Apple doesn’t make cheap phones. The closest thing you can find is the iPhone SE, which updates about every two years and starts at $429. In the Android world there is many of budget phones where a brand new model costs $300 or less. They’re not bad, but most people would be happier with something “mid-range,” and that’s where Google’s Pixel A series phones come in.
Google’s latest budget phone is the Pixel 6a, which by far is the closest match to the iPhone SE in the Android world: it’s a mid-range phone made by the same company that makes the software ecosystem, in which it operates, and at a price of $449 it costs almost the same. Our sister site TechAdvisor tested the Pixel 6a and loved it. It “packs the best parts of the more expensive Pixel 6 and 6 Pro at a very attractive price point.” So if you have between $400 and $500 to spend on a phone, which one should you choose? Let’s compare the differences.
iPhone SE vs Pixel 6a: design and display
Apple and Google have very different design philosophies for their mid-range phones. Google is attempting to make its phone completely modern, mimicking the aesthetics of its more expensive siblings with a borderless display and an under-display fingerprint scanner. The iPhone SE takes a year-old iPhone body, complete with oversized bezels and Touch ID home button, and replaces the inside with the latest iPhone processor. This is how the two differ in size and weight:
iPhone SE: 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches, 5.09 ounces
Pixel 6a: 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.35 inches, 6.3 ounces
The Pixel 6a is considerably larger and heavier, but has a much larger 6.1-inch display than the iPhone SE’s paltry 4.7-inch. The iPhone SE’s legacy Touch ID design and large bezels really hold it back here: Apple’s newer designs fit a lot more display into a case this size (the iPhone 13 mini, for example, is physically smaller but has a much larger screen area) . The Pixel 6a is comparable to a regular iPhone 13 in size, weight and screen real estate.
Google integrates an in-display fingerprint scanner so that the display extends to the edges like iPhones with Face ID. Many users were unhappy with the slow response of the in-display sensor on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, but Google uses a different sensor on the 6a. Reports are mixed, with some saying it’s much faster and more reliable, others not seeing much of a difference. In any case, the sensor of the iPhone SE is extremely fast and reliable.
Both phones are available in three colors. The iPhone SE is available in Midnight, Starlight and Product(red). The Pixel 6a is available in Sage, Chalk and Charcoal. In other words, you get a very dark gray, a very light white, and either green or red.
Our opinion: Those who prefer smaller and lighter phones will appreciate the iPhone SE, but the large bezel design and home button are simply antiquated and take up a lot of visible screen real estate.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: processor, specifications and battery
This year’s Pixel 6a differs significantly from last year’s Pixel 5a in that it uses Google’s own Tensor processor instead of Qualcomm’s mid-range chip. The latest iPhone SE is essentially a 2017 iPhone 8 with the latest A15 processor inside. Here’s how the specs break down:
iPhone SE
- Processor: A15 Bionic
- R.A.M: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB
- Battery: 2018mAh
- Load: Flash, 18W
- Connectivity: 5G (below 6 GHz only), Wi-Fi 6
- Water/Dust Resistance: IP67
- Operating system: iOS 15 currently, iOS 19 likely
Pixel 6a
- Processor: Google tensor
- R.A.M: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 4410mAh
- Load: USB-C 18W
- Connectivity: 5G (Sub-6GHz* only), Wi-Fi 6 and 6E
- Water/Dust Resistance: IP67
- Operating system: Currently Android 12, guaranteed Android 15
Google’s Tensor processor is the same as in the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, but it doesn’t quite match the A15 in either CPU or GPU performance. Apple’s chips are basically twice as fast. (Tech Advisor recorded a multi-core score of 2745 in Geekbench 5, while the Phone SE showed 4713).
Don’t be fooled by the Pixel’s higher RAM and battery numbers, either: iPhones are known for doing a lot more with less in these areas. Given that battery life is one of our main complaints with the iPhone SE (despite the 2022 model being improved over the dreadful 2020 model), we wouldn’t be surprised if the Pixel 6a lasted longer. Most reviews praise the battery life, with Tech Advisor calling the battery life “excellent.”
Both phones support 5G, but only sub-6GHz networks. (Verizon in the US will sell a $499 version of the Pixel 6a that supports mmWave 5G.) The Pixel 6a also doesn’t let you charge wirelessly.)
Our opinion: Looking at TechAdvisor’s benchmarks in its Pixel 6a review, it’s clear that Apple is still circling Google in terms of performance. But we couldn’t go through a whole day without charging the iPhone SE, and most reviewers say the new Pixel gets through the day easily, and then some. Do you want “fast enough” with decent battery life, or “super fast” with disappointing battery life? After all, you can choose between three different memory sizes with the iPhone SE (64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB). The Pixel 6a is only available with 128 GB.
iPhone SE vs Pixel 6a: Camera
Apple and Google both value the cameras on their cheapest phones. You’ll expect the same quality as the flagships that cost twice as much, but these aren’t cheap $400 cameras either:
iPhone SE
Front: 7 MP front camera, ƒ/2.2
Back: 12MP wide angle, ƒ/1.8, OIS
Pixel 6a
Front: 8 MP front camera, ƒ/2.0
Back: 12.2MP wide, ƒ/1.7, OIS
Back: 12 MP ultra wide angle, ƒ/2.2
Google leads the way here with an additional 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 114-degree field of view. It also supports dark mode, Google’s equivalent of night mode, which the iPhone SE lacks. So for most shots, the iPhone SE will do quite well. With no night mode, it struggles quite a bit in low light.
Our opinion: The Pixel 6a has better hardware, and Google’s image processing and features are top-notch for stills photography. Without making a direct comparison, we think the Pixel 6a is probably the better phone for taking stills, but Apple’s video quality is second to none.
The Pixel 6a looks like a modern smartphone.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
iPhone SE vs Pixel 6a: The real difference
Of course, hardware and feature lists only tell part of the story. The real reason for choosing one over the other is because of their ecosystems. Android vs iOS. Google vs Apple. Siri vs Google Assistant. Far more than any hardware differences, these are the considerations that will tell you which phone will bring you more enjoyment.
If you use a Mac or an iPad, you’ll appreciate how seamlessly iPhone works with them. If you want an Apple Watch, you’ve got quite a lot to have to get an iPhone. If AirPods are your thing, you’ll love the way they work with Apple’s devices, while when used with Android phones they’re just another pair of Bluetooth earbuds.
But if you live in the Windows world or use Google software and services all the time (Gmail, Maps, Assistant/Home, Chrome), you’ll find a good Android phone, especially a Pixel, more delightful.
Your phone is no longer an island unto itself. It’s a part, perhaps the center, of an entire digital life. The way it meshes with the other parts of your digital life is the greatest feature of them all.
iPhone SE vs Pixel 6a: Verdict
Both phones offer tremendous value, but in different ways. Both offer smooth performance and excellent cameras. Apple has one a lot of faster processor but an older design with a smaller display and only one rear camera.
If you’re not interested in the Apple vs. Google ecosystem, it’s difficult to look at what’s on offer here and not believe that the Pixel 6a is the better phone overall. No, it’s not nearly as fast as the iPhone SE, but still very fast for its price. Its modern design with edge-to-edge display makes a big difference and the camera is fantastic with premium build quality and an extra ultra-wide rear camera. The battery life is also longer.
We’ve said it before, but Apple made a mistake by reusing the iPhone 8’s body in the latest iPhone SE. The original iPhone SE in 2016 used an iPhone 5S, meaning it dates back 2.5 years. The second generation iPhone SE in 2020 used the body of the iPhone 8, which in turn was 2.5 years old. Now, the third-generation model, launched in 2022, uses the same 4.5-year-old design and will likely not be updated for another two years.
iPhone users would be better served if the next iPhone SE (probably 2024) used the iPhone 13 design, which is 2.5 years old by then. Instead of emphasizing the latest A-series processor, Apple is able to use the previous-generation processor (then the A16) to keep it affordable. This would likely make it faster than any other Android phone in its price range, and the big improvements to the display, camera, and battery that come with the newer body and design would make for a much better overall experience.