Pixel 9a vs Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 16e: Best Mid-Range Phone in 2025?

In the world of smartphones, there are always a few models that stand out for offering great value at a reasonable price, and in 2025, three big names are going head-to-head in the mid-range category: the Google Pixel 9a, the Samsung Galaxy A56, and the Apple iPhone 16e. All three of these phones bring something unique to the table, and if you’re shopping in this price range, you’re likely wondering which one actually delivers the most for your money. Let’s break it all down based on real-world use, not just spec sheets.

Starting with design and build quality, the Pixel 9a keeps a familiar look, but with a few updates. It has a pill-shaped camera cutout, flat rails, and a flatter back, which gives it a more modern appearance. It’s pretty lightweight too, coming in at just 186 grams. Then there’s the Galaxy A56, which feels more premium in hand than you’d expect from a phone in this category. It has a brushed aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, and a camera setup that resembles the Galaxy S24. It also features a right-side key island design that gives you a great grip when holding the phone. It’s the heaviest of the three at 199 grams, but it feels like it could compete with much more expensive devices. On the other hand, the iPhone 16e sticks to Apple’s simple and sleek design language. It has a matte aluminum frame, a frosted glass back, and the new action button, which is customizable and gives quick access to things like the camera or flashlight. It’s the lightest of the bunch at 168 grams, which some might appreciate for ease of handling.

Now let’s talk displays, which are a big part of any phone experience. The Pixel 9a has a 6.3-inch OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and hits a peak brightness of about 2,912 nits, making it one of the brightest displays you’ll find in this range. Whether you’re inside or outdoors, visibility is excellent. The Galaxy A56 features a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen, also at 120Hz, with a respectable 1,985 nits peak brightness. It looks vibrant and handles most lighting conditions well. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16e comes in with a 6.1-inch OLED panel, but it’s limited to just a 60Hz refresh rate. Its peak brightness tops out at 879 nits, which can make outdoor viewing a bit tricky, especially in direct sunlight. That lack of a high refresh rate also means scrolling isn’t quite as smooth as the other two.

When it comes to audio and unlocking your phone, all three offer stereo speakers, but the iPhone 16e has an edge with deeper bass and clearer highs, making it more pleasant for watching videos or playing games. As for unlocking methods, both the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56 use under-display optical fingerprint scanners, which are quick and reliable. Apple continues to use Face ID with the iPhone 16e, and while it’s fast and secure, some might prefer the convenience of a fingerprint sensor.

Cameras are often the biggest selling point in this price range, and each phone takes a different approach. The Pixel 9a has a dual camera setup with a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel ultrawide. It does an excellent job capturing realistic colors, good detail, and performs well indoors. The Galaxy A56 adds even more flexibility with a triple camera array: a 50-megapixel main shooter, a 12-megapixel ultrawide, and a 5-megapixel macro lens. In good light, especially outdoors, it captures sharp, vibrant images, though it can occasionally overexpose highlights. The iPhone 16e takes a more minimal approach with a single 48-megapixel rear camera. It handles harsh lighting really well and delivers crisp images, but it lacks the versatility that comes with having an ultrawide option. When it comes to capturing moving subjects, both the Pixel and iPhone excel, with the Pixel sometimes being a little more aggressive on sharpening.

Video is another area where we see differences. The Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e both offer 4K recording at 60fps, while the Galaxy A56 is limited to 4K at 30fps. That makes the iPhone and Pixel better choices for people who record video regularly. The iPhone also shines in video sharpness and color balance, though the Pixel holds its own quite well.

Front cameras can also be a big factor, especially for video calls and selfies. The Pixel 9a uses a 13-megapixel front camera that looks great in natural light, though it can struggle with sharpness in dimmer settings. The Galaxy A56 has a 12-megapixel front camera, but its selfies tend to look a little washed out or overexposed. The iPhone 16e keeps the same 12-megapixel front camera it’s used in previous models, and it consistently delivers detailed, balanced shots with natural skin tones. Even in low light, it tends to outperform the others.

Under the hood, all three phones come with 8GB of RAM, which is more than enough for multitasking. However, the chipsets vary quite a bit. The Pixel 9a runs on Google’s Tensor G4, the Galaxy A56 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1580, and the iPhone 16e uses Apple’s A18 chip. In day-to-day performance, the iPhone is clearly the fastest. Apps open instantly, games run without a hitch, and benchmark scores show that it’s in a league of its own compared to the other two. The Pixel 9a feels snappy and responsive, especially with the 120Hz screen, but it doesn’t match the raw power of the iPhone. The Galaxy A56 performs well under light use but shows signs of throttling and heating during heavier tasks like gaming or video editing.

Battery life and charging are always important for users on the go. The Pixel 9a packs a 5,100mAh battery, while the Galaxy A56 has a slightly smaller 5,000mAh cell. The iPhone 16e comes in lower at 4,005mAh, but Apple tends to optimize power use quite well. That said, in real-world use, the Pixel lasts longer overall. For charging, the Galaxy A56 is the fastest thanks to 45W wired charging, getting to a full charge in just over an hour. The iPhone and Pixel both take a bit longer, with the Pixel finishing around 1 hour and 35 minutes and the iPhone at about 1 hour and 34 minutes. Both the Pixel and iPhone support wireless charging, though the Pixel is limited to 7.5W, and the iPhone does not include MagSafe on the 16e.

Finally, there’s price. Both the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56 come in at $499, while the iPhone 16e is slightly more expensive at $599. That extra hundred bucks might be worth it for Apple fans looking for top-notch performance, but if you’re more focused on display quality, battery life, or overall versatility, the Pixel 9a might offer the best value. The Galaxy A56 is also a strong contender, especially if you want a larger screen and faster charging, though it lags behind a bit in performance and camera software.

In the end, all three phones have their strengths. The Pixel 9a is all about balance, offering a great screen, solid battery, and clean Android experience. The Galaxy A56 looks and feels premium with impressive hardware for the price, while the iPhone 16e delivers flagship-level performance in a smaller, more affordable package. Your best pick really comes down to what matters most to you.