With the prices of the increasing smartphones and Trump’s duties threatening the market, there are devices in the middle ground that can satisfy the need to have the latest generation products without fainting. It is therefore natural, after trying them, make the comparison between the Google Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e: two different operating systems, but both with high performance, excellent autonomy and functions guided by artificial intelligence. So, the question is: is it really worth saving a few hundred euros? Here is the answer.
Design and display
Both Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e maintain a similar design than the more expensive models. The 9a pixel has a 6.3 -inch OLED screen, while the iPhone 16e mounts a 6.1 -inch panel. The quality of the screens is high in both cases, with bright colors, good brightness and excellent visibility even outdoors. However, the iPhone 16e screen is slightly less bright than that of the iPhone 16, but little. The materials are solid and the feeling is to have a premium smartphone.
Fast performance with some limitations
Both smartphones are equipped with the same chip as their older brothers: Tensor G4 for the 9A pixel and A18 for the iPhone 16e. To contain the costs, small cuts have been made: Mel case of the 9A pixel, the amount of RAM is lower than the pixel 9; The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, has a slightly less powerful GPU, which can be seen in the most demanding games from a graphic point of view. In daily practice, however, the differences are minimal: apps, games, social and navigation are fluid and reactive on both.
The photographic sector
The 9a pixel mounts a main sensor of quality, but smaller than Pixel 9. This means that it captures less light and details, especially in mixed or poor light conditions. During the photographic tests, in situations of direct light alternating with shadow (as under the trees), the 9a showed more difficulties in managing the contrasts, restoring overexposed images. The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, has a single rear sensor, against the two of the 16th. This involves the lack of ultragrandangent, useful for photos of landscapes or groups. However, the quality of the photos is high thanks to the processing of image very similar to that of the iPhone 16. For videos, the pomephonino enjoys the quality of the range, II Pixel has a lower accuracy in the details in the moving images.
Drums
One of the most appreciated surprises is autonomy: both Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e last longer than their respective premium models. This is partly due to the absence of some advanced functions that consume energy, but also in the presence of slightly larger batteries. Both smartphones reach about a day and a half of average use, and this is almost a novelty for Apple, always lower than the competition on this detail. All using navigation devices, social, photos, videos and a little gaming.
Recharge
iPhone 16e does not have Magsafe, and therefore no magnets to automatically connect charger, wallets or car supports. Wireless charging is still present through Qi standard, but it is slower and less practical. The 9a pixel, on the other hand, does not support wireless charging, even if the one with the cable is fast and efficient.
Software and artificial intelligence
Very well, especially the 9a pixel that is sold with Android 15 and all the functionality of Google Gemini, including the intelligent photo editing, the generation of text and images, the contextual voice assistant. The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, integrates Apple Intelligence, which, however, is a bit late compared to the competition: we will see if the next WWDC of 9 June Tim Cook will bring relevant news to the AI.
Conclusions
Google Pixel 9a is available in Italy for 549 euros, while the iPhone 16e starts from 729. The difference is evident and can be divisive for many users, above all because the gap between the pixel and the upper models of the series is much more pronounced. Obviously, the two different operating systems that can make the choice on one side or the other remain.
Ultimately, however, these are excellent level smartphones: the pixel costs less, has a slightly larger display and integrates the latest Google tools, but suffers a little on video and photography in difficult conditions; iPhone 16e is more expensive, it offers a more versatile camera in terms of quality (even if free of ultragrangrangolo) and greater compatibility with the Apple ecosystem. The choice to you.