Apple excite up its iPhone card earlier this class by devote its unearthly successor to the wallet - friendly iPhone SE an entirely new identity element : the iPhone 16e .
The result is a new third tier for Apple ’s mainstream iPhone family that combine the concept of the iPhone SE with a modern design and a more modernistic circle of features , including not only Apple ’s latest A - series chip but also the latestiPhone 16camera engineering and financial support for Apple Intelligence .
Apple ’s new “ e - series ” iPhone is naturally mature for comparability against the more affordable mainstream models from its biggest rivals , such as Google ’s A - serial phone , let in the well - establishedGoogle Pixel 8a . Does Apple ’s first attempt at a lower - tier model have what it accept to unseat Google ? Let ’s find out .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: specs
Front : 12MP TrueDepth television camera
Front : 13MP selfie camera
Front : Up to 4 K Dolby Vision HDR at 60 Federal Protective Service , 1080p at 120fps for slow move
Front : Up to 4 K at 30 Federal Protective Service
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: design
Apple ’s depressed - price iPhone may have accede the iPhone 16 category this year , but it ’s sporting a design that can best be described as bland compared to its older siblings .
While it ’s still remarkably an iPhone , the iPhone 16e embracesits iPhone SE predecessor’sbasic individual photographic camera crystalline lens and limits its colors to introductory blackened and blanched without even adjudicate to go for more whimsical names . This is not only a severe direct contrast to the vivacious shades found on the received iPhone 16 but also endure out against the Pixel 8a , which adds a endearing green Aloe and fetching Bay blue devil to its more inert Obsidian and Porcelain neutrals .
Besides the deficiency of color and flare , the iPhone 16e resembles the iPhone 16 in adopting a USB - one C port on the bottom and the standard array of buttons around the outer frame , including the newfangled Action button . However , it lacksthe Camera Controlof the pricier manakin .
A single television camera lens project from the rearward niche of the iPhone 16e , palpate uninspired next to the Pixel 8a ’s signature camera bar . It ’s a capable camera with a misleadingly understated look .
The shabu on the front of the iPhone 16e is Apple ’s Ceramic Shield . However , this is the original variant that ’s been around since the iPhone 12 rather than the tough formulation that Apple append to the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup . However , the Pixel 8a gets even old 2013 - earned run average Gorilla Glass 3 on the screen . The iPhone 16e features a standard chalk back control panel , while the Pixel 8a goes with plastic .
The iPhone 16e features IP68 dust and water resistance that align with Apple ’s common modern standards , which assure it can survive immersion in up to 6 meters of urine for 30 minutes . The Pixel 8a has only an IP67 rating , which protects against only 1 metre of water for the same length of time .
While the iPhone 16e gets a few points for durability , it lose some for its infertile aesthetic . Either way , design is immanent , so we ’re calling this one a link .
Winner : Tie
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: display
As with the iPhone SE models that inspired Apple ’s latest budget earphone , the iPhone 16e largely follow the design of the2022 iPhone 14while modernizing a few other spectacles . The undivided camera and Action button are departures from that older model , but deplorably , the display is not .
It would have been too much to await the iPhone 16e to get a massive display upgrade , reckon that the stock iPhone 16 role model are still saddled with a 60Hz refresh rate . Putting an OLED jury into its depressed - cost iPhone is a big stride for Apple , but in this lawsuit , it ’s the same filmdom tech from the iPhone 14 , from the nick to the maximum 1,200 - nit pinnacle HDR brightness . It ’s a high - quality , vivacious panel that supports Apple ’s usual enhancements like HDR , True Tone , and a P3 wide color gamut , but the 2.5 - year - old technology finger pretty introductory .
Google ’s Pixel 8a may not be the newfangled small fry on the mental block , but it rollick a more innovative display . The resolution and pixel density are slimly low than the iPhone 16e , but not so much that you ’re likely to notice with the nude eye ; however , it excels by offering a 120Hz refresh rate and a visor brightness of 2,000 nits . While it ’s not an adaptive refresh charge per unit — it can only flip between 60Hz and 120Hz — that still gives it a considerable advantage over the iPhone 16e . Plus , the Pixel 8a variation an always - on presentation , which Apple obstinately refuses to embrace in anything but its Pro framework .
Winner : Google Pixel 8a
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: performance
Apple has always hold its budget iPhones on the late A - series silicon , and the iPhone 16e continue this course by acquire nearly the same A18 chip found in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus . We say “ nearly ” as Apple is using what appear to be a binned interlingual rendition of the chip with only four GPU kernel rather than the 5 - essence version found in its stock iPhone 16 models .
These differences were ostensible when we put the iPhone 16e through bench mark against the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro . However , it ’s a subtle difference in hardheaded term that we think few will notice , specially since the scale down A18 microprocessor chip still has the same six - core CPU and 16 - core Neural Engine ( NPU ) , plus 8 GB of Aries to ensure that it can support Apple ’s full suite of AI feature . This delivers a massive leg up in performance , likely consecrate it the chop to handlethe latest AAA console game — although whether you ’ll be able-bodied to take full advantage of them on that 60Hz display is another matter . The less GPU constellation meansResident Evil VillageandAssassin ’s Creed Miragewon’t play as smoothly on the iPhone 16e as they do on the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro ( which has an even more powerful A18 Pro chip ) , but they ’re still playable .
The Google Pixel 8a wo n’t be able to jibe that standard , as the Tensor G3 has never been about raw carrying out . or else , Google has focalize its silicon on power machine learning and AI feature such as its hefty computational photography locomotive . That does n’t have in mind you ’ll encounter lag or lag during everyday use , and it ’s even suited for most games as long as you do n’t judge to push the quality and frame charge per unit to insanely high levels . The Tensor G3 was a remarkable improvement over Google ’s older G2 bit , which get raging and bothered when you threw anything too demanding at it . The G3 is a strong performer , but it still runs hotter under load than most rival phones with mellow - end atomic number 14 , including not only the iPhone 16 lineup but also those with Qualcomm ’s Snapdragon 8 series chip .
The iPhone 16e easily wins this airstream , using a more modern cow dung optimized for maximal carrying into action . The Tensor G3 is a class old and holds up well for its age , but there ’s no actual competition .
succeeder : Apple iPhone 16e
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: battery and charging
The other arena where the A18 show its heart against the Tensor G3 is ability efficiency . The Pixel 8a is n’t renowned for its stamina , and we would n’t commend it to anyone looking for more than five hours of screen fourth dimension per day .
The iPhone 16e not only leans into the power efficiency of Apple ’s latest silicon but also has another captivating conjuration up its sleeve . This is the first iPhone to ditch Qualcomm ’s 5 thousand modem silicon chip and graph its own line with the in - house 5 G modem that Apple has pass the past six years working on . That ’s been unveiled this workweek as the new C1 flake , and the primal benefit is a 25 % improvement in power efficiency .
The result ? Combined with a 12 % larger battery , the iPhone 16e gets 3 - 4 more minute of video recording playback than the iPhone 16 . It ’s closer in run sentence to the iPhone 16 Plus , which gambol a larger cell . That still ca n’t equate to the two - 24-hour interval battery life of many of the top Android phones we ’ve reviewed , but it compare favorably to the iPhone 16 Pro Max in our examination and leaves the Pixel 8a in the dust .
One area where the two phones come in closer is in charging speeds . The iPhone 16e has slightly higher wired speeds — 20W versus the Pixel 8a ’s 18W level — but they ’re both on equality for wireless f number : 7.5W Qi accuse . That ’s peculiarly surprising for the iPhone 16e , which stuck with the wireless saddle spectacles of its SE predecessor rather than joining the MagSafe family .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: cameras
The iPhone 16e may have only a single bland - take care camera lens , but there ’s a surprising amount of mightiness pack behind it . Apple has packed in the same 48 - megapixel ( MP ) “ Fusion ” tv camera used in the iPhone 16 ’s primary sensing element , which offers a virtual 2x optical - quality zoom . That ’s the same detector crop proficiency Apple has been using since it enter the 48MP sensor on theiPhone 14 Pro , which means you ’ll only get a 12MP shot , but it gets the business done . Like Apple ’s other current iPhones , the default option shot resolution is only 24MP anyway .
The A18 chip furnish the same computational image pipeline on the iPhone 16e as it does for the relief of the kinsperson , supporting Smart HDR 5 , Deep Fusion , the Photonic Engine , Night mode , and even a single - lens Portrait modality with Depth Control . Still , only so much can be done with a single lens , and more advanced feature article from the other iPhone 16 models are missing , including macro photography , Cinema mode video , and Spatial photos . For whatever reason , Apple has also left out sensor - transformation ocular image stabilization for this brassy theoretical account , which divest it of the Action mode that ’s been uncommitted on other model since the iPhone 14 .
Nevertheless , the iPhone 16e can capture 4 green video at 60 systema skeletale per second ( Federal Protective Service ) in Dolby Vision HDR , 240 fps slo - mo video in 1080p , and even Spatial Audio and stereophonic transcription . It can also reduce wind noise and apply AI - conflate audio frequency for studio - quality recording .
In short , the iPhone 16e punches above its weightiness form for a single camera , and the results it produced were better than we bear . Still , there ’s only so much that can be done with a single lense , so it ’s not without its limitations . The difference from the primary cameraon the iPhone 16 are noticeable , with a lack of detail when zooming and some inconsistency at different focal lengths , but it get the job done for anyone who ’s just looking for something to take nonchalant photos .
Of naturally , Google ’s Pixel serial phones have always been all about the camera system . There are two lenses on the back , which already puts it ahead of the iPhone 16e ’s single lens . The primary hitman is a 64MP sensor connect by a 13MP ultrawide lens with a 120 - stage field of prospect . There ’s no telephoto lens , and the 2x cutoff produce voiced images that are n’t quite as focused as they should be .
For now , we have to give the nod to the Google Pixel 8a for its three-fold - genus Lens system and proven capabilities , but this could be a close race if Apple ’s Fusion camera is everything it call to be without an ultrawide lense to back it up .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: software and updates
The iPhone 16e ship with Apple ’s latestiOS 18.3 , which will be readily intimate to any iPhone user . There ’s nothing specially unique here about the iPhone 16e version . The experience should be the same as the rest of the iPhone 16 family , let in full reinforcement forApple Intelligence . Apple does n’t make the update promises of many Android makers , but it arguably does n’t require to , as it has a try out rails disc of provide at least 5 - 6 years of support for each of its iPhones . wait the iPhone 16e to make it to at least iOS 23 someday and possibly even one or two versions beyond that .
The Google Pixel 8a continues to tender the “ thoroughgoing Android ” experience that Google ’s phones are known for , with no other UI skins or elements layer on top . The Pixel 8a shipped with Android 14 , but it ’s already received itsAndroid 15update and is slated to get six more from now until 2030 .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: special features
Apple ’s iPhone 16 card is all about AI this year . Featuring a chopine dubbed Apple Intelligence , iOS 18.3 on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro model offers a slate of generative AI writing and range dick based on Apple ’s large nomenclature mannequin ( LLMs ) , which are optionally indorse up by OpenAI ’s ChatGPT for handling some of the bad questions .
One new iPhone 16 - exclusive AI feature of speech , Visual Intelligence , has also come to the iPhone 16e in a unique way . A combination of Google Lens and ChatGPT lookups , Visual Intelligence lets you point your iPhone 16 camera at real - populace objects to get more entropy about them , from identifying botany and fauna to looking up event information from posters ( and even adding the details to your calendar ) . On the rest of the iPhone 16 batting order , this istriggered using the Camera Control , but since the iPhone 16e does n’t have one of those , Apple has delegate it as an choice for the Action button alternatively . While it ’s a clever and fast path to pull up info , it ’s more of a shortcut than a singular lineament to the iPhone 16e , as the Google , Gemini , and ChatGPT apps can do much the same affair on the iPhone usingGoogle Lensand Google ’s AI model .
Apple has also been late to the AI plot , and we ’re still expect for everything it ’s promise to arrive . Specifically , the first improvement to help smarten up Siri may not be number until iOS 18.4 or even iOS 18.5 , and rumor has it that a more conversational Siri is still more than a twelvemonth off .
Meanwhile , Google ’s Pixel 8a has been welcome into the Gemini era with the introduction ofGemini Liveas Google ’s new default option voice supporter . This debuted on Google ’s Pixel 9 card last year , but it ’s been retroactively rolled out to older fashion model as part of the Android 15 update . As you could reckon , it runs ( talks ? ) circle around Siri . There ’s just no contest here .
Some of these are also available on the iPhone 16e throughGoogle Photos , and of course , there are batch of third - company apps on the App Store that can do similar things , but the Pixel 8a has them all built in and quick to go .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: price and availability
The iPhone 16e is available in three capacity : 128 GB , 256 sarin , and 512 GB , with terms pasture from $ 599 to $ 899 , and comes in black or white .
The Google Pixel 8a cost $ 499 for the stand 128 GB model , with a 256 GB variation available for only $ 60 more . It is useable in Aloe , Bay , Obsidian , and Porcelain finishes . The Pixel 8a can be regularise directly from Google or other online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy and should be uncommitted through most major carriers .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. Google Pixel 8a: verdict
Like most comparison between the iPhone and any Android gadget , many masses ’s option will already have been made based on their preferred platform . The Google Pixel 8a is about the purest Android equipment you’re able to buy , but it still wo n’t invoke to common people who are more quenched with Apple ’s iOS ecosystem .
Still , if you ’re on the fencing about making a electric switch or you ’re just depend for a budget smartphone and do n’t really deal about the platform , the iPhone 16e and Pixel 8a are both compelling choices in their own right field . The iPhone 16e advance out on unsanded carrying into action and battery spirit , but Apple Intelligence ca n’t hold a candle to what Google ’s Gemini political program is capable of .
That also hold out for computational picture taking . The iPhone 16e Fusion camera deliver amazingly impressive results , but it ’s still a exclusive lens going up against the established lead record of Google ’s Pixel telephone , which have always stand out at grow balanced and natural images .
The Pixel 8a also comes in at $ 100 less than the iPhone 16e — and you ’re potential to save even more as it ’s often brush aside , especially now that the Pixel 9a is just around the corner . bank discount rarely happen with anything in Apple ’s iPhone batting order ; the iPhone 16e is $ 599 and will almost surely remain at that price until it ’s superseded by something else . It ’s difficult to recollect of the iPhone 16e as a “ budget ” telephone at this price , especially against the very subject and more low-cost Google Pixel 8a .
Despite being almost a year older , these thing contribute up to make the Google Pixel 8a the undecomposed choice for most tribe . The iPhone 16e is a solid contender , specially if you ’re a fan of the Apple ecosystem , but it ’s hard to indicate with a more low-cost toll tag , a in effect display , more advanced AI , and a more various camera scheme .
