Within weeks of Apple launching its budget smartphone, the iPhone 16e, Google unveiled its new ‘affordable’ handset, the Pixel 9a, leaving anxious buyers bewildered about which brand to choose.
While we had a chance to review the iPhone 16e, we haven’t had the opportunity to test the Pixel device. Hence, we present a quick comparative review focusing on the features of the two phones.
Design
The Google Pixel 9a features a flat camera module and flat sides, contributing to a sleek and modern design. It is available in multiple colour options, including Peony and Iris, giving users a bit more variety. The design is minimalist, focusing on usability with a large, smooth surface. In comparison, the iPhone 16e retains Apple’s signature design, featuring a camera bump and a more compact build. It is available in classic black and white colours.
The iPhone’s design continues to align with Apple’s premium aesthetic, which is instantly recognisable. While both designs are visually appealing, the Pixel 9a stands out for its more dynamic colour options and slightly larger footprint.
Display
The Google Pixel 9a offers a 6.3-inch pOLED display that provides vibrant colours and deep blacks. Its 120Hz refresh rate allows for smooth scrolling and gameplay, making it ideal for users who prioritise fluid visual experiences. The screen also boasts enhanced brightness levels, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a more traditional 60Hz refresh rate. While the iPhone display is sharp and vivid, it doesn’t match the Pixel 9a in terms of refresh rate or size. The iPhone’s 60Hz is adequate for most users, but for those who value smoother visuals, the Pixel 9a’s higher refresh rate is a clear advantage.
Performance
In terms of performance, the Google Pixel 9a is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chip, paired with 8GB of RAM. This configuration ensures smooth multitasking and an overall seamless user experience. Whether running demanding apps or playing casual games, the Pixel 9a can handle most tasks with ease.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 16e is equipped with Apple’s A18 chip, which features a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU. The A18 is known for its efficiency and power, providing excellent performance across all Apple apps and most third-party apps. While both smartphones deliver strong performance, the iPhone 16e’s A18 chip may offer better optimisation, especially for users within the Apple ecosystem, ensuring long-term support and consistent performance.
Camera
The Google Pixel 9a excels in the camera department with its dual-camera setup, which includes a 48MP main sensor and a 13MP ultrawide lens. This combination allows for versatile photography, offering users high-quality shots whether they’re capturing landscapes or close-up details. Google’s advanced computational photography features, such as Night Sight and Magic Editor, further enhance the photo experience.
The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, features a 48MP main sensor and a 12MP telephoto lens, providing excellent photo quality with true-to-life colours and clarity. Apple’s focus on photo quality shines through with the Photonic Engine and Deep Fusion, which significantly improve low-light performance. While both devices are capable of producing high-quality images, the Pixel 9a offers more versatility in its lens setup, while the iPhone 16e excels in detail and colour accuracy, especially in low-light conditions.
Battery
When it comes to battery life, the Google Pixel 9a is equipped with a 5,100 mAh battery, which offers plenty of power to last through a full day of usage. In addition, it supports 23 W wired charging and wireless charging, providing convenience for quick power-ups.
The iPhone 16e has a smaller 4,005 mAh battery, but Apple’s optimisations allow it to last through the day under normal use. It also supports efficient charging, though it falls short compared to the Pixel 9a in terms of raw battery capacity. For users who prioritise longer battery life and faster charging speeds, the Pixel 9a offers a clear advantage, particularly with its larger battery and faster charging capabilities.
Software support
One of the standout features of the Google Pixel 9a is its commitment to long-term software updates. Google promises up to seven years of OS and security updates, making it a future-proof choice for those who want to keep their device updated for as long as possible. This is a significant selling point, as it ensures that users will have access to the latest features and security patches for many years.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16e offers five years of software support, which is still generous compared to most Android devices but falls short of the Pixel 9a’s offering. For users who plan to keep their phone for a long time, the Pixel 9a’s extended software support makes it a better option.
Other features
The Google Pixel 9a comes with several unique features, such as the Magic Editor, which enhances the user’s photo-editing experience, and Call Screen, which helps filter out spam calls. These features are powered by Google’s advanced AI, which enhances both everyday tasks and the overall user experience. In comparison, the iPhone 16e features Apple’s proprietary innovations, such as the Photonic Engine and Deep Fusion, which enhance photos in low-light conditions and ensure that images are sharp and detailed.
The iPhone also benefits from the tight integration of hardware and software, which provides a seamless and intuitive user experience. Both devices bring valuable additional features, with the Pixel 9a leaning more toward AI-powered functionalities and the iPhone 16e focusing on photo optimisation and system integration.
Decision point?
The Google Pixel 9a offers a more versatile camera setup, longer battery life, and superior software support, making it an excellent choice for users looking for longevity and flexibility. Its larger display and higher refresh rate also give it an edge for those who prioritise visual smoothness.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16e excels in performance, camera quality, and the seamless user experience that Apple users are accustomed to. It might be the better choice for those who are already integrated into the Apple ecosystem and want a high-quality device with reliable performance.
Ultimately, the decision between the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e will come down to individual preferences and priorities, and particularly on whether one wants to switch between Android and iOS ecosystems.
Published – March 21, 2025 02:25 pm IST