Significant discount: Google Pixel 9a now available at a record-low price of $100 less than its original cost
Google Pixel 9a Tops Budget Smartphone Category in 2025
In the world of smartphones, the battle between Google's Pixel 9a and Apple's iPhone 16e continues to heat up. Here's a breakdown of how these two devices stack up against each other.
The Google Pixel 9a, priced at around $399, boasts a 6.3-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a brightness of 2700 nits. This display is nicer than the one found on the iPhone 16e, which has a similar size but a lower peak brightness of approximately 1924 nits.
Powering the Pixel 9a is the Google Tensor G4 chip, a 4nm chip with a higher core count than the iPhone 16e's A18 Bionic. However, the A18 Bionic delivers better single-core performance, according to GeekBench 6 benchmarks.
The Pixel 9a comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB and 256GB, while the iPhone 16e's storage options remain unspecified. The Pixel 9a's battery capacity is 5100mAh, offering longer usage time compared to the iPhone 16e's 3561mAh battery.
In terms of design, the Pixel 9a features an aluminum frame, recycled plastic back, and Gorilla Glass 3, with an IP68 rating. The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, sports a premium glass and metal design, albeit lighter by 16 grams.
Both devices offer stereo speakers, but the iPhone 16e supports Dolby Atmos. The Pixel 9a has a punch-hole front camera, while the iPhone 16e features the Dynamic Island notch.
When it comes to biometrics, the Pixel 9a offers a fingerprint scanner, while the iPhone 16e relies on Face ID facial recognition. Connectivity-wise, the iPhone 16e supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, while the Pixel 9a offers Wi-Fi 6E.
In everyday use, the iPhone 16e has been reported to last longer than the Pixel 9a. However, the Pixel 9a takes the crown as the best budget smartphone of 2025 (so far), offering high value on display quality, battery size, and affordability.
The Pixel 9a is available in four colours: obsidian, porcelain, peony, and iris. Unfortunately, the 'iris' colour is only available through third-party sellers on Amazon.
It's important to note that the Pixel 9a is nearly identical to the flagship Pixel 9, but with slightly less RAM, half the starting storage, and worse cameras, but better battery life.
[1] Source: TechRadar (link) [2] Source: CNET (link) [3] Source: The Verge (link) [4] Source: Tom's Guide (link) [5] Source: Android Central (link)
- The Pixel 9a's display, which boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a brightness of 2700 nits, is nicer than the one found on the Apple iPhone 16e, as reported by TechRadar.
- Google's Tensor G4 chip, powering the Pixel 9a, is a 4nm chip with a higher core count than the iPhone 16e's A18 Bionic, according to GeekBench 6 benchmarks according to The Verge.
- The Pixel 9a offers a fingerprint scanner, making it different from the iPhone 16e which relies on Face ID facial recognition, as reported by Android Central.
- In an article from Tom's Guide, the Pixel 9a is nearly identical to the flagship Pixel 9, but with slightly less RAM, half the starting storage, and worse cameras, but better battery life.
- If you're looking for the 'iris' color of the Pixel 9a, you'll find it only through third-party sellers on Amazon, as mentioned in the articles from CNET.
