iPhone 17 Vs Pixel 10: Which Reigns Supreme

Sometimes it’s hard to make a choice because you have too many good options: what to wear, where to eat, which smartphone to buy. 2025 is shaping up to be a challenging year for smartphone shoppers, with a range of new models pushing the boundaries of performance, camera quality and AI capabilities.

Here we compare two heavyweights of the flagship world. Released in August 2025, Google’s Pixel 10 comes with a little addition called Pixelsnap, Google’s answer to MagSafe, that uses Qi2 magnetic charging technology and makes it easy to attach magnetic accessories. Less than a month later, Apple released the iPhone 17, which motivated even long-term older iPhone users to update. Among the iPhone 17’s many changes are a 120Hz Pro Motion display screen with an always-on feature and an upgraded 48MP dual fusion rear camera.

Frank Mobile has pitted these two models together in the showdown of the year: iPhone 17 vs. Pixel 10. Round for round, we’re going to see which of these two contenders deserves to be crowned the reigning champion (and take a little look at the higher-end range, including iPhone 17 Pro vs. Pixel 10 Pro models too).

Design and Display

When it comes to display, iPhone 17 vs. Pixel 10 is a tough battle. Both look fantastic, with 6.3 OLED screens and 3000 nits of peak outdoor brightness. Both are solidly constructed with aluminium frames and boast a water and dust resistance rating of IP68. Both use ultra-tough screen glass (Ceramic Shield 2 for the iPhone and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the Pixel) to help protect your screen from the keys in your pocket and other dangers.

There are some pretty significant design differences as well, starting with the most obvious example: the colours. The iPhone 17 comes in Black, Lavender, Mist Blue, White and Sage, while the Pixel 10’s colours include the equally poetic Indigo, Frost, Obsidian and Lemongrass. While both phones boast high outdoor visibility, the iPhone 17 has a lower minimum brightness that’s easier on the eyes in the dark.

The iPhone 17 comes in four varieties, including the standard iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Air (the slimmest and lightest iPhone yet), the Pro and the Pro Max, which increases the OLED screen size to 6.9 inches. Similarly, Google’s Pixel 10 series includes the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold. With such an eclectic mix of designs, there’s something to suit everybody, whether you’re rooting for Apple or Google.

Performance and Power

Both smartphones are powered by remarkable chips. The iPhone 17’s A19 chip packs a 6-core CPU, a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. The Pixel 10 features the first appearance of the Tensor G5, Google’s first entirely in-house chip, which includes major performance boosts like a 34% faster CPU.

While both are formidable foes, the iPhone’s A19 is a slightly more powerful performer, particularly for gaming and complex tasks. 

Camera Capabilities

Both phones come with impressive camera set-ups for stunning results. The iPhone 17 has a new 48MP Fusion Main camera with a 2X optical-quality telephoto and a 48MP Fusion Ultra-Wide camera packing 4X the resolution of the iPhone 6’s Ultra-Wide Camera. Ultra-Wide photos are also 24MP by default now—the perfect file size for instant sharing.

The Google Pixel 10 has a three-lens rear camera system with a 48MP main camera, ultra-wide camera and telephoto with 5X optical zoom.

Both Apple and Google know what their customers value, so both smartphones are an excellent choice. What puts the Pixel at a (very slight) advantage is its dedicated zoom camera, which is mildly unusual for a phone with the starting price range of $799 (which both models have). The iPhone 17 does all of its zooming with the main camera, drawing on sensor cropping to achieve the desired result.

Battery and Everyday Use

Both the iPhone 17 and the Google Pixel 10 have long, reliable battery lives that last even longer when you upgrade to the Pro models.  While the standard iPhone 17 has a battery life of around 12 hours, that figure reaches 15.5 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro and almost 18 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The Google Pixel 10 lasts a little longer than the iPhone at 13 hours.

The iPhone 17’s biggest benefit is its speedy charging time, which can reach more than 70% in as little as 30 minutes. Both the Google Pixel 10 and the iPhone 17 have magnets that let them support wireless charging and magnetic accessories, and both have enough battery life and helpful features to make day-to-day use an absolute pleasure.

iPhone 17 Vs Pixel 10: Which is Better?

So, which smartphone emerges victorious from the battle of the iPhone 17 vs. the Google Pixel 10? That’s a really tough call: a bit like choosing between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The old Apple vs. Android rivalry is as old as the hills and frankly boring by this point. Both phones have enough battery life to last through the day and enough cool features to make the most of it, capturing the best parts on your high-quality camera.

The raw power of the iPhone 17 Pro is perfect for high-demand applications like gaming and video editing. Obviously, this iPhone is a no-brainer for those who love Apple’s iOS operating system. On the other hand, the Pixel 10 offers a bit more flexibility in terms of customisation and provides access to millions of apps on the Google Play Store.

If you’re looking for a higher-end model, trying to decide between the iPhone 17 Pro vs. the Google Pixel 10 Pro isn’t a whole lot easier. While the iPhone 17 Pro is hard to beat in terms of overall performance and durability, the Pixel 10 Pro is a strong contender for those who love a long-lived battery and AI-powered convenience.

With the iPhone 17 vs. Pixel 10, you’re backing a winner either way. Ultimately, the winner is you. But if you want to make a hard choice easier, it helps to chat with someone who knows smartphones. Someone like Frank.

Buy the Latest Refurbished Phones at Frank

Whether you’re all about Android life, a diehard iPhone user or someone who just wants the best deal you can possibly find, you can find the best refurbished smartphones at Frank Mobile.

Every refurbished smartphone you buy from Frank has been put through a heavy-duty testing process. This includes battery life of at least 80%, because battery quality is non-negotiable. 

You can strike hundreds of dollars off the price of a flagship iPhone with Frank’s affordable iPhones, which include recent models like the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Our refurbished Google Pixel phones include staggering savings on top-selling Pixel models ,the Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro Fold 5G and Pixel 9 Pro XL. Score the same cutting-edge features as new versions have, with much more affordable prices.

Want more info or need a helping hand choosing the right smartphone? Email befrank@frankmobile.com.au or speak to a human on 1300 882 674.