iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs Pixel 7a

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen)

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 at $3.02 per month of safe use, while the Pixel 7a runs out in May 2028 ($6.07/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56 · Pixel 7a 65 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) $100

Buy with care$3.02/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Google Pixel 7a $139

Buy with care$6.07/mo

2023◆ Buy-by May 20262028

Category by category

Display

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50Pixel 7a 50

Both displays are effectively the same class.

Performance

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74Pixel 7a 62

The iPhone SE (3rd gen)'s Apple A15 Bionic is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40Pixel 7a 67

The Pixel 7a has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20Pixel 7a 68

4,385mAh vs 2,018mAh — the Pixel 7a lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39Pixel 7a 27

The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 — 10 months longer than the Pixel 7a.

Value

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56Pixel 7a 65

Overall value goes to the Pixel 7a at $6.07 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone SE (3rd gen)	Pixel 7a
Price (street)	$100	$139
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz	6.1-inch OLED, FHD+, 90Hz
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	Google Tensor G2
RAM	4GB	8GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	128GB
Battery	2,018 mAh	4,385 mAh
Charging	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W	18W wired, 7.5W wireless
Rear cameras	12MP main	64MP main, 13MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm	152.0 × 72.9 × 9.0 mm
Weight	144 g	193 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP67
Supported until	Mar 2029	May 2028

iPhone SE (3rd gen) full verdict →Pixel 7a full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.