Google Pixel 10a vs. iPhone 17e: Which Budget Phone is Best?

Google is shaking up what you should expect from a high-quality phone at a smart price. is on the cutting edge of AI, has a battery that lasts all day,² and features an incredible camera. But is it one of the best entry-level phones you can get? Obviously, we’re big Pixel fans. So let’s step away from the subjective stuff and look at the facts.

When you pick up a Pixel 10a, the first thing you’ll notice is the screen. Its 6.3-inch Actua display is bright, vibrant, and incredibly smooth.¹ It’s also larger than iPhone 17e’s 6.1-inch display. And Pixel 10a gives you 120Hz, which makes scrolling through your feed or switching apps feel fluid and responsive. Think of it this way – when you scroll through a long article, a high refresh rate makes the text stay sharp and readable while it moves. iPhone 17e has a 60Hz refresh rate.

Google Pixel phones are famous for their cameras, and Pixel 10a is no exception. It rocks a dual rear camera system that includes a powerful 48 MP wide main sensor and a 13 MP ultrawide lens.³ That lens gives you a 120-degree field of view, helping you capture sweeping landscapes or fit the whole group into a shot without backing up. iPhone 17e comes with a single 48 MP rear camera.

Creating share-worthy photos on Pixel is easier than ever, with an assist from AI.

can quickly scan a scene and give suggestions about framing, camera mode, and more.⁴

When it comes to editing, iPhone 17e allows you to remove unwanted objects, people, or background distractions from photos.

has magical editing with Google Photos, which lets you resize, move, add, and remove objects to get the exact composition you want.

Pixel's

feature ensures no one is left out of the group photo – not even the photographer.⁵ Just take one picture, hand the phone to a friend, and step into the frame for the second shot. Then the phone blends them together. If someone blinks during a family portrait, on Pixel 10a comes to the rescue. It can swap faces from similar shots helping everyone look their best. You also don’t need to learn any tools or settings to perfect your images. Simply ask for the edits you want, and Google Photos can bring your vision to life in seconds.⁶

Powered by the Google Tensor G4 chip, Pixel 10a is built for Gemini. You can chat with

to brainstorm ideas or practice for an interview in a natural, free-flowing conversation.⁷ It’s like having a helpful assistant right in your pocket.

You can also use

to search what you see on your screen. Spotted an outfit you love in a video? Just circle it to find every individual piece in a single search.⁸ Once you’ve found something you love, you can tap 'Try it On' to see how the piece looks on you virtually.⁸

Pixel 10a also brings you helpful calling tools like

.⁹ With Call Assist, your Pixel identifies the best times to call, turns complex phone menus into simple tapable buttons, and even waits on hold so you don't have to.

Pixel 10a is built to last. It houses a robust 5,100 mAh battery – larger than iPhone 17e’s 4,005 mAh battery – and is designed to last more than

.² When you do need to plug in, it supports faster charging to get you back up and running quickly, with wired charging of 30W, compared to 20W for iPhone 17e.¹²

Both phones offer strong support windows, but Pixel 10a guarantees seven years of OS and security updates, along with regular

that bring new tools to your phone over time.¹³ This ensures your device evolves and improves long after you unbox it. iPhone 17e provides five years of updates.

The comes in four exclusive colors – Lavender, Berry, Obsidian, and Fog – and it has a lower starting price at just $499. iPhone 17e starts at $599 and comes in three colors – Soft Pink, White and Black.