Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 10a

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Google Pixel 10a suit different priorities. The iPhone is stronger for display quality, helped by a larger 6.9-inch screen, a sharper 458 PPI display, and its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, while the Pixel is better suited to its P-OLED panel, a larger 5,100 mAh battery, and a lighter 183g body. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Pixel is the Android choice. Choose the iPhone for display quality; choose the Pixel if portability matters more.

The Pixel 10a is the cheaper one to own: around £391 over a typical contract, £581 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Expert Rating
4.4
11 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen
6.9" 6.3"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED P-OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Resolution
1320 x 2868 1080 x 2424
Pixels Per Inch
458 421
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 Pro Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
Battery
4,685 mAh 5,100 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 16
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 153.9 x 73 x 9 mm
Weight
227 grams 183 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£39.29/mo (£29.00 upfront) £13.99/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£679.00 £329.99
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Google Pixel 10a Google Pixel 10a
Expert Rating 4.4
11 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen 6.9" 6.3"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED P-OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Resolution 1320 x 2868 1080 x 2424
Pixels Per Inch 458 421
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 Pro Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
Battery 4,685 mAh 5,100 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 16
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 153.9 x 73 x 9 mm
Weight 227 grams 183 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £39.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
£13.99/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £679.00 £329.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Desert Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£39.29 per month, £29 upfront.

Google Pixel 10a
Google Pixel 10a

24 Months

128GB

Lavender

200GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£13.99 per month, £29 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Google Pixel 10a cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Google Pixel 10a is cheaper on contract at £390.76 over the life of the deal from £13.99 per month with £29.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Google Pixel 10a?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Google Pixel 10a's 6.3", the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 421, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Google Pixel 10a has a P-OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak).

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Google Pixel 10a?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Google Pixel 10a has a 48 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 16 Pro Max or Google Pixel 10a?

The Google Pixel 10a is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £329.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Google Pixel 10a?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Google Pixel 10a comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Google Pixel 10a use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A18 Pro, while the Google Pixel 10a uses the Google Tensor G4 (4nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Google Pixel 10a?

The Google Pixel 10a is the more portable of the two: it's 44g lighter at 183 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 153.9 x 73 x 9 mm, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is slimmer at 8.3mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Google Pixel 10a?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Google Pixel 10a is rated IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Google Pixel 10a run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max runs Apple iOS and the Google Pixel 10a runs Android 16. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.