Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max Camera Samples
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu01Pixel 9 Pro XL, main camera. One of the improvements in Google's Real Tone technology is that it can do a better job with correcting skin tone, especially in these kinds of harsh color lighting scenarios, and it does the job excellently. Compare this with the following iPhone photo.- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu02iPhone 15 Pro Max, main camera. My skin is over-exposed with red hues, so much so that some of the details are crushed in the red.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu03Pixel 9 Pro XL, main camera with Night Sight. The Pixel doesn't over-expose this photo—it looked pretty close to this in real life, maybe a tad darker. The details are sharp, and it's *the* photo you want to capture when you come to this iconic spot.- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu04iPhone 15 Pro Max, main camera with Night mode. The scene was darker than the Pixel photo but not *this* dark. The details are still great here, but this image could stand to be brighter.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu05Pixel 9 Pro XL, selfie camera with Portrait mode. The Pixel 9 Pro's upgraded selfie camera offers better 3D depth for faces and is sharper.- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu06iPhone 15 Pro Max, selfie camera with Portrait mode. There's noticeable grain in this image, and the iPhone hacks off more of my glasses than the Pixel image. My skin tone is slightly more dull here.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu07Google Pixel 9, main camera. It's well-exposed, sharp, and the subject is cute. What's not to love?
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu08Pixel 9, main camera with Night Sight. The color hues from the lights are pretty accurate in this scene, and the Pixel brings out more of the red hues of the bricks. There's more detail in the shadows.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu09iPhone 15 Pro Max, main camera with Night mode. There's an overly blue hue to the street light that wasn't the case in real life, but there's also less detail in the shadows here.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu10Pixel 9 Pro XL, 5X optical zoom with Night Sight. Google's image here is brighter and the color tones are much closer to real life than the following iPhone image. However, the arches of the bridges are slightly over-exposed.
- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu11iPhone 15 Pro Max, 5X optical zoom with Night mode. The iPhone exposes the bridge really well, but the color temperature is incorrect; it's not this yellow. In fact, the whole image has warm tones that weren't present IRL. You can also see the bottom half of the image is completely dark, though you might like that.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu12Google Pixel 9 Pro, 5X optical zoom. The telephoto camera doesn't perform as strongly at night but during the day you can get sharp results that preserve colors well.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu13Pixel 9 Pro XL, ultrawide camera with Night Sight. This is much closer to how the scene looked in real life compared to the following iPhone photo. The merry-go-round was emanating this warm light all over the dock, basking everyone in glowing, yellow hues.- Photograph: Julian Chokkattu14iPhone 15 Pro Max, ultrawide camera with Night mode. This photo works in its own right but is not representative of the IRL scene. I could make out what people looked like much more easily unlike what this photo suggests. But it's still a vibe.
Comments
Back to topThe iPhone 18 Pro Is for the Shutterbugs
Fun camera features help make these candy bar iPhones stand out from the dazzle of the folding iPhone Duo.
Julian Chokkattu
Which iPhone Should You Buy (or Avoid) Right Now?
The first folding iPhone Duo is here, alongside the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, but they’re not your only options. We have all the details on Apple’s smartphone lineup to help you find the right model.
Julian Chokkattu
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE Gets a Price Hike but Offers Nothing New
Samsung is resting on its laurels with the midrange S26 FE, with an unwelcome price bump and only a new processor to show for it.
Simon Hill
The iPhone 18 Pro Looks Fantastic. Is the Duo Worth Folding For?
Apple’s new folding iPhone Duo is finally here, alongside refreshed Pro models. Our primer has all the details you need to choose the iPhone 18 that’s right for you.
Simon Hill
GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS Brings Interchangeable Lenses to the Action Cam
GoPro’s first foray into the world of cinema cameras isn’t perfect, but it sure is a lot of fun to shoot with.
Scott Gilbertson
I’ve Tested Over 100 Home Security Cameras. These Are the Safest Bets
Keep an eye on home wherever you are with the best security cameras, including indoor and outdoor, subscription services, AI smarts, and local recording options.
Simon Hill
The Best Cheap Phones for Almost Every Budget
There’s little reason to pay top dollar for a smartphone. These iPhones and Android devices—ranging from $100 to $800—stood up to WIRED’s testing.
Julian Chokkattu
The Top New Features Coming to MacOS 27 Golden Gate to Try Out Now
Siri’s reintroduction takes center stage as Apple officially rolls out the latest version of macOS to download and install.
Luke Larsen
What’s in the Guts of Apple’s Most Powerful Computer Ever?
The Mac Studio can run frontier-level AI language models locally. It’s only a preview of what’s to come.
Luke Larsen
Don’t Buy an Android Phone Until You Read Our Guide
Shopping for a phone can be an ordeal. That’s why we’ve tested almost every Android phone, from the smartest to the cheapest—even phones that fold—to find the ones worth your money.
Julian Chokkattu
The Top New Features in Apple’s iOS 27 and iPadOS 27
The latest iPhone update is chock-full of smart upgrades, with a big focus on improvements to Siri.
Julian Chokkattu
I Smoke-Tested Coway’s New Air Purifier. The Results Left Me With Questions
Coway’s new Airmega Halo runs quietly and clears visible smoke quickly, but its air-quality readings weren’t always reassuring.
Molly Higgins
Wired Coupons

LegalZoom Promo Code
LegalZoom Promo Code 10% Off Sitewide

Code promo Canon
10% Off Canon Promo Code + Up to 30% Off

Veriizon Promo Code
Best Verizon Smartphone Deals

AT&T Promo Code
Save up to $420/year when you bundle AT&T Fiber® internet and wireless

VistaPrint promo code
Take Up to 25% Off Custom Prints with VistaPrint Promo Code

Peacock Promo Code
Save With a Peacock Promo Code: 3 Months Free
Comments
Back to top