Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) vs Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Side by side comparison between Google Pixel 9a vs Apple iPhone XS Max phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.3"
POLED
POLED
1080x2424
48
MP
MP
13mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5100
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1242x2688
12
MP
MP
7.1mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3174
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 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!
22 Advantages 
12 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 | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Model | Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) |
| Other model names | Google Pixel 9a GTF7P | iPhone Xs Max A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104 |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Apple | |
| Release date | 4/10/2025, Announced: 3/19/2025 | 9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018 |
| Depth | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) | 7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 73.3 x 154.7 millimeters (2.89 x 6.09 in) | 77.4 x 157.5 millimeters (3.05 x 6.2 in) |
| Weight | 186 grams (6.51 ounces) | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back | Stainless steel body, glass front/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 | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Display type | P-OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.3" inches | 6.5" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~83.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.1% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2424 pixels (20:9) | 1242x2688 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 421 PPI | 456 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 3 | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | 2700nits[peak] HDR8 Always-On Display | 625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| System version | Android 15 | iOS 12 |
| Firmware update | Android 16 | iOS 18 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Google Tensor G4 (4nm) | 64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) |
| CPU | 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) | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | ARM Mali-G715 MP7 (940MHz) | Apple GPU (4-Core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 1030262 (v10) | AnTuTu: 353210 (v7) Geekbench: 11432 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5X | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 256GB (220GB available) UFS 3.1 | 256GB (244GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Not supported |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 3000/1024 Mbps | 1024/150 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 | All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2104 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32, 66, 75) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42) VoLTE | 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) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78, 79) | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | 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 |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32, 66, 75) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42) VoLTE | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 48 megapixels 13MP ultrawide f/2.2120°1/3.1"1.12µm | (dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm |
| Main camera resolution | 8000x6000 pixels | 4000x3000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 25mm (lens) | 28mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/2" inches | 1/2.55" inches |
| Pixel size | 0.8µm pixel | 1.4µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Digital and optical 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 | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 1080p@240fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 13 megapixels | 7.1 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 4128x3096 pixels | 3072x2304 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 20mm (lens) | 32mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/3.1" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound | Stereo sound |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones | 3 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 2.0 proprietary connector |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | proprietary audio output |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | Proprietary TV-out |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Not supported |
| GPS | feature not registered | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 5100 mAh | 3174 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 23W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 7.5W Qi wireless charging | Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 25 hours (1 days) |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (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: Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony • Google Cast | • Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Face ID • Apple Pay • AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GTF7P 256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.99W/kg (head), 1.39W/kg (body) | feature not registered |