Google Pixel 8a vs Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

The Google Pixel 8a (2024) runs on the Google Tensor G3, while the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (2019) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. By overall MobileRank rating, the Google Pixel 8a leads — 48/100 vs 12/100 (a 36-point difference). Key differences: the Google Pixel 8a has the bigger battery (4492 mAh vs 3300); the Google Pixel 8a is faster in AnTuTu (1,433,693 vs 824,513); the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is noticeably lighter (173g vs 188g).

The Google Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 36 points (48/100 vs 12/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Google Pixel 8a
Performance 21
Display 100
Camera 70
Battery 25
Design 65
Value for money 75
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
Performance 1
Display 0
Camera 23
Battery 1
Design 83
Value for money 55
What makes Google Pixel 8a better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1433693 vs 824513
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1722 vs 968
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 4458 vs 2731
  • Bigger battery: 4492 vs 3300 mAh

  • Higher performance (21/100 vs 1/100)
  • Better camera (70/100 vs 23/100)
  • Longer battery life (25/100 vs 1/100)
  • Better display (100/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better value for money (75/100 vs 55/100)
What makes Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer better?
  • Faster charging: 27W vs 18W
  • Lighter: 173g vs 188g

  • Better design/ergonomics (83/100 vs 65/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Google Pixel 8a vs the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer, the Google Pixel 8a scores 36 points higher (48/100 vs 12/100). In the "performance" category, the Google Pixel 8a leads (21/100 vs 1/100). In the "camera" category, the Google Pixel 8a leads (70/100 vs 23/100). In the "battery" category, the Google Pixel 8a leads (25/100 vs 1/100). In the "value for money" category, the Google Pixel 8a leads (75/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Google Pixel 8a notably outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (21/100 vs 1/100). In the "display" category, the Google Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (100/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Google Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (70/100 vs 23/100). In the "battery" category, the Google Pixel 8a notably outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (25/100 vs 1/100). In the "design" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer notably outperforms the Google Pixel 8a (83/100 vs 65/100). In the "value for money" category, the Google Pixel 8a notably outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (75/100 vs 55/100).

Google Pixel 8a: The Google Pixel 8a is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers.
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer: The Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is a better fit for everyday use.
Specs comparison
Specification Google Pixel 8a Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
Processor Google Tensor G3 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
AnTuTu 1433693 824513
Geekbench Single 1722 968
Geekbench Multi 4458 2731
Display 6.1" OLED 6.4" Super AMOLED
Resolution 2400x1080 1080x2340
Refresh rate 120 Hz
Battery 4492 mAh 3300 mAh
Charging 18W 27W
Wireless charging 7W 0W
DXOMark (camera) 136
Main camera 64 MP
Ultrawide 13 MP 48 MP
Front camera 13 MP 20 MP
RAM 8GB 12GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB 256GB
OS Android 14 Android 9.0 (Pie); MIUI 10
Brightness (peak) 2000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP67
Dimensions 152.1×72.7×8.9 mm 157.5×74.7×7.6 mm
Weight 188 g 173 g
Price $499
Camera comparison
Google Pixel 8a
  • Main: 64MP f/f/1.89
  • Ultrawide: 13MP
  • Front: 13MP
70
camera
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
  • Main: —
  • Ultrawide: 48MP
  • Front: 20MP
23
camera
Display comparison
Google Pixel 8a
  • 6.1" OLED
  • Resolution: 2400x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
  • 6.4" Super AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1080x2340
  • Refresh rate: —
0
display
Battery and charging
Google Pixel 8a
  • 4492 mAh
  • Wired: 18W
  • Wireless: 7W
25
battery
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
  • 3300 mAh
  • Wired: 27W
  • No wireless charging
1
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Google Pixel 8a and Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Google Pixel 8a Google Tensor G3
48/100
1433693 AnTuTu
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
12/100 -73.9%
824513 AnTuTu

Google Pixel 8a leads Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 73.9% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Google Pixel 8a
$499
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Google Pixel 8a notably outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (21/100 vs 1/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Google Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (100/100 vs 0/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Google Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (70/100 vs 23/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Google Pixel 8a notably outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (25/100 vs 1/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer notably outperforms the Google Pixel 8a (83/100 vs 65/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Google Pixel 8a notably outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (75/100 vs 55/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Google Pixel 8a or the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?

The Google Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 36 points (48/100 vs 12/100).

What is the rating of the Google Pixel 8a and the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?

The Google Pixel 8a has a MobileRank rating of 48/100, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer — 12/100.

Which has the better camera: the Google Pixel 8a or the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?

The Google Pixel 8a leads on camera score (70/100 vs 23/100).

Which is more powerful: the Google Pixel 8a or the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?

The Google Pixel 8a leads on performance (21/100 vs 1/100).

Should you choose the Google Pixel 8a over the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?

The Google Pixel 8a is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers. The Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is a better fit for everyday use.