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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) with its A15 processor has exceptional performance, yet it sports a traditional design with a smaller 4.7-inch LCD screen. If you prefer compact phones and are invested in the iOS ecosystem, it may be suitable for you. However, if a modern design, larger OLED screen, and lower price are more enticing, the Google Pixel 7a with its 6.1-inch display and additional features like call screening and Magic Eraser for the camera might be more appealing. The Pixel 7a also offers more storage at its base level. Note that the iPhone has a glass build, while the Pixel 7a uses plastic, which could impact durability. 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 7a
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good display quality
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.7
8.0
The Google Pixel 7a has very good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has poor overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 7a boasts superior camera capabilities, particularly in selfie performance, compared to the Apple iPhone SE (2022). While the iPhone SE is rated with a fair selfie quality, the Pixel 7a excels with very good marks across important camera criteria like photos resolution, software experience, dynamic range, low light, and versatility.
Photo Quality
5.5
8.0
The Google Pixel 7a takes very good photos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes poor photos.
The Google Pixel 7a delivers very good photos partly because it has a higher selfie quality and benefits from the best photos software experience, which includes better handling of dynamic range and low light conditions. Whereas the Apple iPhone SE (2022), although still taking fair pictures, is held back by its lower selfie quality and a poorer overall photos software experience.
Video Quality
6.6
7.3
The Google Pixel 7a takes good videos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 7a takes very good videos because it has excellent video software, stabilization, and mic quality, which contribute to high-quality video capturing. On the other hand, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes fair videos with good stabilization and mic quality, but falls short in video software experience.
Battery
4.9 Hours
6.9 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 7a has 6.9 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a screen size of 4.7 inches and the Google Pixel 7a is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$429
$499
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Google Pixel 7a costs $499.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Google Pixel 7a compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Google Pixel 7a |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $499 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 18, 2022 | May 10, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 4.7" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 429 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | TensorG2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.6/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 64 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.9 Hours | 6.9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2018 mAh | 4385 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 7.5 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.45" x 2.65" | 5.98" x 2.87" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.08 oz | 6.84 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 | 5.3 | |
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 | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Midnight, Starlight, Red | Sea, Snow, Coral, 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 7a
See more
Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | May 2023
"The Pixel 7a is the best midrange Android phone — period. The camera doesn’t always nail it, but it’s impressively capable for this class. And even though it’s pricier than last year’s model, it comes with some serious upgrades not often seen in this class, like wireless charging."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone SE (2022) or the Google Pixel 7a
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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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
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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