iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10: Here’s how we expect them to compare
Intro
The iPhone 17 is expected to arrive this fall, as is tradition, while Google’s highly anticipated Pixel 10 is said to come a bit earlier in August. This comparison has always been a fun one, but this year Google is making a few changes that might make it even more so.
We’ll break down what to expect from the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 in terms of design, display, performance, cameras, battery life and more — so you can decide which phone might be the better fit for you.
iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10 expected differences:
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| More compact and lightweight | Larger and heftier but still pretty compact |
| More powerful 3nm A19 chip | First fully in-house Tensor G5 chip (TSMC 3nm) |
| Dual camera system | Triple camera system with telephoto |
| New, higher resolution selfie camera | Same 10 MP selfie camera as before |
| ~3,600 mAh battery | 4,700 battery |
| 27W wired, 21W wireless charging | Up to ~30W wired, ~15W wireless |
| iOS 18: lackluster AI features | Android 16: comprehensive AI features |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
The iPhone gets even smaller while the Pixel stays familiar
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Thickness 7.2 mm |
Thickness 8.5 mm |
| Dimensions ~147.6 x 71.6 mm |
Dimensions ~152.8 x 72 mm |
| Weight Around 162 grams |
Weight 200 grams |
Color options for both remain unconfirmed, but Apple usually introduces at least one new finish each year. The Pixel will likely stick with Google’s playful tones.
Display Differences
The base iPhone finally gets a smooth screen
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Size 6.3″ |
Size 6.2″ |
| Brightness 2,000 nits (peak) |
Brightness 2,700 nits (peak) |
Biometric authentication will differ too: Face ID for the iPhone, and an upgraded ultrasonic fingerprint scanner for the Pixel.
Performance and Software
Google joins the “self-made” chip club, but Apple has a head start
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Chip A19 |
Chip Google Tensor G5 |
| Process 3nm |
Process 3nm |
| RAM, Storage 12/128 GB 12/256 GB 12/512 GB LPDDR5X RAM |
RAM, Storage 12/128 GB 12/256 GB — LPDDR5X RAM |
Both devices are expected to support 7 years of software updates.
Camera
The Pixel 10 is coming in hot with a triple camera setup
Google, surprisingly, is going triple-camera on the Pixel 10 for the first time. But there’s a twist: the main and ultra-wide sensors may be downgrades compared to the Pixel 9. The main is a 50 MP Samsung GN8, and the ultra-wide is a 13 MP Sony IMX712, both of which are used in cheaper Pixel phones. The new addition is a telephoto lens — an 11 MP Samsung 3J1 with modest zoom.
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Main 48 MP |
Main 50 MP Samsung GN8 |
| Ultrawide 12 MP |
Ultrawide 13 MP Sony IMX712 |
| Telephoto None |
Telephoto 11 MP Samsung 3J1 |
| Selfie 24 MP |
Selfie 10 MP |
The iPhone 17 will likely retain Apple’s consistent photo and video quality, but without major hardware changes, it may not be a huge leap over the iPhone 15 or 16. That said, reports claim a new 24 MP selfie camera is on the way, which will mean even higher quality video calls. The increase in resolution is also good news if you vlog or live-stream with your phone.
Battery Life and Charging
Bigger battery vs smarter efficiency
The Pixel 10 is expected to pack a 4,700 mAh battery, while the iPhone 17 will likely keep a ~3,600 mAh one. Google’s larger cell could result in longer battery life, although that wasn’t the case for their predecessors, where the Pixel did last about 30 minutes more in our tests.
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Battery size 3,600 mAh |
Battery size 4,700 mAh |
|
Charging speeds 20W wireless charging USB-C 2.0 |
Charging speeds 30W wired 27W wireless charging USB-C 2.0 |
The Pixel 10 could also finally support Qi2 wireless charging, which offers more efficient energy transfer thanks to magnetic alignment. That said, rumor has it that users will need a case to utilize that feature. Meanwhile, Apple’s MagSafe continues to be one of the most refined wireless charging systems in the market.
Specs Comparison
| iPhone 17 | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Size, weight ~147.6 x 71.6 x 7.2 mm, 162 g |
Size, weight ~152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm, 200 g |
| Screen 6.27″ OLED 120Hz 2,000 nits |
Screen 6.3″ OLED 120Hz 2,700 nits |
| Processor A18 Bionic 3nm |
Processor Tensor G5 3nm |
| Versions: 12/128 GB 12/256 GB 12/512 GB LPDDR5X |
Versions: 12/128 GB 12/256 GB — LPDDR5X |
| Cameras: 48 MP main 12 MP ultra — 24 MP front |
Cameras: 50 MP main 13 MP ultra 11 MP zoom 10.8 MP |
| Battery: ~3,600mAh |
Battery: 4,700 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 27W wired |
Charging: USB-C ~30W wired |
The Pixel 10 has a lot more going for it on paper — besides the chipset, which we expect to be significantly less powerful in terms of raw performance. But the rest of the spec sheet? Yeah, the iPhone 17 will have a tough time competing with it.
Summary
The Pixel 10, on the other hand, is more ambitious. It’s Google’s first phone with a fully custom chip, it will come with a new assistant called Pixel Sense, and a triple-camera system—even if the sensors themselves don’t scream “flagship.” Its $799 price could deliver more raw hardware for the money, especially if you value AI features and battery life.
Both phones, however, will have a whole different feeling to them if the rumors about a $100 price hike come to fruition. With both companies having such capable mid-rangers in the face of the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e, it’s not too farfetched of a possibility.
But if I had to compare which of the two is the more exciting device, I would say that the Pixel 10 is hands down the one. I am curious to see how its cameras perform, especially that new telephoto one. For now, though, It’s looking like a fun future comparison, and possibly a monumental one.
