Technologies

Google Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E: Budget Phone Specs Compared

How do Google and Apple’s new budget-conscious phones measure up? Let’s take a close look at the specs.

Editor’s note: The Google Pixel 9A is now in stores. Make sure to read CNET’s Pixel 9A review.

Google’s Pixel A series phones have always offered the essence of what makes the flagship models so great, but in a pared-back package with a more affordable price tag. The Pixel 9A is no different, with the same Tensor G4 processor as the Pixel 9 Pro, along with a 48-megapixel main camera and a vibrant 6.3-inch display. Not bad for $499.

But Apple has just released the iPhone 16E, a $599 phone that also aims to distill the flagship experience into a slightly more affordable package. So how do they compare? Let’s take a look.

Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E: design

The Pixel 9A is the larger of the two phones. Its 6.3-inch screen isn’t a huge step up over the iPhone 16E’s 6.1-inch screen, but it’s enough to maybe make playing mobile games on the move a bit more immersive. However, the iPhone’s display is marginally sharper as it crams more pixels into a smaller space, though whether you’d ever notice that difference is debatable. The Pixel 9A’s display has a variable refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz that helps make animations look smoother and gaming more immersive. The iPhone 16E, on the other hand, has a screen locked at 60Hz.

The Pixel 9A’s Design: Google Takes Minimalism to the Extreme

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Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E: performance

The Pixel 9A runs the same Tensor G4 chip as the Pixel 9 Pro. It’s not a powerhouse processor, but it should offer solid performance for everyday tasks. However, when we reviewed the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, it returned fairly disappointing results on benchmark tests. The iPhone 16E uses Apple’s A18 chip, which delivered much better scores on benchmark testing for both processor power and graphical prowess. For sheer straight-line speed, the iPhone is likely the one to go for here.

Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E: camera

While both phones have 48-megapixel main rear cameras, the Pixel 9A also offers a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. The 9A also macro images, meaning you can get close to a subject and have them in focus. We’ll have to wait and see how the camera quality compares on each phone, but those of you who want a more well-rounded photography experience may find the iPhone’s single rear camera limiting.

Both the Pixel 9A and iPhone 16E come fully equipped to use their companies’ respective AI platforms (Gemini on the Pixel, Apple Intelligence on the iPhone), with both offering a variety of built-in AI tools for productivity and imaging. Take a look below at how the Pixel 9A’s specs stack up against the iPhone 16E.

Google Pixel 9A and iPhone 16E specs compared

	Google Pixel 9A	Apple iPhone 16E
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness	6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120Hz variable refresh rate	6.1-inch OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate
Pixel density	422 ppi	460 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 in	5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in.
Dimensions (millimeters)	154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm	146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	186g (6.6 oz)	167g (5.88 oz)
Mobile software	Android 15	iOS 18
Camera	48-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)	48-megapixel (wide)
Front-facing camera	13-megapixel	12-megapixel
Video capture	4K	4K
Processor	Google Tensor G4	Apple A18
RAM/storage	8GB + 128GB, 256GB	RAM unknown + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Expandable storage	None	None
Battery/charging speeds	5,100 mAh	Up to 26 hours video playback, 21 hours streamed video playback, 90 hours of audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging
Fingerprint sensor	Under display	No, Face ID
Connector	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	None	None
Special features	7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass; IP68 dust and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio; 23W fast charging (charger not included); 7.5W wireless charging Qi certified; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor; Photo Unblur; Super Res Zoom; Circle To Search	Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Intelligence, Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, IP68 resistance
US price off-contract	$499 (128GB)	$599 (128GB)
UK price	£499 (128GB)	£599 (128GB)
Australia price	AU$849 (128GB)	AU$999 (128GB)

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for May 20, #443

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 443 for May 20.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle reminds me that I haven’t had a meal in a fancy restaurant in some time. Maybe it’s time to make a reservation. If you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Oh, of course!

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Elegant eats.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

SITE, FINE, SINE, DINE, PEAS, TEEN, PEER, STEEP, DEER, SEED, SEEN, POET, TREE, NOPE, SEES.

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

SOUP, SALAD, CHEESE, ENTREE, DESSERT, APPETIZERS

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is FINEDINING. To find it, start with the F that’s three letters down on the farthest row to the left, and wind across.

Toughest Strands puzzles

Here are some of the Strands topics I’ve found to be the toughest in recent weeks.

#1: Dated slang, Jan. 21. Maybe you didn’t even use this lingo when it was cool. Toughest word: PHAT.

#2: Thar she blows! Jan.15. I guess marine biologists might ace this one. Toughest word: BALEEN or RIGHT.

#3: Off the hook, Jan. 9. Similar to the Jan. 15 puzzle in that it helps to know a lot about sea creatures. Sorry, Charlie. Toughest word: BIGEYE or SKIPJACK

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for May 24, #713

Hints and answers for Connections for May 24, #713.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections puzzle has a fun variety of categories. The purple one appeals to my English major heart. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group, to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Goo-goo.

Green group hint: Not shirts.

Blue group hint: City that never sleeps.

Purple group hint: Acclaimed writers.