Pixel 11 Pro XL vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Sample Photos Comparison
The Pixel is probably the strongest iPhone competitor this year
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
Pixel 11 Pro XL improves its telephoto camera and adds new camera looks | Image by PhoneArena
Google's 2026 flagship is finally here, and apart from the new gimmicks like that HiLight glowing light on the back, the Pixel 11 Pro XL comes with some big improvements to the camera system.
Naturally, this means one thing: it's time for a camera comparison. In this camera battle article, the new Pixel 11 Pro XL faces the most popular high-end phone out there, the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Below, you will find sample photos from all the cameras taken in various conditions — from daylight to more challenging low-light scenes.
Pixel 11 Pro XL vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Camera Specs:
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max |
| Main camera | |
|---|---|
| 50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/1.3" |
48 MP (Sensor-shift OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.8 Focal length: 24 mm Sensor size: 1/1.28" Pixel size: 1.22 μm |
| Second camera | |
| 48 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/2.51" |
48 MP (Ultra-wide, Sensor-shift OIS) Aperture size: F2.2 Focal Length: 13 mm Sensor size: 1/2.55" Pixel size: 0.7 μm |
| Third camera | |
| 48 MP (Telephoto, Periscope) Optical zoom: 5.0x Aperture size: F2.8 Sensor size: 1/1.95" |
48 MP (Telephoto, Periscope, OIS, PDAF) Optical zoom: 4.0x Aperture size: F2.8 Focal Length: 100 mm Sensor size: 1/2.55" Pixel size: 0.7 μm |
| Front | |
| 42 MP (PDAF) | 18 MP (Time-of-Flight (ToF), Autofocus, HDR) |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
There is one thing that stands out in the camera hardware: Google's upgraded telephoto camera now comes with a much larger sensor with nearly 70% larger area, a big advantage over the iPhone. As for all the rest, the two are quite similar. Both phones use a 1/1.3" sensor for the main camera, while the ultra-wide camera on both is equipped with a much smaller 1/2.55" sensor.
Illustration of the telephoto sensor size advantage of the Pixel, an AI generated image
With this in mind, let's take a look at the real-world photos from the Pixel 11 Pro XL and the iPhone 17 Pro Max:
More Camera Deep Dives:
Main Camera
Zoom Quality
In the above image, you can see that the Pixel can give you 120X zoom photos, up from 100X zoom on the previous model, while the iPhone maxes out at "merely" 40X zoom. The quality at 120X zoom is definitely not great, but it is an option.
Ultra-wide Camera
Selfies
So, which one do you think takes the win in this comparison: the Pixel 11 Pro XL vs iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Popular stories
Latest News
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: