Apple doesn’t make finances telephones. The closest factor you will discover is the iPhone SE–up to date roughly each different 12 months and beginning at $429. Within the Android world, there are heaps of finances telephones, the place a model new mannequin is $300 or much less. They’re not dangerous, however most individuals could be happier with one thing “mid-range,” and that’s the place Google’s Pixel a-series telephones are available.
Google’s latest finances telephone is the Pixel 6a, simply probably the most comparable factor within the Android world to the iPhone SE: It’s a mid-range telephone made by the identical firm that makes the software program ecosystem by which it operates, and with a worth of $449 it prices practically the identical. Our sister web site TechAdvisor reviewed the Pixel 6a and cherished it, saying it “crams in one of the best bits from the costlier Pixel 6 and 6 Professional at a really engaging worth.” So you probably have between $400 and $500 to spend on a telephone, which do you have to choose? Let’s evaluate the variations.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: Design and show
Apple and Google have very totally different design philosophies for his or her mid-range telephones. Google tries to make its telephone absolutely fashionable, mimicking the aesthetic of its costlier siblings with an edge-to-edge show and under-display fingerprint scanner. The iPhone SE takes a years-old iPhone physique, full with outsized bezels and Contact ID residence button, and replaces the insides with the newest iPhone processor. Right here’s how the 2 differ in measurement and weight:
iPhone SE: 5.45 x 2.65 x .29 inches, 5.09 ounces
Pixel 6a: 6.0 x 2.8 x .35 inches, 6.3 ounces
The Pixel 6a is significantly bigger and heavier however has a a lot bigger show at 6.1 inches in comparison with the paltry 4.7 inches of the iPhone SE. The outdated Contact ID design and enormous bezels of the iPhone SE are actually holding it again, right here: Apple’s newer designs match much more show right into a physique this measurement (for instance, the iPhone 13 mini is bodily smaller however has a a lot better display space). The Pixel 6a is comparable in measurement, weight, and display space to a daily iPhone 13.
Google incorporates an in-display fingerprint scanner, so the show goes proper to the perimeters like iPhones with Face ID. Many customers had been sad with the gradual response of the in-display sensor on the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional, however Google is utilizing a distinct sensor with the 6a. Studies are blended, with some saying it’s far quicker and extra dependable, and others not seeing a lot distinction. Whichever the case, the sensor on the iPhone SE is extraordinarily quick and dependable.
Each telephones are available three colours. The iPhone SE is on the market in Midnight, Starlight, and Product(crimson). The Pixel 6a is on the market in Sage, Chalk, and Charcoal. In different phrases, you get a really darkish gray, very mild white, and both inexperienced or crimson.
Our take: Those that choose smaller and lighter telephones will respect the iPhone SE, however that big-bezel design and residential button are simply antiquated, and price you quite a lot of viewable display house.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: Processor, specs, and battery
This 12 months’s Pixel 6a is kind of totally different from the Pixel 5a final 12 months, particularly in that it makes use of Google’s personal Tensor processor as a substitute of Qualcomm’s midrange chip. The newest iPhone SE is actually an iPhone 8 from 2017 with the newest A15 processor inside. Right here’s how the specs break down:
iPhone SE
- Processor: A15 Bionic
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB
- Battery: 2018mAh
- Charging: Lightning, 18W
- Connectivity: 5G (sub-6GHz solely), Wi-Fi 6
- Water/mud resistance: IP67
- OS: iOS 15 at present, iOS 19 doubtless
Pixel 6a
- Processor: Google Tensor
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 4410mAh
- Charging: USB-C, 18W
- Connectivity: 5G (sub-6GHz solely*), Wi-Fi 6 and 6E
- Water/mud resistance: IP67
- OS: Android 12 at present, Android 15 assured
Google’s Tensor processor is identical one discovered within the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional, however doesn’t come near the A15 in both CPU or GPU efficiency. Apple’s chips are mainly twice as quick. (Tech Advisor recorded a 2745 multi-core rating in Geekbench 5 whereas the Telephone SE posted 4713).
Don’t let the Pixel’s larger RAM and battery numbers idiot you, both: iPhones are well-known for doing much more with much less in these areas. On condition that battery life is one in every of our chief complaints with the iPhone SE (although the 2022 mannequin is improved over the terrible 2020 mannequin), we wouldn’t be stunned if the Pixel 6a lasted longer. Most opinions are complimentary about its battery life, with Tech Advisor calling the battery life “wonderful.”
Each telephones helps 5G, however solely sub-6GHz networks. (Verizon within the U.S. will promote a model of the Pixel 6a for $499 that helps mmWave 5G.) You additionally don’t get wi-fi charging with the Pixel 6a.)
Our take: Trying by TechAdvisor’s benchmarks in its Pixel 6a evaluate, it’s clear that Apple remains to be working circles round Google, performance-wise. However we couldn’t get by a complete day with out charging the iPhone SE, and most reviewers say the brand new Pixel simply will get by the day after which some. Would you like “quick sufficient” with respectable battery life, or “tremendous quick” with disappointing battery life? At the very least you may select between three totally different storage quantities with the iPhone SE (64GB, 128GB, and 256GB). The Pixel 6a is barely out there with 128GB.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: Digicam
Apple and Google each put an emphasis on the cameras of their most inexpensive telephones. You sh anticipate the identical high quality as you get within the flagships that value twice as a lot, however these usually are not cut-rate $400 cameras, both:
iPhone SE
Entrance: 7MP entrance digital camera, ƒ/2.2
Rear: 12MP Large, ƒ/1.8, OIS
Pixel 6a
Entrance: 8MP entrance digital camera, ƒ/2.0
Rear: 12.2MP Large, ƒ/1.7, OIS
Rear: 12MP Ultrawide, ƒ/2.2
Google’s within the lead right here with an additional 12MP ultra-wide digital camera that has a 114-degree area of view. It additionally helps Darkish mode, Google’s equal to Night time mode–which is lacking from the iPhone SE. So for many pictures, the iPhone SE will carry out fairly properly. With out evening mode, it struggles fairly a bit in low mild.
Our take: The Pixel 6a has higher {hardware}, and Google’s picture processing and options are top-notch for nonetheless images. With out doing a head-to-head comparability, we expect the Pixel 6a is probably going the higher telephone for taking nonetheless pictures, however Apple’s video high quality is unmatched.
The Pixel 6a appears to be like like a contemporary smartphone.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: The actual distinction
In fact, {hardware} and options lists solely inform one a part of the story. The actual purpose to choose one over the opposite is due to their ecosystems. Android vs. iOS. Google vs. Apple. Siri vs. Google Assistant. Excess of any of the {hardware} variations, these are the issues that may inform you which telephone you’ll take pleasure in extra.
In case you use a Mac or an iPad, you’ll respect the seamless means the iPhone works along with them. If you need an Apple Watch, you just about have to get an iPhone. If AirPods are your factor, you’re going to like the way in which they work with Apple’s gear, whereas they’re simply one other pair of bluetooth earbuds when used with Android telephones.
However if you happen to reside within the Home windows world or use Google software program and providers on a regular basis (Gmail, Maps, Assistant/House, Chrome), you’re going to discover a good Android telephone, significantly a Pixel, extra pleasant.
Your telephone is now not an island unto itself. Its part of, possibly the middle of, a complete digital life. The way in which it meshes with the opposite components of your digital life is the best function of all.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: Conclusion
Each of those telephones provide great worth, however in numerous methods. They each provide easy efficiency and wonderful cameras. Apple’s acquired a a lot quicker processor, however an older design with a smaller show and just one rear digital camera.
If the Apple vs. Google ecosystem is of no concern to you, it’s laborious to have a look at what’s on provide right here and never assume that the Pixel 6a is the higher total telephone. No, it’s not practically as quick because the iPhone SE, but it surely’s nonetheless loads quick for its worth. Its fashionable design with edge-to-edge show makes an enormous distinction, and the digital camera is incredible with top-notch processing together with an additional ultra-wide rear digital camera. The battery life is longer, too.
We’ve mentioned it earlier than, however Apple made a misstep when it re-used the iPhone 8 physique within the newest iPhone SE. The unique iPhone SE in 2016 used an iPhone 5S, which means it reached again 2.5 years. The second-gen iPhone SE in 2020 used the iPhone 8 physique, once more 2.5 years outdated. Now the third-gen mannequin, launched in 2022, is utilizing that very same 4.5-year-old design, and doubtless gained’t be up to date for an additional two years.
iPhone customers could be higher served if the following iPhone SE (in all probability coming in 2024) used the iPhone 13 design, by then 2.5 years outdated. As an alternative of emphasizing the newest A-series processor, Apple can use the earlier technology processor (then the A16) to assist it keep inexpensive. This is able to doubtless make it quicker than some other Android telephone in its worth vary, and the massive enhancements to show, digital camera, and battery that go together with the newer physique and design would make for a significantly better total expertise.
