Google's A-series Pixel handsets are typically budget-friendly, but currently the cheapest Google goes is $499 for the Pixel 9A. If you do want all of Google's flagship features and are comfortable with getting a used or refurbished device, you could check out last year's Pixel 8A which is going for under $300 in the secondary market. Strangely, Google is currently selling the Pixel 8A for the same price as the Pixel 9A, so it doesn't make sense to buy a new version of the Pixel 8A.
A sub-$300 Pixel 8A is an especially good deal when compared to the entry-level $599 iPhone 16E. Sure, the iPhone 16E offers a lot of features for its price and is certainly the most affordable iPhone you can get at retail. Yet, that price isn't exactly affordable when compared to the Pixel 8A. If you prefer to buy new, we'll point you to the comparison of the Pixel 9A vs the iPhone 16E. But if you're open to getting a used Pixel 8A for an even lower price, we've compared the iPhone 16E and the Pixel 8A below.
The iPhone 16E. James Martin/CNET
Design and display
The most obvious difference between the two phones is that the iPhone 16E has a notch at the top of the screen (The iPhone 16, on the other hand, has a Dynamic Island instead), while the Pixel 8A just has a single dot for the front-facing camera. Size-wise, however, they're both pretty comparable. They both roughly measure around 6 by 3 by 0.3 inches (you can find more exact measurements in the chart below), plus both have a 6.1-inch OLED screen.
The iPhone 16E, however, has a fixed refresh rate of 60Hz, while the Pixel 8A can switch between 60 and 120Hz for smoother scrolling and a more immersive gaming experience. That said, the iPhone 16E's A18 processor does run more intensive games like Death Stranding and Resident Evil 4 Remake. While those more console-level games are not yet available on the Google Play Store, the Pixel 8A's Tensor G3 should still be able to run most Android games at medium to low graphics settings.
Google's Pixel 8A. James Martin/CNET
Cameras
One of the biggest limitations of the iPhone 16E is that it just has a single rear 48-megapixel camera. The Pixel 8A, on the other hand, has two rear cameras placed within a camera bar on the back: a 64-megapixel lens plus a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. Even when it comes to the front-facing selfie camera, the Pixel 8A's version is better. It has a 12-megapixel front-facing lens while the iPhone 16E has a 7-megapixel one.
The Pixel 8A's cameras. James Martin/CNET
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