Check price range, features, specification comparison All details here

Google recently launched the Pixel 9a, its newest budget phone. The tech giant’s latest affordable offering directly competes with the Apple iPhone 16e (review), which also brings flagship features at less than half the price of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. If you are confused between the latest Pixel device and Apple’s newest addition to the iPhone 16 family, here’s a quick comparision that can help you decide.The iPhone 16e and the Pixel have dinctively different designs, even if you compare them to the iPhone 16 and the Pixel 9 series smartphones. However, both phones have a pretty minimal look and feel. While the Pixel 9a has a non-exent camera bump, something users have been asking for quite some time, the iPhone 16e has a miniscule camera bump that makes it wobble when kept on a flat surface.
Another advantage the Pixel 9a has over the iPhone 16e is in terms of display size. Apple’s latest affordable phone packs in a 6.1-inch OLED screen, which is pretty good to look at but is still limited to 60Hz. On the other hand, the Pixel 9a has a slightly larger 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED screen, which makes scrolling considerably faster than the latest iPhone.
Story continues below this ad

However, the iPhone 16e is 19 grams lighter than the new Pixel, which makes it better to hold for a long period of time. Also, both phones offer IP68 dust and water resance, meaning you can submerge them in water and they will still be fine.
Since design is purely subjective, and you cannot go wrong with either, but if you are looking for a brighter and faster display, the Pixel 9a is the way to go.
The Pixel 9a has a minimalstic pill-shaped camera island. (Express Photo)
Performance and software
The iPhone 16e powered the A18 chipset has a huge advantage over the Pixel 9a’s Tensor G4 chipset in terms of benchmarks. But both phones offer lag-free performance when it comes to multitasking and can easily handle whatever you throw at them.
Apple’s new iPhone comes with iOS 18.3.1 out of the box, while the Pixel 9a runs on stock Android 15. The Android vs iOS war has been going on for more than a decade, but both mobile operating systems have matured and often copy some functionalities from one another.Story continues below this ad
Once again, the two cannot be compared directly when it comes to software, so this depends entirely on your preference. If you want to experience Apple Intelligence and want a phone that can also run the latest games, the iPhone 16e is no brainer. And while you can also play games on the Pixel 9a, chances are you may have to dial down the graphics a bit to get a smooth experience.
The iPhone 16e blows the Pixel 9a when it comes to raw performance, but numbers aren’t everything. (Express Photo)
Camera
The iPhone 16e has a single 48MP camera, which can also take 2x photos using in-sensor zoom whereas the Pixel 9a has a dual camera setup that conss of a 48MP primary sensor alongside a 13MP ultrawide shooter. Be it day or night time, the iPhone 16e and the Pixel 9a both take really good photos, but if you often click pictures, the Pixel 9a with its extra 13MP ultrawide shooter is definitely better.
As for the front camera, the new iPhone comes with a 12MP sensor while the latest budget Pixel sports a 13MP shooter.
Battery
The newly launched Pixel 9a has the biggest battery ever on a Pixel device. Backed a 5,100mAh battery pack, the phone supports 23W and 7.5W wireless charging. And while Apple does not officially disclose the battery capacity and charging speed, it is said to pack a 4,005mAh battery pack, which is considerably smaller than the new Pixel phone.Story continues below this ad
In the battery department, the Pixel 9a is the clear winner amongst the two on paper, but we will have to wait and see if the Pixel 9a with its bigger battery can surpass the iPhone 16e.
Apple iPhone 16e vs Google Pixel 9a: Which one to buy?
If you are fine with Android and want a phone that can take good photos, easily last a day and don’t mind the Tensor G4 chipset, the Pixel 9a is the way to go.
However, people who are already a part of the Apple ecosystem and want a new iPhone without spending a lot cannot go wrong with the iPhone 16e. In case you are wondering, the newest Pixel device starts from Rs 49,999 and the iPhone 16 can be purchased from Rs 59,900 onwards.