Pixel 9a vs Galaxy S24 FE vs iPhone 16e: What the Differences? Which One Should You Buy?

Google recently dropped the most affordable smartphone in its Pixel 9 series, the Pixel 9a. Despite its compact size, the Pixel 9a boasts a larger battery than the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Moreover, it also features a new flat back panel with no camera bumps.

When compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 9a brings a ton of improvements. However, we decided to put it to the test against both Apple and Samsung's more affordable options, which in this case is the iPhone 16e and Galaxy S24 FE.

Pixel 9a vs Galaxy S24 FE vs iPhone 16e: Comparison

Design and Build

All three phones feature flat displays, although the one major difference is the Pixel 9a's flat back panel with no camera or camera island protruding out. Of the three phones, the Galaxy S24 FE feels like the one with the slimmest bezels with the iPhone 16e coming in second and the Pixel 9a coming last, with noticeably thick bezels.

Unfortunately, the iPhone 16e lacks the Dynamic Island, which makes its notch a little less appealing. In terms of build quality, both Samsung and Apple opt for glass protection on the front and back, while the Pixel 9a has a plastic back panel. All three phones feature aluminum frames and feature an IP68 rating to resist dust and water.

Display

All three phones use OLED displays up front, although Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen on the S24 FE, offers an adaptive refresh rate. On the flip side, the iPhone 16e is still stuck in the dark ages with its 60Hz refresh rate. Both the Pixel 9a and Galaxy S24 FE's screen support the Always-on Display feature. Moreover, the Pixel 9a also has the brightest screen of three. Finally, the iPhone 16e's screen boasts a higher resolution, ensuring, making it clearer and sharper than the screen on its competitors.

Performance

Don't let the iPhone 16e's small demeanor fool you as it features the most powerful chip of the three phones. The A18 chip also has an extremely powerful GPU, capable of running older PlayStation titles natively. Both the Tensor G4 chip on the Pixel 9a and the Exynos 2400e on the S24 FE, offering solid performance, capable of challenging any phone in the segment, but they fall well short of the flagship mark.

While all three chips can handle most tasks you throw at them, the A18 chipset is in a league of its own. Google, on the other hand, tailors its chip to offer better AI performance. It is worth noting that Google and Samsung offer the best software support, although the S24 FE did launch on Android 14, ensuring one less update than the Pixel 9a.

Battery

Despite the Galaxy S24 FE's larger size, the Google Pixel 9a still packs the largest battery of the three phones. Apple doesn't disclose battery size, but unofficial estimates put it very close to 4,000 mAh, which is significantly smaller than both Google and Samsung. All three of these phones support wired fast charging with no adapter in the box, while Samsung offers the fastest wireless charging support as well.

Cameras

For optics, the iPhone 16e features a single 48MP rear camera with an f/1.6 aperture, PDAF, and OIS. The Pixel 9a boasts a 48MP primary sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, PDAF, and OIS as well as a 13MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.2 aperture and 120˚ FOV.

Finally, the Galaxy S24 FE opts for a 50MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, and OIS, an 8MP telephoto shooter with an f/2.4 aperture, OIS, PDAF, and 3x optical zoom as well as a 12MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.2 aperture and 123˚ FOV.

Up front, the Galaxy S24 FE opts for a 10MP selfie camera with an f/2.4 aperture, while the Pixel 9a boasts a 13MP camera sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. The iPhone 16e uses a 12MP selfie camera with an f/1.9 aperture and a 3D depth sensor.

It is worth noting that we haven't tested the cameras on all three phones, so our claims are based solely on specifications. The Google Pixel 9a is definitely the way to go for those looking for an excellent point and shoot device. We'd also give Google the edge in terms of photography.

However, the iPhone 16e should be the phone of your choice if capturing video is more important to you as it can shoot 4K Dolby Vision video on both the front and rear cameras. And while the cameras on the iPhone 16e are still plenty capable, we'd give the win to the Pixel 9a as it offers both quality and versatility.

Finally, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE offers the most versatility of the three devices, thanks to its triple-camera setup on the back, although it still has a bit of catching up to do in terms of overall quality. For selfies, software algorithms trump actual hardware, so we'd suggest the Pixel 9a or iPhone 16e.

Pixel 9a vs Galaxy S24 FE vs iPhone 16e: Conclusion

The Google Pixel 9a, iPhone 16e, and Galaxy S24 FE each bring unique strengths to the table. The iPhone 16e is the most powerful, with its A18 chip delivering unmatched performance and top-tier video capabilities. However, its 60Hz display and single rear camera limit its versatility. Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE offers a well-rounded package with a dynamic AMOLED display, a triple-camera setup, and the fastest wireless charging, making it a great all-rounder.

However, the Pixel 9a stands out with its impressive balance of features. It boasts the brightest display, a flat-back design, a robust battery, and a camera system that excels in both quality and versatility. While it may not match Apple's video prowess or Samsung's telephoto lens, it offers the best point-and-shoot experience with Google's AI-powered enhancements. Overall, for those seeking an affordable flagship-like experience, the Pixel 9a emerges as the best choice in this competitive segment.