Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Our Verdict: The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the newer of the two, a 2024 release against the Apple iPhone 12 Pro's 2020. The Pixel 9 Pro XL leads on camera hardware with a 50MP main sensor to the iPhone 12 Pro's 12MP, plus a 42MP selfie camera against 12MP, and there's more battery in the Pixel 9 Pro XL, 5060mAh to 2815mAh, though iOS and Android manage power differently, so more mAh doesn't always mean longer battery life. The Pixel 9 Pro XL goes up to 1TB of storage, where the iPhone 12 Pro tops out at 512GB, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the bigger screen, 6.8" against 6.1". Only pay up for the Pixel 9 Pro XL if you'll use what it offers; if not, the iPhone 12 Pro makes more sense.

Buying outright, the iPhone 12 Pro starts at £180 SIM-free.

Expert Rating
4.3
19 reviews
4.4
13 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.8"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1280 x 2856
Pixels Per Inch
457 460
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 42 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
Battery
2,815 mAh 5,060 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
iOS 14.1 Android 14
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm
Weight
189 grams 199 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
- £45.00/mo (£299.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£179.99 £364.00
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Apple iPhone 12 Pro Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Expert Rating 4.3
19 reviews
4.4
13 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.8"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1280 x 2856
Pixels Per Inch 457 460
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 42 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
Battery 2,815 mAh 5,060 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS iOS 14.1 Android 14
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm
Weight 189 grams 199 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts - £45.00/mo
£299.00 upfront
SIM-free £179.99 £364.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 12 Pro
Apple iPhone 12 Pro

128GB

Graphite

Refurbished

From £179.99

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

24 Months

512GB

Hazel

Unlimited

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£45 a month, £299 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has the bigger screen at 6.8" compared to the Apple iPhone 12 Pro's 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 457 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 12 Pro uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a LTPO AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £179.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL use?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm), while the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL uses the Google Tensor G4 (4nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is the more portable of the two: it's 10g lighter at 189 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm, and is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL run?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro runs iOS 14.1 and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL runs Android 14. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.