Google Pixel 9a Challengers: iPhone 16e, Samsung Galaxy S24, More
Google Pixel 9a Alternatives: iQoo 13, OnePlus 13R, and more smartphones to choose from.
Google Pixel 9a Challengers: Every year after the launch of the spec and feature-packed flagship Pixel series, Google releases a more affordable version of the series, with an ‘a’ attached to it. This year is no different. After introducing the flagship Pixel 9 series, Google has now released the Pixel 9a. Unlike most smartphones that are headed in the “big is better” direction, the Pixel 9a sticks to a compact frame.
The phone comes with 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm measurements and weighs 185.9 grams, making it a refreshingly compact device. The phone also comes with a 6.3 inch Actua Display with 2700 nits peak brightness and 120 Hz refresh rate, although it comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, which now seems a little dated.
The phone uses the same processor as seen on the flagship Pixel 9s, the Tensor G4 which means there is no compromise on the processing power front. It is paired with 8 GB RAM and up to 256 GB storage. There is a dual camera set up on the back featuring a 48-megapixel main sensor with OIS with up to 8x super res zoom and a 13-megapixel ultrawide sensor. Another 13-megapixel sensor sits on the front and takes care of selfies and videos. Given this is a Pixel, it comes with a clean Android 15 out of the box with seven years of promised updates, while coming loaded with AI smarts.
The phone also has stereo speakers and an IP68 rating ensures that it will survive a fall in water. But it is not all rosy in Pixel 9a land. The phone brings plastic back to the table and while it comes with a respectable 5,100 mAh battery, it supports a relatively sluggish 23W wired and just 7.5 W wireless charging. There is no charger in its box either.
Its starting price of Rs 49,999, although the lowest of the Pixel 9 series, still opens the gate for competition to get into its zone. Here are five phones that can prove to be a handful to the newest Pixel of them all:
iQoo 13: A Knockout Champ
Price: Rs 54,999 onwards
The only area where the iQoo13 may lose ground to the Pixel 9a is in software and AI smarts. If you can do with a slightly cluttered OS, then iQoo 13 is a phone that can easily knock out not only phones in its own range but above its price band too.
The phone comes with a 6.82-inch AMOLED display with 3168 x 1440 resolution, a high refresh rate of 144 Hz refresh and an impressively high peak brightness of 4,500 nits. It runs on the super powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon, the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and comes paired with plenty of RAM and storage. The phone flaunts a set of triple cameras on the back comprising three 50-megapixel sensors – one main, one telephoto with 2X optical zoom and one ultrawide - and brings a 32-megapixel sensor on the front.
It has a big 6,000 mAh battery with support for ultrafast 120W charging and a charger in the box. Round this off with stereo speakers and an IP68 rating, it could Pixel-ate any competition.
OnePlus 13R: True Flagship Killer
Price: Rs 42,999 onwards
The OnePlus 13R is an outrightly murderous smartphone which is out for the blood of phones in its price range, and the Pixel 9a is not exempted from its attention. This is because the phone brings some powerful specs for its price.
It features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 2780 x 1264 resolution with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a high peak brightness of 4,500 nits.
There is a triple camera setup on its back comprising a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-700 main sensor with OIS, a 50-megapixel telephoto with 2x optical zoom and an 8-megapixel ultrawide. On the front, a 16-megapixel sensor for selfies and video calls. It does not come with the Elite Snapdragon but rocks a still flagship-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, coupled with up to 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage (whopping, right?).
Round this off with OxygenOS 15 with Android 15 on top and assured updates for up to four years, stereo speakers and a huge 6,000 mAh battery with support for 80W charging (and a charging brick in the box too), and you see OnePlus’ OG flagship killing heart beating strongly in this phone.
There is no wireless charging on board, but it still packs enough of a punch for all comers in its zone. And even above it.
Samsung Galaxy S24: Old Flagship Continues To Sail Smoothly
Price: Rs 53,000 onwards
If a compact flagship is on your mind and is the reason why you gravitate towards the Pixel 9a, you can also consider the Samsung Galaxy S24.
The phone weighs a mere 167 grams and measures 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm, making it a very handy smartphone (quite literally). It may not be as glamorous as the titanium-bodied, S-Pen equipped S24 Ultra or as new as the S25 but still brings several very impressive specs to the table (and looks every bit as good).
The phone has a beautiful 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x FHD+ display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and is powered by Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2400 chipset which remains flagship level. The phone has a triple camera set up on board featuring a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS accompanied by a 10-megapixel telephoto with 3x zoom and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor while there is a 12-megapixel selfie sensor on the front.
The compact size means that the battery is a relatively small 4000 mAh one. Charging speed also remains much slower at 25 W wired and 15 W wireless charging support and the phone misses out on the charger in the box. But then it does have an IP68 rating, stereo speakers, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the display and back, and even comes with several popular AI features.
It runs on Android 14 out of the box with Samsung’s OneUI on top and comes with Samsung’s promise of seven years of assured Android OS and security updates. A compact beast, if a little advanced in years.
Vivo V40 Pro: The Photography Pro
Price: Rs 49,999 onwards
The Vivo V40 Pro’s biggest USPs are its cameras. The phone comes with a triple 50-megapixel setup on the back, made in collaboration with the legendary ZEISS: a main sensor with OIS, a telephoto with 2x optical zoom and OIS, and an ultrawide sensor.
Another 50-megapixel sensor with autofocus is on the front, handling selfies and video calls. These come with a number of shooting and editing options that make the phone a camera powerhouse. Its other specs are pretty solid too - a curved 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 2800 x 1260 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate and a very high peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The phone is powered by the close-to-flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset with plenty of RAM and storage.
With stereo speakers on board, the phone becomes a multimedia monster. A 5,500 mAh battery powers the phone and it comes with 80W fast charging support, with a charger in the box too. The phone runs on Android 14 out of the box with a layer of FunTouchOS on top, and there is an IP68 rating on board too. If you are mainly interested in the Pixel 9a for its photography, then this device gives it a run for its money - in fact, it might even outrun it.
iPhone 16e: Rival In Spirit & Software
Price: Rs 59,900 onwards
If there is a competitor that goes head to head with the Pixel 9a in spirit and software, it has to be the recently launched, if more expensive iPhone 16e.
Just like the Pixel 9a, the iPhone 16e looks to provide a main phone-like experience in a compact form factor and at a more affordable price, The phone has a 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, and just like the Pixel 9a, it is powered by a processor that is very similar to those seen on its more expensive siblings - the A18 in this case.
It does lag behind in the camera department on paper - there is a single 48-megapixel fusion main sensor on the back and a 12-megapixel selfie sensor on the front - but then it claims to come with longer battery life than iPhone 16, although its charging speed remains slow (and there's no charger in the box). Also on board are an Action button, an IP68 rating, stereo speakers, and wireless charging (although with no MagSafe support).
The phone runs on iOS 18 out of the box, and has support for the much-hyped Apple Intelligence, but misses out on the Dynamic Island notch and special camera control button. Some might consider it a little overpriced, but it is the closest thing Apple has to a Pixel 9a in spirit.
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