Alphabet Inc.’s Google has launched its latest budget-friendly Pixel phone, the Pixel 9a, taking direct aim at Apple Inc.’s recently released lower-end iPhone 16e, Bloomberg reports.
The move comes as Google looks to gain further ground in the competitive smartphone market, dominated by Apple and Samsung.
The Pixel 9a, announced Wednesday, will retail for $499, mirroring the price of its predecessor, the Pixel 8a. This positions it as a direct competitor to the iPhone 16e, which launched in February with a starting price of $599, marketed as a more affordable entry point into the iPhone ecosystem. The Pixel 9a is slated to hit stores in April.
While Google’s Pixel phones are recognized for their robust artificial intelligence capabilities and seamless integration with Google services, they haven’t yet achieved significant market share in the premium segment. However, the company’s budget-conscious models have contributed to a steady expansion of its overall market presence. According to IDC, Google achieved its “highest-ever smartphone volumes” in the third quarter of last year.
The introduction of the iPhone 16e has presented Google with renewed competition in the affordable phone space. At their current price points, the Pixel 9a is only $100 less expensive than the 16e, and while both devices offer similar specifications, the Pixel 9a is generally regarded as having a superior camera system.
Beyond internal upgrades, the Pixel 9a features a redesigned aesthetic, adopting a flat-edged design mirroring the higher-end Pixel 9 launched last year. The phone also boasts a flat back, eliminating the camera bump found on previous models.
The rear of the device houses a dual-camera system comprised of a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. While the main sensor’s megapixel count is a slight decrease from the 64 megapixels on the 8a, Google asserts that the overall system has been enhanced to capture more light and now includes a macro focus mode.
The Pixel 9a also features a larger 6.3-inch display compared to the 8a’s 6.1-inch screen. The iPhone 16e utilizes a smaller 6.1-inch display. The 9a’s display can also reach a peak brightness of 2,700 nits outdoors, a notable improvement over the 8a’s 2,000-nit limit. Battery life has also been improved, now rated at 30 hours on a single charge, up from 24. With battery-saving mode enabled, Google claims the phone can last up to 100 hours, surpassing the previous claim of 72 hours.
The Pixel 9a will be available in black, white, light blue, and pink. The base model, priced at $499, offers 128 gigabytes of internal storage. A higher-tier model with 256 gigabytes of storage will be available for $599. A key internal upgrade is the introduction of the new Tensor G4 processor, replacing the Tensor G3. This makes the Pixel 9a the first Pixel phone to feature the company’s fourth-generation in-house processor. Improved water and dust protection is also included, with the phone moving from the IP67 standard to IP68.
