Google Store posts its own Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16e comparison

Over the years, Google marketing has compared the Pixel to the iPhone. There was notably the Phone X vs. Pixel 3a Night Sight campaign in 2019. The latest example — Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16e — makes for the most explicit comparison to date.

Available as a post on the Google Store, the comparison starts with a specs chart, with Google vaguely trying to be objective: “Obviously, we’re big Pixel fans. So let’s step away from the subjective stuff – like how the Pixel 9a color choices are way more fun and the design is cooler – and look at the facts.”

On the hardware front, Google is highlighting the bigger/brighter display, larger battery, and dual versus single camera system. It goes on to argue that the “more important differences occur during editing.” Google is referring to Add Me (using AR to merge photos), Best Take (composite shot of the best facial expressions), and Magic Editor (drag-and-drop editing + adding generative AI elements). 

On the AI front, it’s how Gemini has deep integration with first-party Google apps. Google points out how Siri “does not support natural language conversations” compared to Gemini Live.

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Outside of Gemini, it’s Circle to Search and the Call Assist suite of Phone features (Call Screen, Hold for Me, and more). Google notes how “Gemini supports 45 languages, including all countries where Pixel 9a is sold” versus Apple Intelligence’s nine. 

The final software comparison is seven years of updates versus how “Apple only guarantees five years of updates,” though it can be more.

Google ends on price and how the Pixel 9a starts at $499 for 128GB versus the iPhone 16e’s $599.

With the iPhone 16e, Apple introduced a budget model into its annual lineup. Google has been doing that for much longer, with these Pixel-iPhone comparisons likely becoming a yearly occurrence going forward.