Oppo A16s vs Google Pixel 6a: The Ultimate Budget Battle

Looking for a fantastic smartphone without breaking the bank? The Oppo A16s and Google Pixel 6a are both contenders, offering compelling features at accessible prices. But which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 6a decisively wins this comparison. While the Oppo A16s offers affordability, the Pixel 6a's superior chipset, camera, and display provide a significantly better user experience, justifying the slightly higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A16s Google Pixel 6a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada)
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International)
Launch
Announced2021, August 142022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 14Available. Released 2022, July 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.8 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 480 nits (typ)OLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 11, ColorOS 11.1Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging-18W wired, PD3.0
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4410 mAh
Misc
ColorsPearl Blue, Crystal BlackChalk, Charcoal, Sage
ModelsCPH2271GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
PriceAbout 110 EUR$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 94h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)

Oppo A16s

  • Affordable
  • Decent battery life
  • Large display

  • Weak performance
  • Mediocre camera
  • Slow charging
  • Basic display

Google Pixel 6a

  • Excellent camera
  • Powerful processor
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Clean Android experience
  • Fast charging

  • Slightly more expensive
  • Design can be polarizing

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6a boasts a significantly brighter display (876 nits) with an infinite contrast ratio, offering vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The Oppo A16s likely has a more standard, less impressive display, typical for its price range. Pixel 6a wins.

Camera Comparison

Google's computational photography expertise shines in the Pixel 6a. It consistently delivers stunning photos with excellent dynamic range and detail, even in challenging lighting conditions. The Oppo A16s camera is adequate but lacks the Pixel's image processing prowess. Pixel 6a wins.

Performance

The Google Tensor chip in the Pixel 6a is a game-changer. Its advanced architecture (Cortex-X1, A76 cores) provides vastly superior performance compared to the Helio G35 in the Oppo A16s. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming on the Pixel 6a. Pixel 6a wins.

Battery Life

Both phones offer impressive battery life with an endurance rating of 94h. However, the Pixel 6a's 18W PD3.0 charging offers faster charging speeds than the Oppo A16s, which likely has slower charging capabilities. Draw.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Oppo A16s? Users on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else. Who should buy the Google Pixel 6a? Anyone seeking a well-rounded smartphone with excellent camera capabilities, smooth performance, and a clean Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Oppo A16s good for gaming?
The Oppo A16s's Helio G35 chipset is not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic titles, but expect lower frame rates and potential lag.
❓ Does the Pixel 6a have 5G?
Yes, the Google Pixel 6a supports 5G connectivity.
❓ What Android version does each phone run?
The Pixel 6a launched with Android 12 and is guaranteed updates for several years. The Oppo A16s likely launched with Android 11 or 12, but update support may be limited.