iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10: The most heated $799 flagship battle in a decade
Apple finally gave the base iPhone the upgrades fans begged for — just as Google went all-in on cameras and AI.
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The iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 are now both official, and at the same $799 starting price, they’re direct rivals to each other. But which one offers more for that approachable flagship price tag?
Apple has finally modernized its base iPhone with a 120Hz ProMotion display, a new 48 MP ultrawide camera, a sharper 18 MP selfie camera with new quirks, as well as longer battery life and faster charging.
Google, meanwhile, has made its boldest standard Pixel yet, with a triple-camera system including a 5x telephoto, a larger battery, and deep Gemini AI integration through Android 16.
Apple has finally modernized its base iPhone with a 120Hz ProMotion display, a new 48 MP ultrawide camera, a sharper 18 MP selfie camera with new quirks, as well as longer battery life and faster charging.
Both phones make 2025 a great year for base flagships, packing nearly everything most people would need from a phone at this price point. But the there are a few important differences you need to know when comparing the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10.
iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10 differences:
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Slimmer and much lighter | Thicker and heavier |
| 1-120Hz display refresh rate | 60-120Hz display refresh rate |
| Ceramic Shield 2 on front | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front and back |
| IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| New A19 Bionic, 3nm | First fully in-house Tensor G5 (TSMC 3nm) |
| Dual rear cameras | Triple rear cameras with 5x telephoto |
| New 18 MP selfie camera | 10.5 MP selfie with autofocus |
| New 48 MP ultrawide camera | 13 MP ultrawide |
| ~3,600 mAh battery | 4,970 mAh battery |
| 40W wired, 25W Qi2 MagSafe charging | 30W wired, 15W Qi2 Pixelsnap charging |
| iOS 26 with limited AI | Android 16 with Gemini + Magic Cue AI |
| Starts at $799 with 256 GB of storage | Starts at $799 with 128 GB of storage |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Both models are larger than their predecessors
The iPhone 17 is significantly lighter and thinner. | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 17 keeps an aluminum frame with a glass back, but upgrades the front protection to Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple claims is three times more scratch-resistant. It’s slightly larger and heavier than the iPhone 16, but still compact at 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm and 177 g.
The Pixel 10 doesn’t try to be thin either. At 152.8 × 72 × 8.6 mm and 204 g, it’s taller, thicker, and heavier, but with the benefit of a much larger battery and support for Pixelsnap, Google’s new magnetic Qi2 system for accessories like chargers, stands, and grips (which also works with MagSafe accessories).
Both phones are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, use durable front glass (Ceramic Shield 2 for iPhone, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for Pixel), and feature USB-C. That said, Google also uses the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the back of the Pixel 10, which might mean it is more durable.
Both phones are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, use durable front glass (Ceramic Shield 2 for iPhone, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for Pixel), and feature USB-C. That said, Google also uses the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the back of the Pixel 10, which might mean it is more durable.
Neither ships with a charger in the box.
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Thickness 8 mm | Thickness 8.6 mm |
| Dimensions 149.6 x 71.5 mm | Dimensions 152.8 x 72 mm |
| Weight 177 g | Weight 204 g |
Both should have IP68 water and dust resistance, aluminum frames, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (or Apple’s Ceramic Shield equivalent), and USB-C ports. Neither is expected to ship with a charger.
iPhone 17 in Black, White, Sage, Mist Blue, and Lavender. | Image credit — Apple"
Pixel 10 colors include Obsidian, Indigo, Frost, and Lemongrass, while iPhone 17 colors are Black, Lavender, Mist Blue, and Sage, and White.
Display Differences
The iPhone 17 gets the Pro display from its pricier counterparts, leveling the playingfield with the Pixel 10. | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 17 finally brings 120Hz ProMotion to the base model. It has a 6.3-inch OLED with slimmer bezels and peaks at 3000 nits outdoors, 1600 nits HDR, and 1000 nits typical.
The Pixel 10 matches on size and refresh rate, also at 6.3 inches, 120Hz OLED, and boasts a peak brightness of 3000 nits. Bezels are uniform but slightly thicker than on the iPhone.
One small difference that you might gloss over at first glance is that the iPhone has a minimum display refresh rate of 1Hz vs 60Hz on the Pixel. That makes the iPhone's display more power efficient, and also allows the base iPhone to finally get an Always-On display (Pixel 10 also has this feature).
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Size 6.3" | Size 6.3" |
| Brightness 3000 nits (peak) | Brightness 3000 nits (peak) |
The iPhone 17 lineup introduces a new seven-layer anti-reflective coating.
It does not match the strength of the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display treatment, but as seen in MrWhoseTheBoss’ video, it noticeably cuts glare when compared with the iPhone 16. This is something Google is yet to add to its phones.
For biometrics, the iPhone sticks with Face ID, while Google combines ultrasonic fingerprint scanning with basic face unlock.
Performance and Software
Tensor G5 is here, but will it match the A19?
The Tensro G5 is Google's first fully custom built chip, and even though it probably won't be as powerful, that might not matter in the grand scheme of things. | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 17 is powered by the A19 chip, built on a refined 3nm process. It uses a 6-core CPU (2 performance, 4 efficiency), a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. RAM is 8 GB, with storage up to 512 GB.
The Pixel 10 debuts the Tensor G5, Google’s first fully in-house design, also built on 3nm at TSMC. It offers a 34% faster CPU and 60% stronger TPU for on-device AI. It comes with 12 GB of RAM and storage up to 256 GB.
Chances are that the A19 will be more powerful compared to the Tensor G5, but that probably won't result in clear differences when it comes to real world use. One area where we could see a difference is with AI features, though, which rely heavily on RAM, which is something the Pixel 10 has more of.
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Chip A19 Bionic | Chip Google Tensor G5 |
| Process 3nm | Process 3nm |
| RAM, Storage --- 8/256 GB 8/512 GB | RAM, Storage 12/128 GB 12/256 GB --- |
On software, the difference is stark:
Both phones promise 7 years of OS and security updates.
- iPhone 17 ships with iOS 26, bringing a new Liquid Glass design, Live Translation, Call Screening, and Apple Intelligence. Apple’s AI features are useful but more limited compared to Google’s.
- Pixel 10 runs Android 16 with Gemini AI, featuring Magic Cue, which proactively surfaces relevant information or actions, and Camera Coach, which guides users on how to frame better shots.
Both phones promise 7 years of OS and security updates.
Camera
Pixel 10 gets a third camera, iPhone 17 gets two new image sensors
The iPhone 17 doesn't have a dedicated telephoto camera, but will that matter if it has superior image quality? | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 17 gets a new 48 MP ultrawide camera (presumably the same one that's on the Pro models). On the front, Apple debuts its new 18 MP Center Stage camera, with a larger square sensor, wider field of view, improved stabilization, and support for Dual Capture video (simultaneous front and rear recording). Because the sensor is square, users don't have to turn the phone to get a horizontal shot, done by pressing a button on the screen.
But even with all that the iPhone 17 camera system has going for it, it still lacks a dedicated telephoto camera. The Pixel 10 is the first base Pixel to come with a third, 10.8 MP telephoto camera. It has a 5x optical zoom range, and can even go up to 30x using AI algorithms.
iPhone 17 Official Sample Photos:
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Main 48 MP, f/1.6 1/1.56" sensor size | Main 48 MP, f/1.7 1/2" sensor size |
| Ultrawide 48 MP, f/2.2 13mm 1/2.55" sensor size | Ultrawide 13 MP, f/2.2 Unknown focal lenght 1/3.1" sensor size |
| Telephoto None | Telephoto 10.08 MP, f/3.1 5X zoom 1/3.2" sensor size |
| Selfie 18 MP, f/1.9 | Selfie 10.5 MP, f/1.9 |
Google also debuted neat new features such as Camera Coach on the Pixel 10. It uses Gemini AI to “see” the scene and suggest how to frame or compose the shot. For example, nudging you to lower the phone for better angles, or proposing creative scene ideas like architectural shadows.
Battery Life and Charging
iPhone charges faster, but likely has a smaller battery
The iPhone 17 comes with faster charging, but will it match the Pixel in battery life? | Image credit — Apple
Apple doesn’t disclose battery capacities, but officially rates the iPhone 17 for up to 30 hours of video playback (27 hours streamed). That’s a noticeable gain over the iPhone 16, thanks to a stacked battery design and the more efficient A19 chip.
The Pixel 10 has a large 4,970 mAh battery, which explains its thicker, heavier body. We'll update you on how these two compare in terms of battery life when we have our battery test results from both.
The Pixel 10 has a large 4,970 mAh battery, which explains its thicker, heavier body. We'll update you on how these two compare in terms of battery life when we have our battery test results from both.
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Battery size ~3,600 mAh | Battery size 4,970 mAh |
Charging speeds 40W wired 25W wireless charging USB-C 2.0 | Charging speeds 30W wired 15W wireless charging USB-C 3.2 |
When it comes to charging, the iPhone 17 supports up to 40W wired speeds, reaching 50 percent in about 20 minutes with Apple’s new 40W adapter. Wireless charging goes up to 25W with MagSafe or Qi2.2-certified chargers. The Pixel 10 supports up to 30W wired charging and 15W wireless charging through Qi2 with Pixelsnap, which also ensures compatibility with MagSafe accessories.
Specs Comparison
Here's a quick comparison between the iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10 specs.
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Size, weight 149.6 x 71.5 x 8 mm, 177 g | Size, weight 152.8 x 72 x 8.6 mm, 204 g |
| Screen 6.3" OLED 120Hz | Screen 6.3" OLED 120Hz |
| Processor A19 Bionic 3nm | Processor Tensor G5 3nm |
| Versions: --- 8/256 GB 8/512 GB | Versions: 12/128GB 12/256GB --- |
| Cameras: 48 MP main 48 MP ultra --- 18 MP front | Cameras: 48 MP main 13 MP ultra 10.8 MP 5X zoom 10.5 MP front |
| Battery: ~3,600 mAh | Battery: 4,970 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 40W wired 25W Qi2 wireless | Charging: USB-C 30W wired 15W Qi2 wireless |
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Summary
This is arguably one of the most entertaining years for comparing these two models, since both offer so much for what you are paying.
The iPhone 17 finally feels like a modern base iPhone, with a 1-120Hz ProMotion display, Ceramic Shield 2, a sharper 18 MP selfie camera, a new 48 MP ultrawide, and faster charging. It’s slimmer and much lighter than the Pixel 10, making it the more compact option.
But the Pixel 10 has its own set of perks: yes, it’s bigger and heavier, but it offers a triple-camera system with a 5x telephoto, a larger 4,970 mAh battery, and deeper AI integration with Gemini and features like Magic Cue and Camera Coach.
But the Pixel 10 has its own set of perks: yes, it’s bigger and heavier, but it offers a triple-camera system with a 5x telephoto, a larger 4,970 mAh battery, and deeper AI integration with Gemini and features like Magic Cue and Camera Coach.
Google came in strong with the Pixel 10 and genuinely made some think it is the iPhone killer, and it still has the potential to steal some iPhone users. But with so many upgrades and the same $799, the iPhone 17 makes Apple's base model more appealing than ever. Stay tuned for our camera, chip, display, and battery test results for the full picture!
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