Introduced inside the area of a month, the Google Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e are premium mid-range telephones that are available in underneath the $600 mark. If you happen to’re out there for a high-quality however considerably inexpensive system, these will probably be on the high of your listing. So how do they examine?
The Pixel 9a Has Higher Coloration Choices
The Pixel 9a is somewhat bigger and heavier than the iPhone 16e, partially to accommodate an even bigger display screen and higher-capacity battery. It additionally has thicker bezels. The iPhone, in contrast, has a really distinguished notch, so take your choose.
Each units have a glass entrance and an aluminum body, however the Pixel has a plastic again. In any other case, the units look largely related. The digicam bar that is synonymous with the Pixel vary is absent on the Pixel 9a. The digicam housing on each units is minimal.
Across the edges, the Pixel has a slot for a nano-SIM, whereas the iPhone is eSIM solely. The iPhone additionally has the very helpful Motion button on the facet.
For a lot of, the largest design distinction is within the colour choices. Each units can be found in black and white, however the Pixel has a few extra enjoyable choices in pink (Peony) and blue (Iris).
The Pixel’s Show Is Larger, Brighter, and Sooner
The Pixel 9a has a bigger display screen at 6.3 inches in comparison with 6.1 on the iPhone. It will get greater than twice as vibrant and has a variable refresh price of as much as 120Hz. This provides it a lot smoother animations when scrolling, and extra fluid gameplay. The iPhone 16e, like the total iPhone 16, has a show pegged to a really old style 60Hz. The Pixel additionally provides an At all times On show.
The iPhone show has barely greater decision and pixel density, however not a lot as you’d discover. It’s coated with ceramic defend glass, which must be more durable than the Gorilla Glass 3 on the Pixel.
For Efficiency, the A18 Chip within the iPhone 16e Is Approach Forward
The iPhone 16e is powered by the A18 chipset, which is bound to outperform the Pixel 9a in just about each metric. The 9a makes use of the identical Tensor G4 chip as the opposite Pixel 9 units. It is not a slouch, but when uncooked efficiency is what you are after, then there is not any comparability.
Each units begin at 128GB of storage, which is definitely on the small facet. Given the worth distinction, although, you possibly can double the Pixel storage and nonetheless pay lower than you’d for the bottom iPhone 16e.
Apple’s system does have fairly just a few compromises to meet its price point. One of the placing examples is the USB-C port, which is restricted to USB 2.0 speeds. That is not excellent when you’ve obtained loads of information to repeat over to the system.
Each Telephones Have AI Limitations (if You Care About That)
The Pixel 9a launches with Android 15 and is assured for as much as seven main OS upgrades. The iPhone 16e runs iOS 18 and also needs to get a number of years of updates, though Apple hasn’t specified precisely what number of.
One of many largest variations between the 2 working techniques at this time is in AI efficiency. Android is streets forward right here, given that almost all of what Apple promised with Apple Intelligence has but to materialize and will not do for a while.
The Pixel packs in a number of Gemini AI options, though as Android Police studies, RAM restrictions imply you do not get the total expertise you get on the Pixel 9. It is honest to imagine that the hole between the units will solely develop. However you do additionally get AI within the digicam app, cellphone app, and elsewhere, with some being extra helpful than others.
Three Cameras and a Macro Mode Put the Pixel Forward
The Google Pixel 9a has a greater digicam setup. Not solely are there two rear cameras, however it may possibly additionally shoot in Macro mode. These are absent on the iPhone 16e.
The principle cameras each shoot at 48MP. The Pixel 9a’s sensor is somewhat bigger, and the iPhone 16e’s aperture is somewhat brighter, however in any other case they’re technically related. It is the identical story with the front-facing cameras—13MP on the Pixel, and 12MP on the iPhone.
However the Pixel provides in a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens, in addition to that macro mode for taking pictures excessive close-ups of objects. And it is all powered by Google’s AI-infused digicam app, which incorporates issues just like the Add Me function and the Magic Eraser. The 16e lacks a lot of the hardware and software features which have made the iPhone so nice for pictures.
Neither cellphone has a zoom lens. That may not sound like a shock, however you will get zooms at this worth level, equivalent to through the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro.
The Pixel 9a Has a Larger Battery
Battery life has sometimes been one of many weak factors of Google’s a-series telephones. That should not be the case with the 9a, which sees its battery upgraded to a 5100mAh capability.
That is about 27% bigger than you get within the iPhone 16e. Nevertheless, it is troublesome to check the batteries on specs alone, because of the variations within the working techniques, the modems, and so forth. In our iPhone 16e review, we discovered the battery life to be higher than on different iPhones.
Each telephones assist 7.5W wi-fi charging.
The Pixel Is $40 Cheaper for Twice the Storage
The Pixel 9a begins at $499, which is $100 lower than the iPhone 16e’s most cost-effective variant. You’ll be able to double the storage for $559.
The Pixel tops out at 256GB. The iPhone has a 256GB model for $699 and even a 512GB model for $899. In case your finances stretches that far, you may wish to look at the full iPhone 16 as a substitute.
The Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e have loads of similarities however differ in key areas. The Pixel is cheaper, has a greater display screen, extra colour choices, and probably longer battery life. The digicam system is healthier, too, though I will reserve judgment there till I’ve seen some correct checks.
But when pure efficiency is what you are after, the iPhone 16e is the best way to go. It is barely extra succesful as a video system and will definitely be higher for gaming (and iOS has higher video games as nicely).
And bear in mind, these aren’t the one two high-quality mid-range telephones in the marketplace. There are loads of excellent sub-$600 phones on sale proper now.
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