I’m most likely the one individual on the Android Central workers that has not owned an iPhone.
I’ve expressed my curiosity in shopping for an iPhone a number of occasions, a lot to the shock of my family and friends. It grew principally out of a need for Apple to convey again the iPod Contact, which it clearly has little interest in doing. I might frankly choose not to decide to a whole-ass iPhone with a view to get the iOS expertise. Nevertheless, if I need to, then I would favor to not spend iPhone 16 Professional Max quantities of cash to do it, even when it’s essentially the most intriguing system of the bunch.
So, I made a decision that I might watch for the iPhone 16e. On the time, I assumed it might fall below the iPhone SE moniker, and whereas the 2022 mannequin was attractive as an iPod Contact substitute, I figured I may maintain out for the subsequent mannequin.
Because the years glided by, rumors would emerge about what the iPhone 16e could be. That included discuss of an OLED show (lastly) and a extra fashionable design. Conflicting rumors went backwards and forwards on whether or not it might have a notch or Dynamic Island, but it surely appeared just like the iPhone 16e could be a budget iPhone of my goals.
And for a fast second, it was. Sort of.
The iPhone 16e is asking rather a lot for just a little
When the iPhone 16e launched, I discovered myself fairly perplexed and at odds over the alternatives Apple made.
Certain, it has an OLED show for richer blacks and higher distinction, however the show is caught at 60Hz. I don’t bear in mind the final time I used a telephone with that refresh charge, and I usually evaluate the finest low cost Android telephones from firms like Motorola, telephones that simply value half the value of the iPhone 16e. Even the $399 Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 has a 120Hz OLED panel, which seems to be nice, I would add.
Then, there’s the digicam. Singular. The iPhone 16e has a single rear digicam on the again, which is type of unacceptable for a $600 telephone. I’m not saying Apple ought to stick 4 cameras on the telephone only for the sake of getting a number of cameras, however the lack of even a secondary sensor is perplexing.
Practically all the things concerning the iPhone 16e was telling me to not purchase it. Even Harish Jonnalagadda says in his iPhone 16e evaluate that it is “a superb telephone, however a nasty worth proper now.” Nevertheless, with it presently being essentially the most inexpensive “new” iPhone that I should buy, I used to be near pulling the set off… that’s, till the Pixel 9a launched.
The 9a just about affirmed my apprehensions: Apple doesn’t actually know the best way to do worth.
The Pixel 9a proves Google is aware of the best way to make a worth telephone
I’m not the most important fan of Pixel telephones, however I can’t deny that they’re among the finest telephones you should purchase. That’s why I wasn’t stunned to see that Google just about nailed the Pixel 9a. Based mostly on the specs and the Pixel 9a hands-on from Android Central senior editor Michael Hicks, the telephone looks like all the things the iPhone 16e ought to’ve been.
The telephone has a bigger OLED show that’s greater than 2x brighter and with a sooner 120Hz refresh charge. It incorporates a secondary 13MP digicam for ultrawide pictures, one thing (I realized from utilizing the Razr Plus 2024) I noticed I can’t actually go with out.
You additionally get a sooner USB normal on the Pixel, and whereas I can’t communicate to battery life simply but, the 5,100mAh battery and 30+ estimation from Google sounds fairly good in comparison with the 4,005mAh unit discovered within the iPhone 16e.
Moreover, Apple has additionally been fumbling its AI rollout, delaying its long-awaited Siri improve. In the meantime, Google has been going full-stream forward with Gemini, to the purpose the place it’s now prepping to switch the tried-and-true Google Assistant later this yr. The Pixel 9a gained’t have each characteristic from the Pixel 9, and never all AI options will likely be processed on-device, however Google’s software program and AI are fairly strong, with loads of enjoyable options for Pixel 9a customers to reap the benefits of.
I’ll additionally point out that you just get extra fascinating shade choices with the Pixel, which is greater than I can say for the moderately bland black or white iPhone 16e.
That is all for a telephone that prices $100 much less than the iPhone 16e.
|
Class |
Google Pixel 9a |
iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|
|
Processor |
Google Tensor G4 |
Apple A18 |
|
Show |
6.3-inch Actua pOLED show, 1080 x 2424 decision, 120Hz, 2700 nits peak brightness |
6.1-inch OLED, 2532 x 1170 decision, 60Hz, 1,200 nits peak brightness |
|
Working System |
Android 15 |
iOS 18 |
|
Reminiscence |
8GB |
8GB |
|
Storage |
128GB, 256GB |
128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
|
Battery |
5,100mAh |
26 hours of video playback (precise mAh unknown) |
|
Charging |
23W wired, Qi wi-fi charging |
20W wired, Qi wi-fi charging |
|
Rear digicam(s) |
48 MP vast digicam, 13MP ultrawide digicam |
48MP single digicam |
|
Entrance digicam |
13MP entrance digicam |
12MP entrance digicam |
|
Sturdiness |
IP68, Gorilla Glass 3 |
IP68, Ceramic Defend |
|
Colours |
Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony |
White, Black |
|
Weight |
185.9 grams |
167 grams |
|
Dimensions |
154.7mm x 73.3mm x 8.9mm |
146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.80mm |
The iPhone 16e nonetheless as some good issues going for it
That’s to not say the iPhone 16e doesn’t have some fairly compelling specs. The A18 chip is mighty spectacular and might be rather more performant than the Tensor G4. And regardless of having only one digicam, I’ve at all times been impressed with Apple’s imaging, and it seems to be prefer it nonetheless takes nice photos and movies, even for those who miss the choice to take wider pictures.
There’s little question Apple’s FaceID is a superior facial authentication technique (though I do choose fingerprint sensors), and the Motion Button is a characteristic I wish to see on extra telephones.
Aesthetically, the iPhone 16e simply seems to be rather a lot higher. The new digicam housing on the Pixel 9a simply seems to be awkward.
You additionally get extra storage choices with the iPhone 16e, going all the way in which as much as 512GB. The draw back is that it’ll clearly value you rather more, with the 128GB iPhone priced $100 larger than the 128GB Pixel 9a.
The Pixel 9a and iPhone 16a are gateway telephones
Finally, the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16a are each inexpensive methods to pay money for among the newest {hardware} and software program on each Android and iOS. In the event you’re already baked into one OS and holding onto a earlier A-series Pixel or iPhone SE, then these could also be value upgrading to. They’re additionally good methods to herald youthful relations with out breaking the financial institution on a brand new telephone.
Harish says the iPhone 16e is geared toward “older iPhone customers seeking to change to a (comparatively) inexpensive mannequin with the newest {hardware},” and this is also stated for the Pixel 9a.
That stated, it feels just like the Pixel 9a is a significantly better deal, with principally higher specs and a cheaper price tag for somebody wanting to economize on a brand new telephone. Even for those who’re an iPhone consumer, for those who don’t have any allegiance to iOS, this can be a telephone value maintaining a tally of.
As for me, perhaps I’ll simply wait till Apple releases an iPhone 17e or iPhone Flip.
Worth executed proper
The Pixel 9a is without doubt one of the most inexpensive methods you will get your palms on an AI telephone. Due to the highly effective Tensor chip, you may have the ability of Gemini in your palms for half the value you’d pay for a flagship.
