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At $400, both the Pixel 3a and iPhone SE are compelling choices for smartphone shoppers on a budget.
If having a large, vibrant screen and a camera that can snap clear photos in the dark are important to you, the Pixel 3a may be the better choice.
But the iPhone SE also has a few advantages over the Pixel 3a that are worth taking into account. Its biggest asset is its processor; the iPhone SE runs on Apple's top-of-the-line smartphone chipset, whereas the Pixel 3a is powered by a midrange Qualcomm 670 processor from 2018.
That processor will likely hold up just fine for most daily tasks, like browsing the web, checking email, streaming video, and taking photos.
But the newer and faster processor in Apple's iPhone SE means it'll probably continue to feel fast and snappy for a longer period of time.
The iPhone SE is also water resistant unlike the Pixel 3a and comes in multiple storage options (64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, versus the Pixel 3a's 64GB).
All told, the Pixel 3a is probably the right choice for Android fans that care about having a large screen that can show information even when the display is inactive, a camera that's better-equipped to take photos in the dark, and a headphone jack.
If you're not partial to Android and are looking for a phone with faster performance, more durability, and extra storage, check out the iPhone SE.