Pixel 11 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro: Which to Buy?
Google's $1,100 Pixel 11 Pro against Apple's $1,199 iPhone 18 Pro, compared on display, battery, performance and camera results from GSMArena and Tom's Guide.
The Quick Verdict
Choosing between the Google Pixel 11 Pro and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro comes down to your personal priorities:
Android users who want a very bright screen, a 5x periscope telephoto and 8K video at a lower price than the iPhone
iOS users, mobile videographers and anyone who wants the fastest phone chip Tom's Guide has tested
Head-to-Head Spec Matrix & Lab Scores
Specifications and published measurements, credited below
| Hardware Feature |  Google Pixel 11 ProFrom about $1,100 (12GB / 256GB) |  Apple iPhone 18 ProFrom $1,199 |
|---|---|---|
Price & ValueWinner: Google Pixel 11 Pro | ||
| Starting price (US) | About $1,100 (256GB) | $1,199 |
DisplayWinner: Tie | ||
| Screen | 6.3" LTPO OLED, 1280 x 2856 (~497 ppi), 120Hz | 6.3" OLED, 2622 x 1206 (460 ppi), ProMotion up to 120Hz |
| Measured brightness | 2,426 nits max auto (GSMArena, 75% white) | 2,314 nits (Tom's Guide, 25% window) |
PerformanceWinner: Apple iPhone 18 Pro | ||
| Chip | Google Tensor G6 (3nm) | Apple A20 Pro (Geekbench 6: 4,735 / 12,800) |
Battery & ChargingWinner: Apple iPhone 18 Pro | ||
| Battery test result | 15:38h Active Use Score (GSMArena) | 16h 17m (Tom's Guide) |
| Wired charging | 30W, 55% in 30 min (claimed) | Up to 50% in ~15 min with 60W+ adapter (claimed) |
Camera & VideoWinner: Tie | ||
| Video ceiling | 8K at 30fps; 4K at 60fps | 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120fps |
Quick Verdict
The iPhone 18 Pro ($1,199) is the stronger all-rounder. It has the fastest chip Tom's Guide has tested, lasted 16 hours 17 minutes in that outlet's battery test, and Apple claims much faster charging.
The Pixel 11 Pro (about $1,100) is the better value. It costs about $100 less, starts at 256GB, and has one of the brightest screens GSMArena has measured. It can also record 8K video.
For the bigger phones, see our iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S26 Ultra comparison, check our head-to-head on the Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL, or browse the best smartphones buying guide.
1. Price
GSMArena reports that the Pixel 11 Pro starts at about $1,100 in the US for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Google dropped the 128GB tier this year. The 512GB and 1TB models come with 16GB of RAM. Apple's announcement lists the iPhone 18 Pro from $1,199 and the Pro Max from $1,299.
2. Display
Both phones have 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED screens.
| Google Pixel 11 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1280 x 2856 (~497 ppi) | 2622 x 1206 (460 ppi) | GSMArena specs / Apple specs |
| Rated peak | 3,600 nits | 3,000 nits (outdoor) | GSMArena specs / Apple specs |
| Measured | 2,426 nits max auto (75% white); 3,283 nits (10% patch) | 2,314 nits (25% window); 1,627 nits (10% window) | GSMArena / Tom's Guide |
| Minimum | 1.7 nits (measured) | 1 nit (rated) | GSMArena / Apple specs |
GSMArena and Tom's Guide measure brightness with different test patterns, so these figures can't be compared directly. Both phones are well above 2,000 nits, which is plenty for use in direct sun.
3. Performance
The iPhone 18 Pro uses Apple's A20 Pro. In Tom's Guide's testing, it scored 4,735 single-core and 12,800 multi-core in Geekbench 6, well ahead of the Galaxy S26 Ultra's 3,785 / 11,563. Apple says the A20 Pro has 50% more memory bandwidth than the A19 Pro.
The Pixel 11 Pro uses Google's 3nm Tensor G6. Its seven-core CPU tops out at 4.1GHz, according to GSMArena's spec sheet. Google's chips have trailed Apple's in raw benchmarks for years, and no published test we found shows the Tensor G6 changing that.
In sustained gaming, Tom's Guide's 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test found that the iPhone 18 Pro held 62.8% of its peak score. The larger Pro Max held 79.4%. If you play demanding games for long sessions, expect the smaller iPhone to slow down more than the Max.
4. Battery and Charging
| Google Pixel 11 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,850 mAh | Not published by Apple | GSMArena specs |
| Battery test | 15:38h Active Use Score | 16h 17m | GSMArena / Tom's Guide |
| Wired charging (claimed) | 30W, 55% in 30 minutes | Up to 50% in ~15 minutes with 60W+ | GSMArena specs / Apple specs |
| Wireless | 25W | 25W (MagSafe or Qi2) | GSMArena specs / Apple specs |
GSMArena calls the Pixel's 15:38h a meaningful improvement over the Pixel 10 Pro, and says it matched or slightly beat Google's 55% charging claim. Tom's Guide's 16h 17m for the iPhone 18 Pro is almost an hour longer than the 15:21 it recorded for the iPhone 17 Pro. The two tests work differently, so treat both phones as all-day phones rather than reading the gap as a winner.
5. Cameras and Video
| Google Pixel 11 Pro | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Main | 50MP, f/1.7, 24mm | 48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48 to f/4.0, 24mm |
| Ultrawide | 48MP, f/1.7, 12mm, 123° | 48MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120° |
| Telephoto | 48MP 5x periscope, f/2.8, 105mm | 48MP 4x tetraprism, f/2.8, 100mm |
| Video | 8K at 24/30fps; 4K at up to 60fps | 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120fps |
Sources: GSMArena specs, Apple specs.
The iPhone's variable-aperture main camera is new this year. It gives more control over depth of field than a fixed aperture. The Pixel has the higher video resolution, while the iPhone shoots 4K at 120fps for slow motion. We haven't seen a side-by-side image test from a lab we trust, so we don't pick a camera winner.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the iPhone 18 Pro ($1,199) if:
- You want the fastest phone chip Tom's Guide has tested.
- You want the longer measured battery life and much faster charging.
- You shoot a lot of video and want 4K Dolby Vision at 120fps.
Buy the Pixel 11 Pro (about $1,100) if:
- You use Android and want to save about $100.
- You want 256GB of storage in the base model.
- You want a very bright screen and 8K video.
Comparing Android heavyweights directly? Read our head-to-head Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Pixel 11 Pro XL comparison.
Sources
- GSMArena: Pixel 11 Pro review, display and battery: 2,426 nits max auto, 3,283 nits on a 10% patch, 1.7 nits minimum, 15:38h Active Use Score.
- GSMArena: Pixel 11 Pro specifications: 4,850 mAh, 30W wired (55% in 30 min), 25W wireless, Tensor G6, camera and video specs.
- GSMArena: Pixel 11 Pro review, pricing: about $1,100 in the US for 12GB / 256GB.
- Tom's Guide: iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max review: 16h 17m battery, 2,314 / 1,627 nits, Geekbench 6 4,735 / 12,800.
- Tom's Guide: iPhone 18 Pro benchmarks: 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stability of 62.8% (18 Pro) and 79.4% (18 Pro Max).
- Apple: iPhone 18 Pro technical specifications: display, charging, camera and video specs.
- Apple Newsroom: iPhone 18 Pro announcement: $1,199 starting price; A20 Pro memory bandwidth.
*Published: 23 September 2026 · Last updated: 23 September 2026*
*TechSilico does not test hardware. Every measurement above comes from the outlet linked next to it.*
Independent Testing Lab Benchmarks & Measurements
Benchmark measurements and evaluations cross-referenced from named independent testing laboratories:
The Active Use Score of 15:38h is roughly in line with what Samsung and Apple manage.
4850 mAh... 30W wired... 55% in 30 min
The base 12GB/256GB variant... currently starts at $1,100 in the US.
The iPhone 18 Pro hit a similar 2,314 and 1,627.
Apple just built the most powerful phones we've ever seen
Up to 50% charge in around 15 minutes when using 60W-capable adapter or higher
Pros & Cons Consensus
Google Pixel 11 Pro
- GSMArena measured 2,426 nits of maximum auto brightness, and 3,283 nits on a 10% patch
- GSMArena's Active Use Score of 15:38h, a clear improvement over the Pixel 10 Pro
- Triple camera with a 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide and 48MP 5x periscope telephoto
- Records up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps
- About $100 cheaper than the iPhone 18 Pro, and the base model now has 256GB
- No 128GB tier, so the entry price went up to about $1,100 in the US
- Charging tops out at 30W wired (Google claims 55% in 30 minutes) and 25W wireless
Apple iPhone 18 Pro
- A20 Pro scored 4,735 single-core and 12,800 multi-core in Tom's Guide's Geekbench 6 run
- Lasted 16 hours 17 minutes in Tom's Guide's battery test, up from 15:21 on the iPhone 17 Pro
- Apple claims up to 50% charge in about 15 minutes with a 60W or higher adapter
- 48MP Fusion main camera with a variable aperture (f/1.48 to f/4.0)
- Records 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 120fps
- Costs about $100 more than the Pixel 11 Pro
- Held 62.8% of its peak score in Tom's Guide's 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test, lower than the 79.4% of the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro is the stronger all-rounder, and the Pixel 11 Pro is the better value.
Going by the published tests, the iPhone 18 Pro wins on performance, battery and charging speed. The Pixel 11 Pro costs about $100 less and still has one of the brightest screens GSMArena has measured, a 5x periscope telephoto and 8K video. Neither phone is a bad choice, so which ecosystem you use will probably decide it.
Choose Google Pixel 11 Pro If:
- You want Android and a very bright screen (2,426 nits max auto in GSMArena's test)
- You want 256GB of storage in the base model at about $1,100
- You want to record 8K video
Choose Apple iPhone 18 Pro If:
- You want the fastest phone chip Tom's Guide has tested
- You want the longer measured battery life (16h 17m) and faster charging
- You shoot a lot of video and want 4K Dolby Vision at 120fps
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Pixel 11 Pro cost compared with the iPhone 18 Pro?
According to GSMArena, the Pixel 11 Pro starts at about $1,100 in the US for the 12GB / 256GB model, and there is no longer a 128GB tier. Apple's newsroom lists the iPhone 18 Pro from $1,199.
Which phone has the brighter screen?
Both are very bright. GSMArena measured 2,426 nits of maximum auto brightness on the Pixel 11 Pro with a 75% white pattern. Tom's Guide measured 2,314 nits on the iPhone 18 Pro with a 25% window. The two outlets test differently, so the gap between those numbers doesn't show which screen is brighter.
Which phone has better battery life?
The iPhone 18 Pro lasted 16 hours 17 minutes in Tom's Guide's battery test. GSMArena gave the Pixel 11 Pro an Active Use Score of 15:38h. These are different tests, but both results are strong for a 6.3-inch phone. On charging, Apple claims up to 50% in about 15 minutes with a 60W or higher adapter, and Google claims 55% in 30 minutes over 30W.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro faster than the Pixel 11 Pro?
Yes. The A20 Pro in the iPhone 18 Pro scored 4,735 single-core and 12,800 multi-core in Tom's Guide's Geekbench 6 testing, and Tom's Guide calls the iPhone 18 Pro line the most powerful phones it has tested. In its 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test, the smaller iPhone 18 Pro held 62.8% of its peak score, compared with 79.4% for the Pro Max.
Which phone is better for video?
It depends on what you shoot. GSMArena lists 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps for the Pixel 11 Pro. Apple lists 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120fps for the iPhone 18 Pro, which suits slow motion.
