Opted for Google's Pixel 9a over the iPhone 15 Pro Max for a week's trial

Opted for Google's Pixel 9a over the iPhone 15 Pro Max for a week's trial - discover my experiences

In the world of smartphones, change is a constant, and for many users, the lack of significant updates between generations can lead to contemplation of a switch. This is the case for me, as I've been using the iPhone 15 Pro Max for some time and have recently taken the Google Pixel 9a for a spin to evaluate it.

My primary AI assistant on iPhone has always been Siri, but the Pixel 9a uses Google Gemini, and I was initially concerned about comparing these two flagships. However, I found the Pixel 9a to be surprisingly good, despite some design issues.

The Pixel 9a's camera, in particular, caught my attention. While the 48MP main camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Pixel 9a produce similar quality images, the Pixel 9a has slightly more definition. This is an area where Google has consistently excelled, and it's one of the reasons why Pixel phones have been appearing on lists of the best phones to buy.

The Tensor series chips in Pixel phones are not as powerful in raw output as some competitors, but they are designed to focus more on AI. This is an advantage that the Pixel series has over Apple, as Apple Intelligence has struggled, and it does not appear to be improving soon.

Recently, I attended the Made By Google event, where the Pixel 10 series was unveiled. I was particularly excited about the Pixel 10 Pro XL, which comes with a host of new AI features. This has led me to consider switching brands and exploring the Pixel 10 series further.

However, the design of the Pixel 9a is not perfect. The volume and sleep button are placed on the same side of the phone, and the size of the bezels and camera cutout are larger than I would prefer. These issues, combined with my familiarity with the iPhone, have me hesitant to make the switch just yet.

As for the Samsung brand, it's a possibility I've considered in my reflections on the Pixel 10 series release. I rarely use the wide-angle camera on my phone, so that's not a major concern for me.

I invite readers to share their experiences with using the Pixel phones compared to their previous devices. Your insights could help me make an informed decision about my next smartphone purchase. Whether you're a long-time Pixel user or a curious explorer, your thoughts are valuable in this discussion. Let's compare notes!