Apple’s newest flagship is reminding everyone why it’s the go-to for mobile video. In a fresh side-by-side camera test from YouTuber Dave2D, the iPhone 16 Pro Max went up against Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL and once again came out on top for video, especially in difficult lighting. With Apple expected to unveil the iPhone 17 Pro lineup on September 9, the gap in consistent video performance is hard to ignore.
In Dave2D’s comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivered cleaner, more detailed footage after sunset, an area where Google’s phones traditionally lean on Night Sight for still photography. While Night Sight remains excellent for photos, the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s low-light video didn’t impress to the same degree. In several clips, the iPhone’s results looked noticeably better, to the point where the Pixel’s output felt closer to its predecessor than a true leap forward.
Motion handling was another sore spot for the Pixel. Quick pans and fast camera moves produced a distracting judder effect that stood out in side-by-side shots. It’s a modest improvement over the Pixel 9 era, but the issue persists despite the Tensor G5’s move to a 3nm process aimed at boosting computational photography and video.
The Pixel wasn’t without wins. In macro video, Google’s phone took the crown, serving up vibrant colors and a shallow depth of field that gave clips a cinematic look with the subject locked in focus. The macro mode also shines for photos, though it rewards users who take extra care with precise focusing.
Google is leaning hard on software smarts this year. Camera Coach analyzes your frame and suggests ways to improve, but advanced users may find it unnecessary. The new 100x ProRes Zoom sounds impressive on a spec sheet, yet real-world shots frequently turned out grainy. Video Boost processing produced strong results, but the turnaround time was a deal-breaker—Dave2D reported a 20-hour wait, which pales next to Apple’s polished, real-time processing pipeline.
The takeaway remains familiar: Pixels are powerhouse shooters for still images, but when it comes to video—low light, motion, and overall reliability—the iPhone 16 Pro Max is still the benchmark. With the iPhone 17 Pro announcement around the corner, the pressure is on Google to close the gap in video. Do you think Apple’s next Pro model will extend its lead in videography and even challenge the Pixel 10 Pro XL in still photos?
