Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB) vs Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone XS Max vs Google Pixel 9a phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1242x2688
12
MP
MP
7.1mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3174
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.3"
POLED
POLED
1080x2424
48
MP
MP
13mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5100
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
12 Advantages 
22 Advantages | 25 Common items in both devices |
| 16 million |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| BSI sensor |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Capacitive |
| +18 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Model | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone Xs Max A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104 | Google Pixel 9a GXQ96 |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) |  USA |
| Brand | Apple | |
| Release date | 9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018 | 4/10/2025, Announced: 3/19/2025 |
| Depth | 7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 77.4 x 157.5 millimeters (3.05 x 6.2 in) | 73.3 x 154.7 millimeters (2.89 x 6.09 in) |
| Weight | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) | 186 grams (6.51 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Stainless steel body, glass front/back | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED | P-OLED |
| Screen size | 6.5" inches | 6.3" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~85.1% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~83.9% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1242x2688 pixels (19.5:9) | 1080x2424 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 456 PPI | 421 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen | 2700nits[peak] HDR8 Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| System version | iOS 12 | Android 15 |
| Firmware update | iOS 18 | Android 16 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) | 64bit: Google Tensor G4 (4nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 3.1GHz ARM Cortex-X4 (Single-core) 3x 2.6GHz ARM Cortex-A720 (Triple-core) 4x 1.92GHz ARM Cortex-A520 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Apple GPU (4-Core) | ARM Mali-G715 MP7 (940MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 353210 (v7) Geekbench: 11432 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 1030262 (v10) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| RAM memory | 4GB LPDDR4X | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Internal storage | 256GB (244GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 256GB (220GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 1024/150 Mbps | 3000/1024 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2104 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat16 VoLTE A1921/A2104 models: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,29,30,32,66,71) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2101 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,28,29,30,32,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2102 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,11,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,21,25,26,28,29,30,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,42,46) | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 41, 48) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 41, 48) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm | (dual camera) 48 megapixels 13MP ultrawide f/2.2120°1/3.1"1.12µm |
| Main camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 8000x6000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Quad-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.7 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 28mm (lens) | 25mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/2.55" inches | 1/2" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm pixel | 0.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 1080p@240fps | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 7.1 megapixels | 13 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3072x2304 pixels | 4128x3096 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | Full HD (1920x1080) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 32mm (lens) | 20mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/3.1" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 1.12µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound | Stereo sound |
| Active noise cancellation | 3 microphones | 2 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 proprietary connector | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | proprietary audio output | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | Proprietary TV-out | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.3 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | feature not registered |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3174 mAh | 5100 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 23W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Qi wireless charging | 7.5W Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | 25 hours (1 days) | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Face ID • Apple Pay • AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri | • Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony • Google Cast |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 256GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.99W/kg (head), 1.39W/kg (body) |