Compare / iPhone 15 vs Pixel 8a
Apple iPhone 15 vs Google Pixel 8a (2026): Which Should You Buy?
By Alex Turner • Lead Hardware Reviewer • Updated August 17, 2026
The Apple iPhone 15 and Google Pixel 8a are the default "just get a good phone" recommendations for iOS and Android respectively. With the iPhone at £699 (often £679 at Amazon) and the Pixel 8a frequently discounted to around £419, the price gap is real — here’s what it buys you.
iPhone 15 vs Pixel 8a: Full Specifications
| Apple iPhone 15 | Google Pixel 8a | |
| Price (RRP) | £699 | £499 |
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10 | 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz, HDR, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic Hexa-Core (4nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4nm) with Titan M2 |
| Camera | 48MP Main (sensor-shift OIS) + 12MP Ultrawide | 64MP Main (OIS) + 13MP Ultrawide |
| Battery & Charging | 3349 mAh (20W Wired, MagSafe 15W) | 4492 mAh (18W Wired, 7.5W Wireless) |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (Non-expandable) | 128GB / 256GB |
| Software & Updates | iOS 17 (Upgradable to iOS 19+) | Android 14, 7 Years OS Updates |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 171g | 188g |
| Our Rating | 8.8 / 10 | 8.6 / 10 |
Display & Design
Both phones use compact 6.1-inch OLED panels, but they differ where it counts: the Pixel 8a runs at 120Hz while the iPhone 15 sticks to a standard 60Hz-class refresh rate — scrolling simply looks smoother on the Google phone. The iPhone’s Super Retina XDR panel counters with excellent HDR brightness and colour accuracy, and at 171g it’s the lightest phone in this comparison.
Performance & Cameras
The A16 Bionic is comfortably the strongest processor here and will stay fast for years. The Pixel’s Tensor G3 isn’t about raw speed — it’s about what it does with images and AI. The iPhone’s 48MP sensor-shift camera is the more consistent shooter, especially for video; the Pixel’s 64MP main camera with Google’s computational photography often wins for stills, particularly in low light.
Battery, Value & Verdict
On paper the Pixel’s 4492mAh dwarfs the iPhone’s 3349mAh, but iOS efficiency closes much of that gap in real use. Charging is modest on both (20W wired vs 18W), with the iPhone adding 15W MagSafe against the Pixel’s slower 7.5W wireless. With both phones promised long update windows, the deciding factors are ecosystem and price.
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, shoot a lot of video, or care about resale value.
Check iPhone 15 price on Amazon →Choose the Google Pixel 8a if you want a 120Hz screen, Google’s camera magic, and £200+ back in your pocket.
Check Pixel 8a price on Amazon →We may earn a commission from links on this page. Prices correct at time of writing.
Read our full reviews: Apple iPhone 15 review · Google Pixel 8a review
Want to line these up yourself? Open them in our interactive comparison tool.
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