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Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max versus a Google Pixel 6a, be prepared to pay a premium for the iPhone, which boasts a larger screen, more storage, a substantially better camera system, and a more advanced processor resulting in longer battery life and higher overall performance. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option, the Pixel 6a still delivers decent camera capabilities and good performance backed by the Android ecosystem. Keep in mind that the iPhone's build is more premium with its glass back, whereas the Pixel 6a has a plastic back. If top-tier photography and video recording are critical for you, the iPhone 15 Pro Max outshines the Pixel 6a, especially with features like Dolby Vision HDR video and a higher maximum brightness for better outdoor viewing. On the other hand, the Pixel 6a is a suitable choice if you're cost-conscious but still want a reliable phone with a solid camera and essential features. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Best in class for taking photos
- Best in class for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- The Google Pixel 6a has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
10.0
7.6
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has best in class overall camera quality, while the Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has been noted for having the best photos software experience and dynamic range, making it excellent for photography enthusiasts who desire top-notch picture quality and versatility, but it does come at a higher price. Conversely, the Google Pixel 6a, while still offering good photo capabilities and software, falls short in these areas, making it a more budget-friendly option with a slightly lower level of camera performance.
Photo Quality
10.0
7.4
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class photos, while the Google Pixel 6a takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers superior selfies, helped by its better selfie camera quality, along with a higher overall photo software experience that enhances dynamic range and low light performance. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 6a, while taking very good photos, doesn't match the iPhone's camera versatility or selfie quality, despite its commendable software experience for photos.
Video Quality
10.0
7.2
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class videos, while the Google Pixel 6a takes good videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max offers superior video capturing abilities with the highest rankings across the board for video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality, all of which contribute to exceptional video quality. In comparison, the Google Pixel 6a delivers good video quality with very good rankings in most categories, although it does not reach the top levels of the iPhone, particularly noticeable in dynamic range and low light performance.
Battery
9.8 Hours
7.6 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has 9.8 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Google Pixel 6a is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$1,100
$400
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a price of $1,100 and the Google Pixel 6a costs $400.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 6a compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Google Pixel 6a |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $400 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | July 21, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 429 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A17 | Tensor | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 10/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.8 Hours | 7.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4441 mAh | 4410 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.3" x 3.02" | 5.99" x 2.83" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.80 oz | 6.28 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2023
"The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerful flagship phone that delivers upgrade-worthy features, including a lighter and more compact titanium design, a bigger 5x zoom and a useful Action button. The A17 Pro chip is the fastest around and enables console-quality gameplay, while the battery lasts an epic 14 hours."
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 6a
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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