The reviews are in : theGoogle Pixel 9ais an excellent smartphone , and a desirable add-on to Google ’s line of excellent mid - range priced smartphones . At a price of just $ 499 , the Pixel 9a deliver a long - last battery , a camera bump - less designing , and slap-up public presentation . It ’s one ofthe good budget smartphonesaround , and credibly one ofthe practiced smartphonesoverall too .
That ’s an unbelievable deal , and no misapprehension — but it ’s not the only secret plan in township , not by a long barb . While the Google Pixel 9a is the fresh hotness , there are plenty of other smartphones that can , and should , steal your attention away from Google ’s belated . Here are five of the speech sound you should also consider if you ’re tempted by the Google Pixel 9a .
OnePlus 13R
One of the major advantage of the Pixel 9a is that it ’s able to use Google ’s own flagship Tensor G4 processor , giving it top - tier superpower at a lower Mary Leontyne Price . But it ’s not alone in offer astounding amounts of performance at a midrange Leontyne Price tag , and it ’s actually quite likely this top choice beat the Pixel 9a hands down . TheOnePlus 13Ris OnePlus ’s current top midrange French telephone , and it ’s an incredibly powerful package starting from just $ 600 .
cardinal to this performance is theSnapdragon 8 Gen 3found in the machine ’s heart . It ’s not this year’sSnapdragon 8 Elitechip , but as last yr ’s C.P.U. of alternative for phones like theGalaxy S24 UltraandOnePlus 12 , it ’s still plenty powerful , and the OnePlus 13Rfliesthrough any undertaking you give it . Backing that flagship chip up is 12 GB of RAM and storage starting from 256 gigabit . If those phone like flagship specs , well , they are , and it ’s a prominent part of the grounds this headphone is such a winner .
Behind it all is a massive 6,000mAh battery that well manages two days of use on a single charge , with three days being possible on light enjoyment . Recharging has been lower from last year’sOnePlus 12R , but that still place it at a mighty 55W , scoop the charging speeds of Apple ’s , Google ’s , and Samsung ’s flagships . There ’s no wireless charging though , which stand for the Pixel 9a does havesomeadvantages over the OnePlus phone . But with the Pixel 9a ’s wireless charge being limited to a measely 7.5W , you ’re probably better off not take it at all .
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OnePlus had to cut corners somewhere , and so it ’s fair to say the 13R is n’t the most attractive phone around . Still , it ’s not ugly by any means , with the best Son for it being “ functional ” . The aluminum frame and shabu back both have matte coating , and the flesh and writ of execution are hearty and professional . There ’s very niggling to complain about here , except for a deficiency of style and elan . There ’s even less to complain about where the exhibit is concerned . It ’s a 6.78 - inch AMOLED dialog box with a 2780 x 1264 resolution , a varying 1 - 120Hz refresh rate , and a scoop brightness of 4,500 nits . It ’s smart , vindicated , and extremely antiphonal .
Finally , there ’s the camera systems . OnePlus ’s camera organization have previously run to model in the “ okay ” pot , but have recently calibrate to being solidly good across the plank , and we see that preserve here . The 13R has 50 - megapixel primary lens , a 50MP telephoto lens with a 2x optical zoom , and an 8MP ultrawide lens around the back , and a 16MP fixed - focus camera around the front . It performs well across the gameboard , and while it lacks the long zooms of existent flagship phones , it ’s still a camera system you may swear on .
The price bug out from a full $ 100 more than the Pixel 9a at $ 600 , but if you may give to spend the extra , then the OnePlus 13R is a square contender for Google ’s later .
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Nothing Phone 3a Pro
Nothing ’s rising has been nothing poor of unbelievable , and it ’s most recent telephone have been devices you ca n’t give to miss out on . TheNothing Phone 3a Prois a stellar midrange phone , and absolutely one of the skilful headphone Nothing has ever produced . At just $ 70 more than the Pixel 9a ’s bug out monetary value , it ’s another strong pick if you ’re count for a midrange phone , and it amount with the bonus of a jaw - droppingly singular style .
We ’ll protrude with the design , because it ’s unlike anything else you ’re potential to see . The transparent back is chaotic and eye - catching , and whether you like it or not , it ’s certainly unique . the rearward camera is contained in a large rotary module , like a OnePlus phone — but unlike OnePlus , Nothing ’s signatureGlyph lightingcan be seen around the module . These light-emitting diode light will react to your sound purpose , mimicking timers and showing the propinquity of your Uber ride , and can even serve as a camera flash or torch . Whether or not you wish the pattern , and we ’re certain plenty wo n’t , you’re able to fault Nothing for assay something different . The 6.77 - in AMOLED showing is good too , thanks to a 120Hz refresh rate and 1080p resolution .
You wo n’t feel a flagship chip here , instead the Nothing Phone 3a Pro uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor . While it may not have the mellow - power effulgence of the OnePlus 13R or Pixel 9a , it ’s still a very capable chip , and we rarely get it lacking . There ’s also 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of memory as standard , giving a warm spec baseline . In term of software system , you may either use Google ’s stockAndroid 15 , or switch it for Nothing ’s minimalist take on Android . Either is fun , and we suggest trying out both . Nothing has shoehorned a lot of AI into this phone , but it ’s worth refer Essential Space , which is an AI - power organizer that put in your screenshots and voice distinction collected with the dedicated Essential Space push button . It ’s a quieter and more subtle take on AI than we ’ve seen late , and it has potential as something that could be actually useful .
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The camera is expert , but rent down by a rubbish 8MP wide - angle crystalline lens , which is n’t a surprise . However , the 50MP independent lens is strong , and it ’s bring together by a 50MP periscope zoom with a 3x optical soar . These two lens are great , and take well blanaced shots with punchy color and just the right dividing line and cleverness . It ’s just a shame that yet another manufacturer packs in a frightful 8MP wide - angle lens .
The electric battery is n’t anything special , care a single 24-hour interval on one charge . However , it offers 50W fast charging , again putting a phone number of flagship in the rubble , even if it does n’t extend wireless charging at all .
This is simply one of the best smartphones Nothing has made yet , and at $ 570 , it ’s within hand aloofness of the Pixel 9a . If a unique style and flair matters to you , or if you really love the expression Nothing has sound for , then check this phone out . You wo n’t be let down .
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iPhone 16e
It ’s hard to wade around this price point without attracting some large Pisces , and they do n’t get much bigger than the Apple iPhone . TheApple iPhone 16ehas supplanted theiPhone SEas the cheapest iPhone , and while it may no longer strain down into budget territory , it ’s now an even more solid alternative to the Google Pixel 9a .
The iPhone 16e is a blast from the past in a number of ways . Not only does it sport the notched manner of display we thought had evaporate with theiPhone 14 , but it also has only one camera genus Lens in its rear camera setup . It ’s still unmistakably an iPhone , but the design makes it clear this is the lowest tier of Apple ’s smartphone . The colour are a little dull , but it ’s still not a bad count phone , even if we bid it had more pop . It ’s light though , which is a real incentive for one - handed use .
The 6.1 - in display is the same size as that find oneself on theiPhone 16 , but unfortunately , it also has the same60Hz refresh rate . While we did n’t expect Apple to leapfrog the iPhone 16 with a cheaper good example , it continue to be a disappointment that Apple resist to comprehend superior screen technology for what are still expensive smartphones . But putting that aside , it ’s still a great display , with bright colors and cryptical blacks .
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The big draw here is the inclusion of Apple ’s AI inspection and repair , Apple Intelligence . The 16e has been built to include all of Apple ’s AI features , including Visual Intelligence , and many new AI inclusions in Apple ’s apps , like the Notes app . It ’s the cheapest means to receive Apple Intelligence . Performance is likewise solid , being powered by a slimly tweaked interlingual rendition of the A18 central processor . It ’s slower than most of the other iPhones you’re able to buy from Apple , but not to be distributor point where it ’ll be overly obvious or a job . Battery life lay most of its stablemates in the rubble though , with the speech sound care multiple daytime of use of goods and services on a individual thrill . That longevity comes at a monetary value though , specifically being trammel to 20W dissolute charging , and not having MagSafe at all . It does have wireless charging , but it tops out at 7.5W.
Unsurprisingly , the single lens on the 16e ’s fundament does n’t agree up to other iPhones in terms of gross versatility , but it ’s not a bad lens by any means . It ’s a 48MP lense , and can use picture element binning to improve depressed light shots , and can graze a shot to 12MP to spoof a 2x optical zoom . If you ’re coming from a telephone with multiple lenses , then the single lens may be a disappointment . But if a camera is just something that ’s nice to have , then this wo n’t let you down .
The iPhone 16e is n’t for everyone , that ’s for sure , but it ’s still a unanimous alternative to the Pixel 9a . If a top - tier camera is a must , then invalidate this . But , if an iPhone is a alluring offer for you , then this is the choice to arrest out . It starts from $ 599 .
Nothing Phone 3a ProAndy Boxall / Digital Trends
Google Pixel 8
The Pixel 9a is a standout phone at $ 499 , but so is the previous yr ’s flagship Pixel , thePixel 8 . While price for this phone can run to fluctuate , we have seen it at the price of $ 499 for the 128 GB model , putting it on an adequate footing with the midrange interlingual rendition of this yr ’s Pixel range . That gets you an highly good television camera system , long assault and battery life , and all of the same AI feature film , packaged up in a flagship phone .
The centerpiece of any Pixel has always been the camera , and the Pixel 8 does n’t let down in this regard . The 50MP chief lens on the Pixel 8a is potential to be comparable to the 48MP shooter on the Pixel 9a , with similar aperture . The Pixel 8 ’s master camera is just first-class , one of the good we test in 2024 , and though the wide - angle crystalline lens disappoints , it does n’t take away from what is an first-class camera setup . As a bonus , you get all of Google ’s impressive AI redact features as well , think of even the most unsatisfying shots can be made to shine .
Enough about the television camera though , how does the rest of the earpiece apply up ? Very well , as it turns out . The Pixel 8 is drive by the Google Tensor G3 central processor . This flagship cow chip is powerful , as you ’d ask , and though it still has some temperature egress , they ’re nowhere nearly as risky as they once were , even if it still run warmer than Qualcomm check of the same era . The showing is gorgeous , too , and has a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate like the Pixel 9a .
Essential SpaceAndy Boxall / Digital Trends
The barrage fire lasts around a twenty-four hour period , though you may unfold far into two days with light role . buck speeding is on the slower side , with f number tapping out at 27W for pumped charging and 18W for wireless . That ’s not the slow charging we ’ve seen late , and mostly on par with , for example , most iPhones , but it ’s far slower than you ’ll get on a OnePlus smartphone .
Like the Pixel 9a , you ’ll get seven years of software system updates , though keep in mind the Pixel 8 has already chewed through some of that . However , it still has a strong innings to go before it needs supplant , so that ’s definitely not worth worrying about . The build quality is excellent too , and really shows off the flagship nature of this particular phone .
Like the build , the Pixel 8 is satisfying all around , with little to detract from a very positive photograph . While it begin lifespan at $ 699 , with the release of the Pixel 9 it ’s not uncommon to see this phone price as well as $ 499 , set up it charge on equality with the Pixel 9a . At that price , the Pixel 8 is an absolute bargain .
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Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
There are n’t many phones underneath the Pixel 9a ’s $ 499 price that we ’d recommend agree out , but theMoto G Stylus 5 grand ( 2024)is good enough to warrant your attention — plus , it has one thing that Google ’s midrange phone does not : A stylus .
Hidden aside inside the phone when not in manipulation , the stylus is just a basic stylus , so it does n’t have a Bluetooth connectedness or any extra deception , like being used as a tv camera shutter , or insistency sensitiveness . Instead , it ’s just a srtlus for writing or doodling . it works well for this , though the equipment ’s medallion rejection is not great , and it does n’t particularly feel natural when you use it . It sense like exactly what it is : fictile dragging over spyglass . Still , you could get used to that , and it ’s ideal if you find a stylus useful but do n’t always have one on you .
The purpose is a surprisingly high point for this earpiece . It ’s made from plastic , but the vegan leather backplate find great , and it feels hearty despite the flashy material . The 6.7 - inch OLED is also pretty good , run around both a 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh . Heck , even the television camera , usually a letdown on budget Motorola earphone , is pretty good . It wo n’t pound any of other the phone on this tilt , but it wo n’t stymie you either .
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
The rest of this phone does , admittedly , feel like the budget offering it is . It ’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip and 8 GB of RAM , and while the G Stylus work finely , with only periodic stutter and slowdowns , it ’s not up to the same banner as the flagship degree chip in every other headphone on this list . Water and dust - resistance pass out at IP52 , behind everything else on this list — but there are some upsides too . Namely , a headphone diddley and a microSD card slot .
There ’s one heavy downside to this phone though , and it ’s one surface area where the Pixel has it thrum hands - down . The Moto G Stylus was only ever going to get one software update — yes , you take that right , one — and considering that upgrade was going to be from Android 14 to 15 , it ’s in all probability already been and gone as you read this . So unlike the Pixel 9a , which has seven years of updates to front fore to , the Moto G Stylus has … none . That ’s a large disappointment .
The Moto thou Stylus 5 G ( 2024 ) is available for $ 400 , importantly crummy than the Pixel 9a . It is prove its old age a little , but it ’s still a solid steal , and one of Motorola ’s few good releasesin a unsound twelvemonth .
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