The Pixel 5 has the specs and capabilities deserving of being considered as Google's flagship smartphone. Although the value that the iPhone SE brings to the table makes it a competitive alternative, especially given its palpably lower price tag. Google's flagship phone entry added some notable pgrades to its arsenal, beating Apple in the 5G race in the process.
Being Google's flagship model, the Pixel 5 benefits from a lot of software upgrades, on top of its already improved hardware. On the other hand, the iPhone SE isn't exactly marketed as a flagship killer, but that certainly didn't stop Apple from making it as powerful the iPhone 11. Despite being Apple's budget entry, the iPhone SE still has some discernible advantages over Google's Pixel 4a, but that gap is bound to get closer once it goes up against an even beefier device, like the Pixel 5.
One of the more important aspects of a smartphone is the screen and the Pixel 5's specs boast a lot, with its 6-inch OLED display, running at a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. The iPhone SE features a compact 4.7-inch 60Hz LCD display, running on a denser 1134 x 750 resolution, compared to the Pixel 5's 1080 x 2340. However, the iPhone SE is running on the same A13 chip that's powering the iPhone 11 Pro, while the Pixel 5 is utilizing the Snapdragon 765G, which isn't exactly as powerful as some of today's flagship models.
Pixel 5 & iPhone SE Features Worth Comparing
When it comes to cameras, the Pixel 5 definitely has all the bells and whistles to make it a quality product. The iPhone SE on the other hand, only features a single 12-megapixel main camera paired with a 7-megapixel secondary camera, though both models are still capable of 4K 60fps video capture. While the iPhone SE has fast-charging, capable of reaching a half-charge in just 30 minutes, its 1821 mAh capacity doesn't hold up against the Pixel 5's 4080 mAh battery. Furthermore, both models come with wireless charging, but only the Pixel 5 has the ability of acting as a wireless charger for accessories, such as the Pixel Buds.
As for water resistance, the iPhone SE is quite durable compared to the Pixel 4a, with an IP67-rating making it capable of being submerged up to one meter for 30 minutes. However, the Pixel 5 is rocking an IPX8-rated exterior making it able to withstand over just one meter. Of course, the iPhone SE's smaller build still makes it easier to handle with one hand. Not to mention, it has the added benefit of introducing new users to the Apple ecosystem at a lower price point. Unless consumers feel that Google's Pixel 5's handful of additional features, slightly smoother display, and out-of-the-box Android 11 experience is worth the $699 cost, the iPhone SE is still powerful enough to handle most daily tasks, especially for just $399.