Pixel 7 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro Max Review
We put the iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Pixel 7 Pro head to head in multiple rounds comparing the photo quality to see which is the better camera phone. Check out the results and tell us what you think.
Transcript
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00:07 In a market with many phones to choose from,
00:09 it's not really about the fastest processor
00:11 or the brightest screen.
00:12 It's all about the cameras.
00:14 The Google Pixels have long been applauded
00:16 for their excellent picture quality.
00:17 But the Apple iPhone 14 Pro takes Apple's photo game
00:21 to the next level.
00:22 The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max feature a powerful new 48
00:26 megapixel main sensor.
00:27 It's joined by a 12 megapixel ultra-wide camera that's
00:30 nearly twice the size, a 3x telephoto lens,
00:33 and a true depth camera with a faster aperture.
00:36 Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 7 Pro
00:38 packs a 50 megapixel main camera,
00:41 along with a 12 megapixel ultra-wide shooter,
00:43 and a more powerful 5x telephoto sensor.
00:46 So which will come out on top as the camera
00:49 king of the smartphone world?
00:50 Let's take a look.
00:55 You can see very comparable results in this photo
00:57 of the Bryant Park fountain.
00:59 Both phones deliver excellent images.
01:01 However, when you take a look at the water,
01:03 the iPhone 14 Pro Max delivers a sharper image.
01:06 And the plant in the foreground is more vibrant.
01:10 Check out the bottom of each light
01:12 in this photo of stained glass lamps.
01:14 They're much more visible through Google's camera,
01:16 while they're a bit too dark in the iPhone shot.
01:19 The colors come off richer in the Pixel's image as well.
01:23 It's just a better exposed photo.
01:25 The Pixel is the clear winner in this one.
01:27 There are some things I like about the Pixel 7 Pro's
01:38 shot of this carousel better.
01:39 For one, the lights are more distinct,
01:41 while they get a bit blown out on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
01:45 And I can make out more of the blue sky, which is a bit
01:47 too bright on the iPhone.
01:49 But overall, I prefer the iPhone's image here
01:52 because of the brightness, but also
01:54 the contrast in the carousel.
01:55 It could be Apple's photonic engine at work here,
02:03 but it captures a considerably brighter selfie of me.
02:06 Also noteworthy is how much sharper
02:08 the North Face logo is on my jacket
02:10 on the right side of the frame.
02:12 The Pixel 7 Pro smooths out my wrinkles a bit more,
02:15 which isn't a bad thing.
02:17 In portrait mode, I was surprised
02:18 that the iPhone 14 Pro Max overexposed
02:21 the left side of my face.
02:22 The Pixel 7 Pro offers a more even exposure,
02:25 as you can make out more of my blue coat
02:27 on the right side of the shot.
02:29 The blur effect around the leaves in the background
02:32 looks better through the Pixel as well.
02:33 So what about this ice skating rink photo?
02:40 Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro Max delivers a brighter and more
02:43 inviting image.
02:44 The people skating pop more on the iPhone shot,
02:47 while they kind of blend in with the ice on the Pixel 7 Pro's
02:50 photo.
02:51 The iPhone 14 Pro Max runs a bit warm,
02:53 but this is the shot I'd rather share.
02:56 Which cranberry apple tart do you
02:58 think looks more delicious?
02:59 In this case, I'm drawn to the Pixel 7 Pro's photo.
03:02 Both phones leverage their ultra-wide cameras
03:04 to take macro shots.
03:06 But I prefer Google's image here because of the sharper details
03:09 in the cranberries and crust.
03:11 This photo of the Empire State Building at 3x zoom
03:18 is a close round.
03:19 I like the moodiness of the Pixel 7 Pro's photo
03:21 and the fact that the area around the spire
03:23 is sharper where the light is coming from.
03:25 But once again, there's a blue cast to the image,
03:28 and the sky is darker in the photo than in real life.
03:32 The sky in the iPhone 14 Pro Max's image
03:34 is warmer and more realistic, and the blue haze
03:37 is kept to a minimum.
03:39 In this nighttime shot, you can make out
03:41 the people in the photo more easily
03:42 and also check out the right side of the frame
03:45 above the ESPN sign on the Pixel 7 Pro.
03:48 The angled glass panes aren't even visible in the iPhone 14
03:52 Pro Max's photo.
03:53 There's a bit of a blue cast to the Pixel shot,
03:56 but overall, it does a much better nighttime image.
03:59 Both phones take a great photo of these white begonia flowers,
04:02 but the iPhone 14 Pro Max's image is even more detailed.
04:06 Check out the petals.
04:07 They almost look translucent with the way
04:09 that the sun is hitting them.
04:11 But I also like the brighter white in the Pixel 7 Pro's shot.
04:15 So in this case, it comes down to details versus color.
04:19 In this ultra-wide photo of a nearby stream,
04:21 I give the nod to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, in this case,
04:24 because of the brighter greens on the left side of the image.
04:27 There's also more gradation in the sky.
04:29 The large tree in the water also gets
04:31 a bit lost in the Pixel photo.
04:33 Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro Max appears to take the crown,
04:36 as it offers brighter and more vibrant images in our testing.
04:39 I also prefer the iPhone's contrast in most scenarios.
04:43 However, the Pixel 7 Pro shines in low light,
04:45 and it took a better-looking macro shot and portrait.
04:48 You can't go wrong with either phone,
04:50 and a lot of it will come down to price,
04:52 as the Pixel 7 Pro cost $200 less than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
04:57 Be sure to tell us what you think in the comments,
05:00 and let us know which camera phone wins for you.
05:02 And be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.
05:05 For Tom's Guide, this is Mark Spoonhour.
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