how would life in Egypt be different with male vs. female pharaoh
Unless you are the pharoah, or one of his/her attendants, pretty much the same.
The only two female rulers of Egypt that I am aware of are Hatshepsut (who wore a fake beard to gain respect) and Cleopatra, who helped ruin the country, and then killed herself.
They certainly had style.
You might want to read up on what their eras were like.
http://www.touregypt.net/historicalessays/hatshepsut.htm