2026 comparison

Updated Jan 7, 2026

|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Google Pixel 8a vs Apple iPhone 13

In real-world use, the Pixel's 120Hz display makes scrolling feel incredibly smooth, while the iPhone's 60Hz refresh rate lags behind, especially in gaming scenarios. Trade-offs matter: the Pixel 8a wins on software support with 7 years of updates, but its charging speed at 18W is slower than the iPhone 13's 20W. If you're a power user who values longevity and performance, the Pixel 8a is worth it, especially in 2026 when updates will still be coming in.

⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz🔋 Battery: 4492 mAh vs 3240 mAh⚖️ Weight: 6.63 oz vs 6.14 oz

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Google Pixel 8a

★4.4

(1,570)•Amazon

Operating System:Android

Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates

Processor:Google Tensor G3

Graphics:Arm Immortalis-G715s MC10

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Apple iPhone 13

★4.8

(818)•Best Buy

Operating System:iOS

Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021)

Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)

Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)

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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Winner= clear advantage

Spec

Google Pixel 8a

Apple iPhone 13

Display2 specs

Display SizeKey

Google Pixel 8a

6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)

Apple iPhone 13

6.1"

Refresh Rate

Google Pixel 8a

60–120Hz (Smooth Display)Winner

Apple iPhone 13

60Hz

Performance3 specs

ProcessorKey

Google Pixel 8a

Google Tensor G3

Apple iPhone 13

Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)

RAMKey

Google Pixel 8a

8GB LPDDR5XWinner

Apple iPhone 13

4GB LPDDR4X

Storage

Google Pixel 8a

128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)

Apple iPhone 13

128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe

Camera2 specs

Main CameraKey

Google Pixel 8a

64MP Wide (f/1.89, 80° FOV, 1/1.73"), Quad PD AF, OISWinner

Apple iPhone 13

12MP Wide, f/1.6, 26mm, 1.7µm, Sensor-shift OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF

Ultra-Wide Camera

Google Pixel 8a

13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)

Apple iPhone 13

12MP Ultrawide, f/2.4, 13mm, 120-degree FOV

Battery2 specs

Battery CapacityKey

Google Pixel 8a

4,492 mAh (Typical)Winner

Apple iPhone 13

3,240mAh (approximate)

Wireless Charging

Google Pixel 8a

Qi Wireless Charging (7.5W)

Apple iPhone 13

15W MagSafe Wireless / 7.5W Qi Wireless

Design2 specs

Weight

Google Pixel 8a

6.6 oz (188 g)

Apple iPhone 13

6.14 oz (174 g)Winner

Dimensions

Google Pixel 8a

6.0" x 2.9" x 0.4" (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm)

Apple iPhone 13

5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 in (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm)

Software1 specs

Operating System

Google Pixel 8a

Android

Apple iPhone 13

iOS

Connectivity1 specs

Connectivity

Google Pixel 8a

5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC

Apple iPhone 13

5G (Sub-6 GHz & mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Expand

Comparison: Google Pixel 8a vs Apple iPhone 13

Google Pixel 8a

★4.4(1,570)Amazon

Apple iPhone 13

★4.8(818)Best Buy

Criterion	Google Pixel 8a	Apple iPhone 13
Rating	★4.4(1,570)Amazon	★4.8(818)Best Buy
Operating System	Android	iOS
Software Support	7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates	Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021)
Processor	Google Tensor G3	Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Graphics	Arm Immortalis-G715s MC10	Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
RAM	8GB LPDDR5X	4GB LPDDR4X
Storage	128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)	128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe
Display Size	6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)	6.1"
Screen Type	Actua OLED Display	Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+), 430 ppi	2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate	60–120Hz (Smooth Display)	60Hz
Peak Brightness	1,400 nits (HDR) / 2,000 nits (Peak)	800 nits (Typical) / 1,200 nits (HDR Peak)
Main Camera	64MP Wide (f/1.89, 80° FOV, 1/1.73"), Quad PD AF, OIS	12MP Wide, f/1.6, 26mm, 1.7µm, Sensor-shift OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera	13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)	12MP Ultrawide, f/2.4, 13mm, 120-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera	N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens)	No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom	N/A (Optical quality at 0.5x and 1x via sensor crop)	2x Optical Zoom Out (0.5x to 1x)
Digital Zoom	Up to 8x Super Res Zoom	Up to 5x
Video Recording	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps	4K @ 60fps (Dolby Vision HDR supported); Cinematic mode (1080p @ 30fps)
Front Camera	13MP Front (f/2.2, 96.5° FOV), Fixed Focus	12MP TrueDepth, f/2.2, 23mm, SL 3D (Biometrics)
Battery	4,492 mAh (Typical)	3,240mAh (approximate)
Wired Charging	Up to 18W (Adapter sold separately)	20W+ Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning
Wireless Charging	Qi Wireless Charging (7.5W)	15W MagSafe Wireless / 7.5W Qi Wireless
Connectivity	5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC	5G (Sub-6 GHz & mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB
USB	USB Type-C 3.2	Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds)
Durability	IP67 (Dust and water resistant up to 1m); Gorilla Glass 3 (front); Matte composite back; Aluminum frame	IP68 (Maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front
Dimensions	6.0" x 2.9" x 0.4" (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm)	5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 in (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm)
Weight	6.6 oz (188 g)	6.14 oz (174 g)
Biometrics	Under-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock	Face ID
Extras	VPN by Google One; Titan M2 security; Gemini AI integrated; Audio Magic Eraser	MagSafe ecosystem support, Stereo speakers, Dual eSIM support
Pros	Unmatched 7-year software support commitment in the mid-range segment Bright 120Hz Actua OLED display (2,000 nits peak) Flagship-grade Tensor G3 processor brings premium AI features (Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser) Compact and comfortable design with a durable matte finish Includes wireless charging (rare at this price point)	Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating Strong battery life for its size (beat many Android competitors at launch) A15 Bionic chip remains highly capable for everyday tasks and gaming High-quality video recording with Dolby Vision HDR Compact and lightweight 6.1-inch form factor
Cons	Charging is slow (18W wired / 7.5W wireless) compared to competitors Large bezels surround the display, looking dated compared to the Pixel 8 Uses older Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection Optical fingerprint sensor can be slower than ultrasonic alternatives Gets warm under heavy load due to Tensor G3 efficiency	Stuck on 60Hz refresh rate (Competitors offer 120Hz) Uses proprietary Lightning port instead of universal USB-C Charging speed is relatively slow (Max ~20-23W) No telephoto lens for optical zoom Cinematic Mode video is limited to 1080p (Pro models support 4K)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	Check Price on Amazon→	Check Price on Amazon→

Google Pixel 8a

Rating:★4.4(1,570)Amazon

Operating System:Android

Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates

Processor:Google Tensor G3

Graphics:Arm Immortalis-G715s MC10

RAM:8GB LPDDR5X

Storage:128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)

Display Size:6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)

Screen Type:Actua OLED Display

Resolution:1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+), 430 ppi

Refresh Rate:60–120Hz (Smooth Display)

Peak Brightness:1,400 nits (HDR) / 2,000 nits (Peak)

Main Camera:64MP Wide (f/1.89, 80° FOV, 1/1.73"), Quad PD AF, OIS

Ultra-Wide Camera:13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)

Telephoto Camera:N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens)

Optical Zoom:N/A (Optical quality at 0.5x and 1x via sensor crop)

Digital Zoom:Up to 8x Super Res Zoom

Video Recording:4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps

Front Camera:13MP Front (f/2.2, 96.5° FOV), Fixed Focus

Battery:4,492 mAh (Typical)

Wired Charging:Up to 18W (Adapter sold separately)

Wireless Charging:Qi Wireless Charging (7.5W)

Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC

USB:USB Type-C 3.2

Durability:IP67 (Dust and water resistant up to 1m); Gorilla Glass 3 (front); Matte composite back; Aluminum frame

Dimensions:6.0" x 2.9" x 0.4" (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm)

Weight:6.6 oz (188 g)

Biometrics:Under-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock

Extras:VPN by Google One; Titan M2 security; Gemini AI integrated; Audio Magic Eraser

✓ Pros:

• Unmatched 7-year software support commitment in the mid-range segment
• Bright 120Hz Actua OLED display (2,000 nits peak)
• Flagship-grade Tensor G3 processor brings premium AI features (Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser)
• Compact and comfortable design with a durable matte finish
• Includes wireless charging (rare at this price point)

✗ Cons:

• Charging is slow (18W wired / 7.5W wireless) compared to competitors
• Large bezels surround the display, looking dated compared to the Pixel 8
• Uses older Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection
• Optical fingerprint sensor can be slower than ultrasonic alternatives
• Gets warm under heavy load due to Tensor G3 efficiency

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check Price on Amazon→

Apple iPhone 13

Rating:★4.8(818)Best Buy

Operating System:iOS

Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021)

Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)

Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)

RAM:4GB LPDDR4X

Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe

Display Size:6.1"

Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision

Resolution:2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi)

Refresh Rate:60Hz

Peak Brightness:800 nits (Typical) / 1,200 nits (HDR Peak)

Main Camera:12MP Wide, f/1.6, 26mm, 1.7µm, Sensor-shift OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF

Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultrawide, f/2.4, 13mm, 120-degree FOV

Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)

Optical Zoom:2x Optical Zoom Out (0.5x to 1x)

Digital Zoom:Up to 5x

Video Recording:4K @ 60fps (Dolby Vision HDR supported); Cinematic mode (1080p @ 30fps)

Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth, f/2.2, 23mm, SL 3D (Biometrics)

Battery:3,240mAh (approximate)

Wired Charging:20W+ Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning

Wireless Charging:15W MagSafe Wireless / 7.5W Qi Wireless

Connectivity:5G (Sub-6 GHz & mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB

USB:Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds)

Durability:IP68 (Maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front

Dimensions:5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 in (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm)

Weight:6.14 oz (174 g)

Biometrics:Face ID

Extras:MagSafe ecosystem support, Stereo speakers, Dual eSIM support

✓ Pros:

• Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating
• Strong battery life for its size (beat many Android competitors at launch)
• A15 Bionic chip remains highly capable for everyday tasks and gaming
• High-quality video recording with Dolby Vision HDR
• Compact and lightweight 6.1-inch form factor

✗ Cons:

• Stuck on 60Hz refresh rate (Competitors offer 120Hz)
• Uses proprietary Lightning port instead of universal USB-C
• Charging speed is relatively slow (Max ~20-23W)
• No telephoto lens for optical zoom
• Cinematic Mode video is limited to 1080p (Pro models support 4K)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check Price on Amazon→

Which one is better?

Key specs: Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz and Battery: 4492 mAh vs 3240 mAh.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Google Pixel 8a if: you want a longer-lasting battery, need better software support for the long term, or enjoy a smoother display experience. (120 Hz refresh, 4492 mAh battery)
Choose the Apple iPhone 13 if: you prefer a more compact phone, want seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, or prioritize build quality and durability. (60 Hz refresh, 3240 mAh battery)

Conclusion

We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Google Pixel 8a excels if you value unmatched 7-year software support commitment in the mid-range segment. Apple iPhone 13 is better if you prioritize excellent build quality with ceramic shield and ip68 rating. Pick based on your budget and daily use.

+Is this an independent review?

Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.

+Do newer models exist?

Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.

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