With the price of top-tier flagship smartphones hovering around $1,200 / AU$1,700, it’s worth considering a good smartphone that splits the difference between features and price, delivering good enough (and sometimes better) performance at a price most people can afford.
Apple’s latest iPhone 17e looks like the kind of phone that comes with a 48MP Fusion camera, MagSafe charging, Super Retina XDR display, the powerful A19 chip and 256GB of storage, all for just $599 / AU$999.
A closer look
In this liminal space where we don’t have a review of either phone, the Pixel 10a beats the iPhone 17e on a few crucial aspects.
First of all, the Pixel 10a is slightly larger at 6.3 inches versus 6.1 inches on the 17e. Apple’s Super Retina XDR OLED screen is, at 2532×1170, a slightly higher resolution than the Pixel 10a OLED, but at 2424×1080, that phone is no slouch. And while the 17e’s brightness peaks at 1200 nits, the Pixel 10a offers up to 3000 nits maximum brightness
Both phones have a 48MP main camera, but Google adds a 13MP ultrawide on the back. Sure, I wish the megapixels were higher, but having the ultra-wide in your pocket for extra-dramatic shots can’t be beat.
The Google Pixel 10a is also packed with Gemini intelligence, which the iPhone 17e currently can’t match, even with its support for Apple Intelligence. Gemini is ready on Pixel 10a to answer questions, help you understand your world with Gemini Live, and create and edit photos. There’s even a camera coach who can guide you step by step through taking better photos. Aside from photo cleanup and mediocre ChatGPT integration, there’s nothing like it on iOS 26; at least we know Gemini is coming to Siri’s rescue.
Let’s get flat
And then there is the flatness. The Pixel 10a is the first modern flat phone in a while; no camera bump to make it sit unevenly on your table or feel a bit bulky in your pocket. Even with just one camera, the iPhone 17e has a small raised lip around its 48 MP camera.
However, there are clear advantages to the iPhone 17e. Let’s start with the A19, this year’s Apple silicon, which means you can expect top performance. Pixel 10a? It’s stuck with last year’s Tensor G4. Not a slow chip by any means, but not top-tier either.
Additionally, the 17e has MagSafe support, meaning it’s equipped with built-in magnets that snap onto any MagSafe accessory or wireless charger (and 15W zippered charger). Despite all other Pixel 10s getting the new Pixel Snap, the Pixel 10a omitted it. Finally, the cheaper Pixel 10a comes with half the storage. If you want 256GB, you’ll end up paying $599 / AU$999 for the Pixel 10a, which is, yes, the same price as the iPhone 17e.
I’m not saying the iPhone 17e isn’t a great value iPhone; of course it is, especially for those already in the Apple ecosystem. However, Apple didn’t invent the affordable smartphone, and its efforts often pale in comparison to Android competitors like Google, a company that has made a business of delivering more, usually for less.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube and TikTok for news, reviews, video unboxings, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
