When it comes to tariffs increasing costs, the term “cheap” can provide a sense of relief for many. Google has recently launched its affordable smartphone shortly after Apple introduced a slightly cheaper iPhone.

This week, Google unveiled Pixel 9a, priced at $500, as a budget-friendly alternative to the $800 Pixel 9 flagship. It directly competes with the $600 iPhone 16E, which is the more affordable version of Apple’s $800 iPhone 16.

Both these new phones offer essential features that users prioritize, such as excellent cameras, quality screens, fast performance, updated software, and long-lasting battery life. To keep costs low, some advanced camera features have been omitted.

Is it smart to save money or invest in a more luxurious phone? To find out, I tested all four phones rigorously last week while lugging them around in a fanny pack.

Results show that, as expected, you get what you pay for. The $800 phone offers slightly better functionality and performance than the lower-priced model, while the $600 iPhone boasts a better camera compared to the $500 Pixel.

Interestingly, in some of my tests, the cheaper Pixel and iPhone models were almost indistinguishable from their pricier counterparts. In some aspects, the budget phones even outperformed, especially in terms of battery life.

The future of smartphone pricing remains uncertain, but an upward trend is likely. Following President Trump’s announcement of tariff suspension but an increase in tariffs on products from China, where many phones are manufactured, consumers may need to act fast and consider more affordable options.

While Apple has not confirmed any price adjustments for the iPhone, analysts predict potential increases due to tariffs, possibly raising the cost of the iPhone 16 Pro model to as high as $2,300. Google, on the other hand, has stated no changes for the $500 Pixel 9a price but did not comment on the pricing of the $800 Pixel 9.

The cheaper iPhone and Pixel models bear a striking resemblance to their pricier counterparts. Here’s a rundown of their key differences:

• Phone Screen: Both have the same size which is 6.1 inches diagonal for iPhone 16E and 6.3 inches for Pixel 9a. The iPhone 16E screen appears slightly dimmer than the iPhone 16, but the variance is minimal.

• Camera Features: Neither budget phone includes all the camera functions present in their pricier versions. The Pixel 9a has a smaller camera sensor than the Pixel 9, resulting in less light and detail. The iPhone 16E features a single camera lens, lacking the capability for certain special effects like “ultra-wide” photos.

• Processing Power: Both budget phones are slightly less powerful than their higher-end counterparts. They share the same processor, but the Pixel 9a has less memory for multitasking, and the iPhone 16E has a slightly weaker graphics processing unit for handling graphic-intensive games.

• Magsafe Feature: The iPhone 16E omits the Magsafe functionality available on the iPhone 16, which allows the attachment of accessories using magnets. Although wireless charging is still possible, it utilizes a slower standard called QI.

• Artificial Intelligence: Both phones support AI capabilities. The iPhone 16E leverages Apple’s AI for tasks like text summarization and image generation, while the Pixel 9a utilizes Google’s AI for various applications. However, the AI software is still in development and may not be critical for most users.

Battery Life

For many new phone buyers, the extended battery life of the budget-friendly Pixel 9a and iPhone 16E stands out as a major advantage. These phones incorporate larger batteries due to the absence of certain features found in their pricier counterparts.

Both the iPhone 16E and Pixel 9A typically last a day and a half with regular usage like web browsing, photography, and video playback, surpassing the battery life of the higher-priced models that last only about a day.

Camera Test

One notable drawback of cheaper phones is evident in their camera performance.

During my camera tests, both the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9 captured clear and accurate photos in various lighting conditions, with the Pixel 9 suffering in challenging light situations where details were lost.

In more demanding lighting scenarios, such as shadows cast by trees with filtered sunlight, the Pixel 9a struggled to differentiate light and dark, resulting in overexposure. (The Pixel 9 handled this situation better.)

The camera performance of the iPhone 16E and iPhone 16 excelled during these tests, displaying consistent results with minimal variations.

Both iPhones surpassed the Pixel phones in video recording. Videos of Max, the Corgi, taken on an iPhone were smoother and clearer compared to the choppier footage captured on the Pixel Phone.

The primary limitation of budget iPhone cameras is the absence of certain features. For example, the iPhone 16E lacks a second lens, preventing the capture of wide-angle shots.

Speed

Higher-priced phones exhibited slightly better speed performance than budget phones.

According to GeekBench speed test results, the Pixel 9a is approximately 4% slower than the Pixel 9, while the iPhone 16E lags behind the iPhone 16 by 3%.

In everyday use, most users might not notice these speed differences. When I compared the phones side by side, launching various apps and games, the performance felt largely similar to me.

Implications for Users

Whether you opt for the iPhone 16E or Pixel 9a, you’ll likely be satisfied with a smartphone that offers long battery life and good camera capabilities. However, if premium features like detailed photography or Apple’s Magsafe charging are important to you, investing in a higher-end model remains a viable choice.

With potential price hikes on the horizon, considering your smartphone as a long-term investment like a car is advisable.