Google Pixel 9 • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Unlocked

The Google Pixel 9, released in August 2024, and the iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While both offer capable performance within their respective operating systems, the Pixel 9 introduces a more contemporary design, advanced display technology, and a versatile camera system, contrasting with the iPhone SE 2022's classic form factor and streamlined feature set. These differences cater to varying user preferences, from those seeking the latest innovations to those who value a familiar and compact experience.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. These two devices offer different expectations in terms of their practical lifespan.

• Release Timeline and Age: The Google Pixel 9, released in August 2024, benefits from being a newer device compared to the iPhone SE 2022, which launched in March 2022. This age difference inherently means the Pixel 9 has a longer runway for future updates and technological relevance.
• OS Support Duration: Google has committed to providing seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates for the Pixel 9, ensuring extended software longevity. The iPhone SE 2022, while receiving consistent iOS updates, was eligible for updates up to iOS 26 as of September 2025, indicating a shorter remaining support period due to its earlier release.
• Physical Durability: The Pixel 9 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance, along with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The iPhone SE 2022 also has a durable glass front and back with an aluminum frame and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, providing protection against splashes and submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

Performance in smartphones is about how smoothly devices handle daily tasks, from launching applications to managing multiple processes simultaneously. Both the Pixel 9 and iPhone SE 2022 deliver responsive experiences, though with different underlying architectures.

• Processor Capabilities: The Pixel 9 is powered by a current-generation processor, enabling it to handle demanding applications and multitasking smoothly. The iPhone SE 2022 incorporates a powerful chip that provides a fast and responsive experience for gaming, streaming, and general multitasking.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 12GB of RAM, the Pixel 9 offers substantial capacity for running numerous applications concurrently without slowdowns, contributing to an overall fluid user experience. The iPhone SE 2022, equipped with 4GB of RAM, manages everyday tasks and app switching efficiently within its operating system.
• Storage Options: The Pixel 9 is available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, utilizing UFS 3.1 technology for faster data access. The iPhone SE 2022 offers storage configurations of 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB, providing options for different user storage needs.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and the Pixel 9 and iPhone SE 2022 offer distinct visual experiences based on their underlying technologies and design philosophies.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Pixel 9 features a 6.3-inch Actua OLED display, providing deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a high contrast ratio for an immersive viewing experience. The iPhone SE 2022 uses a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, which offers accurate color reproduction and sufficient clarity for everyday use.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Pixel 9's display can reach up to 1800 nits for HDR content and a peak brightness of 2700 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone SE 2022 has a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits, which is adequate for most indoor and outdoor scenarios but may be less vibrant under direct sunlight.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Pixel 9 offers a variable refresh rate ranging from 60Hz to 120Hz, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone SE 2022 maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate, providing a consistent but less fluid visual experience compared to higher refresh rate displays.

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many smartphone users, and both devices offer distinct photographic strengths, though with different hardware configurations and computational approaches.

• Rear Camera System: The Pixel 9 features a dual-camera setup, including a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization and a 48MP ultrawide camera with autofocus and macro capabilities, allowing for diverse photographic perspectives. The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a single 12MP wide rear camera with optical image stabilization, which is known for producing consistent and high-quality images in good lighting conditions.
• Photography Features and Performance: The Pixel 9 includes advanced computational photography features such as Night Sight for improved low-light performance, Astrophotography, Portrait Mode, Face Unblur, Photo Unblur, and Super Res Zoom up to 8x. The iPhone SE 2022 benefits from Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode (optimized for human subjects), delivering detailed and well-exposed photos, though it lacks a dedicated Night Mode.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at various frame rates. The Pixel 9 has a 10.5MP front camera with autofocus, suitable for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone SE 2022 features a 7MP front camera that supports Portrait mode and offers reliable performance for video calls and selfies.