GoKawiilApple's $1,199 iPhone 18 Pro Undercuts Google's $1,099 Pixel 11 Pro on Zoom Tech
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro launches at $1,199, a $100 increase over the iPhone 17 Pro, adding a variable aperture camera system for photographers. Google's Pixel 11 Pro also rose $100 to $1,099, gaining a larger 48-megapixel telephoto sensor with 30x optical-style zoom and a 120x AI-enhanced Pro Zoom mode. Beyond cameras, the two phones diverge sharply in design, colors and software, running iOS 27 and Android 17 respectively.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Both companies raising prices in tandem points to industry-wide pressure from memory chip shortages rather than isolated pricing decisions, signaling costlier premium phones across the board this cycle. The differing camera strategies—Apple's optical aperture control versus Google's AI-driven zoom—also reflect a broader split in how manufacturers are using hardware versus software to push photography further.
- iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, up $100 from its predecessor
- Pixel 11 Pro rose to $1,099 with a bigger telephoto sensor and 120x AI zoom
- Memory shortages appear to be driving price hikes across premium smartphones
Apple iPhone 18 Pro — If you're a creative who wants top-tier photography features like variable aperture and long battery life, the iPhone 18 Pro is built for you. It's the phone discussed right at the center of this comparison, making it a natural pick for anyone deciding between Apple's and Google's latest flagship offerings.
See Apple iPhone 18 Pro on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Prakhar Khanna, 2026-09-17
Published there as: “iPhone 18 Pro vs. Pixel 11 Pro: The New Apple and Google Pro Phones Are Quite Different”
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