iPhone SE 3 vs Pixel 7a
The iPhone SE 3 and the Pixel 7a land in the same midrange smartphone category, so the comparison is fair, and the differences are telling. The Pixel 7a has the edge in 3 of the 5 areas we looked at, most visibly in the display category.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 7a wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Pixel 7a wins
- Camera Pixel 7a wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone SE 3 wins
- Display0.0
- Camera0.0
- Display6.7
- Camera6.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Pixel 7a has a 90 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
Big gap, real consequences. The Pixel 7a’s 90 Hz versus the iPhone SE 3’s 60 Hz changes how the two compare in daily use. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
-
The iPhone SE 3 has a 1.75 oz lighter build
The Pixel 7a is clearly behind on weight (6.83 oz against 5.08 oz), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. A few grams won’t matter, but bigger gaps add up in a pocket or a small bag over a full day.
-
The Pixel 7a has 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB
On this line of the spec sheet, the Pixel 7a is in a different league: 128 GB, next to 64 GB for the iPhone SE 3. The Pixel 7a starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos.
-
The Pixel 7a has a higher-resolution 64 MP main camera
For main camera, the Pixel 7a leads by a wide margin: 64 MP versus 12 MP. More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
-
The Pixel 7a has an extra rear camera
This is a headline difference. With 2 to the iPhone SE 3’s 1, the Pixel 7a has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Design & Size
- iPhone SE 3 5.45 in × 2.65 in × 0.29 in
- Pixel 7a 5.98 in × 2.87 in × 0.35 in
The Pixel 7a is physically larger, so the iPhone SE 3 will be the easier fit wherever space is limited. Weight-conscious buyers will note the iPhone SE 3’s 1.75 oz advantage. Slimness goes to the iPhone SE 3, 0.07 in thinner overall.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone SE 3 | Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.45 in | 5.98 in |
| Width | 2.65 in | 2.87 in |
| Thickness | 0.29 in (winner) Slimmest in class | 0.35 in Thickest in class |
| Weight | 5.08 oz (winner) Lightest in class | 6.83 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 7a leads
The display comparison is one-sided. The Pixel 7a leads where it counts. The Pixel 7a takes this one with a 90 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Pixel 7a feels more fluid in everyday use. Net result: the Pixel 7a leads this part of the comparison.
Refresh rate
iPhone SE 3: 60 Hz Pixel 7a: 90 Hz Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
Screen size
iPhone SE 3: 4.7 in Pixel 7a: 6.1 in A larger display also means a larger phone overall, so this is as much about your hands and pockets as it is about the picture.
Performance
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to performance. The takeaway: performance is not where these two differ.
CPU cores
iPhone SE 3: 6 Pixel 7a: 8 Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Memory & Storage
Pixel 7a leads
Look at the memory & storage table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Pixel 7a. In its favor, the Pixel 7a has 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB. If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years. On memory & storage alone, the Pixel 7a gets the nod.
Base storage
iPhone SE 3: 64 GB Pixel 7a: 128 GB Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
Camera
Pixel 7a leads
The Pixel 7a is the clear pick if camera is what you care about most. The Pixel 7a makes its case with a higher-resolution 64 MP main camera. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos. Weighing only camera, the Pixel 7a comes out ahead.
Main camera
iPhone SE 3: 12 MP Pixel 7a: 64 MP The Pixel 7a’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
Rear cameras
iPhone SE 3: 1 Pixel 7a: 2 The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Pixel 7a gives you more lenses to choose from.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
The iPhone SE 3 and the Pixel 7a match each other closely in this area. Either phone will serve you equally well on battery & charging.
Software & Updates
This section is descriptive. The iPhone SE 3 and the Pixel 7a list different components for software & updates, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone SE 3 | Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 4.7 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | LCD (Retina HD) | OLED |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 326 ppi Lowest pixel density | 429 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 90 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 625 nits Dimmest screen in class | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone SE 3 | Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A15 Bionic | Google Tensor G2 |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 5 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone SE 3 | Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 64 GB Least base storage | 128 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 256 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone SE 3 | Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP Lowest-res main camera | 64 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | N/A (not specified) | 13 MP |
| Rear cameras | 1 | 2 (winner) |
| Front camera | 7 MP Lowest-res selfie camera | 13 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K60 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone SE 3 | Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 4,385 mAh Smallest battery in class |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 15 h Shortest rated playback | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 18 W |
| Wireless charging | 8 W | 8 W |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone SE 3 | Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 15.4 | Android 13 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 3 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone SE 3 | Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.45 in | 5.98 in |
| Width | 2.65 in | 2.87 in |
| Thickness | 0.29 in (winner) Slimmest in class | 0.35 in Thickest in class |
| Weight | 5.08 oz (winner) Lightest in class | 6.83 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone SE 3 | Pixel 7a |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $429 (winner) | $499 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Pixel 7a carried a slight premium of $70 at launch. The Pixel 7a costs $70 more, and for that you get a 90 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB.
Based on US launch pricing as of May 2023. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone SE 3 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (5.08 oz vs 6.83 oz)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.29 in vs 0.35 in)
- you’d rather keep $70 in your pocket
Choose the Pixel 7a if…
- you game or scroll a lot and like motion to look fluid (90 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you shoot a lot of photos and video (128 GB vs 64 GB base storage)
- you want the higher-resolution main camera (64 MP vs 12 MP)
- you want more lenses to choose from (2 vs 1 rear cameras)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone SE 3 or the Pixel 7a?
We’d point most buyers to the Pixel 7a. The main exception is if you know that a 1.75 oz lighter build would make a real difference in your routine.
Is the iPhone SE 3 bigger than the Pixel 7a?
The Pixel 7a takes that one. With dimensions of 5.98 × 2.87 × 0.35 in, it is larger than the iPhone SE 3 (5.45 × 2.65 × 0.29 in).
Which has the better camera, the iPhone SE 3 or the Pixel 7a?
The Pixel 7a has the edge for photography, offering a higher-resolution 64 MP main camera and an extra rear camera.
Is the iPhone SE 3’s display better than the Pixel 7a’s?
The Pixel 7a has the stronger display on paper, with a 90 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 32% sharper pixel density.
Is the iPhone SE 3 cheaper than the Pixel 7a?
The Pixel 7a launched at $70 more than the iPhone SE 3, based on prices as of May 2023.
Which weighs less, the iPhone SE 3 or the Pixel 7a?
On the scale, the iPhone SE 3 comes out ahead at 1.75 oz lighter than the Pixel 7a.
Executive Summary
Brand loyalty aside, I tried to judge the iPhone SE 3 and the Pixel 7a purely on what they offer. To me, the standout is that the Pixel 7a offers a 90 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Then there’s 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB, another point for the Pixel 7a. Where the iPhone SE 3 fights back is a 1.75 oz lighter build.
Fit matters more than scores here. The iPhone SE 3 suits buyers focused on portability; the Pixel 7a suits those focused on display.
My pick: the Pixel 7a; the one scenario where I’d reach for the iPhone SE 3 is if you need a 1.75 oz lighter build, which only the iPhone SE 3 offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.