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

[Unami]

Couldn't care less about the wide angle camera even if the photos look half as *****y as the ones from apple's wide angle cameras. I don't know why the second camera in a phine is never a telephoto one, that would be so much more useful (and take better looking photos).

- I'd expext the pixel's photos to look much better than the 16e's.
- The pixel probably also got some AI features that are not an embarassement.

The 16e is an overpriced dud. Apple has really gone too far this time, they've crossed a line with pricing. I just bought a Macbook Air and paid double the price of the base model for moderate RAM and SSD upgrades. It's a nice machine, but I still feel massively ripped off with those components costing more than 10 times the market price.

Not to speak about software, even when setting up, I noticed a few bugs - and there's lots of software features that feel half finished and then never get the polish or attention to detail to live up to their potential. Apple is still best with it's ecosystem, but they've reached a point where people are feeling like they are taken hostage by that.

 

[racerhomie]

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

iPhones have had 120Hz Touch Refresh Rate since the iPhone X in 2017

 

[9081094]

I don’t think the ecosystem argument applies to everyone. Most kids these days are using Chromebooks in school. That means they are not tied into Apple’s ecosystem. Doesn’t make any difference if they use an iPhone or a Google phone or a Samsung phone. The apps they need are available on iOS and Android. The only people tied to Apple’s ecosystem are people like us who use Macs and iPhones.

The ecosystem are the same on both sides. They both offer the same possibilities. Where as Apple is using it as a lock in (closed) you can have great operability’s between different brands on Android so you can always use the device what suits you best.

 

[Ghengis LeMond]

It's a very nice phone but you do have to completely buy into the Android ecosystem.

Android is not an ecosystem - it’s an OPEN SYSTEM. That’s the main attraction. Price competition doesn’t end with a phone, it extends to all associated devices as well - watches, tablets, headphones/ear buds, etc. it’s an open, competitive environment.

 

[jz0309]

Ok, whatever, after all it’s running Android

 

[9081094]

iPhones have had 120Hz Touch Refresh Rate since the iPhone X in 2017

Only the pro models. 120hz is a standard for years on mobile phones, except on Apple’s.

 

[TechWhisperer]

Not only the hardware is better and cheaper, you also get a good working assistant.

Gone are the days “you’ll only see this coming from Apple” unless they mean the steep prices.

Android already leapfrogged iOS and is at least two years ahead of iOS. Available in 45 languages!

Wow, 45 languages.. that’s insane.

I’ve never been a hardcore fangirl but I’ve always loved and appreciated Apple’s products, deeply. They used to “wow” me. Now it looks like Tim Cook is spending too much time on promoting Severance and catering to stockholders while their incremental hardware upgrades are beyond lackluster.

I’m no longer beholden to Apple’s walled garden. Kinda feels exciting tbh.

 

[9081094]

Ok, whatever, after all it’s running Android

Today that’s no shame but a plus. It’s at least two years ahead of iOS. Comes with a terrific assistant and runs all the AI things today what Apple might introduce in 2027 (if it doesn’t get postponed again)

 

[contacos]

I used to be obsessed with apple and lived only in the Apple ecosystem for like 2 decades. I am glad I spread my wings last year because One UI by Samsung for example is amazing.

There is also no point in fighting about what is "better". Just use both 🙈

 

[0049190]

A lot of kids hate the experience they have on chrombooks. They also use tend to been using iPads since they where toddlers and still use them as media consumption devices. Young people at least in the United States vastly prefer iPhones

Do you have any evidence to prove that? Worldwide Android has 70% market share. In the USA it’s more mixed. iOS has 52% and Android has 48%. I don’t think you can say that young people vastly prefer one or the other.

 

[helios60]

This will be my next phone. Had the 5s, 6s, and SE 2. But recent political decisions by Apple have soured me on the company and the fact that the 16e is such a disaster has only made the decision that much easier. Will migrating my passwords and cancelling my Apple Card be annoying? Sure. But I’m ready for an open ecosystem. Gonna install Graphene OS.

I also sold my Apple stock for >60x profit (bought 1 share for under $100, it split 28 ways, sold 27 shares at $220) which felt really good.

 

[jz0309]

Today that’s no shame but a plus. It’s at least two years ahead of iOS. Comes with a terrific assistant and runs all the AI things today what Apple might introduce in 2027 (if it doesn’t get postponed again)

For you it is, and that’s fine. Some of us make choices that are not dependent on the “latest and greatest” technology. To each their own.

 

[9081094]

For you it is, and that’s fine. Some of us make choices that are not dependent on the “latest and greatest” technology. To each their own.

Yep, each their own. But it’s always good to see what’s the value for money.
If you don’t care, that’s your choice. But the pixel is offering better hard- and software than the iPhone 16e for $ 100 less.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Do you have any evidence to prove that? Worldwide Android has 70% market share. In the USA it’s more mixed. iOS has 52% and Android has 48%. I don’t think you can say that young people vastly prefer one or the other.

My (US) teenage daughter says she didn't care what phone brand she has as long as it runs Snapchat. She picked out a Pixel when we bought her a phone about a year ago..wife uses a Pixel, as well.

None of her friends use iMessage; iPhone owners or otherwise.

 

[BGrifter]

It feels very strange considering switching to an Android phone.

But the 16e at $899 CAD is a dud and the base iPhone 16 is $1129 CAD. For $679 CAD the Pixel 9a looks pretty compelling.

A decade ago I would have paid the $220 iOS premium without hesitation. In 2025 I’m less certain.

 

[HouseLannister]

This will be my next phone. Had the 5s, 6s, and SE 2. But recent political decisions by Apple have soured me on the company and the fact that the 16e is such a disaster has only made the decision that much easier. Will migrating my passwords and cancelling my Apple Card be annoying? Sure. But I’m ready for an open ecosystem. Gonna install Graphene OS.

I also sold my Apple stock for >60x profit (bought 1 share for under $100, it split 28 ways, sold 27 shares at $220) which felt really good.

Is there a reason you are choosing a 9a over a 16e and not considering the 9 Pro or 16 Pro? You made a good profit there. Treat yourself!

I also disagree that anything about the 16e is a "disaster." It's a perfectly cromulent phone.

 

[bousozoku]

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

Compared to the Pixel 6a that I've used, the 9a seems a good phone. I wonder if Google have recovered their reputation since the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a.

 

[BMox81]

Really hope people give the 9a a shot-seems to tick a lot of boxes and is affordable for most.

 

[snipr125]

iPhones have had 120Hz Touch Refresh Rate since the iPhone X in 2017

Your right but people here are going to get confused. To clarify 120 hz ‘Touch refresh rate’ (also known as Touch Sampling Rate) is the screen waiting for the user to touch the screen e.g launching an app, the higher the rate means better responsiveness.

This is different to Promotion 120 hz Variable refresh rate which have only been on the iPhones since the iPhone 13 Pro i.e smoother scrolling etc.

Anyway on topic, Apple have always favoured performance over features with their entry level iPhones like the SE’s and the 16E so nothing new here in this regard.

 

[CarAnalogy]

This is how you do midrange. Sorry apple.

I'm really hoping this is the wakeup call Apple needs to finally increase screen resolution. We now have a directly competing, CHEAPER phone with a higher refresh rate display.

It cannot possibly be that expensive at this point. Surely the manufacturing scales have tipped to where Apple has to special order 60Hz screens because nobody else is using them.

Edit: whoops said resolution but of course meant refresh rate. Resolution would be nice too.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Your right but people here are going to get confused. To clarify 120 hz ‘Touch refresh rate’ (also known as Touch Sampling Rate) is the screen waiting for the user to touch the screen e.g launching an app, the higher the rate means better responsiveness.

This is different to Promotion 120 hz Variable refresh rate which have only been on the iPhones since the iPhone 13 Pro i.e smoother scrolling etc.

Anyway on topic, Apple have always favoured performance over features with their entry level iPhones like the SE’s and the 16E so nothing new here in this regard.

What's changed is what usually changes with Apple. The world changes around them to the point where what they've been offering for a long time no longer looks so impressive. See 8GB of RAM, Siri, etc.

At the very least 90Hz panels are absolutely basic at this point.

 

[StoneJack]

I wish Apple would make more of an effort to compete with Microsoft Office. I would happily switch if iWork provided a much better alternative.

Iwork IS much better

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Iwork IS much better

Numbers absolutely blows compared to Excel if you do anything even slightly above the basic stuff.

 

[Remy149]

Do you have any evidence to prove that? Worldwide Android has 70% market share. In the USA it’s more mixed. iOS has 52% and Android has 48%. I don’t think you can say that young people vastly prefer one or the other.

I never once spoke about the global market I’m constantly stating the US market. It’s just funny seeing yall twlk like this new pixel is about to eat into Apple market share

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Everything good until you get to the OS and say: Ugh, it's Android... Nevermind....