Samsung and Apple each launched new telephones final month which are considerably cheaper than the Galaxy S22 and that iPhone 13. The $450 Galaxy A53 5G and $429 iPhone SE every function 5G connectivity and are across the identical value, however have little else in widespread. Samsung’s A53 brings higher-end options like a multi-lens digital camera and a show with a excessive refresh charge to a extra reasonably priced system. The iPhone SE, alternatively, has an old school design full of Apple’s newest cell processor.Which one is best for you will largely rely on whether or not you favor Android or iOS. But these gadgets additionally illustrate how otherwise Apple and Samsung strategy the marketplace for lower-priced telephones. Samsung cares about imitating its high-end telephones, whereas Apple prioritizes efficiency and drawing clients into its ecosystem of providers and equipment.Here’s a more in-depth take a look at how the 2 telephones evaluate.Samsung goes for a contemporary design; Apple sticks with its traditional constructThe Galaxy A53 5G
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Appearance is maybe the most important distinction between the Galaxy A53 and the iPhone SE. The Galaxy A53 may simply be mistaken for different Samsung gadgets corresponding to final 12 months’s Galaxy A52 5G and the Galaxy S21 FE. Like these telephones, the A53 has a virtually borderless display with a gap punch-shaped cutout for the entrance digital camera. The again of the system has a matte end with an oblong module for the system’s digital camera. Samsung is clearly attempting to copy the final feel and appear of its Galaxy S telephones on the Galaxy A53, however with some compromises. For instance, the Galaxy A53 has a plastic building that does not really feel as luxe because the glass construct discovered on the iPhone SE and Samsung’s costlier Galaxy S22. The iPhone SE has a retro look that is distinctly totally different from the iPhone 13 and Apple’s different latest telephones. It basically has the physique of an iPhone 8 full of the heart of an iPhone 13. That means it has the identical thick bezels above and beneath the show as Apple’s older iPhones, together with its Touch ID house button. It’s the one iPhone Apple nonetheless sells that has the house button, which could make it the fitting selection for these upgrading from an older cellphone. But the iPhone SE’s traditional design and cheaper price additionally means it is lacking Face ID. The Galaxy A53, by comparability, has a fingerprint sensor constructed into its show and likewise helps facial recognition for unlocking the gadgets. (However, Samsung cautions its facial recognition function is taken into account much less safe than different lock varieties). The 2022 iPhone SE
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More importantly, each telephones even have drastically totally different display sizes. The Galaxy A53 has a 6.5-inch display that makes it across the identical measurement because the Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S22 Plus. Samsung’s cellphone also can enhance its refresh charge as much as 120Hz for smoother scrolling, a function Apple solely presents on the pricier iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone SE’s 4.7-inch display is actually the identical because the one on Apple’s 2017-era iPhone 8, making it the smallest Phone Apple at present sells when it comes to show measurement. It’s splendid for individuals who desire smaller-sized telephones and are upgrading from an growing old system just like the iPhone 8 or iPhone 7. But it will actually really feel like a dramatic shift from telephones just like the iPhone X or iPhone XS, each of which have bigger 5.8-inch screens. Samsung’s digital camera has a number of lenses, however Apple’s nonetheless has good picture high qualityThe Galaxy A53’s digital camera has extra lenses and a principal sensor with a better decision than the iPhone SE. But Apple’s digital camera nonetheless performs nicely for the value. The Galaxy A53 technically has 4 lenses: a 64-megapixel principal lens, 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, 5-megapixel macro lens and 5-megapixel depth lens, though it is actually the principle and ultrawide lens that matter most. The iPhone SE, alternatively, solely has one 12-megapixel principal lens.Samsung’s cellphone presents extra flexibility because it has devoted taking pictures modes for ultrawide, macro and evening photographs. If you usually end up taking crowded household photographs or sweeping panorama photographs, you will profit from the Galaxy A53′ wider discipline of view. The identical recommendation applies in the event you steadily take photographs in dim environments, corresponding to a candlelit bar or music venue, for the reason that iPhone SE lacks evening mode.Galaxy A53 5G A photograph taken with the Galaxy A53’s ultrawide digital camera.
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iPhone SEThe iPhone SE lacks an ultrawide digital camera.
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Galaxy A53 5GThis was taken on the Galaxy A53 utilizing evening mode.
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iPhone SEThis photograph was taken on the iPhone SE, which does not have evening mode.
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But the iPhone SE’s single-lens digital camera additionally takes nice photographs which are colourful and sharp sufficient for informal customers. There have been even a few eventualities by which I most popular the iPhone SE’s photograph over the Galaxy A53’s, such because the photograph of my cat beneath, though it was typically a detailed name between the 2. Galaxy A53 5GThis photograph was taken on the Samsung Galaxy A53.
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iPhone SEA photograph taken on the iPhone SE.
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Image high quality also can rely in your choice. Some may desire the bolder colour within the iPhone SE’s picture beneath, whereas others may discover Samsung’s to be extra pure. Galaxy A53 5GA photograph taken with the Galaxy A53 5G.
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iPhone SEA photograph taken with the iPhone SE.
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The Galaxy A53 additionally takes higher selfies with brighter lighting than the iPhone SE in my expertise, contemplating it has a 32-megapixel selfie digital camera in comparison with Apple’s 7-megapixel entrance digital camera.Take a take a look at the distinction beneath.Galaxy A53 5GA photograph taken with the Galaxy A53 5G’s selfie digital camera.
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iPhone SEA photograph taken with the iPhone SE’s selfie digital camera.
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All instructed, you are getting extra on your cash with the Galaxy A53. But the iPhone SE takes stable photographs regardless that its digital camera is extra restricted. And Apple’s cellphone can file in 4K at as much as 60 frames per second, whereas the Galaxy A53 solely helps 4K video seize as much as 30fps.
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iPhone SE 2022 vs. Galaxy A53 5G: How These Affordable…
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Apple wins at efficiency, however Samsung has different additional perksThe iPhone SE could also be tiny, however it has the identical highly effective A15 Bionic processor because the iPhone 13. The Galaxy A53, in the meantime, runs on Samsung’s Exynos 1280 as a substitute of the quicker processor discovered within the Galaxy S22 sequence. You most likely will not discover the distinction more often than not. The Galaxy A53’s 120Hz refresh charge additionally makes scrolling across the cellphone’s house screens and settings menus really feel fluid. But there are moments when the Galaxy A53’s much less highly effective processor exhibits. There have been situations by which the Galaxy A53’s keyboard would not present up as shortly because it ought to, for instance. Sometimes I additionally needed to press the house button a number of instances to give up an app. It’s not disruptive sufficient to discourage me from recommending the cellphone, however it was often noticeable.That’s one space the place the iPhone SE actually shines. Since it has the identical processor as Apple’s top-of-the-line iPhones, it performs similar to a flagship cellphone. In his overview of the iPhone SE, my colleague Patrick Holland mentioned, “the SE flies and iOS animations look smooth.” My personal expertise with the iPhone SE has been comparable. Apps launch shortly, the keyboard pops up immediately and search outcomes for native apps saved on the cellphone seem straight away. Benchmark exams instructed an identical story. The iPhone SE scored a lot larger on exams meant to guage normal processor and graphics efficiency in comparison with the Galaxy A53.
Geekbench 5 Single Core
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Higher scores are higher.
Geekbench 5 Multicore
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Higher scores are higher.
3DMark Wild Life Extreme
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Higher scores are higher.
Both telephones can present all-day battery life, though longevity will all the time fluctuate relying on how you utilize your system. I’m usually capable of get a couple of day and a half out of the Galaxy A53 earlier than plugging it in, even with the refresh charge set to excessive. The iPhone SE, which has a decrease refresh charge than the Galaxy A53, normally had between 20% and 30% of battery left on the finish of the day, in keeping with CNET’s overview. But in contrast to the Galaxy A53, the iPhone SE helps wi-fi charging. That’s not a deal-breaker, however it may be one thing to contemplate if you have already got a charging pad. Yet Samsung’s cellphone has a few different extras you will not discover on the iPhone SE, corresponding to 128GB of inside storage on the most cost effective mannequin, a microSD card slot for including as much as 1TB of additional area and help for each millimeter wave and sub-6 Ghz 5G. The iPhone SE begins with half the storage (64GB) and lacks a microSD card slot, which means you will have to purchase the $479 model to get 128GB of area. It additionally is not suitable with millimeter wave 5G, though which may not matter a lot since that quicker variant of 5G is not broadly out there and solely operates at brief distances. Both telephones are rated for IP67 water resistance, which implies they will endure being submerged in a single meter of water for as much as 30 minutes.You additionally should not have to fret about both cellphone feeling outdated anytime quickly with regards to software program help. The Galaxy A53 is assured to get 4 generations of Android working system updates and 5 years of safety updates. Apple’s iOS 15 software program works on telephones as previous because the iPhone 6S from 2015, so it appears protected to say the brand new iPhone SE has a protracted street forward of it.The backside lineThe iPhone SE (left) and Galaxy A53 5G (proper)
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The Galaxy A53 and that iPhone SE each present loads of worth for the value, however in several methods. With lengthy battery life, a big show, an in-screen fingerprint sensor and a number of cameras, the Galaxy A53 seems like a light-weight model of Samsung’s pricier Galaxy S telephones. Just keep in mind: You could need to cope with occasional lag. The iPhone SE, alternatively, has a retro design that makes it a robust selection for individuals who could also be upgrading from an older iPhone. It would not have trendy options like a multilens digital camera or a big, borderless display, however it’s as quick because the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro because of Apple’s A15 Bionic processor.But maybe most significantly, it is the most cost effective manner into Apple’s providers and equipment. That may make it interesting to longtime iPhone customers that do not wish to spend $500 or extra on a brand new cellphone, but additionally aren’t keen to desert their AirPods or swap to Android.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Display measurement, decision
6.5-inch AMOLED (2,400×1,080 pixels); 120 Hz
4.7-inch LCD; (1,334×750 pixels); 60 Hz
Pixel density
405ppi
326ppi
Dimensions (Inches)
6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in
5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in
Dimensions (Millimeters)
159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm
138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)
6.67 oz; 189g
5.09 oz; 144g
Mobile software program
Android 12
iOS 15
Camera
64-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 5-megapixel (macro), 5-megapixel (depth)
12-megapixel (vast)
Front-facing digital camera
32-megapixel
7-megapixel
Video seize
4K
4K
Processor
Exynos 1280
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
128GB
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
RAM
6GB
Undisclosed
Expandable storage
Up to 1TB
None
Battery
5,000mAh (charger not included)
Undisclosed (charger not included)
Fingerprint sensor
In-display
Home button
Connector
USB-C
Lightning
Headphone jack
None
None
Special options
5G-enabled; IP67 score; helps 25-watt quick charging, lacks wi-fi charging; Samsung Pay
5G-enabled; Water resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wi-fi charging
Price off-contract (USD)
$450
$429 (64GB), $479 (128GB), $579 (256GB)
Price (GBP)
£399
£419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB)
Price (AUD)
AU$699
AU$749 (64GB), AU$829 (128GB), AU$999 (256GB)
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New for 2022, the Galaxy A53 will get you a plethora of Samsung options and energy at a fraction of the S-series value. It boasts a far bigger display and extra versatile digital camera cluster than the iPhone SE, although Apple’s finances mannequin delivers snappier efficiency. Still, Samsung followers will admire what they’re getting right here contemplating the reasonably priced value. The Galaxy A53 5G has an ultrawide lens for taking photographs with a broader discipline of view and likewise helps night-mode images. Image high quality is not nearly as good as what you’d get on a costlier Samsung cellphone just like the Galaxy S21 FE or Galaxy S22, however it’s actually clear and colourful sufficient for fundamental photographs. Other highlights embody a long-lasting battery, 4 assured generations of Android working system updates and a microSD card slot for expandable storage.Overall, the Galaxy A53 5G is an appropriate selection for individuals who prioritize having a big display and lengthy battery life for lower than $500. Just have in mind you might need to cope with some occasional lag, and the digital camera is not as superior as these discovered on pricier telephones. Read our Samsung Galaxy A53 5G overview.
Apple
The long-awaited successor to the iPhone SE (2020) was introduced by Apple throughout its March 8 “Peek Performance” occasion. It options Apple’s A15 chip (which is similar one discovered within the iPhone 13 sequence), 5G and stronger glass, however the identical total design because the earlier technology.Pricing for the brand new iPhone SE begins at $429 and is accessible now.
Read our iPhone SE (2022) overview.