{"id":438464,"date":"2026-05-21T14:31:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T14:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/438464\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T14:31:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T14:31:13","slug":"iphone-17-vs-google-pixel-10-pro-which-should-you-buy-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/438464\/","title":{"rendered":"iPhone 17 vs Google Pixel 10 Pro: Which should you buy in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking for a new flagship smartphone but are torn between iOS and Android? You\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n

With both the iPhone 17<\/a> and Pixel 10 Pro<\/a> sporting plenty of AI features, flagship processors and brilliant cameras, choosing between the two can feel like a challenge. Fortunately, we\u2019ve reviewed both and have compared our experiences below.<\/p>\n

Keep reading to see how the iPhone 17 compares to the Pixel 10 Pro. If you\u2019re not sold on either, make sure you visit our best smartphones<\/a> guide, where we\u2019ve listed our favourite iOS and Android models across all budgets.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, our Google Pixel 10 vs Pixel 10 Pro<\/a> compares key models from Google\u2019s flagship line-up.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Specs comparison<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Apple iPhone 17 Review<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review<\/p>\n

UK RRP<\/p>\n

\u00a3799 <\/p>\n

\u00a3999 <\/p>\n

USA RRP<\/p>\n

$799 <\/p>\n

$999 <\/p>\n

Manufacturer<\/p>\n

Apple <\/p>\n

Google <\/p>\n

Screen Size<\/p>\n

6.3 inches <\/p>\n

6.3 inches <\/p>\n

Storage Capacity<\/p>\n

256GB, 512GB <\/p>\n

128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB <\/p>\n

Rear Camera<\/p>\n

48MP + 48MP <\/p>\n

50 MP wide, 48 MP ultra-wide with Macro Focus, 48 MP 5x telephoto lens <\/p>\n

Front Camera<\/p>\n

18MP <\/p>\n

42 MP Dual PD selfie camera with autofocus <\/p>\n

Video Recording<\/p>\n

Yes <\/p>\n

Yes <\/p>\n

IP rating<\/p>\n

IP68 <\/p>\n

IP68 <\/p>\n

Battery<\/p>\n

3692 mAh <\/p>\n

4870 mAh <\/p>\n

Wireless charging<\/p>\n

Yes <\/p>\n

Yes <\/p>\n

Fast Charging<\/p>\n

Yes <\/p>\n

Yes <\/p>\n

Size (Dimensions)<\/p>\n

71.5 x 8 x 149.6 MM <\/p>\n

72 x 8.6 x 152.8 INCHES <\/p>\n

Weight<\/p>\n

177 G <\/p>\n

207 G <\/p>\n

Operating System<\/p>\n

iOS 26 <\/p>\n

Android 16 <\/p>\n

Release Date<\/p>\n

2025 <\/p>\n

2025 <\/p>\n

First Reviewed Date<\/p>\n

20\/01\/2026 <\/p>\n

11\/09\/2025 <\/p>\n

Resolution<\/p>\n

1206 x 2622 <\/p>\n

1280 x 2856 <\/p>\n

HDR<\/p>\n

Yes <\/p>\n

Yes <\/p>\n

Refresh Rate<\/p>\n

120 Hz <\/p>\n

\u2013<\/p>\n

Ports<\/p>\n

USB-C <\/p>\n

USB-C <\/p>\n

Chipset<\/p>\n

Apple A19 <\/p>\n

Tensor G5 <\/p>\n

RAM<\/p>\n

8GB <\/p>\n

8GB <\/p>\n

Colours<\/p>\n

Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender <\/p>\n

Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, Obsidian <\/p>\n

Stated Power<\/p>\n

40 W<\/p>\n

\u2013<\/p>\n

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Price and Availability<\/p>\n

Both the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro are readily available to buy now. The iPhone 17 has a cheaper starting RRP of \u00a3799\/$799 and comes in a choice of five colours: White, Black, Lavender, Sage and Mist Blue.<\/p>\n

SQUIRREL_PLAYLIST_10207955<\/p>\n

In comparison, the Pixel 10 Pro starts at \u00a3999\/$999 although it can be found with solid price cuts. For example, at the time of writing you can pick up the Pixel 10 Pro for just \u00a3749 on Amazon. Otherwise, the handset comes in a choice of four colours: Moonstone, Jade, Obsidian and Porcelain.<\/p>\n

SQUIRREL_PLAYLIST_10207881<\/p>\n

Design<\/p>\n

Both the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro look similar to their respective predecessor \u2013 and that\u2019s not necessarily a bad thing<\/p>\n

iPhone 17 is fitted with Action and Camera Control buttons<\/p>\n

Pixel 10 Pro supports Pixelsnap<\/p>\n

The iPhone 17 looks similar to last year\u2019s iPhone 16<\/a>, and many other entry-level iPhones that came before it. However, this really isn\u2019t a bad thing as the iPhone 17 is a sleek and well-designed handset, with flat edges and rounded corners that many of the best smartphones<\/a> now sport. Plus, the five colour options give the iPhone that extra bit of personality too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Much like its predecessor, the iPhone 17 is fitted with Action and Camera Control buttons. The Action button sits just above the volume rockers and can be customised to act as a shortcut to quickly open apps, while Camera Control works as a shortcut to the camera.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"iPhoneiPhone 17. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n

Similarly, the Pixel 10 Pro looks remarkably similar to the Pixel 9 Pro<\/a>, and sports the same pill-shaped camera bar that looks so much sleeker than the Pixel 8 Pro<\/a>\u2019s own. In fact, the biggest difference between the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro is the inclusion of Pixelsnap<\/a> which supports Qi2 wireless charging.<\/p>\n

The fact Google kept things similar this year isn\u2019t a bad thing at all, as the handset feels great in hand and looks brilliant too.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, both the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro are equipped with an IP68 rating<\/a> which protects the handsets from dust and submersion in water.<\/p>\n

Winner: Both are well-built and look great, but we\u2019ll give the win to iPhone 17<\/p>\n

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Screen<\/p>\n

Both have 6.3-inch displays<\/p>\n

Pixel 10 Pro can get a bit brighter at 3300 nits compared to the iPhone 17\u2019s peak of 3000 nits<\/p>\n

Both screens are hard to fault<\/p>\n

Ranking the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro\u2019s respective displays is no easy task as both are packed with plenty of premium screen technologies, including an LTPO 1-120Hz refresh rate (the first for the entry-level iPhone), impressively high peak brightness levels and crisp resolutions too. However, we should note that the Pixel 10 Pro can reach a slightly higher peak brightness of 3300 nits while the iPhone 17\u2019s peak is 3000 nits. Even so, the difference is negligible.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not only that, but both are fitted with screen protection too which promises to offer scratch and drop resistance too. While the iPhone 17 sports Apple\u2019s own Ceramic Shield 2<\/a>, the Pixel 10 Pro is covered by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 instead.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Essentially, we\u2019ve concluded that the iPhone 17 boasts the \u201cbest screen yet on an entry-level iPhone\u201d while the Pixel 10 Pro has the title of owning \u201cone of the best phone screens around\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Winner: Tie<\/p>\n

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Camera<\/p>\n

Pixel 10 Pro has a dedicated 48MP telephoto lens<\/p>\n

iPhone 17 has an 18MP square selfie camera, which is a huge upgrade from last year<\/p>\n

Pixel 10 Pro is fitted with Google\u2019s AI Camera Coach which offers photography advice<\/p>\n

The iPhone 17 is fitted with just two rear lenses, including a 48MP main and 48MP ultrawide. While its main lens does have a 2x in-sensor zoom that delivers good quality shots, and can even be pushed to around 4x before detail is lost, if you want a dedicated telephoto lens then you\u2019ll be better off with the Pixel 10 Pro or the iPhone 17 Pro<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n

Having said that, we think the iPhone 17\u2019s dual camera is enough to suit most people. Its main lens delivers sharp, colour-accurate images, even in low-light conditions. While its companion ultrawide lens isn\u2019t quite as reliable in tougher conditions, it also manages to capture the likes of scenic vistas and even macro shots with ease too.<\/p>\n

\"ImageImage captured on iPhone 17. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n

However, the key upgrade with the iPhone 17\u2019s overall camera set-up is arguably with the new 18MP selfie lens. While the jump from 12MP to 18MP might not sound too exciting, the key difference is the new square sensor that allows you to shoot portrait and landscape shots without needing to rotate the phone.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, Google\u2019s phones have earned the title of being among the best camera phones<\/a>, and fortunately the Pixel 10 Pro continues this trend \u2013 albeit with some slight issues that should be kept in mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n Advertisement <\/p>\n

\"lovelyImage captured on Pixel 10 Pro. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n

With a 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide and 48MP 5x telephoto camera set-up, the Pixel 10 Pro reliably takes a good photo in most lighting conditions. Images look warm and rich during the day, while detail is preserved in night shots. While it does benefit from a dedicated telephoto lens, unlike the iPhone 17, zoom isn\u2019t actually as reliable as we\u2019d like. Push it past the 5x mark and shots feel artificial and too smooth, which suggests Google\u2019s AI processing is at play.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So, although it lacks the telephoto lens, we\u2019d argue the iPhone 17 is more of a reliable camera phone overall.<\/p>\n

Winner: iPhone 17<\/p>\n

Performance<\/p>\n

Apple\u2019s A19 vs Google\u2019s Tensor G5 chips<\/p>\n

Both perform well in everyday use, but the iPhone 17 sees better benchmark results<\/p>\n

Pixel 10 Pro is built for AI capability rather than sheer power<\/p>\n

We should start by saying that if you\u2019re planning on playing demanding AAA titles or editing multiple 4K videos then neither the iPhone 17 nor the Pixel 10 Pro will suit you. Instead, you\u2019re better off looking at more powerful options \u2013 perhaps one of the best gaming phones<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n Advertisement <\/p>\n

Otherwise, powering the iPhone 17 is Apple\u2019s own A19 Bionic chip, while the Pixel 10 Pro runs on Google\u2019s Tensor G5 processor instead. The iPhone 17 especially performs brilliantly in everyday use, with apps opening instantly and more casual titles playing admirably too. Plus, Apple has equipped the iPhone 17 with 256GB storage as a minimum, which is double the starting storage as the Pixel 10 Pro.<\/p>\n

Similarly, the Pixel 10 Pro rarely sees any slowdown in day-to-day use, with apps and casual games opening and running quickly, although we did note that the camera has a slight lag to it, especially when shooting at 50MP. However, Tensor G5 is built with AI in mind so tends to prioritise performance in that area instead.<\/p>\n

Winner: iPhone 17<\/p>\n

AI features<\/p>\n

Google AI is easily one of the best AI toolkits, with genuinely useful features<\/p>\n

Apple Intelligence still feels like an afterthought<\/p>\n

Following on from the above, the Pixel 10 Pro is well-equipped with plenty of Google\u2019s AI features, which makes Apple Intelligence seem more like an afterthought in comparison. While some may go unused, tools like Circle to Search, Call Screening and Gemini are genuinely useful and come in handy. We especially found ourselves using Magic Cue<\/a> more than we expected to, as it works behind the scenes but pops up when you\u2019re likely to need it, say if you need directions to a restaurant you\u2019ve booked.<\/p>\n

\n Advertisement <\/p>\n

\"GoogleGemini on Pixel 10 Pro. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n

We also find Google\u2019s photo editing tools to be among the best, with the eraser reliably removing unwanted objects from the background. In comparison, Apple\u2019s competing Clean Up feature often leaves you with pretty obvious signs that the photo has been tampered with.<\/p>\n

\"iPhoneiPhone 17. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n

In addition, other Apple Intelligence tools like Image Playground and Siri just don\u2019t feel as smooth or thought through as Google\u2019s own. With this in mind, if you want a phone that is designed to support AI, then the Pixel 10 Pro is a much easier recommendation.<\/p>\n

Winner: Google Pixel 10 Pro<\/p>\n

Software<\/p>\n

iPhone 17 runs on iOS 26 which is polished and easy-to-use<\/p>\n

Pixel 10 Pro sports Material 3 Expressive which is one of the nicest phone operating systems to use<\/p>\n

Google promises the Pixel 10 Pro will see seven years of updates but Apple doesn\u2019t disclose the exact amount of support the iPhone 17 will see<\/p>\n

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The iPhone 17 runs on iOS 26 which saw the introduction of Liquid Glass, Apple\u2019s new transparent UI design. While some weren\u2019t keen on the redesign, we think it looks great and adds to the polished overall feel of iOS.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We especially like how well iOS integrates with other Apple devices, and how easy it is to share files between the ecosystem. It\u2019s a level of integration that Androids just can\u2019t quite seem to match.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t to say the Pixel 10 Pro\u2019s software isn\u2019t great. With Material 3 Expressive<\/a>, the Pixel 10 Pro is easy-to-use, feels polished and offers plenty of customisation options that iOS doesn\u2019t. Either way, both the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro boast brilliant software that we think you\u2019ll struggle to fault.<\/p>\n

Lastly, Google promises that the Pixel 10 Pro will see up to seven years of software updates, which will take you up to Android 23. While Apple doesn\u2019t publicly disclose how many years of software updates the iPhone 17 will see, looking at previous years reveals it also offers around the seven year mark.<\/p>\n

Winner: Pixel 10 Pro (as Google publicly announces its software updates)<\/p>\n

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Battery<\/p>\n

Neither are two-day handsets<\/p>\n

iPhone 17 supports faster wired charging at 40W compared to the Pixel 10 Pro\u2019s 30W<\/p>\n

Both support Qi2 wireless charging<\/p>\n

While many of the best Android phones<\/a> can comfortably see two-days of battery life, unfortunately the Pixel 10 Pro doesn\u2019t boast this claim. Instead, we found the Pixel 10 Pro can comfortably last one day with three or four hours of screen time while more demanding days with up to six hours would deplete the battery.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"GooglePixel 10 Pro on Pixelsnap. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)<\/p>\n

Fortunately, with support for 30W wired and 25W (Qi2) wireless charging, topping up is that bit more convenient than the Pixel 9 Pro.<\/p>\n

In comparison, we found the iPhone 17 could end a day with five hours of screen time with around 20% left in the tank. Finally, though it shares the same 25W (Qi2) wireless speeds, it bests the Pixel 10 Pro with 40W wired speed support instead.<\/p>\n

Winner: iPhone 17<\/p>\n

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Verdict<\/p>\n

Of course, deciding between the iPhone 17 and Google Pixel 10 Pro may simply boil down to your existing ecosystem. While it is perfectly possible to use an iPhone with a Windows PC, or a Pixel with a Mac, naturally using either handset with their own ecosystem offers much more of a seamless experience.<\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re open minded then there\u2019s a lot of factors to consider. The iPhone 17 boasts a more reliable camera set-up, despite its lack of telephoto lens, sees higher benchmark scores with its A19 processor and is cheaper than the Pixel 10 Pro. However, the Pixel 10 Pro\u2019s AI toolkit is genuinely useful, and could improve how you use your phone on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Looking for a new flagship smartphone but are torn between iOS and Android? You\u2019ve come to the right…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":438465,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[342,111,139,69,145],"class_list":["post-438464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mobile","tag-mobile","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=438464"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438464\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/438465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=438464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=438464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=438464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}