The Apple vs. Google rivalry is nothing new. From Macs vs. PCs, to Samsung mocking Apple’s notches, to Google’s cheeky Pixel ads in movie theaters—it’s been decades of playful jabs. But now, with the Pixel 10 Pro stepping up its AI photography game, the question is obvious: can Google finally take the crown from Apple in one of the iPhone’s strongest categories—cameras?
I hit the disc golf course (one of my favorite testing grounds) with the Pixel 10 Pro in one pocket and the iPhone 16 Pro in the other. Same lighting, same subjects, same “point-and-shoot” approach. Here’s what I found.
Video: Smooth Operators
Both phones handled video surprisingly well. Transitioning from shade into bright sunlight? Smooth. Jogging along a fairway (yes, as much as I can jog)? Rock steady. The wobble we used to see in older Pixel models is gone, and while the iPhone occasionally showed more lens flare, the Pixel sometimes caught it too. In short: both delivered pro-level video stabilization, with the Pixel closing the gap more than ever.
Photos: Where the Pixel Shows Its Teeth
Here’s where things got interesting.
- 5x Zoom Test – Both phones have dedicated 5x lenses, but the Pixel 10 Pro pulled ahead with AI enhancement. The bark on trees, pine needles, even the disc golfer’s frisbee mid-flight were crisper and more detailed on Pixel.
- 10x Zoom Test – Once again, Pixel’s AI sharpening kept details alive in the shadows and in graffiti textures, while the iPhone softened edges more quickly.
- 30x vs 100x Zoom – Apple caps at 30x, while Google’s AI-assisted 100x zoom is, well… a mixed bag. It’s fun, and sometimes impressive, but not always “usable.” Still, side-by-side at 30x, Pixel looked just a touch sharper.
- Standard Shots – This is where personal preference comes in. The iPhone produced warmer, slightly yellow-leaning tones, while the Pixel leaned toward natural blues and greens. On grass, skies, and shaded areas, I preferred the Pixel’s more neutral balance.
Low Light & Motion
Dynamic range was once Apple’s Achilles heel—think blown-out windows in indoor shots. Not anymore. The iPhone 16 handled challenging light shifts well. But again, the Pixel squeezed out more detail in shadows and maintained better balance in high-contrast areas.
As for motion? I captured a disc golfer mid-throw. Both phones froze the moment beautifully, but the Pixel showed a touch more natural blur, which oddly felt more lifelike. The iPhone’s version looked sharper but slightly artificial.
Selfies & Front Cameras
Not my favorite test (I don’t love seeing myself in selfie mode), but both phones did well. The Pixel gave me flexibility to adjust between wider and closer framing, while the iPhone was locked in. Color balance looked nearly identical.
Final Thoughts
Apple still brings its trademark consistency—photos that are reliable, warm, and “ready to share.” But the Pixel 10 Pro’s AI enhancements are no gimmick. From crisper zoom to richer detail in shadows, it’s closing in hard on Apple’s long-standing lead.
So, is the Pixel finally king of smartphone cameras? I’d say the gap has never been closer. For me, the Pixel 10 Pro edges out the iPhone 16 Pro in photography this year—though Apple’s video and color accuracy still hold their ground. The real showdown will come when the iPhone 17 drops. Will Apple add AI smarts to their photography pipeline, or will Google hold the advantage? Stay tuned—I’ll be back with that battle soon.