Most mobile phones these days take decent photos to post on Instagram or share with friends and family on message threads. But the best cameras are found in smartphones that usually cost over $1,000. Luckily, Google has proven that it can get a good looking snap and pay under $500 with its Pixel 9A. The images from the phone look great and capture a lot of details and textures. And the secret source of Google’s algorithm for capturing beautiful, natural complexion in portraits is fully on display here.
But something strange happened this year. Apple has replaced the cheapest phone with the iPhone 16e. In doing so, I tried to move the attention of affordable photographs away from pixels. The iPhone 16E takes great photos without a single camera than pixels. Apple is famous for pushing the boundaries of phone photography with its iPhone, but it is usually tied to the epic iPhone Pro Line. Also, $599 is the lowest price Apple sells new phones, but the iPhone 16e misses the $500 sweet spot on the Pixel 9a.
That raises the question: Will more expensive phones take better photos?
To investigate, we used iPhone 16E and Pixel 9A around San Francisco and tested the camera. After hundreds of photos, I was surprised by the results, but I ended up being my favorite.
See this: Camera comparison: Pit pixel 9a against iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e and Pixel 9a camera specifications
| camera | Solved | apeture | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 9a width | 48mp | f/1.7 | ois |
| Pixel 9a Ultra A Wide | 13MP | f/2.2 | Take a 12MP photo |
| Pixel 9a Selfie | 13MP | f/2.2 | Focus has been fixed |
| iPhone 16e width | 48mp | f/1.6 | ois |
| iPhone 16E Selfie | 12MP | f/1.9 | Autofocus |
The iPhone 16E (left) has one rear camera, while the Pixel 9a has two rear cameras, priced at $499.
Soon, this is not exactly a level playing field. Pixel 9a is wide and has three cameras: Ultrawid and Selfie. There are only two on the iPhone 16e. It’s a wide selfie. Each phone’s main camera has a 48 megapixel sensor that groups four pixels together to create “super” pixels that capture more light. It also means that the photos show less noise reduction because there is less image noise. Otherwise you can leave the photo like a blurry, soft mess.
Neither phone has a dedicated telephoto camera and uses sensor trimming, which in my tests it gives a rather good looking double magnification.
Pixel 9a main camera, macro.
The Pixel 9a has a “macro mode” that allows you to focus on close-up subjects. Interestingly, like many other phones, it doesn’t use an Ultra A Wid camera for macro shots. Sadly, the iPhone 16E does not have a macro mode, unlike the rest of the iPhone 16 siblings. However, I’ve noticed that the main camera can take close-up shots using the subject’s infocus (it may not be as dramatically closed as the dedicated macro mode allows).
iPhone 16e vs. Pixel 9a: Photo
Take a look at some of my favorite photos from both phones.
iPhone 16E main camera.
iPhone 16E main camera, night mode.
iPhone 16E main camera.
Pixel 9a Ultra A Wide Camera.
2x pixel 9a main camera.
Pixel 9a main camera, macro.
iPhone 16e vs. Pixel 9a: Photo comparison
In general, we found that the Pixel 9a actually pushes dynamic range on that image. The phone captures shadow details, but actually brightens aggressively, like the one in the photo below Maisie the Cat. In the image of Maisie on the iPhone 16e, her fur doesn’t have much detail or texture. Somewhere between Pixel photos and iPhone images is how cats actually looked in real life.
On the left is a photo of the Pixel 9a from Maisie the Cat. And on the right is an image from her iPhone 16e.
Also, pixels take images at cooler color temperatures, but iPhone photos are more contrasting, especially outdoors. Look at the photo below the brick building at a mission in San Francisco. Pay attention to the bricks in each photo.
On the left is a photo of pixel 9a, and on the right is an image of iPhone 16e.
As for portrait mode, neither the pixel nor the iPhone has a dedicated telephoto lens. Also, since the iPhone 16E only has one rear camera, it relies solely on AI and machine learning to determine the depth of the scene and create a background that is not artistically focused.
On the left is a photo of the Pixel 9a portrait mode, and on the right is from the iPhone 16e.
The first thing you notice in the portrait mode photo under Faith Chihil on CNET is how the iPhone and Pixel handled the texture of the yellow sweater and green chairs differently. Aside from the green chair in the iPhone photo, the “cutout” (focus to focus) looks natural. And the complexion of faith appears most faithful to the life of pixel 9a images. iPhone 16e photos mute her skin with muddy skin.
On the left is a photo of pixel 9a, and on the right is an image of iPhone 16e.
What I noticed is that portrait mode on the iPhone 16e only works on humans. On the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, animals are automatically recognized as portrait subjects. So if you want a snap that looks dramatic with the artistically blurry background of Fido or Mr. Cupcakes, pixels are the way to go. Sorry about yet another cat pic, but please check out the Portrait Mode snap under Cat Mode.
Pixel 9a portrait mode.
Both phones take pictures of night mode (Google calls them photos of night sites). Neither of the LEGO sets, taken in a very dimly lit room with the Space Shuttle Lego set in the photo below, are great. The image noise in the iPhone 16E photos is minimal, but the contrast is heavy. I love the Pixel 9a photos.
On the left is a photo of pixel 9a, and on the right is an image of iPhone 16e.
I also snapped an image of a residential block at dusk, where streetlights really show the night mode photos of the iPhone in orange. The image on the iPhone is bright. However, be aware of the phone wire details at the top of the image below. The iPhone captures them as continuous lines, but the Pixel 9a image consists of small jagged line segments.
On the left is a photo of pixel 9a, and on the right is an image of iPhone 16e.
iPhone 16E vs Pixel 9a: Which one do you choose?
This is a difficult choice, but which phone do you choose purely based on camera?
Overall, when it comes to photography, both phones have their drawbacks. I don’t think most people would choose affordable phones based on camera performance. Whichever phone you receive, be sure you can take a decent snap with some of the images that look good and have a decent snap.
The iPhone 16E is expensive and does not have an Ultrawid lens. The photos taken are decent, but the Pixel 9a camera is perfect for a $500 phone, and I think I’d probably choose that.
