Apple announced the iPhone 17e earlier this week as its latest entry point into the iPhone ecosystem. It’s got the latest A19 chip, MagSafe support and enough performance to last three or four years. However, the 17e isn’t the only mid-range smartphone with ambitions. Google launched the Pixel 10a last month, and both phones sit below their respective flagship lineups without crossing into the premium territory. But which one should you go for? Let’s check out how the iPhone 17e compares to the Pixel 10a.
The iPhone 17e starts at Rs 64,900 in India for 256GB of storage, with the 512GB variant priced at Rs 84,900. In comparison, the Pixel 10a is available in a single 256GB version with 8GB RAM in India at Rs 49,999. On paper, the Pixel 10a undercuts the iPhone 17e, but it’s not like they don’t make compromises.
The iPhone 17e uses a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a 2532 x 1170 resolution and a peak brightness of 1200 nits, but it is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and has a notch cutout. Apple pairs this display with a glass front protected by Ceramic Shield 2, a glass back and an aluminium frame. The phone measures 7.8mm in thickness and weighs 169 grams. It is also IP68 rated for dust and water resistance.
The Pixel 10a features a larger 6.3-inch P-OLED display with a 2424 x 1080 pixels resolution with a higher 120Hz refresh rate and a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The peak brightness is rated up to 3000 nits and it uses Gorilla Glass 7i on the front, an aluminium frame and a plastic back. It is thicker at 9mm and heavier at 183 grams, with an IP68 rating as well. This is why it is able to pack a larger battery and doesn’t have a camera bump.
The difference between 60Hz and 120Hz is immediately visible in scrolling and animations. The Pixel 10a will feel smoother in everyday use, but the iPhone 17e counters with a higher pixel density at around 460 ppi, compared to roughly 422 ppi on the Pixel.
The iPhone 17e is powered by the Apple A19 chip built on a 3nm process, paired with a 4-core Apple GPU and 8GB of RAM. It runs iOS 26.3. Apple also includes its newer C1X modem and support for MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W.
The Pixel 10a runs on Google’s Tensor G4 processor, built on a 4nm process, with a Mali-G715 MP7 GPU and 8GB of RAM. It ships with Android 16 and promises up to seven major Android upgrades. The USB-C port here supports USB 3.2, unlike 2.0 on the iPhone 17e.
The A19 is a top-tier mobile chip that’s also used in the flagship iPhone 17. The Tensor G4 is not positioned as a performance-intensive chip, but it is tuned for Google’s AI-driven features such as real-time scam detection, Call Assist, call transcription and on-device AI tools which are part of the Pixel experience.
On the rear, the iPhone 17e uses a single 48MP wide camera with OIS and support for 2x zoom. It records 4K video at up to 60fps with Dolby Vision support. The front camera is a 12MP unit with PDAF and 3D depth sensing for Face ID.
The Pixel 10a features a dual-camera setup: a 48MP primary sensor with OIS and a 13MP ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view. On the front, it uses a 13MP ultra-wide selfie camera. Video recording supports 4K at up to 60fps on the rear.
While the Pixel 10a’s ultra-wide lens adds compositional flexibility for landscapes, group shots and tight indoor scenes, the iPhone 17e relies on its main sensor and computational photography for zoom and framing.
Apple lists the iPhone 17e with a 4005mAh battery. It supports wired charging that can reach 50% in around 30 minutes and 15W wireless charging via MagSafe or Qi2. The inclusion of MagSafe marks a functional shift for the “e” series, aligning it more closely with Apple’s accessory ecosystem.
The Pixel 10a includes a larger 5100mAh battery. It supports 30W wired charging, reaching 50% in about 30 minutes and 10W wireless charging. It also supports bypass charging, a feature relevant for sustained gaming sessions.
The larger battery capacity on the Pixel could give it an advantage over the 17e, but we also know that the efficiency gains from the A19 chip and modem will be instrumental in driving a day’s worth of use. Having said that, real-world results depend on usage habits.
The iPhone 17e presents itself as a more integrated entry into Apple’s ecosystem, with the A19 chip, MagSafe support and higher base storage, justifying the premium. The Pixel 10a, meanwhile, offers a more robust hardware specification for a lower price, especially with its 120Hz display, ultra-wide camera, larger battery and AI-driven software.
Read More: Apple iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: Price in India, specs, features and all major differences