It’s not unusual for me to conclude a new phone review by saying to buy a refurbished version of a previous year’s device, but never has that recommendation been more full-throated than the iPhone 16E. The latest iPhone may be the least expensive model on sale, but it has a 60hz, dimmer screen, a thick forehead notch, a single inferior camera, and no wireless charging despite still costing $599. You could buy a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro for almost the same money, which is better in every way.

Google has a similar problem with their newly announced, latest budget phone, the Pixel 9a; but, starting at only $499, with far more competitive specifications, it is a significantly better new buy. Put simply, it is a better phone than the iPhone 16e in every single way. Google says it will be available “beginning in April.”