iPhone 15 vs. Google Pixel 8a: A Deep Dive into Performance, Battery, and Camera
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and battery life, the Google Pixel 8a is the stronger choice, boasting a remarkable 40:06h endurance rating. However, the iPhone 15’s A16 Bionic chip provides superior raw processing power, making it ideal for demanding tasks and users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPhone 15 | Google Pixel 8a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A3090 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International) |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3090 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, September 12 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September 22 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Ceramic Shield glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~461 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm | 64 MP (16 MP eff.), f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec. | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent) |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Ion 3349 mAh | Li-Po 4492 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | A3090, A2846, A3089, A3092, iPhone15,4 | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | € 519.00 / $ 396.00 / £ 449.99 / ₹ 50,990 | $ 229.98 / C$ 417.99 / £ 279.00 / € 299.99 / ₹ 33,300 |
| SAR | 1.12 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Apple iPhone 15
- Superior processing power with the A16 Bionic chip.
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Excellent video recording capabilities.
- Shorter battery life compared to the Pixel 8a.
- Less flexible software customization options.
- Higher price point.
Google Pixel 8a
- Exceptional battery life and endurance.
- Advanced computational photography features.
- More affordable price.
- Less powerful processor compared to the A16 Bionic.
- Android ecosystem can be fragmented.
- Wireless charging is slower than iPhone 15's MagSafe.
Display Comparison
Both the iPhone 15 and Pixel 8a feature displays capable of reaching high brightness levels, with the iPhone 15 edging out the Pixel 8a at 1643 nits versus 1508 nits. While both are excellent for outdoor visibility, the iPhone 15’s higher peak brightness provides a slight advantage in direct sunlight. Neither specification details refresh rate, but given the price point, it's likely both are 60Hz panels. Color accuracy is likely excellent on both, given both brands' reputations, but without detailed color gamut coverage data, a definitive statement is impossible.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are capable of excellent image quality, but approach it differently. Apple focuses on natural-looking images with accurate color reproduction, while Google leverages computational photography to enhance detail and dynamic range. Without detailed sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, Google’s Tensor G3 excels at post-processing, offering features like Best Take and Photo Unblur. The iPhone 15’s video capabilities are generally considered best-in-class, benefiting from Apple’s robust video encoding and stabilization. The absence of detailed camera specs on both sides makes a definitive judgement difficult, but the Pixel 8a’s computational photography is a key differentiator.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s A16 Bionic (4nm) versus Google’s Tensor G3 (4nm). The A16 Bionic, with its hexa-core CPU (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth), demonstrably outperforms the Tensor G3’s nona-core configuration (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) in CPU-intensive benchmarks. However, the Tensor G3 excels in AI and machine learning tasks, powering features like Magic Eraser and real-time translation. The A16’s efficiency, coupled with Apple’s software optimization, likely translates to smoother performance in graphically demanding games. RAM specifications are not provided, but the A16’s architecture is optimized to handle tasks efficiently even with less RAM.
Battery Life
The Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the iPhone 15 in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 40:06h rating compared to the iPhone 15’s 98h (endurance rating) and 13:20h active use. This difference is likely due to a combination of factors, including the Tensor G3’s efficiency and Google’s aggressive battery optimization. The Pixel 8a supports 18W wired charging with PD3.0 and 7.5W wireless charging, while the iPhone 15 offers 50% charge in 30 minutes with PD2.0, 15W MagSafe wireless, and 15W Qi2 wireless (requiring iOS 17.2). The Pixel 8a also features 'bypass charging' which can extend battery lifespan. The iPhone 15 also offers 4.5W reverse wired charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 if you need seamless integration with other Apple devices, prioritize peak performance for tasks like video editing, and value Apple’s established software support. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you prefer a clean Android experience, prioritize exceptional battery life and computational photography, and seek a more affordable premium smartphone.