The Pixel 9a could be Google's perfect foil to the Apple iPhone 16E

Earlier this week, Google's follow-up to the Pixel 8a was spotted amidst leaked footage of the Galaxy S25 Edge. Subsequently, a short hands-on video highlighting what is said to be the Pixel 9a has now been posted online, full details of which we have covered separately.

Reproduced below, it is unclear whether the video is of a functional final device or a dummy unit. Regardless, the design shown matches prior leaks with a camera housing that sits almost flush against its back panel. By simplifying the Pixel A series design from the Pixel 8a (curr. $490 on Amazon), Google has perhaps inadvertently taken a leaf out of Apple's book with the iPhone 16E.

The similarities do not end there either, with Google rumoured to have installed a 48 MP and 1/2-inch sensor as the Pixel 9a's primary camera. Moreover, the Pixel 9a is said to contain a 13 MP and 1/3.1-inch sensor as its ultra-wide-angle camera, which the iPhone 16E completely misses out on.

The Pixel 9a is expected to launch for $100 less than the iPhone 16E too, which starts at $599 with 128 GB of storage. Based on the leaked footage below, part of this $100 price gap could be attributed to a plastic back panel, which would reduce costs compared to the glass equivalents found in Pixel 9 flagships and the iPhone 16E.

Ultimately though, the combination of a 5,100 mAh battery with a Tensor G4 chipset and a 120 Hz OLED display that peaks at 2,700 nits could make the Pixel 9a a worthy adversary to the iPhone 16E. In other words, one would do well to consider Google's forthcoming Pixel A series release when it arrives on March 19 than Apple's latest crack at a budget smartphone.