Google Pixel 9avsCMF Phone 1
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Google Pixel 9a wins
Verdict
Google Pixel 9a wins 4 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Google Pixel 9a is the overall winner, 4 / 5 — display is its standout. It costs USD 499 — USD 300 more than the CMF Phone 1. Pay the premium if display is your priority.
- Google Pixel 9a takes Performance — led by performance score (1,000,000 pts).
- Google Pixel 9a takes Display — led by peak brightness (2,700 nits).
- Google Pixel 9a takes Camera — led by camera score (145 pts).
- Google Pixel 9a takes Battery — led by wireless charging (Yes).
- CMF Phone 1 takes Price — led by price (199 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Google Pixel 9a if you want…
- Choose Google Pixel 9a if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,000,000 pts vs 650,000 pts.
- Choose Google Pixel 9a if you want a sharper screen — 422 ppi vs 395 ppi.
- Choose Google Pixel 9a if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 2,700 nits vs 2,000 nits.
- Choose Google Pixel 9a if you want better video quality — 93 pts vs 83 pts.
- Choose Google Pixel 9a if you want a better camera — 145 pts vs 114 pts.
- Choose Google Pixel 9a if you want longer battery life — 5,100 mAh vs 5,000 mAh.
- Choose Google Pixel 9a if you want the convenience of wireless charging — Yes vs No.
Choose CMF Phone 1 if you want…
- Choose CMF Phone 1 if you want a bigger screen — 6.67 in vs 6.3 in.
- Choose CMF Phone 1 if you want sharper selfies — 16 MP vs 13 MP.
- Choose CMF Phone 1 if you want faster charging — 33 W vs 23 W.
- Choose CMF Phone 1 if you want a lower price — 199 USD vs 499 USD.
At a glance
- Google Pixel 9a
- CMF Phone 1
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Google Pixel 9a
Choose Google Pixel 9a if display matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 499.
CMF Phone 1
Choose CMF Phone 1 if price matters most. It costs USD 199, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
Google Pixel 9a
- Excellent camera
- 5,100 mAh battery
- 7 years of updates
- Tensor chip trails rivals
- 23 W charging
- Plastic build
CMF Phone 1
- Swappable back design
- 120 Hz AMOLED
- Very affordable
- Slow charging
- Average cameras
- No NFC in some markets