Apple and Google have dropped their most affordable smartphones of the year — the iPhone 17e and the Google Pixel 10a.
Both phones promise flagship-like performance, but at not-so-flagship prices. So, what are the key differences between these two rivals?
One of the biggest differences lies in the display. The Pixel 10a offers a 6.3-inch screen with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, compared with the iPhone 17e’s 6.1-inch 60Hz panel. The Pixel also pushes brightness up to 3,000 nits, far higher than the iPhone 17e’s 1,200 nits peak.
On the camera front, Google includes a dual-camera setup with a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens for added versatility.
Apple, meanwhile, sticks to a single 48-megapixel Fusion camera, but enables 2x optical-grade zoom through in-sensor cropping.
Performance is another key differentiator, as the iPhone 17e runs on Apple’s latest A19 chip built on a 3nm process.
The Pixel 10a uses the Tensor G4 chip, which focuses heavily on AI features but is not the newest silicon in Google’s line-up.
Battery capacity favours the Pixel with its large 5,100mAh cell and 30W wired charging support, while the iPhone 17e promises up to 26 hours of battery life and adds MagSafe support with 15W magnetic wireless charging.
Pricing in India also sets them apart, with the Pixel 10a starting at Rs 49,999 for 128GB, while the iPhone 17e starts at Rs 64,900 but offers 256GB as standard.