Google Pixel 8vsApple iPhone 16 Plus
TOO CLOSEUpdated September 8, 2026
Your call
Verdict
Too close to call — it comes down to your priorities
Google Pixel 8 and Apple iPhone 16 Plus trade category wins — Google Pixel 8 in Price; Apple iPhone 16 Plus in Camera. Decide by the category you actually use most, then check the price.
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus takes Performance — led by performance score (1,350,000 pts).
- Google Pixel 8 takes Display — led by refresh rate (120 Hz).
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus takes Camera — led by video score (96 pts).
- Too close to call between Google Pixel 8 and Apple iPhone 16 Plus.
- Google Pixel 8 takes Price — led by price (499 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Google Pixel 8 if you want…
- Choose Google Pixel 8 if you want smoother scrolling — 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- Choose Google Pixel 8 if you want a better camera — 139 pts vs 138 pts.
- Choose Google Pixel 8 if you want faster charging — 27 W vs 25 W.
- Choose Google Pixel 8 if you want a lower price — 499 USD vs 899 USD.
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Plus if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Plus if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,350,000 pts vs 950,000 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Plus if you want a bigger screen — 6.7 in vs 6.2 in.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Plus if you want a sharper screen — 460 ppi vs 428 ppi.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Plus if you want sharper selfies — 12 MP vs 10.5 MP.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Plus if you want better video quality — 96 pts vs 92 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Plus if you want longer battery life — 4,674 mAh vs 4,575 mAh.
At a glance
- Google Pixel 8
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Click a label to jump to that section ↓
Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Google Pixel 8
Choose Google Pixel 8 if price matters most. It costs USD 499, the lowest price in this group.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Plus if camera matters most. It costs USD 899.
Pros & cons
Google Pixel 8
- Photo quality
- 120 Hz display
- 7 years of updates
- Tensor G3 throttles
- Average battery
- Slow-ish charging
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
- A18 chip
- Great battery life
- Large display
- 60 Hz display
- No telephoto
- Slow charging