As far as I am concerned, the Pixel 6a is the iPhone SE for Android I have been waiting for

A Google Pixel 6a reminds me of an iPhone SE. There's more to it than size. Similar to Apple's iPhone SE positioning. Google's Pixel 6a is Apple's iPhone SE. Despite their non-flagship cameras, battery, and display, both devices feature downgraded tech with a flagship SoC.

An iPhone SE with a 4.7-inch display and a 5.45-inch height is expected to be released in 2022. In contrast, the Google Pixel 6a features a 6.1-inch display. Although it looks bigger on paper, 6.1-inch is the new 5-inch in Android land. 

As with the iPhone SE in 2022, it has one of the smallest displays of any Android device. Due to their 60Hz refresh rate, the iPhone SE and Pixel 6a fall short of high refresh rates. On the Pixel 6a, however, the snappy UI interaction feels much better than 'just' 60Hz. 

While this phone isn't quite as fast as a smartphone with a 120Hz or 90Hz refresh rate, I find it to be a lot snappier than smartphones with 60Hz refresh rates. The 2022 iPhone SE comes with a single 12MP camera with optical image stabilization. 

As far as cheap iPhones are concerned, it is still considered to be one of the best choices for videography. Due to its ultrawide angle lens, the Pixel 6a is more feature-rich and versatile than its predecessor.

The Pixel 6a is also capable of doing things that other Android smartphones cannot. When I was shooting time-lapses, I discovered that you could change the timelapse speed as well as the lens. 

With a single tap, you can switch between ultrawide and the primary camera, along with 2x digital zoom. Despite not having the most impressive camera package on an Android phone, the Pixel 6a more than lives up to its price tag.

The iPhone SE and Pixel 6a are both powered by flagship chipsets. The iPhone SE is powered by the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13 lineup in 2021. Google's Pixel 6 series, which launched in 2021, is equipped with its Tensor chip.

With a flagship chipset, you also get more updates. With platform updates and security updates for four years, the Pixel 6a should last you three years. Having a mid-range phone with as many updates as a flagship is satisfactory. 

With iPhone SE and Pixel 6a, midranges get more attention than flagships. I think Google followed the iPhone SE inspiration a little too closely here. Pixel phones with killer battery life would have been perfect. However, you have the same battery issues as the iPhone SE.

The Pixel 6a follows the same formula as the iPhone SE. The performance will improve as time progresses, and you can expect it to receive major updates in the coming years. As with every Pixel, the camera is the best part of the Pixel 6a. 

The Pixel 6a has a flagship chip, solid cameras, and years of updates, just like the iPhone SE. While there are plenty of mid-range Android smartphones available today, the Pixel 6a is the closest to the iPhone SE formula. 

While the battery life is disappointing, everything else - including the processor and cameras - is top-notch. I'm glad Google copied Apple's playbook this time because Apple gets plenty of flak for copying Google.