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iPhone 16 Pro vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro: Who has a better camera for photography?

Battle of the smartphone camera titans: iPhone 16 Pro or Google Pixel 9 Pro? Which smartphone actually dominates the world of photography?

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Photo: Jan Macarol

Who has the better camera? The iPhone 16 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro currently offer the best photography experience among smartphones. A comparison of the performance of wide-angle and zoom lenses and the processing of RAW files also reveals significant differences. Let's delve into the details, distortions and color profiles that set this tech giant apart.

Who has the better camera? In the latest generation of smartphones Apple and Google continue their technological war - this time with a camera that tries to replace professional DSLRs. On the one hand, we have the iPhone 16 Pro and on the other, the Google Pixel 9 Pro, both full of promises of exceptional photos and both marketed as the best cameras that smartphones have. But when it comes down to the real details, they are actually very different.

Ultra-wide-angle lens – a game of distortions and color contrasts

Let's start with a wide angle view. At first glance, the iPhone 16 Pro prevails in the ultra-wide-angle test due to less distortion in the corners. Apple has clearly invested a lot of time in handling distortion, which makes images look more consistent, with less stretched edges and without the unwanted purplish tints we still see with Google. So the iPhone scores in accuracy.

But Pixel 9 Pro offers something that can enchant: already raw RAW files they look more saturated, contrasting and lively, without additional processing. That said, if you're looking for a photo that stands out instantly, without any extra touch-ups, the Pixel might be the one for you. On the other hand, the iPhone offers greater precision when zooming in and preserves more detail, which is especially evident in macro photos, such as a flower in all its sharpness.

Photo: Jan Macarol

Telephoto test - iPhone dominates with optical accuracy

When we get to five times magnification, the story repeats itself. iPhone 16 Pro it shined here, confirming its reputation as the best zoom among smartphones. While the Pixel 9 Pro isn't bad by any means, it's still a bit softer at extreme zooms, and images lose some sharpness and detail. So the iPhone wins in accuracy telephoto lens, but the Pixel, with slightly softer and less sharp lines, sometimes offers a more natural look.

The difference in color profiles – the hidden advantage of Pixla?

Perhaps the most interesting part of the comparison is one that most users don't even notice: the color profile of raw photos. Nowadays, smartphones rely heavily on software processing, which processes the image with various filters during the capture itself. When we transfer the raw files to the computer, we can see a huge difference. On an iPhone, an image without Apple's ProRAW filter looks almost lifeless, dark and digitally processed. At Pixel however, the effect is different: when we remove the Google profile, the photo retains an almost natural appearance.

That means that Pixel 9 Pro allows photographers to edit photos in a similar way to professional cameras, without additional adjustments to color profiles. The iPhone, on the other hand, relies on its specific Apple color profile, which many professionals find a bit limiting.

Low light – Apple's trump card in a dark corner

Both phones also fare well in low-light conditions, but here the iPhone 16 Pro once again leads the way. Apple's sensor and advanced processing deliver cleaner images with less digital noise, especially in shadow areas where The Pixel still lags sometimes. That doesn't mean it is Pixel bad – achieves impressive results when processing in dark conditions, but Apple is still slightly ahead in detail and clarity.

Final Verdict - Which Smartphone Wins?

So where do we end up? If you are a fan of crystal clear and sharp photos that do not need additional processing, it will iPhone 16 Pro your choice. But if you're looking for a phone that gives you more flexibility in post-processing and offers a more organic, softer look, you'll be Pixel 9 Pro probably more impressed.

Both phones are powerful photography tools, but they have different approaches and therefore different goals. Thus, your decision will depend primarily on whether technical perfection (iPhone 16 Pro) is more important to you or whether you prefer the more aesthetically pleasing and flexible image it offers Pixel 9 Pro.

So, when in doubt - go online, look at some comparisons and ask yourself: Are you an iPhone perfectionist or a Pixel romantic?

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