Apple finally changed the design of the iPhone 17 Pro Max
|Iwas genuinely excited to try the iPhone 17 Pro Max, especially because Apple finally refreshed the design after years of the same look. The new industrial aluminum unibody feels premium, and the massive 6.9-inch display with 3,000 nits brightness is nothing short of stunning. Add the Ceramic Shield 2 glass, and it feels like the most durable iPhone yet. Battery life is also impressive, lasting nearly two full days, and the A19 Pro chipset ensures unmatched gaming and video editing power.
Still, even with all these strengths, I kept running into the same old problems with iOS 26. The new Liquid Glass interface looks stylish, but customization is still clunky, notifications remain a mess, and Apple’s so-called Apple Intelligence doesn’t yet deliver the wow factor. The cameras are excellent — especially for video — but the overall software experience left me frustrated.
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL delivers a smoother everyday experience
Switching to the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, I immediately noticed how fluid and intuitive Android 16 with Material 3 Expressive feels compared to iOS. The design isn’t drastically different from last year’s model, but it still feels modern and premium. Its 6.9-inch Super Actua display matches Apple’s panel in brightness and outdoor visibility, proving Google has truly caught up on display quality.
Performance was another surprise. While some still doubt the Tensor G5 chipset, in real-world use it’s one of the smoothest phones I’ve handled. Everyday tasks, multitasking, and even AI features through Gemini Assistant feel faster and more useful than what Apple currently offers. Battery life is just as strong as the iPhone, comfortably lasting into a second day, and this year Google added Qi2 charging with Pixelsnap accessories, giving it a MagSafe-like ecosystem.
Camera battle comes down to preference
When it comes to cameras, both devices shine in different ways. The iPhone 17 Pro Max continues to lead in video quality, producing footage that looks cinematic and professional. On the other hand, the Pixel 10 Pro XL excels in low-light photography and delivers more natural colors than before. Your choice here depends on whether you prioritize photos or videos.
My final verdict after using both
After weeks with both devices, I expected the iPhone 17 Pro Max to win me over, but I actually found myself reaching for the Pixel 10 Pro XL more often. The smooth software, smarter AI, and overall daily experience felt better than what Apple offered this year. The iPhone is still unbeatable for gaming and video work, but for everything else, Google finally built a phone that I prefer to carry in my pocket.
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