Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Which $999 Flagship Wins?
Google Pixel 9 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro both cost $999, but only one deserves your money. We compare cameras, performance, and value to pick a winner.
Ethan Mercer
Editor-in-Chief
The $999 flagship phone battle is brutal this year. Google's Pixel 9 Pro and Apple's iPhone 16 Pro both launched at identical prices, both promise exceptional cameras, and both claim all-day battery life. But here's the reality: these phones take fundamentally different approaches to what makes a flagship worth buying.
The iPhone 16 Pro delivers Apple's signature polish and ecosystem integration, backed by the A18 Pro chip. The Pixel 9 Pro counters with Google's computational photography prowess and a genuinely gorgeous redesign. Both are now selling for around $700, making this decision even more critical.
We've analyzed expert reviews from PCMag, TechRadar, The Verge, and our own editorial team to determine which phone actually delivers on its flagship promises. The winner might surprise you.
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GoogleDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
- 2
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Pixel 9 Pro
GoogleDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
iPhone 16 Pro
AppleDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
How We Review
Every product on this list was evaluated by aggregating expert reviews from trusted, independent sources. We don't accept pay-for-placement — our rankings are based entirely on review consensus, real-world testing data, and measurable performance.
Products are scored on a 10-point scale using a weighted formula that factors in expert ratings, price-to-value ratio, and recency. Newer products with strong reviews get a meaningful boost because we believe our readers deserve current recommendations.
Sources analyzed for this article: 2 products across multiple expert reviews.
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