The iPhone 15 Pro Max is Faster than the Google Pixel 8 Pro, how does it apply in Real Life Usage?

Tech YouTubers often conduct comprehensive speed tests to evaluate the real-world performance of smartphones. These tests assess how quickly phones handle various tasks, from opening apps to exporting videos. The results provide valuable insights into each device’s capabilities and help consumers make informed choices when selecting a new smartphone.

Basic Specifications of the Google Pixel 8 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max

Before diving into the performance of each smartphone during the speed test, let us take a quick look at the basic specifications of each device. That will help us understand why one phone performed better than the other.

Pixel 8 Pro Specifications

The Pixel 8 Pro features Google’s own Tensor G3 chip with a clock speed of 2.91GHz. It runs on a total RAM of 12GB and UFS 3.1 storage technology. In the display category, the Pixel 8 Pro features a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. This display also peaks at 2500 nits in brightness with resolution of 1344 x 2992 pixels.

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple’s latest high-end smartphone comes with the company’s new A17 Pro chip with a higher clock speed of 3.78GHz. It runs on a total RAM of 8GB and NVMe fast storage technology. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also features a display size of 6.7-inch. It falls behind in brightness of the Pixel 8 Pro with 2000 nits at its peak. A resolution of 1290 x 2796 pixels also means that it’s slightly behind the Pixel 8 Pro in terms of screen resolution.

Speed Test Between Google Pixel 8 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro

The Pixel series has never been known for its high performance. In a recent speed test against the iPhone 15 Pro, the Pixel 8 Pro falls far behind, with Apple taking the lead. The traditional PhoneBuff speed test involves a head-to-head comparison between two phones. In this instance, the Pixel 8 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. An automated machine subjects both phones to a sequence of tasks. These include opening apps and executing various functions, all while the clock is ticking. Some may argue that this doesn’t reflect how people typically use their phones. However, the test is effective in highlighting how smartphones differ in handling common tasks and in managing apps in memory.

App Opening and Video Export Speed Test

Historically, Google’s Pixel phones have never performed better than the iPhone in this evaluation. This statement remains true in this latest comparison. During the initial stage of the test, the Pixel initially takes the lead in opening apps. However, it lags behind in a video export task. Here, the iPhone’s superior processing power and app optimization become evident. The Pixel struggles to recover from this setback. It completed the first lap nearly 30 seconds after the iPhone.

Memory and Word Processing Apps Pixel 8 Pro iPhone 15 Pro

In the second lap, which emphasizes the ability to keep apps in memory, the Pixel also falters by failing to keep some apps like Microsoft Excel and Word open. This further widens the performance gap. In the final tally, the Pixel completed the test in 3 minutes and 28 seconds, approximately 40 seconds slower than the iPhone’s impressive 2 minutes and 48 seconds.

The Pixel faced defeat for a few key reasons. Firstly, the Tensor G3 chip in the Pixel is notably less powerful than Apple’s A17 Pro. This put it at a disadvantage right from the start. Additionally, when compared to other Android flagship devices, Google’s Pixel appears to be slightly behind the technological curve. For example, the newer UFS 4.0 storage in devices like the Galaxy S23 Ultra allows certain tasks to run more swiftly. Moreover, the increased power provided by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in Samsung’s phone, as well as devices from other manufacturers like OnePlus, also contributes to faster performance in tasks such as exporting data. These combined factors gave Apple’s iPhone a clear advantage in the speed test.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is not Entirely Slow

It’s quite evident that the Pixel 8 Pro is not a slow device. Google’s flagship phone is still very capable and can efficiently handle various tasks. As seen in the test, it initially performs well, highlighting the fact that the perception of performance in everyday use can be subjective and depends on how you use your phone.

However, it’s worth noting that the Pixel 8 Pro’s performance was hindered by the relatively lower processing power of Google’s Tensor chips. This is an aspect that Google should consider in its future releases. Apple’s chips have extra power, which helps their devices remain usable for several years after their initial release. This longevity is essential for Google, especially since the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro receive OS updates for seven years.