T his year, Google introduced the Pixel 9 Pro XL to its Pixel lineup, adding a third option. Google is rapidly improving its devices to compete with Xiaomi, Samsung and Apple. The

The Google Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are on sale. Come learn all about Google's early Black Friday offers.

After using the iPhone16 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro XL side-by-side for a week, I found each has its own strengths, but they have a lot in common too.

Update November 5th: Update: Google is rolling out another major discount for the Pixel 9 series. People with gold status on Play Points can claim a 30% discount on a Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro / XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, according to redditors who have claimed the deal.

It's also worth noting that both the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro have a retail price of $999. However, Google often offers discounts on the Pixel 9 Pro, such as up to $150 off for Google One members or 30% off for Play Points members. In contrast, Apple rarely provides promotions on the iPhone 16 Pro.

Before we dive into the reasons behind this price difference, it's worth noting that the Pixel 9 Pro has a significantly lower Bill of Materials (BOM) than even the Pixel 8 Pro. This is mainly due to the lower cost of components used by Google.

The Pixel 9 Pro arrived this year for users looking for a compact flagship. Previously, fans of the Pixel lineup had to turn to the less capable vanilla models if they wanted a phone with a smaller screen.

There are a ton of costs associated with building and putting out a smartphone, well beyond the cost of the materials themselves. However, the “bill of materials” (BOM) is still key to each device, and the Pixel 9 Pro has a BOM cost that seems to be dropping.