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Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max is proving once again why it continues to dominate smartphone videography. A recent comparison by YouTuber Dave2D showed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max outperformed Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL, especially in low-light conditions. The iPhone excelled even as the sun set, producing more detailed footage.
YouTuber Dave2D’s Tests Reveal Pixel 10 Pro XL’s Video Shortcomings as iPhone 16 Pro Max Excels Again
Dave2D conducted a series of tests comparing the Pixel 10 Pro XL with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max handled challenging conditions easily, producing more detailed footage even in low-light scenarios. Google’s Night Sight has long been praised for still photography but failed to impress in video mode, where performance was underwhelming.
The YouTuber noted that the results from the iPhone looked “so much better” in certain shots. Additionally, motion handling issues persisted in the Pixel 10 Pro XL, leading to a jarring effect when moving the camera quickly. Although slightly improved compared to last year’s Pixel 9 series, these issues still plagued the device.
Despite the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s Tensor G5 using TSMC’s 3nm architecture for better computational processing, it still struggled with motion handling and low-light performance. However, the Pixel did perform well in a macro video test, delivering vibrant results due to its shallow depth of field.
Google has added numerous software-based features to the Pixel 10 Pro models to guide users toward better photos. Features like Camera Coach suggest various cues after analyzing a frame, but Dave2D found these unnecessary for serious photographers. The new 100x ProRes Zoom was also tested and often produced grainy images in real-world use.
The Video Boost feature took 20 hours to process Dave2D’s video, though the results were impressive. However, the wait time is impractical compared to Apple’s seamless real-time processing.
With the iPhone 17 Pro launch approaching, Google will need to improve its video performance. Do you think Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro will beat the Pixel 9 Pro XL in still shots?
