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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is important to you, the Google Pixel 6a has a better camera system that includes exclusive features like Magic Eraser, and generally takes better photos. However, if the overall speed of the phone and future software updates are more important, the iPhone SE (2022) has a more powerful processor, and Apple devices typically receive updates for a longer period. The iPhone SE (2022) also has a smaller screen which could be better if you prefer a compact phone for easy handling, whereas the Pixel 6a boasts a larger and higher quality OLED display, better for watching videos and browsing. Keep in mind, the iPhone SE (2022) has a classic design with a physical home button, while the Pixel 6a offers a more modern design with slimmer bezels and an under-display fingerprint sensor. The Pixel 6a also offers a larger base storage than the iPhone SE. If budget is a concern, the Pixel 6a is more affordable and offers good value for its features, but the iPhone SE (2022) may be worth the extra cost for its durable build and longer-term performance. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone SE (2022)
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
- Good display quality
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.7
7.6
The Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has poor overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a outperforms the Apple iPhone SE (2022) in terms of camera capabilities, primarily due to its very good selfie camera quality, which is an important consideration for many users. Additionally, the Google Pixel 6a is generally rated better in essential camera aspects such as software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility, making it the better choice for customers prioritizing photography.
Photo Quality
5.5
7.4
The Google Pixel 6a takes good photos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a fair selfie score and scored lower in software experience, dynamic range, and low-light performance compared to the Google Pixel 6a, which leads to fair photo outcomes. The Google Pixel 6a has a better selfie score and excels in software experience, dynamic range, and low-light performance, resulting in very good photo quality.
Video Quality
6.6
7.2
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 6a has been assessed to provide a better video experience than the Apple iPhone SE (2022) due to various factors. The Pixel 6a delivers very good video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, combined with proficient video software features, all contributing to its overall good video capability, while the iPhone SE (2022) exhibits fair performance in these areas except for stabilization where it is rated good, which might affect the video results especially in demanding conditions.
Battery
4.9 Hours
7.6 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a screen size of 4.7 inches and the Google Pixel 6a is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$429
$400
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Google Pixel 6a costs $400.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Google Pixel 6a compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Google Pixel 6a |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $400 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 18, 2022 | July 21, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 4.7" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 429 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | Tensor | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.9 Hours | 7.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2018 mAh | 4410 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.45" x 2.65" | 5.99" x 2.83" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.08 oz | 6.28 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Front | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Midnight, Starlight, Red | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Samuel Axon | March 2022
"Thanks to the inclusion of the A15 chip, the SE is likely to be supported for years to come. That makes it the best deal in smartphones today for folks who just want something simple and don't care about the frills. The iPhone SE is a great deal if you're more interested in the basics than the latest flashy features.. It's also a great option for people who prefer to use their phones one-handed—a dying breed, we know."
Google Pixel 6a
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone SE (2022) or the Google Pixel 6a
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
86,700
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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