iPhone 16 vs Pixel 5a

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄

Apple · 2024

iPhone 16

72/ 100

Launch MSRP$799 USD

Google · 2021

Pixel 5a

72/ 100

Launch MSRP$449 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Pixel 5a BETTER THAN iPhone 16?

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iPhone 16

Pixel 5aWinner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	iPhone 16	Pixel 5a	LEADER
Refresh Rate	60Hz	60Hz	60Hz
Battery Capacity	3,561 mAh	4,680 mAh	+4,680 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	20W	18W	20W Max
Main Camera Sensor	48 MP	12.2 MP	48 MP
Screen Display Size	6.1"	6.34"	6.34"
Chassis Weight	170g	183g	170g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy iPhone 16:

✓13g lighter chassis (170g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.1" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy Pixel 5a:

✓$350 lower launch MSRP ($449 vs $799)
✓Larger 4,680 mAh battery capacity (+1,119 mAh more capacity)
✓12.2MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	iPhone 16	Pixel 5a
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 16 Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Super Retina XDR OLED	OLED
Screen Size	6.1"	6.34"
Resolution & Density	2556x1179 (460 ppi)	2400x1080 (413 ppi)
Refresh Rate	60 Hz ProMotion	60 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	2,000 nits peak	450 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 16 Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	iOS 18	Android 11
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	8 GB LPDDR	6 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB / 512GB	128GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 16 Wins Camera
Primary Camera	48 MP, f/1.6, OIS, Sony IMX	12.2 MP, f/1.7, OIS
Telephoto Zoom	None (Digital zoom only)	None (Digital zoom only)
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	16 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	12 MP, f/1.9	8 MP, f/2
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 iPhone 16 Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm	156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm
Weight	170 g	183 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP67
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Pixel 5a Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	3,561 mAh	4,680 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	20W wired fast charging	18W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	25W wireless charging	Not supported
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth	5.3	5.0
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 2.0	USB-C 2.0
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$799	$449

Editorial Lab Verdict

Pixel 5a edges ahead with a BeastScore of 72.0/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Pixel 5a ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose iPhone 16:

Higher resolution main sensor: 48 MP vs max 12.2 MP · Brighter screen: 2,000 nits peak vs 450 nits

When to choose Pixel 5a:

Higher overall BeastScore: 72.0 vs top rival 71.7 · Larger battery capacity: 4,680 mAh (+1,119 mAh more)

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: iPhone 16 vs Pixel 5a

Which is better: iPhone 16 or Pixel 5a?

Pixel 5a leads with an overall BeastScore of 72.0/100 compared to iPhone 16 (71.7/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 72.0 vs top rival 71.7 and Larger battery capacity: 4,680 mAh (+1,119 mAh more).