Google’s recent launch event for the Pixel 9 drew striking comparisons to Apple, underscoring the competitive spirit between the two tech giants. From global accessibility and data privacy to camera capabilities, Google seemed keen to highlight areas where it believes it has an edge over its Cupertino counterpart.

Global Reach with Gemini

One of the standout announcements was the introduction of Gemini by Sameer Samat, Google’s president of the Android ecosystem. This new AI initiative has been designed to offer support in 45 languages across over 200 countries and territories. According to Samat, “Gemini is accessible globally right now, extending far beyond just English speakers and a single market.” In stark contrast, Apple’s AI initiatives will initially cater only to English-speaking users in the U.S. when they launch this fall, underscoring a crucial market advantage for Google.

Samat emphasized that Gemini is engineered to operate on older and non-flagship Android devices, making it highly inclusive. By pointing this out, Google seemed to challenge the limited deployment scope of Apple’s AI technologies, aiming for a broader and more diverse user base right from the start.

Data Privacy Assurance

Google’s focus on data privacy was prominently featured during the event. Samat explained that Gemini could tackle personal tasks like creating a brief bio from a resume stored in Google Drive, all without transmitting data to external parties. “Gemini can address these intricate personal inquiries within Google’s secure cloud, avoiding the need to share your personal information with a third-party AI service that may not be reliable,” Samat asserted.

This remark seemed to take aim at Apple, which has collaborated with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri. Siri obtains user permission to consult ChatGPT for answers it cannot initially provide. However, Samat’s assurance does not entirely evade scrutiny, as users must place their trust in Google to handle their data securely.

Live Demonstrations

Google’s presentation adopted a relaxed tone compared to Apple’s meticulously structured events. Dave Citron from Google showcased Gemini’s AI capabilities and emphasized, “All of the demonstrations we’re performing today are live, by the way.” During the demo, Citron experienced some hiccups while trying to get Gemini to check his calendar for an upcoming Sab Carpenter concert in San Francisco. Though the AI failed to respond initially, it eventually provided a response when he switched devices.

Despite these glitches, Google’s live demos underscored their commitment to transparency and authenticity. This is a contrast to Apple’s carefully edited presentations, suggesting Google is confident enough to expose the occasional imperfection to underscore real-time functionality.

Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL: No Trade-offs

Brian Rakowski, Google’s vice president of product management, stressed the parity between the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the smaller Pixel 9 Pro, with the primary difference being size. “You can select Pixel 9 Pro and 9 XL without any compromises,” Rakowski stated, emphasizing that both models feature the same exceptional display, design, build quality, processing capabilities, and Pro Pixel camera.

This stands in contrast to Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup, where the iPhone Pro Max offers certain enhanced features not available on the standard 15 Pro. These include up to a 5x optical zoom and increased video playback time of up to 29 hours, compared to 23 hours on the smaller model. Google’s approach highlights its aim to provide a balanced experience across its flagship devices.

Camera Comparisons

Google didn’t hold back in comparing the Pixel 9 Pro’s camera with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Kenny Sulaimon from Google highlighted that the company had “rebuilt” Pixel’s panorama to include Night Sight, enhancing low-light photography. To illustrate these improvements, he displayed a nighttime panorama of the Tetons, juxtaposed with a darker image from “another smartphone company,” a clear hint at Apple.

By focusing on camera capabilities, Google sought to appeal to photography enthusiasts who prioritize excellent image quality across different lighting conditions. This comparison also signals Google’s intent to challenge Apple’s longstanding reputation for superior smartphone cameras.

Google’s Pixel 9 launch event included several subtle and overt references to Apple, reflecting the intensified competition in the AI sector. Google’s emphasis on global accessibility, data privacy, live demonstrations, and camera capabilities all seemed to challenge Apple’s recent AI initiatives and product offerings.

Source: The Verge/Google Dinged Apple in Pixel 9 Launch Event

What Others Say About the Pixel 9

Design and Build

The Pixel 9 features a new design with a more pronounced camera bump and higher RAM compared to the Pixel 8. It also includes a larger screen and a slightly bigger battery.

“The Pixel 9 has a newish design with a more pronounced camera bump, higher RAM as well as incremental improvements such as larger screen, slightly bigger battery, and a new Tensor G4 processor.”

– CNET

The design changes make the Pixel 9 heavier, weighing 198 grams, compared to the iPhone 15’s 171 grams.

AI Features

The Pixel 9 includes numerous AI features, such as AI-generated weather summaries, Reimagine for photo editing, and Pixel Screenshot for asking questions about screenshots.

“The Pixel 9 gets fresh AI features designed to make the lineup feel more intuitive and useful.”

– CNET

These features are part of Google’s Gemini AI and are intended to enhance the user experience.

Camera

The Pixel 9 boasts a dual-lens camera system with a 50-megapixel main lens and a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, which is expected to perform well.

“The Pixel 9 has a similar setup, but Google has really pushed the boat out this year. A 50MP main lens joins a 48MP ultrawide lens, and this second lens could make all the difference.”

– Digital Trends

The camera setup is designed to provide strong performance, although a direct comparison with the iPhone 15’s camera is pending actual testing.

Special Features

The Pixel 9 includes satellite connectivity, allowing users to send text messages to emergency responders using satellites when regular signal or internet connection is unavailable.

“The Pixel 9 has satellite connectivity, or the ability to send text messages to emergency responders using satellites when you lack regular signal or an internet connection.”

– CNET

This feature is a significant addition to the Pixel lineup, enhancing user safety in areas with poor connectivity.

Pixel 9 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Tech Specs Comparisons

Here is a comparison table of the key technical specifications for the Google Pixel 9 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro, focusing especially on features relevant to photography and editing:

Feature	Google Pixel 9 Pro	iPhone 15 Pro
Main Camera	50 MP wide, f/1.7	48 MP wide, f/1.8
Ultra Wide Camera	48 MP, macro support	12 MP, 120° field of view
Telephoto Camera	48 MP, 5x optical zoom	12 MP, 3x optical zoom
Front Camera	42 MP	12 MP
Video Recording	8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps	4K at 60fps, Dolby Vision HDR, ProRes
Image Stabilization	Optical and electronic for wide and telephoto	Sensor-shift optical image stabilization
Display	6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED, 3000 nits, 120Hz	6.1-inch OLED, 2000 nits, 120Hz
Processor	Google Tensor G4	Apple A17 Pro
RAM/Storage	16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage	8GB RAM, up to 1TB storage
Battery	4,700mAh	3,290mAh
Operating System	Android 15	iOS 17
Price	Starting at $999	Starting at $999

The Google Pixel 9 Pro offers a higher resolution for both its ultra-wide and telephoto cameras, as well as a significantly higher resolution front camera compared to the iPhone 15 Pro. It also supports 8K video recording, which is not available on the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 15 Pro, however, features advanced video capabilities like Dolby Vision HDR and ProRes recording, making it a strong contender for video editing and professional use.

Sources: iPhone 15 Pro specs, Pixel 9 Pro specs, iPhone 15 Pro guide, Comparison video, Pixel 9 Pro details, iPhone 15 Pro details, ZDNET comparison, AppleInsider comparison