Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone SE (2022)

The Google Pixel 9, released in August 2024, and the iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Pixel 9 offers a modern Android experience with advanced camera capabilities and a larger display, the iPhone SE 2022 provides a compact iOS experience, retaining a classic design with a powerful internal processor. These devices cater to different user preferences, particularly concerning operating system, form factor, and feature set.

When considering the longevity of these devices, both offer substantial software support, though with different timelines and approaches.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The Google Pixel 9, being a newer device from August 2024, benefits from Google's commitment to seven years of OS and security updates, extending its software lifespan significantly. The iPhone SE 2022, released in March 2022, typically receives 5 to 7 years of major iOS updates, with security patches potentially extending beyond that, suggesting support until around 2028-2030 for OS updates.
• Physical Durability: The Pixel 9 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone SE 2022 uses stronger glass similar to the back of the iPhone 13 series and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
• Repairability: The Google Pixel 9 has been noted for a relatively high repairability score, with some sources giving it an 8.0 out of 10, though others mention challenges with battery adhesive and a potentially fragile logic board. The iPhone SE 2022 has an average repairability score of 5.5 out of 10, with common components like the battery and screen being replaceable, but often requiring specialized tools and dealing with adhesive.

Both smartphones deliver capable performance for everyday tasks, though they differ in their underlying architecture and how they handle demanding applications.

• Processing Power: The Google Pixel 9 is equipped with a current-generation processor designed for efficient multitasking and handling advanced AI features, ensuring smooth operation across various applications. The iPhone SE 2022 features a powerful processor that enables swift app launches and fluid navigation, providing a responsive user experience for its class.
• Multitasking and Storage: With 12GB of RAM, the Pixel 9 offers substantial capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously and managing complex tasks without significant slowdowns. The iPhone SE 2022 comes with 4GB of RAM, which is optimized within the iOS ecosystem to provide efficient multitasking for typical smartphone usage. Storage options for the Pixel 9 include 128GB and 256GB, while the iPhone SE 2022 is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB configurations.
• Battery Behavior: The Pixel 9 houses a 4700 mAh battery, supporting fast wired and wireless charging, and is designed to last a full day for many users, though some reports indicate potential for quicker drain under heavy use or with specific applications. The iPhone SE 2022 has a 2018 mAh battery, and while it supports wireless charging, its smaller capacity often means more frequent charging for heavy users, with typical usage yielding less than a full day for some.

The visual experience on these two devices presents a clear contrast, primarily due to differences in display technology, size, and refresh rates.

• Display Technology and Size: The Google Pixel 9 features a 6.3-inch OLED display, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors, which enhances the viewing experience for media consumption and general use. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022 utilizes a 4.7-inch LCD display, which provides good color accuracy and brightness but does not offer the same contrast levels as an OLED panel.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Pixel 9's display has a resolution of 1080x2424 pixels, resulting in a sharp image with 422 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPhone SE 2022 has a resolution of 750x1334 pixels, with a pixel density of 326 ppi, which is clear for its size but less dense than the Pixel 9's screen.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: The Pixel 9 offers a dynamic refresh rate that can adjust between 60Hz and 120Hz, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, and can reach high peak brightness levels for outdoor visibility. The iPhone SE 2022 maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is suitable for most daily tasks but does not offer the same visual fluidity as higher refresh rate displays.

Both devices offer capable camera systems, but they differ in their configurations and computational photography strengths.

• Rear Camera System: The Google Pixel 9 features a dual-camera setup on the rear, including a 50-megapixel main sensor with optical and electronic image stabilization, and a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens with a wide field of view. The iPhone SE 2022 has a single 12-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture and autofocus, which benefits from the device's powerful processor for image processing enhancements.
• Photography Performance: The Pixel 9 is known for its computational photography, excelling in detail, color accuracy, and low-light performance, though some users have noted occasional issues with video stability and social media app integration. The iPhone SE 2022 produces good images in well-lit conditions with accurate colors, but it lacks a dedicated Night mode, which can limit its performance in very low light environments.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both phones are capable of recording high-quality video. The Pixel 9 supports 4K video recording at various frame rates, and includes stereo speakers and noise suppression for audio. The iPhone SE 2022 also supports 4K video recording, and its microphone quality is generally considered good for calls and recordings.