iPhone SE vs. Google Pixel 6a: It’s the ecosystem that issues most

Apple doesn’t make price range telephones. The closest factor you could find is the iPhone SE–up to date roughly each different 12 months and beginning at $429. In the Android world, there are tons of price range telephones, the place a model new mannequin is $300 or much less. They’re not unhealthy, however most individuals could be happier with one thing “mid-range,” and that’s the place Google’s Pixel a-series telephones are available in.

Google’s latest price range cellphone is the Pixel 6a, simply essentially the most comparable factor within the Android world to the iPhone SE: It’s a mid-range cellphone 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 website TechAdvisor reviewed the Pixel 6a and beloved it, saying it “crams in the best bits from the more expensive Pixel 6 and 6 Pro at a very attractive price.” So you probably have between $400 and $500 to spend on a cellphone, which must you decide? Let’s examine 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 cellphone totally 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 Touch ID dwelling button, and replaces the insides with the newest iPhone processor. 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 The outdated Touch ID design and enormous bezels of the iPhone SE are actually holding it again, right here: Apple’s newer designs match much more show right into a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 an everyday iPhone 13.

Google incorporates an in-display fingerprint scanner, so the show goes proper to the sides 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 Pro, however Google is utilizing a special sensor with the 6a. Reports are combined, 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.

Both telephones are available in three colours. The iPhone SE is out there in Midnight, Starlight, and Product(crimson). The Pixel 6a is out there 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 preferring smaller and lighter telephones will recognize the iPhone SE, however that big-bezel design and residential button are simply antiquated, and value you a number of viewable display house.

iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: Processor, specs, and battery

This 12 months’s Pixel 6a is sort of totally different from the Pixel 5a final 12 months, particularly in that it makes use of Google’s personal Tensor processor as an alternative of Qualcomm’s midrange chip. The newest iPhone SE is actually an iPhone 8 from 2017 with the newest A15 processor inside. 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 possible

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 Pro, 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 Phone 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. Given that battery life is certainly one 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 “excellent.”

Both 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: Looking by TechAdvisor’s benchmarks in its Pixel 6a overview, it’s clear that Apple remains to be operating circles round Google, performance-wise. But we couldn’t get by an entire day with out charging the iPhone SE, and most reviewers say the brand new Pixel simply will get by the day after which some. Do you need “fast enough” with respectable battery life, or “super fast” with disappointing battery life? At least you’ll be able to select between three totally different storage quantities with the iPhone SE (64GB, 128GB, and 256GB). The Pixel 6a is simply obtainable with 128GB.

iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: Camera

Apple and Google each put an emphasis on the cameras of their most reasonably priced telephones. You sh count on the identical high quality as you get within the flagships that price twice as a lot, however these will not be cut-rate $400 cameras, both:

iPhone SE

Front: 7MP entrance digicam, ƒ/2.2

Rear: 12MP Wide, ƒ/1.8, OIS

Pixel 6a

Front: 8MP entrance digicam, ƒ/2.0

Rear: 12.2MP Wide, ƒ/1.7, OIS
Rear: 12MP Ultrawide, ƒ/2.2

Google’s within the lead right here with an additional 12MP ultra-wide digicam that has a 114-degree discipline of view. It additionally helps Dark mode, Google’s equal to Night mode–which is lacking from the iPhone SE. So for many pictures, the iPhone SE will carry out fairly nicely. Without night time 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. Without doing a head-to-head comparability, we expect the Pixel 6a is probably going the higher cellphone for taking nonetheless images, however Apple’s video high quality is unmatched.

iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: The actual distinction

Of course, {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. Far greater than any of the {hardware} variations, these are the issues that may let you know which cellphone you’ll take pleasure in extra.

If you employ a Mac or an iPad, you’ll recognize the seamless method 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 best way they work with Apple’s gear, whereas they’re simply one other pair of bluetooth earbuds when used with Android telephones.

But for those who reside within the Windows world or use Google software program and companies on a regular basis (Gmail, Maps, Assistant/Home, Chrome), you’re going to discover a good Android cellphone, significantly a Pixel, extra pleasant.

Your cellphone is not an island unto itself. Its part of, perhaps the middle of, an entire digital life. The method it meshes with the opposite elements of your digital life is the best function of all.

iPhone SE vs. Pixel 6a: Conclusion

Both of those telephones supply great worth, however in several methods. They each supply easy efficiency and glorious cameras. Apple’s acquired a a lot quicker processor, however an older design with a smaller show and just one rear digicam.

If the Apple vs. Google ecosystem is of no concern to you, it’s laborious to take a look at what’s on supply right here and never assume that the Pixel 6a is the higher general cellphone. No, it’s not practically as quick because the iPhone SE, however it’s nonetheless a lot quick for its worth. Its fashionable design with edge-to-edge show makes an enormous distinction, and the digicam is improbable with top-notch processing together with an additional ultra-wide rear digicam. The battery life is longer, too.

We’ve stated 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, that 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 subsequent iPhone SE (most likely coming in 2024) used the iPhone 13 design, by then 2.5 years outdated. Instead of emphasizing the newest A-series processor, Apple can use the earlier era processor (then the A16) to assist it keep reasonably priced. This would possible make it quicker than another Android cellphone in its worth vary, and the large enhancements to show, digicam, and battery that go together with the newer physique and design would make for a significantly better general expertise.