When it comes to comparing phones, no comparison is more apt than Apple’s iPhone vs. Samsung’s Galaxy because they are the two largest and most well-known phone brands in the world, and they represent iOS vs. Android for the average consumer in large parts of the world, including and especially the United States. Both brands’ most excellent premium options have previously been put against each other; now it’s time for the mid-range showdown: the third-generation iPhone SE vs. the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G.
Price and Availability
The Galaxy A53 and the third-generation iPhone SE, which we’ll refer to as iPhone SE 3 from here on for convenience, are widely available. The following are the prices:
- The iPhone SE 3 starts at $429 for a 64GB model, rising to $479 for a 128GB model and $579 for a 256GB model.
- In the United States, the Galaxy A53 is only available in a 128GB model, which costs $449. However, the A53 offers a 256GB option priced at roughly $510 in several places, including Hong Kong, where I am situated.
Specifications
| Specifications | Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Samsung Galaxy A53 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Aluminum mid-frameGlass front and back | Plastic mid-framePlastic backGorilla Glass 5 front |
| Dimensions & Weight | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm144g | 74.8 x 159.6 x 8.1mm189 g |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD750 x 133460Hz refresh rate | 6.5-inch Super AMOLED1080 x 2400120Hz refresh rate |
| SoC | A15 Bionic | Exynos 1280 |
| RAM & Storage | RAM not disclosed64GB/128GB/256GB | 6/8GB RAM128GB/256GB |
| Battery & Charging | Battery size not disclosed15W wired fast charging8W wireless chargingNo charger in box | 5,000mAh25W wired fast chargingNo charger in box |
| Security | Touch ID capacitive fingerprint scanner | Optical in-display fingerprint scanner |
| Rear Camera(s) | Primary: 12MP f/1.8 | 64MP f/1.8 Main (with OIS)12MP f/2.2 Ultra-wide5MP f/2.4 Depth sensor5MP f/2.4 Macro |
| Front Camera | 7MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.2 |
| Port(s) | Lightning | USB-C |
| Audio | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Connectivity | 5G (mmWave)Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMOBluetooth 5.2NFC | 5G (mmWave) for almost all regions and carriers except AT&T in the USWi-Fi (802.11ac) with 2×2 MIMOBluetooth 5.2NFC |
| Software | iOS 15.4 | One UI 4.1 over Android 12 |
| Other features | Single physical SIM | Dual physical SIM |
Design and Display
It’s clear that when you look at the iPhone SE (2022) and the Galaxy A53 next to each other, they both look like phones from different times. Like other phones, the Galaxy A53 has a screen with thin bezels and a hole punch for the front camera. On the other hand, the iPhone SE follows the pattern set by iPhone 8, which follows the line formed by iPhone 6.
The Galaxy A53 has a plastic frame and back panel with a matte finish. It also has a camera island that fits into the back. The iPhone SE is still made to Apple’s high standards and has a glass and aluminum sandwich build that makes it look and feel more expensive.
The Galaxy A53 has a 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This is the screen on the phone. Compare it to any other smartphone that costs more than $700, and you’ll see this one right next to it. It has deep blacks and a very different look in front of which the iPhone SE and its 4.7-inch screen will not look as good. In the same way as other non-Pro Apple devices, the SE can only run at 60Hz.
Cameras
There are only two cameras on the iPhone SE 3: a 12MP, f/1.8 main camera, and a 7MP, f/2.2 front-facing camera. There is a quad-lens system on the back that includes a 64MP main lens, an ultra-wide angle lens of 12MP, and two other cameras that aren’t very good at what they do. The front of the Galaxy A53 has a 32MP, f/2.2 selfie camera that you can use. Read more; Pixel 6 Pro Review: Imperfectly Perfect
It looks like Samsung’s camera hardware is more powerful than the one on the number. So if you do things like zoom in on an image and look at the pixels, the Galaxy A53’s more pixel-dense shots will often be sharper and more detailed than shots from other phones. The primary camera can take in more light with this phone because it uses pixel-binning technology and has a bigger picture sensor. In very dark places, the iPhone SE 3 sometimes doesn’t work (like in the last set of samples below). Samsung’s camera also likes to turn up the contrast, making a picture look better even if it’s a little less natural.
Software
We’ve already talked about iOS vs. OneUI so we won’t go into too much more here. There will be many things that you’ll recognize if you’ve used an iPhone or a Galaxy phone in the last few years. The significant change for the iPhone SE 3 is that it still has the old circular home button design. This means that it still uses the old iOS method of button-driven navigation instead of swiping. iOS Control Center is also now activated by swiping up from the bottom of your screen rather than swiping down from the upper right corner.
As a Samsung phone, the Galaxy A53 5G is mostly the same as other Samsung phones, except that it can’t run Samsung DeX. As I said earlier, the Galaxy A53 has some performance issues. I sometimes see animation stutters when I go into and out of apps. Read also; Samsung Galaxy S22+ Review: Flagship Sweet Spot.
Verdict
The iPhone SE and the Samsung Galaxy A53 are both excellent phones. Here is what we think about them.
This is a smartphone changing the way people think about budget phones. It has a mix of hardware that tries to split the money it spends on making it evenly. It has a good screen, a good set of cameras, and a battery that lasts all day. But this is also possible because of the compromise on the SoC front and the potential long-term useability of the phone. We think this is a good choice if you want to buy something that will be used a lot for a few years. You will switch it out for a newer or better one at the end of this time.
Now, I’m going to make a case for Apple’s low-cost hardware. If you want a phone that fits in with the Apple ecosystem while still being able to make calls, stay in touch with family, and take a few photos, the iPhone SE is the best choice. It’s the perfect upgrade for a family who hasn’t been used to the iPhone X’s all-screen look.
