iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs Pixel 9a (Unlocked): Which one is worth it?
Side-by-side US MSRP bands, editorial scores, and strengths—then tune budget and priority to see which model fits your purchase.
A
iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Apple · 2022
$429–$700
Overall 72/100
Official anchorFull iPhone SE (3rd gen) guide →G
Pixel 9a (Unlocked)
Google · 2025
$499–$649
Overall 82/100
Official anchorFull Pixel 9a (Unlocked) guide →Quick verdicts (our rubric)
- Best for camera
Pixel 9a (Unlocked)
- Best for battery
Pixel 9a (Unlocked)
- Best for performance
Tie
- Best value score
Tie
- Best overall rubric / for most people
Pixel 9a (Unlocked)
Which fits you?
Set budget and top priority—we score each phone with the same personalization rules as product pages.
iPhone SE (3rd gen)
77
Worth it
$429–$700
Pixel 9a (Unlocked)
84
Worth it
$499–$649
→ Dead heat for these settings—either could work.
Full comparison
| Spec | iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Pixel 9a (Unlocked) |
|---|---|---|
| Price band (US MSRP) | $429–$700 | $499–$649 |
| Release year | 2022 | 2025 |
| Camera | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Battery | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Performance | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Display | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Value | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Overall score | 72/100 | 82/100 |
iPhone SE (3rd gen) — pros
- • Strong value for the price
- • Reliable battery life for most people
- • Smooth performance for everyday apps
Pixel 9a (Unlocked) — pros
- • Strong value for the price
- • Reliable battery life for most people
- • Smooth performance for everyday apps
iPhone SE (3rd gen) — cons
- • A few premium-camera or chipset tradeoffs versus pricier flagships
Pixel 9a (Unlocked) — cons
- • A few premium-camera or chipset tradeoffs versus pricier flagships
iPhone SE (3rd gen) — best for
- • Daily driver
- • Students
- • Budget-conscious buyers
Pixel 9a (Unlocked) — best for
- • Daily driver
- • Students
- • Budget-conscious buyers