Google Pixel 7 vs iPhone SE (2020)

Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$348.00

Versus A$879.00 new

See options
iPhone SE (2020)
iPhone SE (2020)
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$108.00

Versus A$529.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Google Pixel 7, released in October 2022, and the iPhone SE 2020, launched in April 2020, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Pixel 7 offers a more contemporary Android experience with advanced camera capabilities and a larger display, the iPhone SE 2020 provides a compact iOS experience with a classic design. These devices cater to different user preferences, primarily differing in their operating systems, display technology, and overall form factor.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline and ongoing software support. The Google Pixel 7, released in late 2022, benefits from a more recent launch, typically translating to a longer period of major Android OS updates compared to the iPhone SE 2020, which debuted in early 2020.

  • Software Updates: The Pixel 7 is expected to receive major Android updates for several more years than the iPhone SE 2020, offering extended access to new features and security patches.
  • Physical Protection: Both devices offer a degree of water and dust resistance, with the Pixel 7 featuring an IP68 rating and the iPhone SE 2020 an IP67 rating. The Pixel 7 also incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced screen durability.
  • Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the latest software features and security updates for the longest possible duration may find the Pixel 7's newer release date more appealing for an extended practical lifespan.

Release year

2022

2020

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The internal components of a smartphone dictate its responsiveness and ability to handle various tasks. The Google Pixel 7, being a more recent device, features a newer generation processor designed for efficient multitasking and advanced computational tasks. The iPhone SE 2020, while still capable, relies on an older processor.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Pixel 7 handles demanding applications, complex games, and extensive multitasking with greater fluidity and speed, providing a consistently smooth user experience.
  • App Loading and Multitasking: Users will notice faster app launch times and seamless transitions between multiple open applications on the Pixel 7, supported by its larger RAM capacity.
  • Future Readiness: The Pixel 7's more current processor offers more headroom for future software updates and increasingly complex applications, potentially maintaining its performance edge for a longer period.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

3 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is a significant factor in daily smartphone use, and these two models offer different display technologies and sizes. The Google Pixel 7 features a larger, more advanced display compared to the more compact screen of the iPhone SE 2020.

  • Display Technology: The Pixel 7 utilizes an OLED display, known for its deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors, while the iPhone SE 2020 features an IPS LCD panel, which provides good color accuracy but with less contrast.
  • Size and Resolution: The Pixel 7 offers a 6.3-inch display with a higher resolution, resulting in sharper text and more detailed images, ideal for media consumption. The iPhone SE 2020 has a smaller 4.7-inch display with a lower resolution, making it more suitable for one-handed use.
  • Refresh Rate and Brightness: The Pixel 7's 90Hz refresh rate provides a smoother scrolling experience compared to the iPhone SE 2020's standard 60Hz. The Pixel 7 also achieves higher peak brightness, improving outdoor visibility.

Resolution

1080 x 2400

750 x 1334

Screen type

AMOLED

Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities and media consumption experiences are key considerations for many smartphone users. The Google Pixel 7 offers a more versatile camera system and a modern approach to photography, while the iPhone SE 2020 provides a reliable single-lens camera.

  • Camera System: The Pixel 7 features a dual-camera setup with a high-resolution main sensor and an ultrawide lens, offering more photographic flexibility and advanced computational photography features like Photo Unblur. The iPhone SE 2020 has a single 12 MP wide camera, which performs well in good lighting conditions.
  • Low-Light Performance: The Pixel 7 generally excels in low-light photography, capturing more detail and brighter images due to its larger sensor and advanced processing. The iPhone SE 2020's low-light performance is competent but less advanced.
  • Video and Audio: Both devices record high-quality video, with the Pixel 7 offering more advanced stabilization and features. Both also include stereo speakers for a more immersive audio experience during media playback.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10.8 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, practical elements like connectivity, ports, and physical design contribute to the overall user experience. The Google Pixel 7 and iPhone SE 2020 differ in several of these aspects, reflecting their respective release eras and design philosophies.

  • Connectivity Standards: The Pixel 7 supports 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E, offering faster mobile data and wireless network speeds. The iPhone SE 2020 supports 4G LTE and Wi-Fi 6.
  • Biometric Security: The Pixel 7 offers both an under-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock for convenient and secure access. The iPhone SE 2020 relies on the classic Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into its home button.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Pixel 7 is a larger device with a more contemporary edge-to-edge display, while the iPhone SE 2020 maintains a compact form factor with a physical home button and bezels, appealing to users who prefer smaller phones.

Weight

212 oz

148 oz

Screen size (in)

6.3

4.7

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Users frequently praise the Google Pixel 7 for its exceptional camera performance, particularly its computational photography features and low-light capabilities. Its vibrant OLED display and smooth 90Hz refresh rate are also commonly highlighted as significant advantages. Some users, however, have noted that its battery life, while generally good, might not always match the endurance of some larger flagship devices, and the phone can get warm during heavy use. The iPhone SE 2020 is often lauded for its compact size, making it easy to handle with one hand, and its continued software support from Apple, ensuring a reliable iOS experience for several years after its release. A common criticism, however, points to its dated design with thick bezels and its LCD screen technology, which offers less contrast compared to modern OLED panels. Its battery life can also be a concern for heavy users, often requiring daily charging.

Users prioritizing a modern Android experience with a focus on advanced photography, a larger, high-refresh-rate display, and the latest connectivity standards will find the Google Pixel 7 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who prefer a compact device, the iOS ecosystem, and a classic design with a physical home button may lean toward the iPhone SE 2020. Both devices offer a quality smartphone experience, and choosing between them often comes down to personal preference for operating system, size, and specific feature priorities. For those considering either model, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can be an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new.

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