The midrange smartphone market in 2025 is fiercely competitive, with Google’s Pixel 9a and Apple’s iPhone SE (specifically the iPhone SE 4, also referred to as the iPhone 16e in some contexts) vying for the attention of budget-conscious buyers seeking flagship-level features. Both devices promise excellent performance, modern designs, and robust software support, but they cater to different ecosystems and priorities. This detailed comparison breaks down their design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, software, AI capabilities, and value to help you decide which phone is the better fit for your needs in 2025.
Design and Build Quality
The Pixel 9a and iPhone SE both embrace modern design trends while cutting costs in strategic areas to maintain affordability. The Pixel 9a introduces a refreshed look compared to its predecessors, featuring flat edges and a matte aluminum frame with a recycled plastic back. It measures 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm and weighs 185.9 g, making it slightly larger but lighter than the iPhone SE. The Pixel 9a’s camera module is nearly flush, abandoning the traditional camera bar for a cleaner, more minimalistic appearance. It comes in vibrant colors like Iris (lavender), Peony (pink), Porcelain, and Obsidian (black), adding a playful touch to its aesthetic. The phone is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, an upgrade from the IP67 rating of the Pixel 8a, and uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for the display.
The iPhone SE 4, often referred to as the iPhone 16e in recent reports, takes design cues from the iPhone 14, featuring a sleek aluminum frame with a glass back. It’s more compact at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm and lighter at 167 g, offering a premium feel despite its midrange positioning. The iPhone SE 4 finally ditches the Home Button, adopting a notched design with Face ID, though it lacks the Dynamic Island found on higher-end iPhones. Its single-lens rear camera protrudes slightly, and color options are more subdued, limited to black and white. Like the Pixel 9a, it’s IP68-rated, but it benefits from Apple’s second-generation Ceramic Shield, which is 50% tougher than the glass on previous models, offering better drop resistance.
The Pixel 9a wins for its modern, colorful design and larger footprint, which some users may prefer for media consumption. However, the iPhone SE 4 feels more premium with its glass back and compact size, appealing to those who prioritize a smaller, more pocketable device.
Display
Display quality is a significant differentiator between these two phones. The Pixel 9a sports a 6.3-inch OLED Actua display with a resolution of 2424 x 1080 pixels, a pixel density of 422 ppi, and a variable refresh rate of 60-120 Hz. It achieves a peak brightness of 2700 nits (1800 nits for HDR), making it one of the brightest displays in its class, ideal for outdoor use. The bezels are relatively thick compared to flagship Pixels, but they don’t detract from the experience. The 120 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, a noticeable upgrade over its competitors.
The iPhone SE 4 features a smaller 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels and a pixel density of around 460 ppi, offering slightly sharper visuals. However, it’s stuck with a 60 Hz refresh rate, a decision that feels outdated in 2025, especially when compared to the Pixel 9a’s smoother display. Its peak brightness is 1200 nits (800 nits for HDR), which is sufficient but lags behind the Pixel 9a, making it less legible in direct sunlight. The iPhone SE 4 does benefit from the Ceramic Shield for added durability.
The Pixel 9a clearly takes the lead here with its larger, brighter, and smoother display, making it a better choice for gaming, video streaming, and general usability.
Performance and Hardware
Both phones pack impressive hardware for their price points, but their approaches to performance differ significantly. The Pixel 9a is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chip, the same processor found in the flagship Pixel 9 series, paired with 8 GB of RAM and storage options of 128 GB ($499) or 256 GB ($599). The Tensor G4 isn’t a benchmark leader—scoring 1704 (single-core) and 4425 (multi-core) on Geekbench 6—but it’s optimized for Google’s AI and photo processing needs, delivering smooth day-to-day performance. However, the 8 GB RAM limits some AI features, like auto voice call notes, due to the use of a smaller Gemini Nano XXS model.
The iPhone SE 4, or iPhone 16e, is equipped with Apple’s A18 chip, also found in the iPhone 16, paired with 8 GB of RAM. The A18 is a second-generation 3 nm chip, scoring 3441 (single-core) and 8362 (multi-core) on Geekbench 6, significantly outperforming the Tensor G4. This makes the iPhone SE 4 better suited for high-performance tasks like gaming and multitasking. It also features Apple’s new C1 modem for improved connectivity. Storage options start at 128 GB ($599), with a 256 GB variant at $699.
The iPhone SE 4 has a clear edge in raw performance, but the Pixel 9a’s Tensor G4 holds its own for most users, especially those prioritizing AI-driven features over benchmark scores.
Cameras
Camera performance is a key battleground for these midrange phones. The Pixel 9a features a dual-camera setup: a 48 MP main sensor (f/1.7) and a 13 MP ultrawide lens (120-degree field of view), plus a 13 MP front-facing camera. The main sensor captures detailed, vibrant photos with Google’s signature color science, which leans toward cooler, more muted tones. The ultrawide lens adds versatility, supporting macro mode for close-up shots. Features like Real Tone for accurate skin tones, Night Sight for low-light photography, and astrophotography make the Pixel 9a a standout. In comparisons, the Pixel 9a excels in portraits, delivering natural blur and better color accuracy, though night mode shots can be noisy.
The iPhone SE 4 opts for a single 48 MP rear camera, an upgrade from the 12 MP sensor in the iPhone SE 2022, with a 2x in-sensor zoom for telephoto shots. The front camera is 12 MP. Apple’s color science favors warmer tones, which can look oversaturated in some scenarios, like sunset shots where highlights are blown out. The iPhone SE 4 struggles with portraits, particularly with non-human subjects, as portrait mode is limited to people. Night mode performance is also weaker, with more noise and less detail compared to the Pixel 9a. The lack of an ultrawide lens is a notable drawback for landscape or group shots.
The Pixel 9a is the winner here, offering greater flexibility with its dual-camera system and superior software processing, especially for portraits and low-light photography.
Battery Life
Battery life is a strong suit for both devices, but they cater to different usage patterns. The Pixel 9a houses a massive 5100 mAh battery, the largest in Google’s lineup, rated for over 30 hours of use. In testing, it lasted 13 hours and 15 minutes in a video streaming test at full brightness, and real-world usage consistently delivers 1.5 days, ending with around 40% after 4 hours of screen time. It supports 23W wired charging (reaching 47% in 30 minutes) and 7.5W Qi wireless charging, though no charger is included.
The iPhone SE 4 has a smaller 3279 mAh battery but benefits from Apple’s efficient A18 chip and iOS optimizations. It lasted an impressive 21 hours and 39 minutes in the same video streaming test, and Apple claims 26 hours of video playback. Wirecutter tests report 36 hours of real-world use, outpacing the Pixel 9a in endurance. It supports fast charging and 7.5W Qi wireless charging, though exact charging speeds aren’t specified.
The iPhone SE 4 takes the lead in battery efficiency, particularly for heavy video streaming, but the Pixel 9a’s larger battery offers more consistent longevity for mixed usage over extended periods.
Software and AI
Software support and AI capabilities are critical for long-term value. The Pixel 9a runs Android 15 and comes with Google’s promise of 7 years of OS updates, Pixel feature drops, and security patches, ensuring support until 2032. It integrates Google’s Gemini AI, including features like Gemini Live, Add Me for group selfies, and Pixel Studio for text-to-image generation. However, the smaller Gemini Nano XXS model means some features, like auto voice call notes, are unavailable due to RAM constraints.
The iPhone SE 4 ships with iOS 18.4, and while Apple doesn’t specify a support window, iPhones typically receive at least 5 years of updates, likely extending to 2030 or beyond. It introduces Apple Intelligence, including an enhanced Siri and the Image Playground app for creating cartoon-like images. However, Apple’s AI features lag behind Google’s, with Gemini outperforming Siri in natural language processing and photo editing tasks like object removal.
The Pixel 9a has an edge in software longevity and AI capabilities, while the iPhone SE 4 offers a more polished iOS experience for those entrenched in Apple’s ecosystem.
Price and Value
The Pixel 9a starts at $499 for 128 GB, with the 256 GB model at $599. The iPhone SE 4 starts at $599 for 128 GB, with the 256 GB variant at $699. The $100 price difference is significant in the midrange segment, and the Pixel 9a offers better value with its superior display, dual cameras, and longer software support. The iPhone SE 4 justifies its higher price with better raw performance and a more premium build, but it falls short in key areas like display refresh rate and camera versatility.
Conclusion
The Pixel 9a and iPhone SE 4 are both excellent midrange phones, but they cater to different audiences. The Pixel 9a is the better overall value, with its larger, smoother display, versatile cameras, longer software support, and advanced AI features, all at a lower price. It’s the ideal choice for Android users or those seeking a well-rounded device for media, photography, and longevity.
The iPhone SE 4 excels in raw performance, battery efficiency, and build quality, making it a great pick for iOS users, gamers, or those who prefer a compact phone with a premium feel. However, its 60 Hz display and single camera hold it back in a competitive market.
If you’re ecosystem-agnostic, the Pixel 9a is the stronger contender in 2025. But if you’re deeply invested in iOS or prioritize performance over features, the iPhone SE 4 is a worthy option.
