iPhone 16 vs Pixel 8a: Best Sub-$700 Pick in 2026?
Both placed at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards: iPhone 16 won Best Small Phone; Pixel 8a was runner-up Best Value. Now $100 apart in 2026 — Pixel 8a at $499, iPhone 16 at $599–$699 discounted.
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 16
Apple · 2024 · From $799
Google Pixel 8a
Google · 2024 · From $499
Round wins
iPhone 16: 2 · Google Pixel 8a: 2 ·Ties: 3
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 60Hz | 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Apple A18 | Google Tensor G3 |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Camera | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide | 64MP main + 13MP ultrawide |
| Battery | 3,561 mAh | 4,492 mAh |
| OS | iOS 18 | Android 14 |
| Starting price | $799 | $499 |
| Released | 2024 | 2024 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display
Winner: iPhone 16iPhone 16: 6.1-inch OLED at 60Hz. Pixel 8a: 6.1-inch OLED at 120Hz. Pixel wins on refresh rate; iPhone marginal on color accuracy.
Performance
Winner: iPhone 16A18 outperforms Tensor G3 by roughly 30%.
Camera
TieiPhone 16 has 48MP main; Pixel 8a has 64MP main + Google's superior computational pipeline. Roughly equivalent everyday output.
AI features
Winner: Google Pixel 8aPixel 8a has Magic Editor, Best Take, Audio Magic Eraser. iPhone 16 has Apple Intelligence — broadly equivalent but Pixel's photo AI is more useful for non-creators.
Battery
TieRoughly equivalent — 6 hours screen-on on both.
Software updates
TieBoth ship 7 years of major OS updates.
Price
Winner: Google Pixel 8aPixel 8a: $499. iPhone 16: $599–$699. Pixel is $100–$200 cheaper.
Final verdict
Pixel 8a at $499 if you want the longest update commitment and best AI features at the lowest price. iPhone 16 at $599–$699 if you want Apple Intelligence, the iOS ecosystem, or you have other Apple devices. Both are excellent picks for their respective ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
iPhone 16 or Pixel 8a: which to buy?
iPhone 16 (MKBHD's 2024 Best Small Phone) for iOS-ecosystem buyers; Pixel 8a (runner-up Best Value 2024) for Android with the longest update support at the lowest price.
Is the Pixel 8a as good as the iPhone 16?
For everyday use, yes. iPhone 16 has slightly better chip and ecosystem integration. Pixel 8a has 120Hz display, better camera AI, and is $100–$200 cheaper.
Best sub-$700 phone in 2026?
Pixel 8a at $499 is the best value; iPhone 16 at $599 is the best iOS pick. Both placed at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards.