Essential Phone PH-1 vs Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB)
Side by side comparison between Essential Phone PH-1 vs Google Pixel 9a phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
5.71"
IPS
IPS
1312x2560
13
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3040
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.3"
POLED
POLED
1080x2424
48
MP
MP
13mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5100
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
6 Advantages 
27 Advantages | 25 Common items in both devices |
| 16 million |
| Only digital zoom |
| LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| HDR photo on both cameras / HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| (front) 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Capacitive |
| +18 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Change model | ||
| Model | Phone PH-1 | Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) |
| Other model names | Essential PH-1 Unlocked | Google Pixel 9a G3Y12 |
| Country or region available |     (Europe), Canada, USA, Japan | Japan |
| Brand | Essential | |
| Release date | 8/1/2017, Announced: 5/8/2017 | 4/10/2025, Announced: 3/19/2025 |
| Depth | 7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 71.1 x 141.5 millimeters (2.8 x 5.57 in) | 73.3 x 154.7 millimeters (2.89 x 6.09 in) |
| Weight | 185 grams (6.48 ounces) | 186 grams (6.51 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Titanium frame, glass front, ceramic back | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| Protection against water and others | IP54 certified: protection against dust and splashing | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Display type | LTPS IPS LCD | P-OLED |
| Screen size | 5.71" inches | 6.3" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~84.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~83.9% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1312x2560 pixels | 1080x2424 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 504 PPI | 421 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 500nits[typ] | 2700nits[peak] HDR8 Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| System version | Android 7.1 Nougat | Android 15 |
| Firmware update | Android 10 | Android 16 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (MSM8998) (10nm) | 64bit: Google Tensor G4 (4nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.45GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) 4x 1.9GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 3.1GHz ARM Cortex-X4 (Single-core) 3x 2.6GHz ARM Cortex-A720 (Triple-core) 4x 1.92GHz ARM Cortex-A520 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 540 (670-710MHz) | ARM Mali-G715 MP7 (940MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 1030262 (v10) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| RAM memory | 4GB LPDDR4 | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (114GB available) UFS 2.1 | 256GB (220GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 1024/150 Mbps | 3000/1024 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43) VoLTE | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32, 66, 75) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78, 79) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32, 66, 75) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 13 megapixels 13MP mono f/1.91/3.1"PDAF/Laser | (dual camera) 48 megapixels 13MP ultrawide f/2.2120°1/3.1"1.12µm |
| Main camera resolution | 4128x3096 pixels | 8000x6000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.9 (aperture) | f/1.7 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 25mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/3" inches | 1/2" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | 0.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | EIS: Digital stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Not supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | feature not registered | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 13 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 4128x3096 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 20mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/3.1" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 1.12µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Mono sound with dual speakers | Stereo sound |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones | 2 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | Type-C jack with 3.5mm jack adapter | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | Not supported | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.3 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS | feature not registered |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3040 mAh | 5100 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 27W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 23W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Not supported | 7.5W Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Black, White, Stellar Gray, Ocean Depths | • Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony Google Cast • FeliCa |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Essential Phone PH-1 | Google Pixel 9a (G3Y12 256GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.99W/kg (head), 1.39W/kg (body) |