Pixel 9A Versus iPhone 16E Budget Camera Phone Battle

The choice between budget smartphones often comes down to a few key features, and for many, the camera is paramount. This review pits Apple's most affordable current offering, the iPhone 16E, against Google's value-packed Pixel 9A in a head-to-head camera comparison.

This comparison was conducted by Patrick Holland, a seasoned phone reviewer for CNET since 2016 with a keen eye for photography.

Unveiling the Contenders Apple iPhone 16E and Google Pixel 9A

Google has consistently demonstrated with its Pixel A-series, like the Pixel 9A, that a sub $500 price tag doesn't mean compromising on photo quality. Images from the Pixel 9A are impressive, capturing significant detail and texture, with Google's renowned algorithm delivering beautiful and natural complexions in portraits.

Apple, with its iPhone 16E, aims to capture some of this affordable photographic market. The iPhone 16E produces lovely photos, despite having one less camera than the Pixel. While Apple is known for pushing iPhone photography limits, this is usually associated with its premium Pro line. At $599, the iPhone 16E is Apple's cheapest new phone but misses the Pixel 9A's $500 sweet spot.

If you're looking to save money on a base smartphone, does that mean sacrificing photo quality? Flagship phones like the iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offer astonishing results but come with a $1,000 plus price tag, similar to other best camera phones.

This raises the question: Does a pricier phone necessarily take better photos? After taking both the iPhone 16E and Pixel 9A around San Francisco for extensive camera tests, the results were surprising, and a favorite emerged.

Watch this: Camera Comparison: We Pit the Pixel 9A Against the iPhone 16E (04:44)

Head to Head Camera Specifications

Camera	Resolution	Aperture	Notes
Pixel 9A wide	48MP	f/1.7	OIS
Pixel 9A ultrawide	13MP	f/2.2	Takes 12MP photos
Pixel 9A selfie	13MP	f/2.2	Fixed focus
iPhone 16E wide	48MP	f/1.6	OIS
iPhone 16E selfie	12MP	f/1.9	Autofocus

The iPhone 16E, left, has one rear camera and costs $599 while the Pixel 9A has two rear cameras and costs $499. (Celso Bulgatti/CNET)

Key Differentiators Ultrawide and Macro Capabilities

This isn't an entirely level playing field. The Pixel 9A boasts three cameras: wide, ultrawide, and selfie. The iPhone 16E has only two: wide and selfie. Both phones' main cameras feature 48-megapixel sensors that group four pixels together to create a larger 'super' pixel for enhanced light capture, resulting in less image noise and clearer photos.

Neither phone includes a dedicated telephoto camera; instead, they use sensor cropping for a 2x magnification that performs quite well in tests.

Pixel 9A main camera, macro. (CNET)

The Pixel 9A features a 'macro mode' for close-up shots, interestingly using its main camera rather than the ultrawide, as many other phones do. The iPhone 16E, unfortunately, lacks a macro mode, unlike its iPhone 16 siblings. However, its main camera can still take decent close-up shots, albeit not as dramatically close as a dedicated macro mode allows.

Visual Showdown Favorite Snaps

Here are some standout photos from both devices:

iPhone 16E main camera. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

iPhone 16E main camera, night mode. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

iPhone 16E main camera. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

Pixel 9A ultrawide camera. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

Pixel 9A main camera at 2x. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

Pixel 9A main camera, macro. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

In Depth Photo Analysis iPhone 16E vs Pixel 9A

Generally, the Pixel 9A tends to push dynamic range, capturing more shadow detail but also brightening shadows aggressively. This is evident in photos of Maisie the cat. The iPhone 16E's image of Maisie shows less detail and texture in her fur. The actual scene was somewhere between the two.

On the left is the Pixel 9A's photo on Maisie the cat. And on the right it an image from the iPhone 16E of her. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

The Pixel often produces images with a cooler color temperature, while the iPhone's photos exhibit more contrast, especially outdoors. This can be seen in photos of a brick building in San Francisco's Mission district; note the brick texture in each image.

On the left is the Pixel 9A's photo and on the right is the iPhone 16E's image. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

Portrait Mode A Tale of Two Approaches

Neither phone has a dedicated telephoto lens for Portrait mode. The iPhone 16E, with its single rear camera, relies entirely on AI and machine learning for depth estimation and background blur.

On the left is the Pixel 9A's portrait mode photo and on the right is the one from the iPhone 16E. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

In portrait mode photos of CNET's Faith Chihil, the iPhone and Pixel handle textures in the yellow sweater and green chair differently. The cutout (transition from in-focus to out-of-focus) looks natural, though the green chair in the iPhone's photo is an exception. Faith's complexion appears most true-to-life in the Pixel 9A image; the iPhone 16E's photo rendered her skin somewhat muddy and muted.

On the left is the Pixel 9A's photo and on the right is the iPhone 16E's image. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

Notably, the iPhone 16E's portrait mode only works on humans, unlike the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro which recognize animals. For artistic snaps of pets, the Pixel is the better choice.

Pixel 9A portrait mode. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

Night Mode Capturing Scenes in Low Light

Both phones offer night mode capabilities (Google's Night Sight). In photos of a Lego space shuttle in a very dim room, neither image is perfect. The iPhone 16E's photo has less image noise but heavy contrast. The Pixel 9A's photo is preferable in this instance.

On the left is the Pixel 9A's photo and on the right is the iPhone 16E's image. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

Images of a residential block at dusk show street lights causing an orange cast in the iPhone's night mode photo. While the iPhone's image is brighter, details like telephone wires are rendered as continuous lines, whereas the Pixel 9A's image shows them as tiny, jagged line segments.

On the left is the Pixel 9A's photo and on the right is the iPhone 16E's image. (Patrick Holland/CNET)

The Final Verdict Which Budget Camera Reigns Supreme

This is a tough choice, but which phone would I choose based purely on its cameras? (Celso Bulgatti/CNET)

Overall, both phones have photographic shortcomings. Most people choosing an affordable phone likely aren't basing their decision solely on camera performance. Rest assured, either phone will deliver decent snaps, with some images bordering on great.

The iPhone 16E is pricier, lacks an ultrawide lens, and while its pictures are decent, the Pixel 9A's cameras are great for a $500 phone. For camera performance at this price point, the Pixel 9A is the recommended choice.