Google Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16e: I took 100 photos with both phones, and here's the winner

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET The Google Pixel 9a and Apple iPhone 16e are among the best phones you can buy right now. The former has a $499 price tag, while the latter replaces Apple's iPhone SE lineup at $599. Both phones offer a clean design with a virtually flush camera module, thick bezels on the front, and battery life that, in some cases, is better than their more expensive counterparts. However, they differ in one major aspect -- the cameras. Also: You should update your Google Pixel phone ASAP - here's why Apple's newest entry-level iPhone costs $100 more and sports a single rear camera. It is upgraded to a new 48MP sensor when compared to the iPhone SE and is the only 2025 mainstream phone to sport a single rear camera. In contrast, Google retains the dual rear camera setup from its predecessor. It pairs a new 48MP main camera with a 13MP ultrawide-angle sensor. I used the two phones to snap photos in different scenarios and determine which budget phone has a better camera, and h ... Read full article.