The best iPhone SE (2022) alternatives: 6 phones to consider before you buy

The iPhone SE (2022) continues to be one of the best budget phones you can buy, but here at Android Authority, we know iOS is not everyone’s cup of tea. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from, especially on the Android side of things. In this list, we will show you some of the best iPhone SE (2022) alternatives.

The best iPhone SE (2022) alternatives

The iPhone SE is a very competitive phone at its $429 MSRP. It comes with pretty powerful specs that even compare to some iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models. The competition is harsh, but there are some great alternatives out there.

Editor’s note: We will regularly update this list of the best iPhone SE alternatives as new phones launch and older ones are phased out. 

Google Pixel 6a

It’s always a Google vs Apple fight around here, and if there is a direct competitor to the iPhone SE, it has to be the Google Pixel 6a. These devices target the same demographic, featuring a near-high-end experience at much more accessible price points than premium flagships.

In the case of the Pixel 6a, you have a Google Tensor processor and 6GB of RAM. That is a potent processor that powered the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro before it. And 6GB of RAM is plenty for most users, especially at a $449 MSRP.

The OLED screen has a good size of 6.1 inches, and the Full HD+ resolution is plenty good at this size. Google is known for its cameras, and while the hardware in this phone doesn’t match the best camera phones out there, the system is backed by Google’s computational photography smarts. This means it will take amazing shots, even putting itself up there with some of the top dogs.

Of course, no price cut comes without some sacrifices. The design is mostly plastic, even if it actually looks and feels great. There is no wireless charging, and you get a slightly downgraded IP67 rating. Fast charging isn’t also as great, as it can only handle 18W.

Check out our full review to learn more about Google Pixel 6a.

Samsung Galaxy A54

Samsung fans don’t have to feel left behind. The Korean giant has a great mid-tier option that will bring a great experience for a fair price, and it’s the Samsung Galaxy A54. It actually looks much like a Galaxy S23, but it switches the materials to more wallet-friendly ones. It is made of Gorilla Glass 5 and sports a polycarbonate mid-frame. You can also pick from a few fun, colorful options: Lime, Graphite, Violet, and White.

Packed inside you’ll find an Exynos 1380 processor and 6-8GB of RAM, as well as up to 256GB of internal storage. The 6.4-inch display is fairly sized, but it has a Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and Super AMOLED panel. You’ll also get a sizeable 5,000mAh battery and 25W charging. It also lacks wireless charging, though, something the iPhone SE touts proudly. And just like the Pixel 6a, this one has a lesser IP67 rating.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 has a $449 MSRP, which competes very closely with the iPhone SE and Pixel 6a.

Moto G Stylus 5g (2022)

Motorola has long been known for its value offerings, and it’s not stopping anytime soon. The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is one of the best iPhone SE (2022) alternatives. As its name entails, it has a stylus, which you won’t often find in devices at any price point, and adds an extra layer of functionality many of you will love.

It’s a pretty good phone elsewhere, too. Specs include a Snapdragon 695 and 6-8GB of RAM, as well as up to 256GB of storage. The battery is large at 5,000mAh, even if charging is slow at 10W. You’ll also love this phone if you prefer larger screens, as this one comes with a 6.8-inch panel, which also happens to feature a Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

The best news is that, while the phone has a $499.99 MSRP, you can often find it heavily discounted. We’ve seen it go for as low as $249.99!

Check out our full review to learn more about Moto G Stylus 5g (2022).

POCO X5 Pro

POCO has become famous for offering top bang per buck, and the POCO X5 Pro has all it needs to be one of the best iPhone SE (2022) alternatives. What’s best, it accomplishes this at a significantly lower price point.

We loved its slim and light design. It also has a very neat 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The main camera is pretty good. Battery life is also outstanding, thanks to its 5,000mAh unit, which can actually charge at 67W. That is a serious accomplishment in this price range.

The IP53 rating is pretty bad, it has plenty of bloatware, and there is no update commitment. It’s also hard to get in the USA. If you can look past those downsides, though, this is one heck of a deal.

Check out our full review to learn more about POCO X5 Pro.

ASUS Zenfone 9

The ASUS Zenfone 9 doesn’t really compete with the iPhone SE in terms of pricing. It’s more expensive at an MSRP of $699.99. That said, it is one of the best iPhone SE (2022) alternatives if you’re looking for another small phone.

While it doesn’t compare to the 4.7-inch screen on the iPhone SE, the ASUS Zenbfone 9 has a pretty small 5.9-inch screen. The whole phone is only slightly larger, though, because the iPhone SE has some significantly large bezels.

By the way, this phone also happens to come with specs that compete with the best of the best. These include a powerful Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, up to 16GB of RAM, as much as 256GB of storage, and 30W charging. The battery is pretty small at 4,300mAh, but that can be justified given the phone’s size.

Check out our full review to learn more about ASUS Zenfone 9.

iPhone 13 Mini

Now, if you really want to stick with Apple devices and want one of the best iPhone SE (2022) alternatives within the ecosystem, the next best option is the iPhone 13 Mini.

They both come with an Apple A15 Bionic processor and 4GB of RAM, so performance should be very similar. It’s also actually shorter and narrower, and only a tiny bit thicker. This means that if you want a small phone, the 13 Mini is technically a better option.

It costs significantly more at $599, but you’ll get plenty of upgrades. The battery is bigger at 2,438mAh, the screen is also larger at 5.4 inches, and it has a better Super Retina XDR OLED panel. You also get a couple of 12MP rear cameras, as opposed to just one. It also supports 15W MagSafe charging, and happens to look much more modern.

These are the best iPhone SE (2022) alternatives in our book. Are you not convinced by these picks? Then grab yourself an iPhone SE (2022) via the link below.