Announced within the space of a month, the Google Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e are premium mid-range phones that come in under the $600 mark. If you're in the market for a high-quality but somewhat affordable device,

The Pixel 9a looks a little different from last year’s Pixel 8a. The corners aren’t as rounded and instead match that iPhone-like style the rest of the Pixel 9 family adopted. It’s boring until you consider the Pixel 9a shines in design in all the places Apple’s diehard fans wish the iPhone 16e did.

Selecting the best midrange smartphone can be difficult, particularly with the two new options: the Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e. Both phones offer great features, performance, and design, but which one best suits your requirements?