Google's New $499 Pixel 9a Tops the iPhone 16e in Four Ways - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

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 Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

google chrome vertical tabs

Google Brings Vertical Tabs and Improved Reading Mode to Chrome

Tuesday April 7, 2026 1:27 pm PDT by
Google today updated its Chrome browser with support for vertical tabs, which are displayed in a sidebar instead of at the top of the browser. The tab layout can be changed by right clicking on any Chrome window and choosing the "Show Tabs Vertically" option. Sidebar tabs feature full page titles and make it simple to organize tab groups. Google has also added a new full-page interface...
Chrome Feature 22

Gemini in Google Chrome Gets a Skills Library for Saving Custom AI Prompts

Tuesday April 14, 2026 10:00 am PDT by
Chrome has been updated today with a Skills library that's designed to let Chrome users turn AI tasks into repeatable skills that can be used on any website. Useful prompts you create for Gemini in Chrome can be saved as a Skill that can be accessed later with a single click. If you're shopping for skincare and ask Gemini about the ingredients in a product, for example, you can save the...
gemini for mac app google

Google Launches Native Gemini AI App for Mac

Wednesday April 15, 2026 10:46 am PDT by
Google is bringing Gemini to the Mac with a new native macOS app that's available starting today. Gemini for Mac can be activated with a keyboard shortcut, and it has built-in tools for generating images, analyzing what's on your screen, reviewing files, and more. Gemini is the last of the three major AI services to have a dedicated Mac app, because OpenAI and Anthropic have had Mac apps for ...

Top Rated Comments

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

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
15 months 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
15 months ago
Yeah the iPhone 16e should've been priced at $499 and included MagSafe and 120Hz
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lamborrari Avatar
15 months 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)
15 months 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)
Related Apple News: Sport | Ipad | Business | Travel | Culture