Google's New $499 Pixel 9a Tops the iPhone 16e in Four Ways

[MacRumors]

Google today introduced the Pixel 9a, its latest lower-priced smartphone. The device is launching in April, and it will compete with Apple's new iPhone 16e.

In terms of specs and pricing, the Pixel 9a tops the iPhone 16e in at least four ways.

First, the Pixel 9a's 6.3-inch OLED display is larger than the iPhone 16e's 6.1-inch screen.

Second, the Pixel 9a's display supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and content, while the iPhone 16e is limited to 60Hz.

Third, while both the Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e are equipped with a 48-megapixel main rear camera, the Pixel 9a also has an Ultra Wide camera.

Fourth, the Pixel 9a starts at $499 in the U.S., while the iPhone 16e starts at $599.

Of course, the Pixel 9a runs Android, which is simply a dealbreaker for many iPhone users who prefer the Apple ecosystem or feel too locked in to bother switching platforms. But, increased competition is always good to see.

To learn more about the Pixel 9a, read Google's blog post.

Article Link: Google's New $499 Pixel 9a Tops the iPhone 16e in Four Ways

 

[abatabia]

This is how you do midrange. Sorry apple.

 

[TechRunner]

The "a" Pixels have always been a good value. My Pixel 3aXL was a great budget-level phone.

 

[tcgjeukens]

we have a winner ...

 

[TechWhisperer]

But, increased competition is always good to see.

Absolutely! Apple is becoming less and less competitive. First time ever that I’m seriously interested in what other brands have to offer.

 

[dominiongamma]

This is how you do midrange. Sorry apple.

Yes the 16e had less features and they charge more!

 

[canadianreader]

Yeah the iPhone 16e should've been priced at $499 and included MagSafe and 120Hz

 

[123]

> First, the Pixel 9a's 6.3-inch OLED display is larger than the iPhone 16e's 6.1-inch screen

So it's actually worse.

 

[TechRunner]

Yeah the iPhone 16e should've been priced at $499 and included MagSafe and 120Hz

Magsafe especially seems like a pretty glaring omission at that price point, IMO.

 

[FSMBP]

Google today introduced the Pixel 9a, its latest lower-priced smartphone. The device is launching in April, and it will compete with Apple's new iPhone 16e.

In terms of specs and pricing, the Pixel 9a tops the iPhone 16e in at least four ways.

First, the Pixel 9a's 6.3-inch OLED display is larger than the iPhone 16e's 6.1-inch screen.

Second, the Pixel 9a's display supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and content, while the iPhone 16e is limited to 60Hz.

Third, while both the Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e are equipped with a 48-megapixel main rear camera, the Pixel 9a also has an Ultra Wide camera.

Fourth, the Pixel 9a starts at $499 in the U.S., while the iPhone 16e starts at $599.

Of course, the Pixel 9a runs Android, which is simply a dealbreaker for many iPhone users who prefer the Apple ecosystem or feel too locked in to bother switching platforms. But, increased competition is always good to see.

To learn more about the Pixel 9a, read Google's blog post.

Article Link: Google's New $499 Pixel 9a Tops the iPhone 16e in Four Ways

Exactly...which is why swapping is so hard these days.

 

[dominiongamma]

> First, the Pixel 9a's 6.3-inch OLED display is larger than the iPhone 16e's 6.1-inch screen

So it's actually worse.

120 hz for Pixel not for 16e

 

[Lamborrari]

The Pixel 9a also has a much brighter screen that is literally twice as bright with 1600 nits in high-brightness mode vs. 800 nits on the iPhone 16e.

 

[orbital~debris]

Of course, the Pixel 9a runs Android, which is simply a dealbreaker for many iPhone users who prefer the Apple ecosystem or feel too locked in to bother switching platforms. But, increased competition is always good to see.

Simplifying this with the term 'dealbreaker' under-represents the fundamentally different approach Apple take, where the buyer is a customer, not the product.

When the Android operating system is involved anywhere in the purchase equation, caveat emptor.

 

[airwalk331]

A good battle of the mid-tier phones!

 

[Godspeed8230]

Absolutely! Apple is becoming less and less competitive. First time ever that I’m seriously interested in what other brands have to offer.

Yes, for me it's not only the iPhone but also the Apple Watch. Apple feels very "uninspired" lately.

I am so glad my actual midrange iPhone SE2020 is still going strong.

 

[sw1tcher]

Pixel 9a also has a larger battery (5,100 mAh) vs iPhone 16e (4,005 mAh).

The Pixel 9a display has a higher peak brightness of 2,700 nits vs the iPhone 16e's 2,000 nits.

I thought the Pixel 9a would have less memory, but nope. It also has 8GB RAM and 128GB storage like the iPhone 16e.

And for those wondering, this will have 7 years of OS upgrades and security support.

 

[ChrisMac47]

In Ireland there is an even bigger price difference, €559 for the Pixel 9a and €729 for the iPhone 16e. As another poster said: this is how you (should) do midrange.

We are wedded to iOS on this forum but boy are we taken for a ride by Apple!

The best thing that could happen to Apple is for them to be required to open up iOS to other hardware manufacturers. Maybe it's time to get Brussels/EU on to this.

 

[kaioshade]

Less RAM and cameras take a small hit compared to the regular Pixel 9. But for the price, everything else is phenomenal.

 

[mmttu]

I haven’t messed around enough with androids yet. I’d like to see what they are like after reading this

 

[ChrisMac47]

> First, the Pixel 9a's 6.3-inch OLED display is larger than the iPhone 16e's 6.1-inch screen

So it's actually worse.

Yes, agreed, 5.4 inch would be perfect!

 

[canadianreader]

Magsafe especially seems like a pretty glaring omission at that price point, IMO.

I don’t know how much is the wholesale price for magnet stickers must be like 1 to 3 dollars per unit. It’s becoming ridiculous.

 

[needsomecoffee]

Wow... $499. Seems like a lot of phone for that price.

 

[HouseLannister]

Pixel 9a also has a larger battery (5,100 mAh) vs iPhone 16e (4,005 mAh).

Can't tell if that is an upgrade or not until we get some testing done. The higher refresh rate and the differences in chips and OSes make battery life anyone's game.

I like the look of the phone a lot and wait to see how it reviews in the real world. A lot of early leaks show it uses the older Exynos 5300 modems that plagued the 8-series.

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

It's not always the case, but with Apple you often pay more to get less, hardware-wise. And it works for Apple because its customers are ready to pay extra for the brand and its ecosystem. That's why Apple is so profitable. But that's also why Apple will never dominate the market, and I guess it's fine with them because it's part of their strategy: if Apple products were for the mass market, they would lose their luxury image and Apple couldn't charge as much. It's like Mercedes-Benz or Four Seasons Hotels: they don't want to cater to everyone.

 

[Fll01]

I hope that many people try and switch.
The market needs it