How the Google Pixel 7 Pro compares to the Apple iPhone 14 Pro
If you want a flagship smartphone experience but don't have pre-existing loyalty to Android or iOS, or you're considering making the jump to a rival operating system, there are two handsets we recommend: the Google Pixel 7 Pro and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro.
They're opposite sides of the same coin. Both have crisp and colourful screens for watching your latest Netflix obsession, smooth performance for gaming on the train and versatile cameras for taking heaps of photos or making clips for TikTok.
But there are differences that you need to consider before parting with your money.
We've been hands-on with both smartphones for almost a year at this stage, so we know what makes them great and how they perform as a daily driver. From the design to the pricing, here's how the two models compare.
Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: Key specs
• Screen size and type: The Pixel 7 Pro has a 6.7-inch display, while the iPhone 14 Pro has a 6.1-inch screen. Both are OLED and support refresh rates of up to 120Hz, so they’ll look sharp and colourful and feel smooth to use.
• Operating system and update support: The Pixel 7 Pro runs Android 13 and will get updates until October 2027, while the iPhone 14 Pro runs iOS and is expected to have a slightly longer support cycle, potentially until 2028.
• Camera setup: The Pixel 7 Pro has a 50MP main lens, alongside a 12MP ultrawide, a 48MP telephoto lens and a 10.8MP selfie. The iPhone 14 Pro has a 48MP main camera, alongside a 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto and a 12MP front-facing lens.
• Processor: Both handsets use their respective company's tailor-made chips. The Pixel 7 Pro is powered by Google's Tensor Gen. 2, while the iPhone 14 Pro uses Apple's A16 Bionic. You'll get smooth performance from both processors.
• Battery: The Pixel 7 Pro has a 5,000mAh cell with support for 12W wireless charging, while the iPhone 14 Pro's battery is a 3,200mAh cell with support for up to 7.5W wireless charging — although that's boosted to 15W with MagSafe.
• Storage/Memory: The Pixel 7 Pro has 128GG, 256GB and 512GB options, with 12GB of memory. The iPhone 14 Pro has more storage options (128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB) with 6GB of memory. Neither has expandable storage.
• Water resistance: Both have IP68-rated dust and water resistance, meaning they'll survive submersion up to 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes.
• Pricing: The Pixel 7 Pro has an £849 RRP but can often be found for around £699. The iPhone 14 Pro has a £1,099 RRP, with no significant price drops at the time of writing. We expect to see some discounts during the Black Friday 2023 sales.
Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: Design
It's immediately obvious that the two smartphones have very different designs. You won't get them mixed up if they're beside each other on your home office desk. Each phone has had the same aesthetic for a few years, too.
The Pixel 7 Pro has curved edges around the screen and a chunky camera module that runs along the full width of the back panel. Meanwhile, the iPhone has a slightly more boxy appearance, with the trio of cameras sitting inside a neat square module.
Both feel premium and expensive to hold, although the Pixel is noticeably slippier in the hand if you don't use a case due to its glass panel and curves.
Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: Display
If you're buying a phone for catching up on episodes of The Witcher, Ahsoka or The Walking Dead, both devices give you a superb viewing experience. The OLED panels on each are crisp and colourful, with some of the best contrast you'll find on a mobile screen.
We give the Pixel 7 Pro a slight edge if you prefer a larger handset for watching videos or playing games, as it has a 6.7-inch display — a bump from the iPhone 14 Pro's 6.1 inches.
Both handsets have small bezels and similar brightness levels (around 1,000 nits) and support refresh rates of up to 120Hz, so navigating menus and watching videos always feel smooth.
Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: Cameras
The entire Google phone line-up is well-known for having some of the best cameras around, but the iPhone 14 Pro's cameras are also exceptionally good.
The Pixel 7 Pro gives you a 50 MP main lens, plus a 12MP ultrawide, a 48MP telephoto lens and a 10.8MP selfie. The iPhone 14 Pro gives you a 48 MP main, alongside a 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto and a 12MP selfie.
That said, don't get too bogged down with those specs. The truth is that your photos on either side of the OS divide look great whether you're viewing them on the phone screen or your laptop.
While the Pixel has fancy editing capabilities (you can unblur snaps and remove unwanted people or objects), its images are slightly more contrasty, and we generally find that the iPhone gives you accurate colours.
We can't stress it enough, though: Both devices are easy to use and have cameras that make taking quality photos in all lighting conditions feel effortless.
Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: Software/performance
Aside from looks, the software represents the biggest difference between the two smartphones. The Pixel 7 Pro has a clean version of Android 13, and the iPhone 14 Pro runs iOS 16. Both look and feel very different to use, but each emphasises its own suite of apps and software.
The Pixel 7 Pro is based around your Google Account and nudges you to rely on Google services such as Gmail, Meet and YouTube. Meanwhile, the iPhone requires an Apple ID and includes Apple Music, iMessage and FaceTime. Each phone has its own version of maps, internet browser, camera gallery, news and the app store.
Both phones give you many customisation options to change the backgrounds, set widgets and change the home screen layout — but we reckon the iPhone 14 Pro is better overall due to a novel Dynamic Island feature that takes advantage of the front notch to show notifications and alerts.
Both handsets have IP68 dust and water resistance, so they'll survive being submerged in up to 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes. Each also has multiple years of OS and security update support — the Pixel 7 Pro until 2027 and the iPhone 14 Pro until 2028.
Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: Battery
Both phones give you at least a day of use between charges and have fast charging that gives you up to 50% of juice in around half an hour.
The Pixel and iPhone support wireless charging, too, with the 14 Pro coming with built-in MagSafe technology that lets you attach accessories — like desk stands, power banks and chargers — using a strong magnetic pull on the back.
The iPhone 14 Pro uses Apple's proprietary Lightning connector instead of USB-C on the Pixel, but that's changing with the release of the next generation of Apple phones this year.
You can check the battery health of the iPhone from the menus, and we have personally noticed some issues with longevity as the months go by. Ours has dropped to 91% battery health after less than 12 months and requires tinkering with the apps and settings to extend the daily amount.
Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro: Verdict
The Pixel 7 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro are excellent flagship phones with pin-sharp screens, versatile cameras and smooth software performance.
The designs have seen only minor changes in the past couple of years — with most of the changes being internal components such as lenses and processors — but we think they still look attractive and like that each has a unique style.
The iPhone 14 Pro is still significantly more expensive than the Pixel 7 Pro, but it's the obvious choice for anyone already in the Apple world of gear and gadgets and doesn't want to stray.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is best for everyone else. And even though it's a shame that it's slippery to hold without a case and there's no expandable storage, the phone delivers a pure Android experience and camera smarts that are yet to be rivalled.
Go for the Apple iPhone 14 Pro if: You're upgrading from an older iPhone and don’t want too much change, or if you want to enjoy a premium iOS experience.
Go for the Google Pixel 7 Pro if: You want a pure and uncluttered version of Android and some of the best camera editing modes around, in a bigger form factor.
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