The Pixel 10 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro both deliver flagship-level photography, but with distinct approaches and strengths.
Hardware Specifications
| Camera | Pixel 10 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro |
|--------|-------------|---------------|
| Main | 50MP, f/1.7, OIS | 48MP |
| Ultrawide | 48MP, 123° FOV | 48MP |
| Telephoto | 48MP, 5x optical | 48MP |
| Front | 42MP | 12MP |
| Digital zoom | 100x (AI-enhanced) | 25x |
Photo Quality
Color Reproduction
The Pixel produces vibrant, saturated images optimized for immediate sharing. The iPhone delivers more natural tones suited for post-processing. Neither approach is objectively superior; preference varies by shooting style.
Computational Photography
Google's custom ISP and computational photography lead the industry. The Pixel excels at:
- Low-light photography with Night Sight
- AI-enhanced zoom up to 100x
- Real-time composition guidance via Camera Coach
- Multi-frame processing for sharper details
Portrait Mode
The iPhone 17 Pro produces more accurate edge detection, particularly with complex subjects like hair. Both phones deliver excellent background blur.
Video Recording
Apple maintains its video advantage:
- ProRes RAW for professional workflows
- Cinematic Mode with focus pulling
- Superior stabilization in motion
The Pixel 10 Pro offers 8K recording (cloud upscaled) and improved stabilization, but remains better suited for casual video than professional production.
AI Editing Capabilities
Google leads significantly in post-capture editing:
- Magic Eraser removes unwanted objects
- Best Take combines expressions from multiple shots
- Voice commands for hands-free editing
- Add yourself to group photos
Apple's editing tools are more limited, though upcoming Apple Intelligence features may narrow this gap.
Recommendations
Choose Pixel 10 Pro for:
- Best-in-class computational photography
- Advanced AI editing features
- Low-light photography priority
- Photos that look great without editing
Choose iPhone 17 Pro for:
- Professional video production
- Natural color reproduction
- Portrait photography
- Apple ecosystem integration
