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In this article, we’ll compare the Google Pixel 8 vs Apple iPhone 15. These two phones are a part of Google and Apple flagship lineups, even though they’re not the most powerful offerings. Their price tags are somewhat similar, however, and chances are that quite a few of you are considering getting one or the other. So, we’ll do our best to help out with that decision. We’ve already compared the Google Pixel 8 and Apple iPhone 15 Pro, so it’s now turn for the vanilla iPhone 15.
As per usual, we’ll first list the specs of both phones, and will then move to a number of other categories. Those categories are design, display, performance, battery, cameras, and audio. There’s plenty to talk about here, as these two smartphones are quite different. Having said that, let’s begin, shall we?
Specs
Google Pixel 8 vs Apple iPhone 15, respectively
– Screen size:
6.2-inch Actua AMOLED display (120Hz LTPS, HDR10+, 2,000 nits max)
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display (60Hz, HDR, 2,000 nits)
– Display resolution:
2400 x 1080
2556 x 1179
– SoC:
Google Tensor G3
Apple A16 Bionic
– RAM:
8GB (LPDDR5X)
6GB
– Storage:
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
128GB/256GB/512GB
– Rear cameras:
50MP (f/1.68 aperture, 82-degree FoV, 1.2um pixel size), 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 1.25um pixel size, 125.8-degree FoV)
48MP (f/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift OIS), 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.4 aperture)
– Front cameras:
10.5MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1.22um pixel size)
12MP (f/1.9 aperture) + TrueDepth
– Battery:
4,575mAh
3,349mAh
– Charging:
27W wired, 18W wireless, 5W reverse wireless (charger not included)
20W wired, 15W wireless (charger not included)
– Dimensions:
150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm
– Weight:
187 grams
171 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
– Security:
In-display fingerprint scanner (optical) & facial scanning
Advanced facial scanning
– OS:
Android 14
iOS 17
– Price:
$699+
$799+
– Buy:
Best Buy
Apple
Google Pixel 8 vs Apple iPhone 15: Design
From the design standpoint, these two devices are quite different. The Google Pixel 8 is quite curvy. Its backplate is curved towards the sides, while the sides themselves are also quite curved. The iPhone 15 is the opposite of that. Its front and back sides are flat, and so is the phone’s frame, all around. The frame is slightly curved towards the edges, though, for comfort’s sake.
The two devices also look different. The Pixel 8 has a flat display and a centered display camera hole, along with very thin bezels. Those bezels are not uniform, but almost. All of its physical buttons sit on the right-hand side. The iPhone 15, on the other hand, has a flat display too, with a pill-shaped cutout at the top. Its bezels are also quite thin, and they’re also uniform. The physical buttons are split between the left and right sides of the phone.
If we flip them over, you can see even more differences. The Pixel 8 includes a camera visor on the back, which connects to the frame on the left and right sides. It is covered by metal, and does protrude on the back. The iPhone 15, on the flip side, has a regular camera island in the top-left corner. The two devices are similar in size, but the Pixel 8 is slightly taller, slightly narrower, and a bit thicker. It is also 16 grams heavier than the iPhone 15, at 187 grams. Both smartphones are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance, and both are quite comfortable to use, albeit quite slippery.
Google Pixel 8 vs Apple iPhone 15: Display
The Google Pixel 8 features a 6.2-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) OLED display. That panel is flat, and it supports a 120Hz refresh rate. The display also offers support for HDR10+ content. It gets up to 2,000 nits of brightness at its peak. The screen-to-body ratio here is 85.5 percent, and the display aspect ratio is 20:9. This panel is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus from Corning.
On the iPhone 15, you’ll find a 6.1-inch 2556 x 1179 Super Retina XDR OLED display. That panel is also flat, and it supports HDR10 content. Dolby Vision is also supported, and the panel goes up to 2,000 nits of brightness at its peak. This is only a 60Hz panel, unfortunately, you’re not getting a high refresh rate here. The screen-to-body ratio is 86.4 percent, and the display aspect ratio is 19.5:9. The iPhone 15 panel is protected by the Ceramic Shield Glass.
The Google Pixel 8 does have one major advantage here, its refresh rate. You will notice the difference between them. Some people simply don’t care, though, so if a high refresh rate doesn’t matter to you, both displays are great. They are very vivid, have great viewing angles, and the blacks are deep. The touch response is also very good, and both displays have good protection too. They’re both also plenty bright, no complaints there.
Google Pixel 8 vs Apple iPhone 15: Performance
Google’s handset is equipped with the Google Tensor G3 processor. It also includes 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Apple iPhone 15, on the other hand, comes with the Apple A16 Bionic processor, 6GB of RAM, and NVMe flash storage. The iPhone 15 does have a more powerful SoC, despite the fact it’s not the latest one, though the Tensor G3 is great for AI, and it’s well-optimized for the Pixel.
The point is, both of these smartphones offer great performance. When it comes to regular actions, such as browsing, taking pictures, consuming multimedia, and various other everyday tasks… they’re both very smooth. Even multitasking goes without a hitch, no complaints there. The gaming department is where you may notice a difference, however, especially if you’re into high-end titles.
Let’s take Genshin Impact for example, as that’s always a good benchmark. It runs better on the iPhone 15, even though the Pixel 8 is not far behind. The Tensor G3 is not made for gaming, but it proved it can handle games without a problem. It does get warmer than the iPhone 15 while gaming, though.
Google Pixel 8 vs Apple iPhone 15: Battery
The Google Pixel 8 packs in a 4,575mAh battery. The iPhone 15 has a 3,349mAh battery. Apple’s iPhones usually have smaller battery packs due to the nature of iOS, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have inferior battery life. Is that the case here? Well, from what we’ve seen, the two phones are on par in terms of battery life. Neither is outstanding, but both are good.
Getting around 6.5-7 hours of screen-on-time should be possible on both. Do note that we’re talking about battery life without the gaming component. Your mileage may vary, though, of course, as you’ll be using your phone differently, with different apps installed, and with different signal strengths. The point is, both smartphones do offer good battery life, it’s just not outstanding or anything of the sort. For most people, however, this will be plenty.
Neither phone offers particularly fast charging, unfortunately. The Pixel 8 supports 27W wired, 18W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging. The iPhone 15, on the flip side, supports 20W wired, 15W wireless MagSafe and Qi2 charging, and 7.5W wireless Qi charging. Reverse wired charging is also on offer at 4.5W. Neither of these two smartphones comes with a charger in the box, though, so keep that in mind.
Google Pixel 8 vs Apple iPhone 15: Cameras
On the Pixel 8, you’ll find a 50-megapixel main camera, along with a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit (126-degree FoV). The Apple iPhone 15, however, has a 48-megapixel main camera, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit (120-degree FoV). The good news is, both smartphones do a great job in the camera department. The pictures coming from these two phones are considerably different, though.
The images from the Pixel 8 look contrasty and processed, which is a look many people truly appreciate. The iPhone 15 is trying to keep things closer to real life, but also enhance pictures a bit, so that they pop. Both smartphones do succeed, as the images end up looking sharp, detailed, and vivid. Both handle HDR situations really well, but that’s where the Pixel 8 truly shines.
In low light, the Pixel 8 has a tendency to brighten up shots more, which is not a bad thing. Low-light shots from the iPhone 15 do look more realistic, and they’re darker. Both devices manage to retain quite a few details in low light. Their ultrawide camera do keep a good balance too, and can be used in low light as well. They also manage to keep the color science of the main camera, which is great.
Video recording is still something that the iPhone excels at, and that’s the case here too. The Pixel 8 is only a step behind, however, as the videos do end up looking great.
Audio
You will find stereo speakers on both the Google Pixel 8 and Apple iPhone 15. Speakers on both of them are good. They’re loud enough, and well-balanced. We’ve heard better speakers, though, many of them. Still, not many people will find things to complain about.
What you’re not getting on either phone is a 3.5mm headphone jack. You can always use their Type-C ports for wired audio connections, but there’s no dedicated audio jack. Both smartphones do ship with Bluetooth 5.3 support, however, so you can connect your headphones wirelessly.