Google Pixel 9a vs iPhone 16e: Better display or more power? ⚡🎨
The Google Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e have been announced, two premium mid-range phones that remain below the $$600 price barrier. If you're looking for a high-quality yet affordable device, these are sure to be on your list. But how do they compare? 📱🤔
The Pixel 9a Offers Better Color Options 🎨
The Pixel 9a is slightly larger and heavier than the iPhone 16e, in part to accommodate a larger display and larger battery capacity. It also has thicker bezels. The iPhone, meanwhile, has a fairly prominent notch, so the decision depends on your preference. 📏
Both devices have a glass front and an aluminum frame, but the Pixel has a plastic back. Other than that, their appearance is quite similar. Interestingly, the Pixel line's signature camera bar is missing from the Pixel 9a, though both cameras are fairly minimalist.
On the edges, the Pixel has a nano-SIM slot, while the iPhone is eSIM-only. The iPhone also has a handy Action button on the side.
For many, the biggest design difference lies in the color options. Both devices are available in black and white, but the Pixel offers a pair of more fun options: pink (Peony) and blue (Iris). 🌈
The Pixel Screen Is Bigger, Brighter, and Faster 🌟
The Pixel 9a has a larger 6.3-inch display compared to the iPhone's 6.1-inch display. It's also more than twice as bright and features a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. This provides much smoother scrolling animations and smoother gameplay. The iPhone 16e, like the full iPhone 16, has a display limited to 60Hz, which is quite old-fashioned by today's standards. The Pixel also offers an Always-On display. 🔄
The iPhone's resolution and pixel density are slightly higher, but not enough to be noticeable in everyday use. It's protected with ceramic glass, which should be tougher than the Pixel's Gorilla Glass 3.
In Performance, the iPhone 16e's A18 Chip Is Way Ahead 🔥
The iPhone 16e features the A18 chipset, which is ahead of the Pixel 9a in terms of performance. The latter uses the same Tensor G4 chip as the other Pixel 9 devices. It's not that it's slow, but if you're looking for pure power, there's no comparison here. ⚡
Both devices start with 128GB of storage, which is a bit limited. However, if you consider the price difference, you can double the Pixel's storage and still pay less than the base iPhone 16e.
Apple's device comes with several compromises to achieve its price. One notable example is the USB-C port, which is limited to USB 2.0 speeds. That's not ideal if you need to transfer a lot of data. 🥴
Both Phones Have AI Limitations (If You Care) 🤖
The Pixel 9a ships with Android 15 and is guaranteed up to seven major OS updates. The iPhone 16e runs iOS 18 and should also receive several updates over the years, though Apple hasn't specified how many.
One of the biggest differences between the two operating systems are currently in performance AI. Android is ahead in this regard, as much of what Apple promised with its AI is far from being realized and will likely take some time to do so.
The Pixel includes a number of Gemini's AI features, although as reported Android Police, RAM limitations mean you don't get the full experience you get on the Pixel 9. It's reasonable to assume the gap between the devices will only widen. However, you also get AI in the camera app, the phone app, and elsewhere, with some of these being more useful than others. 🧠
Three Cameras and a Macro Mode Put the Pixel Ahead 📷
The Google Pixel 9a has a better camera array. Not only does it have two rear cameras, but it can also shoot in macro mode. These features are missing from the iPhone 16e. 📸
The main cameras both shoot at 48MP. The Pixel 9a's sensor is slightly larger, and the iPhone 16e's aperture is a bit brighter, but they're otherwise technically similar. The same story repeats with the front-facing cameras: 13MP on the Pixel and 12MP on the iPhone.
However, the Pixel includes a 13MP ultra-wide lens and that macro mode for shooting extremely close objects. All of this is powered by Google's AI-enhanced camera app, which offers features like Add Me and Magic Eraser. The 16e lacks many of the hardware and software features that have made the iPhone such a great device for photography. ✨
Neither phone has a zoom lens. While this may not be surprising, there are zoom options in this price range, such as the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro.
The Pixel 9a Has a Bigger Battery 🔋
Battery life has historically been one of the weak points of Google's a-series phones. But with the 9a, this shouldn't be an issue, as its battery has been upgraded to a 5100mAh capacity. ⚡
This is about 271 TP3T larger than the one offered by the iPhone 16e. However, it's difficult to compare batteries based on specifications alone, due to differences in operating systems, modems, and so on. In our iPhone 16e review, we found that its battery life was better than other iPhones.
Both phones support 7.5W wireless charging. 🔌
The Pixel Costs $$40 Less for Double the Storage 💰
The Pixel 9a starts at £1499, £100 less than the cheapest iPhone 16e variant. You can double the storage for £1559.
The Pixel goes up to 256GB. The iPhone also has a 256GB version for $$699 and a 512GB version for $$899. If your budget stretches far enough, you might want to consider the full iPhone 16. 💸
The Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e have many similarities, but they differ in key areas. The Pixel is cheaper, has a better display, more color options, and potentially longer battery life. Its camera system is also superior, though I'll reserve judgment until I see some concrete testing. 📸
However, if it's pure performance you're after, the iPhone 16e is the way to go. It's slightly more capable as a video device and will undoubtedly be better for gaming (plus, iOS has better games too). 🎮
And remember, these aren't the only two high-quality mid-range phones on the market. There are plenty of great options under $$600 available right now. 🌟
