It’s formally iPhone season.
Similar to clockwork, Apple has returned with one other big September launch event, and there’s loads to get enthusiastic about.
The iPhone 17 collection consists of 4 fashions as soon as once more, however this time, the all-new iPhone Air replaces the Plus mannequin. With loads of upgrades elsewhere, it’s essentially the most important iPhone launch occasion in years.
Nevertheless, whereas I’m excited to see what Apple has in retailer and looking out ahead to testing one out, I received’t be switching to an iPhone 17 long run. And Google’s Pixel 10 collection is a serious motive for that.
Extremely-slim telephones don’t do it for me
The headline announcement throughout Apple’s keynote was the iPhone Air. After three years of an an identical flagship lineup, Apple has ditched the Plus in favour of a brand new, ultra-slim mannequin.
Apple
The iPhone Air is an unbelievable 5.6mm thick, making it thinner than the 5.8mm Galaxy S25 Edge that Samsung launched earlier this 12 months.
Nevertheless, from testing that cellphone, a skinny and lightweight cellphone actually doesn’t do it for me. Whereas extra snug to carry, battery life and cameras had been each severely compromised on the S25 Edge, to the extent that it wasn’t definitely worth the premium price ticket.
Certainly, whereas Apple hasn’t disclosed it, the iPhone Air is more likely to have a smaller battery than the common 17. It additionally solely has one 48Mp rear digital camera. Contemplating its beginning worth of £999/$999, that doesn’t appear value it in any respect.
The iPhone Air has only one rear digital camera
Apple
I choose Google’s method, which retains the equal of normal, Professional and Professional Max fashions, but replaces the Air with a book-style foldable.
Efficiency might be higher, however not by a lot
One improve we had been all anticipating on the iPhone 17 collection is a brand new chipset or two. Apple’s A19 collection makes its debut right here, with an everyday model on the iPhone 17 and Air, whereas the A19 Professional stays unique to Professional and Professional Max.
Nevertheless, the last-gen A18 collection was already extra highly effective than the Tensor G5 present in Google’s Pixel 10 collection, so the brand new silicon will solely lengthen Apple’s lead. In the case of cellphone efficiency, the iPhone might be nonetheless the gold commonplace.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The query is: does it actually matter? Pixel 10 Professional XL efficiency was nonetheless glorious all through my testing time, and I can’t consider any situation the place it might really feel underpowered.
A lot of the Pixel 10 collection’ computing energy goes into its AI options, that are leaps and bounds forward of Apple’s efforts with Apple Intelligence to this point.
I care extra about pictures than movies
Even earlier than the iPhone 17 collection, the iPhone’s video talents are unmatched by any Android cellphone. The element and smoothness Apple can constantly ship is one thing to behold, and it appears like the brand new Professional telephones will be capable of seize it in 8K.
Nevertheless, I solely take movies on my smartphone often, and the Pixel 10 Professional’s ‘Night time Sight Video’ is loads ok for me, even when the microphones might be higher.
What’s way more essential to me is constantly nice pictures, an space the place the Pixel 10 Professional XL excels. In virtually any state of affairs, I can depend on it to ship the high-quality pictures I crave.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
The iPhone 16 Professional I examined final 12 months definitely isn’t far behind, however there have been sufficient duds to make me assume twice concerning the pictures I used to be taking. With solely slight probabilities on the 17 Professional fashions, it’s more likely to be extra of the identical for essentially the most half.
Additionally, in the event you care about AI digital camera options, the Pixel 10 collection is the way in which to go. Finest Take, Add Me, Digicam Coach and Tremendous Res Zoom are all value utilizing, even when they’re on no account flawless.
Android fits me significantly better than iOS
The iPhone 17 collection will debut iOS 26, the revamped model of Apple’s cell working system. Its new ‘Liquid Glass’ design language is an enormous overhaul, combining curved buttons with numerous translucent parts, as Apple goals to make it really feel extra like interacting with the true world.
Nevertheless, loads of the iOS fundamentals that I observed when switching to the 16 Professional look set to stay, together with Apple’s irritating method to notifications and fast settings. It additionally works much better in the event you use the corporate’s personal apps relatively than third-party options.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
So, as somebody who primarily depends on the Google ecosystem, the Pixel 10 fits me significantly better. It additionally has a redesign within the type of Android 16’s ‘Materials 3 Expressive’, whereas conserving bloatware to a minimal and rivalling Apple for immediate updates and lengthy assist.
Finally, Pixel 10 telephones are a greater long-term match for me than the iPhone 17 collection, regardless of the numerous adjustments Apple has made. Nevertheless, in the event you’re an current iPhone person or not one of the downsides apply to you, there’s loads to be enthusiastic about.
