Pixel 9a or iPhone 16: which lasts longer?
Overall rating, EU class, updates, battery and protection of both smartphones side by side, from the suppliers’ entries in EPREL (as of 2 November 2026).
Result
The Pixel 9a has EU repairability class B and scores 6.1 out of 10 in our overall rating from eight EPREL values; the iPhone 16 has class C and 4.5 out of 10.
The Pixel 9a gets updates for longer according to its supplier (7 instead of 5 years); the battery is not user-replaceable on either.
The battery of the Pixel 9a lasts longer per charge (52 instead of 37 hours); in the drop test the Pixel 9a survives more drops (270 instead of 90); both are waterproof (IP68).
On every value where they differ, the Pixel 9a is ahead.
All values compared
Bold is the better value where the devices differ. Grey below: the typical value across all smartphones (median, our own calculation).
| Value | Google Pixel 9a | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall ratingtypical 5.6 | 6.1 out of 10 | 4.5 out of 10 |
| EU classtypical 3.38 | B · index 3.53 out of 5 | C · index 2.80 out of 5 |
| Updatestypical 5 years | 7 years | 5 years |
| Battery | Built in | Built in |
| Battery lifetypical 58 h | 52 h | 37 h |
| Charge cyclestypical 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Drop resistancetypical 270 | 270 drops · class A | 90 drops · class C |
| Water protectiontypical IP68 | IP68 · waterproof | IP68 · waterproof |
| Scratch resistancetypical Level 5 | Level 4 | Level 4 |
| On the market since | 06/2025 | 09/2024 |
More comparisons
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which gets updates for longer, the Pixel 9a or the iPhone 16?
According to the suppliers in EPREL, the Pixel 9a gets 7 years of operating system updates and the iPhone 16 5 years, both counted from the end of sales.
On which can you replace the battery yourself?
According to the suppliers in EPREL, the battery is not user-replaceable on either the Pixel 9a or the iPhone 16.
Which is easier to repair, the Pixel 9a or the iPhone 16?
By EU repairability class, the Pixel 9a is class B and the iPhone 16 class C (index 3.53 and 2.80 out of 5). In our overall rating from eight EPREL values, the Pixel 9a is ahead with 6.1 out of 10 against 4.5 for the iPhone 16.
Sources
Laws and regulations in their current version, linked to the source.
- EPREL, European Product Registry for Energy LabellingEuropäische Kommission · Database · 13 Oct 2026
- EPREL public data disclaimerEuropäische Kommission · Database · 13 Oct 2026
- EPREL Public API terms and conditionsEuropäische Kommission · Guidance · 3 Jun 2024
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 (energy labelling of smartphones and slate tablets)EUR-Lex · EU regulation · 16 Jun 2023
- German Act against Unfair Competition (UWG)Bundesministerium der Justiz · Law · 27 Sept 2026