Apple iPhone Air vs Google Pixel 9

Our Verdict: Comparing Google Pixel 9 and Apple iPhone Air, the choice mostly comes down to portability versus display quality. The iPhone gives you its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, a higher-resolution 18MP front camera, and a lighter 165g body, while the Pixel is more appealing for its OLED panel and a larger 4,700 mAh battery. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the Pixel is the Android choice, while the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem. Choose the iPhone for portability; choose the Pixel if display quality matters more.

The Pixel 9 is the cheaper one to own: around £698 over a typical contract, £157 less than the iPhone Air.

Expert Rating
3.9
12 reviews
4.2
13 reviews
Screen
6.5" 6.3"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED OLED
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1080 x 2424
Pixels Per Inch
444 421
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 10.5 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
Battery
3,149 mAh 4,700 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type
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/7
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm
Weight
165 grams 198 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
£70.97/mo (£0.00 upfront) £54.83/mo (£30.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£599.99 £289.99
Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air Google Pixel 9 Google Pixel 9
Expert Rating 3.9
12 reviews
4.2
13 reviews
Screen 6.5" 6.3"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED OLED
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1080 x 2424
Pixels Per Inch 444 421
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 10.5 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
Battery 3,149 mAh 4,700 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type 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/7
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm
Weight 165 grams 198 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 £70.97/mo
£0.00 upfront
£54.83/mo
£30.00 upfront
SIM-free £599.99 £289.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone Air
Apple iPhone Air

12 Months

256GB

Sky Blue

3GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£70.97 per month, with FREE phone.

Google Pixel 9
Google Pixel 9

12 Months

128GB

Peony

Refurbished

5GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£54.83 per month, £30 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 9 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Google Pixel 9 is cheaper on contract at £697.96 over the life of the deal from £54.83 per month with £30.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 9?

The Apple iPhone Air has the bigger screen at 6.5" compared to the Google Pixel 9's 6.3", the Apple iPhone Air has the sharper display at 444 pixels per inch versus 421, and the Apple iPhone Air uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Google Pixel 9 has a OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 9?

The Apple iPhone Air features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Google Pixel 9 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 Air or Google Pixel 9?

The Google Pixel 9 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £289.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone Air and Google Pixel 9?

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

What processors do the Apple iPhone Air and Google Pixel 9 use?

The Apple iPhone Air is powered by the Apple A19 Pro (3 nm), while the Google Pixel 9 uses the Google Tensor G4 (4nm).

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

It's a trade-off: the Apple iPhone Air is lighter but the Google Pixel 9 is more compact. It's 33g lighter at 165 grams, though the Google Pixel 9 is actually the more compact phone at 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm, the Apple iPhone Air is slimmer at 5.6mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 9?

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

What operating system do the Apple iPhone Air and Google Pixel 9 run?

The Apple iPhone Air runs Apple iOS and the Google Pixel 9 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.