The iPhone 16e benchmarks better and the Galaxy S24 FE has more flexible cameras, but the Pixel 9a has the perfect mix of both... and it's cheaper.

The Google Pixel 9a is just about the best $500 phone we’ve ever tested, with the build quality, performance and battery life of rivals that are much more expensive.

On the Pixel 9a, the iconic camera bar that once made the Pixel line distinct is gone. Instead, Google has opted for a more subdued, pill-shaped cut-out on the back. The good thing is that thanks to the phone’s flat back, it doesn’t wobble when placed on a surface. Plus, it doesn’t collect dust between the camera lenses.