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

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.

Google Pixel 9a
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.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16e
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 16e (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

iOS 18 Siri Personal Context

Report Reveals Internal Chaos Behind Apple's Siri Failure

Thursday April 10, 2025 7:15 am PDT by
A new report from The Information today reveals much of the internal turmoil behind Apple Intelligence's revamped version of Siri. Apple apparently weighed up multiple options for the backend of Apple Intelligence. One initial idea was to build both small and large language models, dubbed "Mini Mouse" and "Mighty Mouse," to run locally on iPhones and in the cloud, respectively. Siri's...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

10 Products Still Coming From Apple in 2025

Friday April 11, 2025 4:14 pm PDT by
Apple may have updated several iPads and Macs late last year and early this year, but there are still multiple new devices that we're looking forward to seeing in 2025. Most will come in September or October, but there could be a few surprises before then. We've rounded up a list of everything that we're still waiting to see from Apple in 2025. iPhone 17, 17 Air, and 17 Pro - We get...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

Waiting for the Perfect MacBook Pro? 2026 Might Be the Year

Thursday April 10, 2025 4:19 am PDT by
Apple in October 2024 overhauled its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display changes, and more. That's quite a lot of updates in one go, but if you think this means a further major refresh for the MacBook Pro is now several years away, think again. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects only a small...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: New iOS 19, iPhone 17, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 Leaks

Friday April 11, 2025 7:13 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we catch up on the latest iOS 19 and watchOS 12 rumors, upcoming devices, and more. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Detailed new renders from leaker Jon Prosser claim to provide the best look yet at the complete redesign rumored to arrive in iOS 19, showing more rounded elements, lighting effects, translucency, and...
Alleged iOS 19 Icons Front Page Tech

iOS 19 Leak Reveals Alleged New Design With Rounder App Icons, Floating Tab Bar, and More

Monday April 7, 2025 3:13 pm PDT by
YouTube channel Front Page Tech is back today with another video that provides a closer look at iOS 19's alleged design changes. The video contains re-created renders of iOS 19, which are allegedly based on real footage of the software update, provided by sources within Apple. Overall, iOS 19 is expected to have a more glass-like, visionOS-inspired design, with added translucency for user...
Apple Northbrook

Apple Store in Chicago Area Permanently Closing Later This Month

Wednesday April 9, 2025 9:56 am PDT by
Apple will be permanently closing its store at the Northbrook Court shopping mall in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook on April 26, the company has announced. Apple has added the following notice to the store's web page:Thank you Northbook. Apple Northbrook is closing on April 26 at 7pm. We're still here for you. Please visit apple.com/retail to find your nearest store.Apple Northbrook opened ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Includes Two Changes So Far

Wednesday April 9, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
Apple released the first beta of iOS 18.5 last week, and so far the software update includes only two minor changes. The changes are in the Mail and Settings apps. In the Mail app, you can now easily turn off contact photos directly within the app, by tapping on the circle with three dots in the top-right corner. In the Settings app, there is some new AppleCare+ information. For ...
apple intelligence black

NYT: Apple's AI Struggles Began with 2023 Chip Budget Dispute

Friday April 11, 2025 4:33 am PDT by
Apple's current struggles with Apple Intelligence and Siri began in early 2023 when AI head John Giannandrea sought approval from CEO Tim Cook to purchase more AI chips for development, according to a new report from The New York Times. Cook initially approved doubling the team's chip budget, but CFO Luca Maestri reportedly reduced the increase to less than half that amount, and instead...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Apple's 18.8-Inch Foldable Device to Enter Mass Production in Late 2026

Thursday April 10, 2025 1:33 am PDT by
Along with an iPhone "Fold," Apple is believed to be working on a larger foldable device that's somewhere around 19 inches, and one analyst suggests it could arrive as soon as late next year alongside Apple's rumored foldable iPhone. In a new research note covering likely post-tariff scenarios for Apple, investment firm GF Securities' lead analyst Jeff Pu says that both 18.8-inch and...

Top Rated Comments

abatabia Avatar
4 weeks ago
This is how you do midrange. Sorry apple.
Score: 74 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechWhisperer Avatar
4 weeks ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/19/pixel-9a-tops-iphone-16e-in-four-ways/')

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.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
4 weeks ago
Pixel 9a also has a larger battery (5,100 mAh) vs iPhone 16e (4,005 mAh ('https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/27/iphone-16e-battery-comparison/')).

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.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
canadianreader Avatar
4 weeks ago
Yeah the iPhone 16e should've been priced at $499 and included MagSafe and 120Hz
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lamborrari Avatar
4 weeks ago
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.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChrisMac47 Avatar
4 weeks ago
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.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)