Google Pixel 7 Pro • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Unlocked

The Google Pixel 7 Pro, released in October 2022, and the iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Pixel 7 Pro offers a comprehensive, large-screen Android experience with advanced camera capabilities, the iPhone SE 2022 provides a compact iOS device with a focus on core performance in a familiar form factor. These differences extend across their operating systems, display technologies, and overall user interactions.

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Google Pixel 7 Pro, released in October 2022, typically receives three years of major Android operating system updates and five years of security updates from its launch. This means it is expected to receive major OS updates until late 2025 and security updates until late 2027. The iPhone SE 2022, released in March 2022, generally benefits from Apple's longer software support, often receiving five to six years of major iOS updates, potentially extending its functional software life further into the future. However, the iPhone SE 2022 was discontinued in February 2025, which might influence its perceived long-term availability for new purchases, though software support continues.
• Physical Durability: Both devices offer robust build quality. The Pixel 7 Pro features Gorilla Glass Victus on both its front and back, paired with an aluminum frame, and carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone SE 2022 utilizes what Apple describes as the toughest glass in a smartphone on its front and back, along with an aerospace-grade aluminum frame, and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
• Repairability and Practical Lifespan: While specific repairability scores can vary, both manufacturers design their devices with a degree of serviceability in mind. The expected practical lifespan for both phones, assuming typical usage and care, can extend beyond their official software support periods, especially for users who do not require the very latest software features. Opting for a quality-assured refurbished option for either device can further extend its useful life in an eco-friendly manner.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating applications to engaging in demanding activities like gaming or video editing. These two devices offer different performance profiles.

• Processor Capabilities: The Google Pixel 7 Pro is equipped with a processor designed to handle complex AI and machine learning tasks efficiently, contributing to smooth app loading, responsive multitasking, and enhanced computational photography. The iPhone SE 2022 features a powerful chip that delivers rapid application performance and efficient handling of graphics-intensive games and demanding applications, similar to more premium iPhone models from its release era.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Pixel 7 Pro typically comes with a higher amount of RAM, often 12GB, which allows for seamless switching between numerous applications and maintaining many processes in the background without slowdowns. It offers storage options up to 512GB. The iPhone SE 2022, with 4GB of RAM, manages multitasking effectively within the iOS ecosystem and is available with up to 256GB of internal storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Pixel 7 Pro houses a larger 5000 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of use for most users, with adaptive battery features extending this further under light usage. The iPhone SE 2022, with a 2018 mAh battery, is designed for efficiency within its compact form factor, often requiring more frequent charging for heavy users, though it supports fast wired and wireless charging.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and these two models present distinct viewing experiences.

• Display Technology and Size: The Google Pixel 7 Pro features a large 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. Its larger size provides an expansive canvas for media consumption and productivity. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022 has a compact 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display, which provides accurate colors and good viewing angles, but with a more traditional smartphone form factor.
• Resolution and Refresh Rate: The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a high resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, resulting in sharp images and text, complemented by a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The iPhone SE 2022 offers a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels, which is clear for its size, and a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
• Brightness and Clarity: The Pixel 7 Pro's display can reach a peak brightness of up to 1500 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone SE 2022 provides a maximum brightness of 625 nits, which is sufficient for most indoor and outdoor environments. Both displays offer good clarity for everyday use, though the Pixel 7 Pro's higher pixel density and advanced panel technology deliver a more detailed and immersive visual experience.

Camera systems are a significant differentiator, with both devices offering distinct capabilities for capturing photos and videos.

• Rear Camera System: The Google Pixel 7 Pro features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide lens with autofocus, and a 48 MP telephoto lens capable of 5x optical zoom. This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed distant subjects, supported by advanced computational photography features like Photo Unblur and Super Res Zoom up to 30x. The iPhone SE 2022 has a single 12 MP wide camera on the rear, which excels in everyday photography with features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion, producing consistent and high-quality images.
• Front Camera and Video Quality: The Pixel 7 Pro includes a 10.8 MP front camera, suitable for detailed selfies and video calls, and supports 4K video recording at 30 or 60 frames per second, including 10-bit HDR video and Cinematic Blur. The iPhone SE 2022 features a 7 MP front camera and also supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second with cinematic stabilization, providing clear video capture.
• Audio Experience: Both devices offer stereo speaker output for media consumption. The Pixel 7 Pro provides clear audio for calls and media. The iPhone SE 2022 also delivers a good audio experience for its size, suitable for calls and casual media playback.