Apple iPhone SE vs. Google Pixel 4a: Which Sub-$400 Phone Is Best?
Google’s $349 Pixel 4a brings some serious competition to the midrange phone market. Is it a better buy than Apple’s $399 iPhone SE? We compare the specs to find out.
While there’s no shortage of solid midrange smartphones on the market in 2020, the $399 Apple iPhone SE and $349 Google Pixel 4a stand out among the crowd. Both offer attractive hardware, impressive cameras, and reliable software updates for less than $400. But which phone should you buy? We compare the specs to help you determine which one is right for you.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 4a Design and Display
For the most part, the Pixel 4a looks very similar to its predecessor, the Pixel 3a. Sure, the display is larger and the bezels are smaller, but it has the same plastic chassis and body, and the same overall aesthetic we’ve come to associate with the Pixel lineup.
The iPhone SE, on the other hand, looks similar to the iPhone 8. It has glass on the front and back surrounded by an aluminum chassis for a more refined look.
The Pixel 4a has a 5.8-inch, 2,340-by-1,080-pixel OLED display, while the iPhone SE’s 4.7-inch LCD clocks in 1,334 by 750 pixels. The iPhone has a slightly more pocketable size going for it, but the Pixel has a larger, sharper screen. Considering the Pixel isn’t much larger overall, it’s safe to say it beats the iPhone in the display department.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 4a Hardware
The Pixel 4a has a midrange Snapdragon 730G processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. There’s a 3,140mAh battery onboard, with an 18W power adapter in the box.
The iPhone SE has less RAM, 3GB, but a higher-end Apple A13 Bionic chipset. The least expensive model comes with 64GB of storage, but there are also 128GB and 256GB variants. Battery capacity comes in at a much slighter 1,821mAh, but Apple is good with power management; we got 6 hours of video streaming on the iPhone SE at full brightness, though you’ll get a lot more screen time with more casual usage. Unlike the Pixel 4a, the iPhone offers wireless charging.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 4a Cameras
The cameras on the two phones are pretty similar on paper. The Pixel 4a has a 12.2MP sensor on the back, while the iPhone SE clocks in at 12MP. The Pixel has an 8MP front-facing camera, while the iPhone has a 7MP sensor.
We’ve been consistently impressed with the camera capabilities in the Pixel line, and the rear sensor here is the same one used in the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a. We expect improvements in the GPU and image processing software to yield better results than its predecessor.
The iPhone SE’s cameras proved excellent in testing, though they aren’t the best in low light. iOS 14 might bring some additional improvements in image processing, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 4a Software
While the Pixel 4a ships with Android 10, it should receive an update to Android 11 by early September. The iPhone SE, meanwhile, ships with iOS 13, and should be updated to iOS 14 at some point next month.
Android offers a terrific live recording feature, live captions, and more customization features than iOS. When Android 11 drops, you’ll see improved privacy options, a new chat feature, and an updated notification shade.
iOS, on the other hand, offers superior privacy and security, a more consistent user interface, and a more refined Messages platform. When iOS 14 hits iPhones in September, expect to see a redefined widget experience, completely revamped notifications, and a less intrusive Siri interface.
Whether you prefer Android or iOS is entirely a matter of personal preference, and more than any other point on this list, should probably be the number one factor in making your decision.
iPhone SE vs. Pixel 4a Price
The Pixel 4a is available in one configuration for $349. The iPhone starts at $399 and offers additional storage configurations for more money. Ultimately, we consider both of these phones to be on the lower end of the pricing spectrum, especially with some flagship models selling for $1,000 and up.
So which phone should you pick? We’re currently testing the Pixel 4a, while the iPhone SE is our Editors’ Choice for low-cost iPhones. We generally think iOS fans should go for the iPhone SE, while Android phone fans will be happier with a Pixel. The Pixel 4a looks like the $350 Android phone to beat.
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com.
