The iPhone SE is likely to be Apple’s sudden hit of 2020, however there is a new competitor on the town: the Google Pixel 4a. But Google’s latest mid-range handset goes to wish much more than a low value to tackle Apple’s mighty finances blockbuster. Here’s how the 2 telephones measure up.
Google Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE: Design
I by no means thought I’d see the day when Google designs a nicer cellphone than Apple, however it’s arduous to disclaim the Pixel 4a’s attractiveness. It has comparatively slim and uniform bezels throughout due to its hole-punch digital camera, an especially compact and light-weight body, and an aesthetic all-black exterior. Even with a far-bigger show, the Pixel 4a has very comparable dimensions and weight because the SE:
Pixel 4a: 144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm, 148 grams
iPhone SE: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm, 143 grams
When it involves the again of the cellphone, the SE has the benefit. Not solely does the Pixel 4a have an unsightly and largely pointless digital camera array, it’s additionally manufactured from plastic and is available in only one colour, black. The SE, however, is available in three colours and is manufactured from glass, so it feels extra luxurious and is much less vulnerable to scratches. Even the digital camera bump is nicer on the SE, with a single circle surrounded by an aluminum ring.
The Google Pixel 4a has a a lot greater screen-to-body ratio than the iPhone SE.
But the entrance is all that actually issues when shopping for a cellphone, and the 4a excels. The iPhone SE isn’t an unsightly cellphone by any stretch, nevertheless it actually exhibits its age in comparison with the 4a. From the big bezels to the small show, the iPhone SE merely isn’t as trendy because the Pixel 4a, and Google has put some strain on Apple to replace its design with the SE 2.
Google Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE: Display
Along with the iPhone SE’s outdated design comes an outdated show. Nearly each different cellphone has higher display screen specs, and the Pixel 4a is not any exception:
Pixel 4a: 5.81-inch Full HD+ OLED, 1080×3240, 443ppi
iPhone SE: 4.7-inch HD LCD, 750×1334, 326ppi
The Pixel 4a additionally helps HDR, 10,000:1 tremendous distinction ratio, and naturally, the true blacks of OLED shows. The iPhone SE’s display screen might be the very best LCD ever made for a smartphone, however it might probably’t maintain a candle—or perhaps a high-res picture of a candle—to the Pixel 4a.
Google Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE: Specs and efficiency
Here’ the place issues begin to even out. The Google Pixel 4a is a mid-range cellphone with mid-range specs whereas the iPhone SE is extra of a high-end cellphone trapped in a finances physique:
Pixel 4a
Processor: Snapdragon 730G
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
iPhone SE
Processor: A13
RAM: 3GB
Storage: 64GB
You get twice as a lot storage with the Pixel 4a, however don’t be fooled by the iPhone’s seemingly smallish quantity of RAM. Apple doesn’t play the spec sheet sport with its telephones, however the iPhone SE is without doubt one of the speediest telephones round, with a processor that runs circles across the newest Snapdragons, let alongside the 730G right here.
Both telephones have Bluetooth 5 and NFC for contactless funds, however the SE additionally helps WiFi 6 (802.11ax) whereas the 4a stops at Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
Chris Martin/IDGThe Pixel 4a is not gradual, nevertheless it’s nowhere close to as quick because the iPhone SE.
Neither cellphone has 5G on board, however Google has introduced {that a} 5G model might be arriving later this 12 months for a $150 premium over the LTE 4a. As far as we all know, there received’t be a 5G iPhone SE till not less than subsequent 12 months, so that would give the 4a a velocity benefit even with the next price ticket. But for now, the iPhone SE is a greater performer.
Google Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE: Battery and charging
Neither of those telephones are going to win any awards for his or her batteries, however on paper Google takes the crown:
Pixel 4a: 3140mAh
iPhone SE: 1821mAh
But just like the specs above, numbers don’t inform the entire story. Google says the Pixel 4a will last as long as 24 hours “based on a mix of talk, data, standby, and use of other features” (down from the 30 hours within the Pixel 3a), whereas Apple claims you’ll be able to stand up to 14 hours of speak, 12 hours of web, and 12 days of standby. So the 2 telephones will seemingly each final you thru a full day earlier than they have to be charged.
Both handsets help 18W quick charging, however solely the Pixel 4a contains the suitable adapter. You’ll must BYO with the iPhone SE. However, you’ll get wi-fi charging with the iPhone SE (additionally with a equipped adapter).
Google Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE: Camera
The Pixel 4a and the iPhone SE each have single cameras, and the specs are fairly comparable:
Pixel 4a: 12.2MP broad, f/1.7, OIS
iPhone SE: 12MP broad, f/1.8, OIS
But the {hardware} similarities are very pores and skin deep. While each telephones help portrait mode with depth management, HDR, and glorious zoom as much as 5X even with out a correct telephoto lens, the Pixel 4a is the superior performer, with a slew of premium options that you simply received’t discover on the SE, not less than not with out third-party apps.
Willis Lai/IDGThe iPhone SE has a really comparable digital camera to the Pixel 4a, nevertheless it would not have as many tips.
Chief amongst them is Night Mode, which is stellar on the iPhone 11 however utterly absent from the SE. There’s additionally astrophotography, which helps you to take photos pf stars with the help of a tripod, in addition to twin publicity controls for adjusting highlights and shadows. The iPhone SE has a fantastic digital camera, however the Pixel 4a is just a bit higher, not less than on paper.
Google Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE: OS and updates
We received’t get into the iOS versus Android debate right here, however each telephones include the most recent model of their respective OS (Android 10 and iOS 13), however the distinction between the 2 techniques is greater than apps and options. Google guarantees simply three years of Android updates with Pixels, whereas Apple doesn’t put a restrict on what number of updates you’ll obtain. But it’s virtually assured to be longer than three years.
Take, for instance, the iPhone 6s, which launched in 2015 with iOS 9. It will obtain iOS 14 within the fall, representing 5 years of updates and 4 full model upgrades. With that in thoughts, it might imply the iPhone SE will seemingly be capable of set up iOS 18 when it lands in 2024.
The Pixel 4a, however, will get Android 11 in a couple of months, then Android 12 and 13, however that’s in all probability it. Even if Google throws customers a bone and lets them replace to Android 14, which can seemingly launch simply weeks after its deadline, the cellphone in all probability received’t obtain any updates as soon as the calendar modifications to 2024.
Google Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE: Price
Apple is promoting the iPhone SE at an aggressive $399 price ticket, however Google goes even cheaper with the Pixel 4a: $349. That is likely to be simply 15 p.c much less, however it’s a fairly vital psychological low cost, particularly while you issue within the conventional Pixel reductions Google and different retailers usually run.
Willis Lai/IDGThe $50 distinction in value between the iPhone SE and the Pixel 4a is greater than it appears.
Google Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE: Conclusion
The iPhone SE has been the cellphone to meat since its launch in March, and there hasn’t been a lot in the way in which of any critical competitors. But Google might need performed it with the Pixel 4a. We’ll have comparisons and a full evaluate quickly on PCWorld.