Probably the most reasonably priced iPhone, or essentially the most reasonably priced Pixel? Which one is best for you? Google’s Pixel 9a is available in $100 cheaper than the iPhone 16e, and has many AI options and specs from its flagship massive brother, the Pixel 9. And it is a comparable story with the iPhone 16e. The Pixel 9a begins delivery in April, whereas the iPhone 16e is out already (and we have already in contrast it with Samsung’s mid-range lineup).
However, as at all times, the satan is within the particulars. Here is how Google’s new Pixel 9a compares to the iPhone 16e.
Design
Credit score: Apple
Each the iPhone 16e and the Pixel 9a have an analogous design language. They’ve flat sides, flat fronts, and rounded edges. And in contrast to its flagship counterpart, the Pixel 9a doesn’t characteristic a digital camera bump. It is a massive departure for the Pixel line, however it does make it look extra like an iPhone.
Pixel 8a (left) vs Pixel 9a (proper).
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
On the entrance, the iPhone contains a notch-style show as an alternative of the Dynamic Island discovered on the flagship iPhones. The Pixel 9a, comparatively, has a round cutout on the high for the front-facing digital camera.
The Pixel 9a weighs 6.6 ounces, whereas the iPhone 16e is ever so barely lighter at 5.9 ounces.
The iPhone 16e solely is available in Black or White, however the Pixel 9a is available in 4 completely different shade choices: Porcelain, Obsidian, Peony, and Iris. The Peony shade is the light-pink choice, whereas the Iris shade appears like a mixture of purple and lavender.
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Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
The Pixel 9a has a 6.3-inch OLED display (2,424 by 1,080 pixels), helps variable refresh charge (between 60-120Hz), and has a max brightness of 2700 nits (1800 nits typical brightness).
The iPhone 16e alternatively a smaller 6.1-inch OLED show with an almost an identical decision (2,532 by 1,170 pixels), and provides a set 60Hz refresh charge and a most brightness of 1200 nits (800 nits typical brightness).
On paper, it looks like the Pixel is out within the lead right here, providing a high-refresh charge show that is barely greater, sharper, and far brighter than the iPhone.
Efficiency
Each the iPhone 16e and Pixel 9a run on chips made by the identical firm, and are featured of their flagship counterparts. The iPhone 16e options an Apple A18 chip (minus one GPU core) that is discovered within the iPhone 16 sequence, whereas the Pixel 9a makes use of Google’s Tensor G4 chip, similar because the Pixel 9. Each units characteristic 8GB RAM, which is a downgrade from the flagship.
Whereas the Pixel 9a benchmark scores aren’t out but, we are able to use the Pixel 9 as a comparability, as each units share the identical chip. In Geekbench, Pixel 9 scored 1,657 in single-core efficiency and 4,060 in multi-core efficiency.
The iPhone 16e, alternatively, rating 2,706 in single-core testing and seven,942 in multi-core testing.
Primarily based on uncooked numbers, it appears just like the iPhone 16e’s efficiency is much better than Pixel 9a’s. Each units needs to be lots quick for day-to-day use, however the additional headroom from the A18 processor bodes properly for iPhone 16e’s longevity.
Cameras
The iPhone 16e famously has a single digital camera setup with a single 48MP lens on the rear, whereas the Pixel 9a has a 48MP ( f/1.7) wide-angle lens and a further 13MP ( f/2.2) ultra-wide sensor. Apple’s sensor permits extra mild, nevertheless, which ought to make low-light pictures higher.
Each units seize 4K video at 30 or 60 frames per second. The iPhone additionally has choices for twenty-four and 25 frames per second.
What do you suppose to date?
iPhone and Pixels are usually good at pictures, and every have their very own barely completely different look that largely comes all the way down to computational postprocessing. Each units additionally include their very own AI picture enhancing options, though it is unsure which will likely be extra helpful till the Pixel 9a releases.
Battery Life
Each telephones go massive on battery life. Google has put in an enormous 5,100 mAh battery within the Pixel 9a and is promising over 30 hours of battery life.
The iPhone 16e, in the meantime, contains a 4,004 mAh battery, and Apple says it has the most important battery lifetime of any iPhone, promising 26 hours of offline video, or 21 hours of streaming video. In actual life testing, PCMag discovered that the iPhone 16e lasted 21 hours and 39 minutes in a battery benchmark check, though Pixel 9a checks are nonetheless a query mark.
Value
With the Pixel 9a, you clearly get extra for much less. Google’s funds cellphone begins at $499 for 128GB storage, and the improve to 256GB solely prices $559.
However, the iPhone 16e begins at $599 for 128GB, and goes as much as $699 for 256GB, or $899 for 512GB.
Though, it is price reiterating that the iPhone 16e is on the market to buy proper now, whereas the Pixel 9a will begin delivery someday in April 2025.
Which One Is Proper For You?
Your selection begins with the ecosystem. In order for you a smartphone to work properly along with your Mac, the iPhone 16e could be the default selection for you. The identical goes for Pixel 9a in case you really need an Android cellphone.
In order for you the very best AI options, the Pixel 9a might need an edge. It comes with Gemini Nano built-in, and the Gemini app provides assist for AI options like Gemini Reside, AI picture enhancing, and extra. Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16e additionally helps AI options like Writing Instruments, picture Clear Up, and extra, however the AI-enhanced Siri largely is not out but.
As for {hardware}, if you would like a cellphone that can final for an extended time, the iPhone 16e’s barely stronger chip is a greater wager. Nevertheless, the Pixel 9a is the worth for cash decide. Not solely is the bottom mannequin $100 cheaper, the 256GB model is $140 cheaper than the iPhone 16e.
