone XS Max
Weight186 g+11%208 g
Thickness8.9 mm7.7 mm+13%
IP ratingIP68IP68
Frame materialAluminumStainless steel

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Google Pixel 9a versus iPhone XS Max
SpecGoogle Pixel 9aiPhone XS Max
5GYesNo
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 5
Bluetooth5.35.0
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2Lightning
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: Google Pixel 9a versus iPhone XS Max
SpecGoogle Pixel 9aiPhone XS Max
OS at launchAndroid 15iOS 12
OS update pledge7 years+17%6 years

Audio

Audio comparison: Google Pixel 9a versus iPhone XS Max
SpecGoogle Pixel 9aiPhone XS Max
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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