Google Pixel 9a vs iPhone XS
43.9Performance30
55.8Display29.7
42.7Camera35.3
56.3Battery21.3
94.7Features73.3
13 spec wins — Google Pixel 9a3 spec wins — iPhone XS
InnoReviews verdict
Google Pixel 9a wins this phone face-off, 53.6 to 33.6, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+35) and display (+26). iPhone XS still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Google Pixel 9a
- Stronger performance score: 44 vs 30
- Stronger display score: 56 vs 30
- Stronger camera score: 43 vs 35
- Stronger battery score: 56 vs 21
- Stronger features score: 95 vs 73
- Lower launch price: $499 vs $999
Reasons to pick the iPhone XS
- 13% lower thickness: 7.7 mm vs 8.9 mm
Display
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 ″+9% | 5.8 ″ |
| Panel type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 1080x2424 | 2436x1125 |
| Pixel density | 422 ppi | 458 ppi+9% |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz+100% | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,700 nits+332% | 625 nits |
| Screen-to-body | 84 % | — |
Performance
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 | Apple A12 Bionic |
| AnTuTu 10 | 1,050,000+46%Top 45% | 720,000Top 68% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,900+73%Top 38% | 1,100Top 63% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,500+61%Top 42% | 2,800Top 67% |
| RAM (max) | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 128/256GB | 64GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Storage type | UFS 3.1 | NVMe |
Camera
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP+300% | 12 MP |
| Main aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide | 13 MP | — |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | — | 2 x |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Front camera | 13 MP+86% | 7 MP |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,100 mAh+92% | 2,658 mAh |
| Wired charging | 23 W+53% | 15 W |
| Wireless charging | 8 W | 8 W |
| Active use endurance | 12 h | — |
Design
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 186 g | 177 g+5% |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm | 7.7 mm+13% |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Stainless steel |
Connectivity
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | Lightning |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
Software
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 15 | iOS 12 |
| OS update pledge | 7 years+17% | 6 years |
Audio
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | iPhone XS |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |