Google Pixel 9a vs Apple iPhone 16e
The Google Pixel 9a scores 6.4 in our rating, and the Apple iPhone 16e scores 6.5. The Google Pixel 9a leads in display, camera and value for money, while the Apple iPhone 16e is ahead in performance and design. At launch in the US, the Google Pixel 9a cost $100 less ($499 vs $599). The Google Pixel 9a is the newer phone, announced Mar 19, 2025.
Key differences
Why choose the Google Pixel 9a
- Bigger battery 5,100 mAh vs 4,005 mAh
- Bigger screen 6.3 inches vs 6.1 inches
- Brighter screen 2,700 nits vs 1,200 nits
- Higher refresh rate 120 Hz vs 60 Hz
- Lower launch price $499 vs $599
- Newer model Mar 19, 2025 vs Feb 19, 2025
Why choose the Apple iPhone 16e
- More storage 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB vs 128 GB / 256 GB
- Lighter 167 g vs 185.9 g
- Thinner 7.8 mm vs 8.9 mm
- Higher screen resolution 1170 × 2532 px vs 1080 × 2424 px
- Sharper display 460 ppi vs 422 ppi
- Satellite messaging
PhoneRanked scores
Calculated from specs, relative to phones from the same year and price range. How we rate phones
Spec
Google Pixel 9aApple iPhone 16e
Overall
6.4
6.5
Display
7.9
6.5
Performance
6.0
7.9
Camera
6.2
5.9
Battery
5.1
5.2
Design
8.0
8.7
Value for money
5.4
4.6
Display
Spec
Google Pixel 9aApple iPhone 16e
Size
6.3 inches
6.1 inches
Type
OLED, Actua
OLED, Super Retina XDR
Resolution
1080 × 2424 px
1170 × 2532 px
Pixel density
422 ppi
460 ppi
Refresh rate
120 Hz
60 Hz
Adaptive refresh
✕ No
✕ No
Peak brightness
2,700 nits
1,200 nits
HDR
—
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Protection
Gorilla Glass 3
Ceramic Shield
Performance
Spec
Google Pixel 9aApple iPhone 16e
Process
4 nm
3 nm
Max CPU clock
3.1 GHz
—
GPU
Mali-G715 MP7
Apple GPU (4-core)
RAM
8 GB
8 GB
Storage
128 GB / 256 GB
128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB
Storage type
UFS 3.1
—
microSD slot
✕ No
✕ No
Cameras
Spec
Google Pixel 9aApple iPhone 16e
Main camera
48 MP, f/1.7, 1/2"
48 MP, f/1.6
Optical stabilization
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Ultrawide
13 MP
—
Rear cameras
2
1
Rear video
4K@60
4K@60
Front camera
13 MP
12 MP
Front video
4K@30
4K@60
Battery and charging
Spec
Google Pixel 9aApple iPhone 16e
Capacity
5,100 mAh
4,005 mAh
Battery type
—
Li-Ion
Wired charging
23 W
—
Wireless charging
7.5 W
7.5 W
Reverse wireless
✕ No
✕ No
Charger in box
✕ No
✕ No
Design and build
Spec
Google Pixel 9aApple iPhone 16e
Dimensions
154.7 × 73.3 × 8.9 mm
146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm
Thickness
8.9 mm
7.8 mm
Weight
185.9 g
167 g
Form factor
Bar
Bar
Frame
Aluminum
Aluminum
Back
Plastic
Glass
Water resistance
IP68
IP68
Fingerprint
Under-display optical
None
3D face unlock
✕ No
✓ Yes
SIM
Nano-SIM + eSIM
eSIM only
Colors
Iris, Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony
Black, White
Connectivity and features
Spec
Google Pixel 9aApple iPhone 16e
5G
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
USB
USB-C 3.x
USB-C 2.0
NFC
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
3.5 mm jack
✕ No
✕ No
Stereo speakers
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Satellite
✕ No
✓ Yes
IR blaster
✕ No
✕ No
Software
Spec
Google Pixel 9aApple iPhone 16e
OS at launch
Android 15
iOS 18
Interface
Pixel UI
—
OS updates
7 years
—
Security updates
7 years
—
Launch and price
Spec
Google Pixel 9aApple iPhone 16e
Announced
Mar 19, 2025
Feb 19, 2025
Released
Apr 10, 2025
Feb 28, 2025
Status
Released
Discontinued
US launch price
$499
$599
Green marks the stronger value in a row. Specs come from official manufacturer data, cross-checked with established tech media; each phone page lists its sources. Report an error
vs
vs