Things are a bit closer with the two more expensive Android phones, though Apple beats them all for raw power and graphical capabilities. Of particular note are the displays, which I think are superior on all three of these Androids compared to the iPhone (assuming a similar quality on the Pixel 9a as on the Pixel 9, which appears to be the case). The 16e looks great, especially for watching HDR video, but the Androids are bigger, brighter, support an always-on display and feature fast 120Hz refresh rates for smooth movement.
All three Android have bigger batteries, but the iPhone’s processor is super efficient, so you should expect all of them to make it through a long day of work and play.
Google’s Pixel 9a looks like it’s shaping up to be the closest match for Apple overall, as the two companies have taken similar approaches to their less-expensive phones; keep the chipset and the software experience from the 2024 flagship phone, and cut out some of the nice-to-haves. Google has confirmed that some of the features of the Pixel 9 — namely the screenshots app and a couple of the AI experiences — will not make it to the 9a. But on the whole it seems to offer the same Gemini-powered AI features, including the chatbot’s new live video and screen sharing that will be available for paying Gemini Advanced subscribers. Google also has the most cohesive lineup of software and services to match Apple, and although you can get them on any device they’re more closely integrated in Pixels.
The Nothing Phone 3a Pro is a bit of a surprise entry here, as the British brand only arrived in Australia last year, but its value proposition is very strong. At $850 it packs an older but reasonably powerful chipset, a great modern look, excellent display and an array of cameras that feels like it’s from a much more expensive device. The main shooter and ultra-wide are good enough to hang with other sub-$1000 phones, but the periscope telephoto lens at x3 zoom gives it a notable edge even over the $1400 iPhone 16. It’s a very nice feature to have on a less-expensive phone.
Battle of the Androids
So, of the three Androids, which is the more compelling upper-mid-range champion?
The Pixel or the Galaxy are obvious choices if you’re already on a phone from those respective ecosystems and are looking for a straightforward upgrade. The two more established brands are also offering a better guarantee for the long term. Google is promising seven years of major OS updates, while Samsung is committing to six. Nothing will only guarantee three. The Pixel and Galaxy have full water protection and are covered in Gorilla Glass from US company Corning, while the Phone 3a is only rated against splashes and features Panda Glass from the less-proven Chinese company Tungshu.
The Galaxy A56 and iPhone 16e offer a familiar software experience, while the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is quite different.Credit: Tim Biggs
Samsung is offering the lower cost device of the three, and among $700 phones it’s offering quite a lot. But of course competition is very tight in the Android space, and if price is your primary concern there are cheaper options like the A36, or the Nothing Phone 3a. As a candidate for best sub-$1000 Android phone, it does feel like it’s lacking in features and performance.
We’ll have a full review of the Pixel 9a in the coming weeks, but it gives the impression of being extremely similar to the $1350 Pixel 9, just $500 cheaper, which is the same formula that made the Pixel 8a a standout sub-$1000 phone of last year. Google’s excellent photography platform, AI editing tricks and chatbot-powered features (including the ability to have your calls answered and transcribed for you by machine) make for an experience that’s unique among smartphones in general, and will work especially well for anyone who’s tied their digital life to the big G.
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But the proposition for the Nothing phone is almost the opposite, with most of the unique features it adds to Android designed to get you to use your phone less. Its cheerfully retro operating system strips the colour from attention-grabbing app icons, while its experimental Essential Space attempts to keep tabs on your to-do list by organising your voice notes and screenshots. It’s the most unusual of the three choices by far, but it does also nail the smartphone fundamentals of display, camera and battery life better than most.
The iPhone 16e is the least expensive new Apple phone you can get, and if that’s what you’re after there’s no way an Android will be able to tempt you. But if you’re brand agnostic and looking for the best smartphone experience under $1000, it’s currently a very tight race.
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