iPhone SE vs Google Pixel 4a: Budget Smartphone Showdown

Regarding affordable smartphones that pack a punch, the Google Pixel 4a and iPhone SE are stealing the spotlight. Both models provide many state-of-the-art features for a much cheaper price. That’s why, in this blog post, let’s consider what each phone is good and bad at so that you can choose which one you like most.

Comparison Chart of Features of Google Pixel 4a & iPhone SE 

1) Price and Value

The Google Pixel 4a has won with the help of its low starting price of $349, which is less than half as expensive as what you'd pay for an iPhone SE. In particular, the Pixel 4a provides more than double the storage at its base model (128GB) without compromising too much on the wallet, appealing to those looking to score a good deal on storage while keeping their budget in check. It also offers a fast charger, free of charge, on Google, while if you want the same capability on Apple, you have to buy it.

Check Out: iPhone XR vs. iPhone 11: Which iPhone Should You Choose?

2) Design

The most significant differences between the Google Pixel 4a’s design and the design of the iPhone SE come in. The Pixel 4a sports a modern look with an edge-to-edge 5.8-inch OLED display that is great if you love screen real estate in a small body. It has a punch-hole camera and a handy headphone jack in this almost bezel-less design. However, the iPhone is back to the vintage design and comes with a 4.7-inch Retina HD display with noticeable bezels and a classic Touch ID sensor. The Pixel 4a’s plastic build is solid, but the iPhone SE is more premium, thanks to its glass back and water resistance, albeit this makes for a better durable option.

3) Display

With a more prominent and sharper OLED panel measuring 5.81 inches, the Pixel 4a has excellent display quality – offering rich colors and deep blacks. The iPhone SE is a more conventional 4.7-inch LCD screen, still somewhat off the Pixel 4a's vividness but with slightly better color accuracy and reproduction. Both phones are bright under direct sunlight, but the Pixel 4a’s screen has just a bit of an edge, offering better visibility. This detailed comparison compares how each device excels in design and display, which should appeal to particular users.

4) Cameras

The Pixel 4a and iPhone SE have single front and rear cameras. The iPhone SE takes naturally pleasing pictures, but the Pixel 4a often has the advantage when shooting in low light, thanks to its Night Sight mode.

The Pixel 4a's Night Sight mode does a great job in dim settings, capturing more vibrant and precise shots. Like previous Pixel models, the rear camera is a 12.2MP shooter, although its reputation for contrast and clarity is impressive. The dynamic range from the iPhone SE's 12MP camera is fantastic, but it sometimes lacks contrast, and images will be paler.

Pixel 4a photos have more punchy colors and can be attractive if you prefer brighter photos. The iPhone SE, meanwhile, still has a more natural color profile that some may like.

5) Video and App Performance

The Pixel 4a has the same camera capabilities as the Pixel 4, but it might need help improving in reality, especially in video. Videos on social media might look less crisp because they were compressed on Android apps. The Pixel 4a is also slower at editing videos on Google Photos than an iPhone. The camera freezes, or at least takes time, within apps on the Pixel 4a, which the more seamless experience on iOS would not do.

The Pixel 4a works well with Google services and takes good photos in Night Sight mode, but we saw it fall short for multimedia tasks compared with the iPhone SE. If multimedia users are anything to go on, it'll be a more reliable choice for photo and video quality and more consistent.

Check Out: iPhone SE vs. iPhone 11: Which One Should You Choose?

6) Performance

The iPhone SE gets Apple’s A13 Bionic processor, the same chip as the iPhone 11. It has a big jump on the Pixel 4a, running the Snapdragon 730G. The A13 Bionic processor is powerful enough to power through demanding tasks and gaming and is, in fact, similar to high-end flagship processors on many devices, so this is a very well-rounded device from their end.

Respectable though it is, the Pixel 4a's Snapdragon 730G doesn't compare in terms of power to Apple's chip. The Pixel 4a’s 6GB of RAM does enough to keep the device running smoothly for everyday usage. Benchmark tests further reinforce this reality; the iPhone SE tops across multiple performance categories and delivers a faster, smoother user experience.

However, the iPhone SE is the better performer (particularly if you require speed and efficiency in high-intensity tasks) and is the choice for many of us. Meanwhile, the Pixel 4a provides enough power for everyday use at a far more affordable price, finding a good equilibrium.

7) Software Experience

The software experience diverges, and as expected, between iOS and Android. Apple’s software updates will help keep iPhone SE supported for longer, likely past whatever iteration of iOS shows up with the iPhone 11. The Pixel 4a, meanwhile, comes with the organic feeling of Android, sprinkled with the exclusive perks of a Pixel like Google Assistant and brilliant call screening. Timely Android updates are promised for at least three years.

8) Battery Life and Charging

Battery and charging are close runs between the devices, but the iPhone SE just sees a little longer in day-to-day use of the Pixel 4a. While the Pixel 4a has a bigger battery, it isn’t nearly as powerful as the LG, which runs the screen longer. The fast charger is also included (18W), and the iPhone SE has only a 5W charger unless you buy a faster one. The feature that the Pixel 4a doesn’t have is wireless charging, and that’s a distinct advantage of the iPhone SE.

Check Out: Refurbished iPhone SE vs. iPhone 12 - Which One is Better?

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Conclusion

The Google Pixel 4a and the iPhone SE are equally good at achieving your ends, but choosing which one depends on what you want and how much you spend. However, Android users will love the Pixel 4a—it offers some affordable features like an OLED display and great low-light photography. For those who value an efficient ecosystem, the iOS iPhone SE brings superior performance, a reliable system, and regular software updates. Both provide value and fulfill a different use case, so choose wisely!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iPhone better than Google Pixel? 

The Google Pixel 8 has better cameras and a more prominent, polished display, but the iPhone 15 has a longer battery life and a better chip.

So, which Android phones are better than the iPhone SE? 

Phones like the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, Galaxy A42 5G, Google Pixel 5A, and Motorola Moto Edge 5G UW (2021) have newer features, while the phone SE is fast.

What do I like better about the Pixel than the iPhone? 

It also has a longer-lasting photo camera and more intelligent AI. The hardware, app options, video camera, better chip, and battery are all better on the iPhone.

Is the iPhone better than Google phones? 

iPhones have better battery life, camera capabilities and more accessories like cases and screen protectors.