Updated
Updated · CNET · Sep 17
CNET Pits iPhone 18 Pro Against Pixel 11 Pro as $1,199 Apple Price Tops Google by $100
Updated
Updated · CNET · Sep 17

CNET Pits iPhone 18 Pro Against Pixel 11 Pro as $1,199 Apple Price Tops Google by $100

3 articles · Updated · CNET · Sep 17

Summary

  • $1,199 iPhone 18 Pro and $1,099 Pixel 11 Pro emerge as two photography-first flagships, with CNET casting Apple as the stronger fit for creatives despite the higher price.
  • 48-megapixel camera systems drive the comparison: Apple adds variable aperture and stronger low-light control, while Google counters with a larger 48-megapixel telephoto sensor, 30% more light capture and AI-assisted 120x Pro Zoom.
  • 6.3-inch displays and IP68 ratings overlap, but the phones diverge elsewhere—Pixel is lighter at 204 grams and brighter at 3,600 nits, while Apple offers a smaller Dynamic Island and Face ID.
  • A20 Pro performance and charging help Apple pull ahead for gaming and endurance; CNET said the iPhone hit 82% in 30 minutes from empty, while the Pixel 11 Pro warmed up under gaming and reached 88% from 55%.
  • Both devices also showcase their ecosystems—iOS 27 on the iPhone and Android 17 with Gemini features on the Pixel—highlighting a broader split between Apple’s pro-camera workflow and Google’s AI-heavy software approach.

Insights

With both flagship phones hiking prices by $100, are these new AI and hardware upgrades actually worth the premium cost?
Does the iPhone 18 Pro's groundbreaking 2nm chip finally make Google's AI-focused Tensor processors obsolete for heavy users?
Will Apple's push for verifiable photographic authenticity be enough to defeat Google's aggressive, reality-bending AI camera features?