Google unveiled the Pixel 9a this week, but it surely gained’t be out till April. The mid-ranger will begin at £500 for a unit with 128GB storage. It is a good alternative to discover the mid-range phase and see what telephones can be found across the £500 mark – we’ll look a bit above and a bit under that.
Additionally this week, the Samsung Galaxy A56, A36 and A26 hit shops in Europe and choose different markets. The Galaxy A56 flaunts an Exynos 1580, which options AMD RDNA 3 graphics, plus a 5,000mAh battery with 45W quick charging – that is what Samsung makes use of for its flagships. The software program help is at a close to flagship degree with 6 OS updates.
There’s no low cost, however Amazon is bundling the cellphone with some freebies: a Galaxy Fit3, a 45W charger (there isn’t one within the field) and a silicone case. Collectively, these are valued at £138.98.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 comes with the identical freebies. It prices £100 lower than the A56 and here’s what you lose. The chipset, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, is slower and the storage is UFS 2.2 as an alternative of three.1, which additional reduces efficiency. Additionally, the physique is plastic as an alternative of aluminum and the ultra-wide digicam is knocked right down to 8MP (from 12MP). Saving £100 is sweet, however a few of these downgrades hit onerous.
Going £100 additional down the value ladder, we discover the Galaxy A26. Word that you simply don’t get the freebies with this one. The A26 options the Exynos 1380, the chipset utilized in final 12 months’s A35. You additionally lose the 45W charging for the 25W battery and the 50MP important digicam has a smaller sensor, however OIS remains to be out there. You do acquire a microSD slot, however not a 3.5mm jack.
Once more, the Pixel 9a begins at £500. Its predecessor, the Pixel 8a, is at present £150 cheaper. The older Tensor G3 doesn’t have the perfect repute, particularly its modem. The 6.1” show can be a bit smaller (vs. 6.3” on the 9a) and isn’t as brilliant. There are a couple of different minor variations like IP67 vs. IP68, 18W wired charging vs. 23W and so forth. The principle digicam is completely different too with a bigger 64MP 1/1.73” sensor vs. a 48MP 1/2.0”. Nonetheless, the chipset is the primary concern right here.
Going £150 up as an alternative of down brings us to the Pixel 9. The Tensor G4 beats Galaxy A56’s Exynos 1580, even when it comes to efficiency – not sudden, provided that the A56 is priced the identical because the Pixel 9a. Each will obtain 7 OS updates, nonetheless. The Google cellphone additionally has a greater ultra-wide digicam (48MP vs. 12MP), whereas the Galaxy has quicker charging (45W vs. 23W), however it’s wired solely.
The Apple iPhone 16e is £600, making it the priciest funds mannequin. With a 6.1” show, it’s smaller than the Pixel 9a, however has a few of the finest efficiency out there on cellular because of the Apple A18 chipset. Sadly, the only real 48MP digicam on the rear is a throwback to the distant previous. And whereas the 16e has wi-fi charging, it’s simply Qi – there’s no MagSafe right here.
The Nothing Telephone (3a) is beneath £400, even when you get the 12/256GB mannequin. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is quicker than the 6 Gen 3 contained in the Galaxy A36, however lags behind the Tensor G4 contained in the Pixel 9a. The IP64 ranking can be the bottom of the three. Nevertheless, this one combines a 50MP important digicam with a 50MP 2x (50mm) telephoto lens and an 8MP ultra-wide. Charging for the 5,000mAh battery is wired-only, however it’s decently quick at 50W. Nothing has dedicated to solely 3 OS updates, which isn’t a lot, particularly contemplating that Android 16 is a few months away.
You’ll be able to check out the flip foldable type issue with the Motorola Razr 50. It’s priced at £600, however you get £40 off that at checkout and Prime College students can knock one other £35 off the value, bringing it nearly on par with the Pixel 9a. And understand that the Razr has 256GB storage, which closes the value hole.
If in case you have a Prime subscription, take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE provide. It has a £113 low cost plus £30 extra at checkout and Prime College students can get an additional £25 off (that may drop the value to £532). The cellphone is bundled with a free pair of Galaxy Buds FE and a Galaxy Fit3 in addition.
We might get a fee from qualifying gross sales.
