Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Pixel 10 Pro XL: Which flagship phone wins in 2025?

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max is set to go head-to-head with Google’s newly launched Pixel 10 Pro XL — two flagship smartphones aiming to dominate the premium market in 2025. Here’s a clear breakdown of how they compare in design, display, cameras, performance, and price.

Design & Display: Aluminium, glass, and peak brightness

♦ iPhone 17 Pro Max (expected): Glass-aluminium build with a redesigned camera module replacing the square island. Likely to feature IP68 water and dust resistance.

♦ Pixel 10 Pro XL (launched): Retains a glass-aluminium frame with the signature pill-shaped camera bar housing three sensors.

For screens, Apple’s flagship may sport a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with ProMotion (120Hz) and 3000 nits peak brightness, while Google counters with a 6.8-inch Super Actua display, 120Hz refresh rate, and a brighter 3300 nits peak output.

Camera: Optical zoom vs selfie power

♦ iPhone 17 Pro Max (rumoured): Triple 48MP setup — main, ultrawide, and a telephoto lens with up to 8x optical zoom. A 24MP selfie camera is expected.

♦ Pixel 10 Pro XL (official): Triple setup — 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, plus a 42MP front camera for sharper selfies.

Both devices aim to lead in computational photography, but Apple may focus on long-range zoom, while Google pushes high-resolution front-facing shots.

Performance & Battery: A19 Pro vs Tensor G5

♦ iPhone 17 Pro Max: Likely to run on Apple’s A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM and an estimated 5000mAh battery.

♦ Pixel 10 Pro XL: Powered by Google Tensor G5 with 16GB RAM and a slightly larger 5200mAh battery.

Both should deliver top-tier performance, though Google’s RAM edge may favor multitasking, while Apple’s chip may lead in raw efficiency and software optimization.

Price: Premium vs ultra-premium

♦ iPhone 17 Pro Max: Expected starting price around ₹1,64,900 in India.

♦ Pixel 10 Pro XL: Officially priced from ₹1,24,999.

This ₹40,000 price gap could be a decisive factor for many buyers weighing brand ecosystem vs value-for-money.

Bottom line: If you prioritize brighter displays, larger batteries, and more RAM, Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL is appealing. If you prefer longer optical zoom, Apple’s ecosystem, and software stability, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may justify its premium tag.