With the conclusion of Google’s Pixel event, we now have a comprehensive look at the AI upgrades planned for the Pixel 9 devices, as well as a good understanding of what Apple is planning for AI (or Apple Intelligence) for the upcoming iPhone 16 series. While none of these features have been rolled out yet (both Google and Apple plan to launch their multimodal AI assistants later this year), it’s fair to quickly compare how they compare to each other and whether it makes sense to choose the Pixel or the iPhone this smartphone season.
On-device models
Both Google and Apple boast about being able to handle AI requests on the device itself, meaning all AI processing happens on your phone rather than on a server in the cloud. On Pixel phones, this is thanks to Gemini Nano, Google’s built-in multimodal AI model, while on Apple, rather than boring you with model names and version names, it’s simply called Apple Intelligence. If the phone can’t handle a task on the device, it reaches out to the cloud – something both Gemini and Apple Intelligence have in common. However, every single task on Gemini is handled by Google’s own AI model, while on Apple, some tasks are outsourced to ChatGPT without logging any private data… but more on privacy later. Google benefits from owning the entire “stack,” while Apple benefits from being able to be truly diverse by leaning on ChatGPT’s capabilities when needed.
Multimodality
The term multimodality refers to the ability to work in different modes – text, video and audio. Both Gemini and Apple Intelligence are designed to be multimodal. They accept text input, can take voice commands, analyze audio files, examine images and even search in videos. It’s worth noting that while Google and Apple have announced these multimodal capabilities, the final AI assistants are still weeks/months away from launch.
Voice input
At the time of writing, Apple Intelligence could only be tested in English. However, Google Gemini has the edge as it accepts over 45 different languages as input.
The Gemini Feature Quilt
Text generation/rewriting
This is perhaps the simplest yet most effective feature on both platforms and one that you will use the most. Text generation and paraphrasing is nothing new to Gemini and is available in all Google apps/services regardless of your device. You can ask Gemini to compose emails, write letters/flyers and even proofread your documents either on the Gemini website or in apps like Gmail, Docs, etc. Apple Intelligence also offers the same features (refinement, proofreading, paraphrasing) but these capabilities seem to be limited to Apple devices only like iPhone, iPad, MacBook and Mac desktops. While Apple Intelligence’s text generation features have not yet rolled out to Apple devices, the features supported by Google Gemini are already available on all devices regardless of their brand.
Image generation
In addition to pure image analysis, Gemini and Apple Intelligence also have image generation features, each with their own capabilities. Pixel Studio’s text-to-image feature was unveiled today and is exclusive to the Pixel 9 models. Type in a prompt and the app will create an image, which you can then view variants of, refine it by editing the prompt, or even change the style by choosing from a selection of style templates. At WWDC this year, Apple unveiled its Image Playground, which offers exactly the same features. However, Image Playground offers fewer styles to choose from and deliberately avoids generating realistic images. Google’s Pixel Studio can generate photorealistic images, although the company also unveiled tools for earlier AI image detection that could play a crucial role in minimizing the spread of deepfakes and misinformation.
Additionally, Google’s Magic Editor (the upgrade to Magic Eraser) is slated to arrive on Pixel phones and will also see a wider rollout to Android (and even iOS). This feature will let you fix your photo by adjusting parameters like reframing or expanding the composition, or edit parts of your photo by adding GenAI details to them. However, Google won’t get Apple’s GenMoji or the ability to generate custom emojis based on prompts and context. These custom emojis can be shared in Apple’s Messages app, but can also be saved as stickers and used in other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Instagram.
Live mode
Gemini’s Live Mode, unveiled today at Google’s Pixel launch event, allows you to talk to your AI just like you would another person. If you remember ChatGPT’s GPT 4o model from not too long ago, Live Mode lets you do just that. You can summon the AI and simply have a conversation with it, ask it questions, share ideas, or collaborate on it instead. This feature is currently only available in English and for Gemini Advanced subscribers, meaning free users can’t take advantage of the Live Mode feature. Apple Intelligence doesn’t currently have a Live Mode, but you can expect it to roll out in the future once the intelligence features actually roll out. Notably, ChatGPT lets you chat with the GPT 4o model for free, but this is limited to “a few” times within a limited time window.
Record/transcribe call
Both Gemini and Apple Intelligence can record and transcribe conversations. Recorded calls are transcribed using on-device AI and all participants are notified that the call is being recorded. However, Apple adds transcriptions to the Notes app, while Google lets you view transcriptions directly in the call log using a feature called Call Notes.
The “Feature Quilt” by Apple Intelligence
Memory + Context
What good is an AI if it doesn’t remember your conversations? Both Gemini and Apple Intelligence “supposedly” capture context very well by understanding what you need, which apps to reference, and also people in your contacts. You can have a continuous conversation with either AI model, and they will remember what you’re talking about without needing to be constantly reminded. This is in stark contrast to a few years ago, when voice assistants had a limited memory that only existed within that chat command. Now you can reference something from a picture taken years ago, or details from an email buried in your inbox, and the AI models will jump right in. At least, that’s what Apple and Google want us to believe. We’re still waiting for these features to roll out to devices, and can’t understand their limitations until they do.
Privacy
A lot of discussions about AI are also accompanied by a lot of fearmongering. AI replacing humans, AI training itself using your data, and AI getting out of control – all valid concerns that Google and Apple understand pretty well. Because of this, many functions of the Pixel 9 Gemini Nano and Apple Intelligence run on-device without a connection to the internet (the Gemini Nano’s on-device AI is different than the Gemini available on other Android devices). However, when Gemini or Apple Intelligence needs to access a cloud version of the AI model, it does so in their own sandbox, with no third party access to data. Notably, Apple also relies on ChatGPT to power some of its AI experiences, though Craig Federighi was quick to mention that ChatGPT does not (or cannot) log data or queries entered through Apple Intelligence.
Availability
As for availability, Google’s Gemini Nano model will only be available on Pixel 9 devices, with an official release set to happen in a few weeks. While Gemini will be available on all devices, the ability to use Gemini as a personal smartphone assistant is limited to the latest Pixel 9 lineup only. Apple Intelligence is also awaiting an official launch and will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro series from last year along with this year’s iPhone launch. EU users will unfortunately not be able to use Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone due to the EU’s strict Digital Markets Act (DMA) legislation.
Neither Gemini Nano nor Apple Intelligence have an official launch date, but it’s quite possible that both will make their debut in the coming weeks/months. Apple Intelligence will be free for all users (you can even use the ChatGPT features for free without creating an account), and the core features of Gemini Nano will also be free for Pixel users. Pixel users will also get a 1-year access pass to Gemini Advanced, which can handle more complex tasks, has a larger context window, and lets you use Gemini Live mode.
Watch the official Gemini Nano and Apple Intelligence videos below.
