iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs Pixel 8a

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Google Pixel 8a

Lifespan decides this one: the Pixel 8a is supported until May 2031 at $5.08 per month of safe use, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) runs out in Mar 2029 ($3.02/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 8a 77 — 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 8a $300

Safe to buy$5.08/mo

2024◆ Buy-by May 20292031

Category by category

Display

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50Pixel 8a 70

The Pixel 8a's screen is the better one — 6.1-inch actua oled, fhd+, 60–120hz, up to 2000 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74Pixel 8a 70

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

Camera

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40Pixel 8a 67

The Pixel 8a has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20Pixel 8a 70

4,492mAh vs 2,018mAh — the Pixel 8a lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39Pixel 8a 70

The Pixel 8a is supported until May 2031 — 26 months longer than the iPhone SE (3rd gen).

Value

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56Pixel 8a 77

Overall value goes to the Pixel 8a at $5.08 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone SE (3rd gen)	Pixel 8a
Price (street)	$100	$300
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz	6.1-inch Actua OLED, FHD+, 60–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	Google Tensor G3
RAM	4GB	8GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	2,018 mAh	4,492 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	152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm
Weight	144 g	188 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP67
Supported until	Mar 2029	May 2031

iPhone SE (3rd gen) full verdict →Pixel 8a 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.