Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 9a
Too close to call. The critic scores are 1 point apart, well inside the usual difference between two critics. Pick on features, not score.
Critics score the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 88 (clear consensus) and the Google Pixel 9a 89 (general agreement) out of 100, from 9 and 7 professional reviews. 5 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max higher, 1 scored the Google Pixel 9a higher and 3 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Google Pixel 9a 1 point ahead.
Image: AppleApple iPhone 17 Pro Max
9 professional reviewers tested the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, and 9 recommend it. Most praised: performance and battery life. Most common complaint: price.
All 9 reviews of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max →
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Image: GoogleGoogle Pixel 9a
7 professional reviewers tested the Google Pixel 9a, and 6 recommend it. Most praised: battery life and picture quality.
All 7 reviews of the Google Pixel 9a →
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Where every review landed
Each mark is one professional review, converted to 0–100Which one is for you?
Pick the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you care most about battery and cameras
- performance matters most: 8 of 9 critics praise it, against 1 of 7 for the Google Pixel 9a
The catch: It is heavy and expensive, with a large camera bump and a divisive design.
Pick the Google Pixel 9a if
- “Best midrange battery life” is what you’re after
The catch: It has no telephoto lens and charges slowly.
In our words, from what the critics praise and complain about. It never changes a score.
What critics praise and fault
How many of each product's reviews mention the topic| Topic | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Google Pixel 9a |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 6 of 9 praise 1 of 9 fault | 4 of 7 praise |
| Performance | 8 of 9 praise | 1 of 7 praise |
| Picture quality | 2 of 9 praise | 2 of 7 praise |
| Price | 4 of 9 fault | not mentioned |
| Size and weight | 3 of 9 fault | not mentioned |
| Value for money | not mentioned | 2 of 7 praise |
Critics who reviewed both
The fairest comparison: the same reviewer, the same standards| Outlet | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pixel 9a | Who scored higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Reviews | 80 | 95 | Pixel 9a +15 |
| Tech Advisor | 90 | 90 | Same |
| Tom's Guide | 90 | 90 | Same |
| WIRED | 90 | 90 | Same |
| TechRadar | 90 | 80 | iPhone 17 Pro Max +10 |
Scores converted to 0–100. Tiles with a dashed border are estimated from the verdict. Tap a score to read that review.
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Common questions
Which is better, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 9a?
It's too close to call on critic score: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 88 (clear consensus), Google Pixel 9a 89 (general agreement). 5 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max higher, 1 scored the Google Pixel 9a higher and 3 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Google Pixel 9a 1 point ahead.
Do critics agree about the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 9a?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: clear consensus, scores from 80 to 92. The Google Pixel 9a: general agreement, scores from 80 to 95.