Google’s A-series Pixel handsets are typically budget-friendly, but currently the cheapest Google goes is $499 for the Pixel 9A. If you do want all of Google’s flagship features and are comfortable with getting a used or refurbished device, you could check out last year’s Pixel 8A which is going for under $300 in the secondary market. Strangely, Google is currently selling the Pixel 8A for the same price as the Pixel 9A, so it doesn’t make sense to buy a new version of the Pixel 8A.
A sub-$300 Pixel 8A is an especially good deal when compared to the entry-level $599 iPhone 16E. Sure, the iPhone 16E offers a lot of features for its price and is certainly the most affordable iPhone you can get at retail. Yet, that price isn’t exactly affordable when compared to the Pixel 8A. If you prefer to buy new, we’ll point you to the comparison of the Pixel 9A vs the iPhone 16E. But if you’re open to getting a used Pixel 8A for an even lower price, we’ve compared the iPhone 16E and the Pixel 8A below.
The iPhone 16E.
Design and display
The most obvious difference between the two phones is that the iPhone 16E has a notch at the top of the screen (The iPhone 16, on the other hand, has a Dynamic Island instead), while the Pixel 8A just has a single dot for the front-facing camera. Size-wise, however, they’re both pretty comparable. They both roughly measure around 6 by 3 by 0.3 inches (you can find more exact measurements in the chart below), plus both have a 6.1-inch OLED screen.
The iPhone 16E, however, has a fixed refresh rate of 60Hz, while the Pixel 8A can switch between 60 and 120Hz for smoother scrolling and a more immersive gaming experience. That said, the iPhone 16E’s A18 processor does run more intensive games like Death Stranding and Resident Evil 4 Remake. While those more console-level games are not yet available on the Google Play Store, the Pixel 8A’s Tensor G3 should still be able to run most Android games at medium to low graphics settings.
Google’s Pixel 8A.
Cameras
One of the biggest limitations of the iPhone 16E is that it just has a single rear 48-megapixel camera. The Pixel 8A, on the other hand, has two rear cameras placed within a camera bar on the back: a 64-megapixel lens plus a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. Even when it comes to the front-facing selfie camera, the Pixel 8A’s version is better. It has a 12-megapixel front-facing lens while the iPhone 16E has a 7-megapixel one.
The Pixel 8A’s cameras.
AI features
The iPhone 16E might be an entry-level handset, but it does support Apple Intelligence, a feature that was previously only in higher-end models like the 15 Pro and the iPhone 16. Apple Intelligence isn’t fully fleshed out yet, but it currently offers some benefits including a Clean Up tool for removing obstacles in photos, text summarization plus writing tools that help correct editing errors. An improved Siri is also apparently on its way, but it has been delayed.
The Pixel 8A, on the other hand, has all the features of Google’s Gemini that are also on the higher-end Pixel handsets. It can run Google’s Gemini Nano AI model, use photo-editing tools such as Best Take and Magic Eraser, and more. Gemini will eventually be the default assistant on all Android phones, and for now you can switch between the Google Assistant and Gemini.
A home screen on the iPhone 16E.
Software support
Both the Pixel 8A and the iPhone 16E have relatively lengthy software support. The Pixel 8A gets a total of seven years of major Android OS upgrades and security updates from its launch last year, which means you’ll get six years if you buy one now that it’s a year old. That’s in line with the six years of support Samsung provides its new Galaxy A phones in the $200 to $300 range, and is double the support Motorola provides to its Moto G line.
While Apple doesn’t publish software and security support timelines, the iPhone 16E will likely get between five and seven years of software updates based on what has been provided to prior iPhone models. Security updates could be even longer, as even the original iPhone SE from 2016 received a security update earlier this year.
Check out more differences between the iPhone 16E and the Google Pixel 8A in the chart below.
Apple iPhone 16E vs. Google Pixel 8A
| Apple iPhone 16E | Google Pixel 8A | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6.1-inch OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels, 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 430 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.78×2.82×0.31 in. | 6×2.9×0.4 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 146.7×71.5×7.8 mm | 152x74x10.2 mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 167g (5.88 oz.) | 193 g (6.8 oz.) |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | Android 14 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide) | 64-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 13-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K at 30/60 FPS |
| Processor | Apple A18 | Google Tensor G3 |
| RAM/Storage | RAM unknown + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 8GB + 128GB or 256GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None |
| Battery/Charger | Up to 26 hours video playback, 21 hours streamed video playback, 90 hours of audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging | 4,492 mAh (18W fast charging, 7.5W wireless charging) |
| Fingerprint sensor | None, Face ID | Under-display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None |
| Special features | Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Intelligence, Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, IP68 resistance | 5G (5G sub6 / mmWave), IP67 rating, VPN by Google One, Circle to Search, 7 years Android OS updates, 7 years security updates, Best Take, Audio Magic Eraser |
| Price off-contract (USD) | $599 (128GB) | $499 |
| Price (GBP) | £599 (128GB) | £499 |
| Price (AUD) | AU$999 (128GB) | AU$849 |
Watch this: iPhone 16E Review
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