iPhone 16 vs Google Pixel 9 2026: Which Phone Should You Buy?

The iPhone 16 leads on ecosystem integration, build quality, app polish, and resale value — the default choice for existing Apple users and those who value premium hardware. The Pixel 9 leads on pure computational photography, Google AI integration, and software transparency — the best Android phone for camera quality and the cleanest Google experience. Neither is clearly superior: it comes down to ecosystem, camera priorities, and whether you prefer Apple or Google's AI tools.