BeastCompare

Google Pixel 3a vs iPhone 17 Pro: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 17 Pro edges ahead with a BeastScore of 81.2/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Google

Google Pixel 3a

Google Pixel 3a
82/ 100
Launch pricePrice on request
Apple · 2025

iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro
81/ 100
Launch price$1,099
Head-to-head

iPhone 17 Pro wins 4 of 5 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

Google Pixel 3a
Google Pixel 3a
0 wins
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro
4 wins
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplay
Google Pixel 3aiPhone 17 Pro
Category winners

Scores out of 100. "From specs" scores compare only the specs both phones list. How we score

  • Speedfrom specsiPhone 17 Pro
    45
    90
  • Camerafrom specsiPhone 17 Pro
    32
    91
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieiPhone 17 Pro
    60
    76
  • Batteryfrom specsiPhone 17 Pro
    0
    42
  • Displayfrom specsTie
    88
    88
  • ConnectivityNot enough data
  • SecurityNot enough data
  • ValueNot enough data
Key differences
  • iPhone 17 Pro has the bigger battery4,252 mAh vs 3,000 mAh
  • Google Pixel 3a has a sharper main camera50 MP vs 48 MP
  • iPhone 17 Pro has the bigger screen6.3" vs 5.6"
  • iPhone 17 Pro has a sharper selfie camera18 MP vs 16 MP
  • iPhone 17 Pro has more RAM12 GB vs 4 GB
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy Google Pixel 3a
  • ✓50 MP main camera
  • ✓5.6" display at 120 Hz
Reasons to buy iPhone 17 Pro
  • ✓Bigger 4,252 mAh battery (+1,252 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
  • ✓6.3" display at 120 Hz

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationGoogle Pixel 3aiPhone 17 Pro
1. Display & Screen
Screen typeNot listedLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Screen Size5.6"6.3"
Resolution & DensityN/A 2622x1206 (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz120 Hz ProMotion
BrightnessN/A3,000 nits peak
Screen ProtectionNot listedNot listed
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorSnapdragon 670 Apple A19 Pro (3nm)
CPU CoresNot listedNot listed
GPU GraphicsNot listedApple GPU (6-core)
Operating SystemAndroid 15 iOS 26
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory4 GB LPDDR12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage64 GB256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage SpeedNot listedNot listed
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Wins Camera
Primary Camera50 MP, 50MP Main + Depth Sensor48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Fusion 48MP
Telephoto ZoomNone (digital zoom only)48 MP (8x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS
Ultrawide CameraN/A48 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
Not listed
Front Video
Not listed
Not listed
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens16 MP18 MP, f/1.9
7. Body & Dimensions
DimensionsN/A150 x 71.9 x 8.75 mm
WeightN/A206 g
Build MaterialsNot listedNot listed
SIM TypeNot listedNot listed
Water ResistanceNot listedIP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Wins Battery
Battery Capacity3,000 mAh4,252 mAh
Wired Fast ChargingN/A40W wired fast charging
Wireless ChargingNot listed25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedNot listed
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardNot listedWi-Fi 7
BluetoothNot listed6.0
USB Port & SpeedNot listedUSB-C 3.0
NFCYesYes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedNot listed
Satellite FeaturesNot listedNot listed
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedNot listed
Launch PricePrice on request$1,099
Our verdict

iPhone 17 Pro wins — BeastScore 81.2/100

The iPhone 17 Pro is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (4,252 mAh vs 3,000 mAh) and bigger screen (6.3" vs 5.6"). The Google Pixel 3a is worth a look if you prefer its sharper main camera (50 MP vs 48 MP).

Buy Google Pixel 3a if you want

Reliable all-round performance.

Buy iPhone 17 Pro if you want

Larger battery: 4,252 mAh vs 3,000 mAh · Optical telephoto zoom (1 telephoto lens)

Common questions

Which is better: Google Pixel 3a or iPhone 17 Pro?

The iPhone 17 Pro is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (4,252 mAh vs 3,000 mAh) and bigger screen (6.3" vs 5.6"). The Google Pixel 3a is worth a look if you prefer its sharper main camera (50 MP vs 48 MP). BeastScore: Google Pixel 3a 82.0/100, iPhone 17 Pro 81.2/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between Google Pixel 3a and iPhone 17 Pro?

Google Pixel 3a has a 5.6-inch display and 3000 mAh battery. iPhone 17 Pro has a 6.3-inch display and 4252 mAh battery.

Similar Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G
Samsung

Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G

Apple iPad (2025)
Apple

Apple iPad (2025)

Google Pixel 10a 5G
Google

Google Pixel 10a 5G

OnePlus N6x
Oneplus

OnePlus N6x

Xiaomi Poco C81 Pro
Xiaomi

Xiaomi Poco C81 Pro

vivo iQOO Z11 Lite 5G
Vivo

vivo iQOO Z11 Lite 5G

Oppo A6c (China)
Oppo

Oppo A6c (China)

Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026)
Motorola

Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026)

More Smartphones comparisons

vs

iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro

Compare →
vs

iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro

Compare →
vs

iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro

Compare →
vs

iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17e

Compare →
vs

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro

Compare →
vs

iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17

Compare →
vs

Google Pixel 3a vs Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G

Compare →
vs

iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy M13 (India)

Compare →

Gear for the iPhone 17 Pro

All Amazon Finds →
Amazon FindsBest MagSafe car mountsVent, dash and charging mounts.See the picks Amazon FindsBest 3-in-1 charging stationsPhone, watch and earbuds on one stand.See the picks Amazon FindsAirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs BoseWhich flagship earbuds fit your phone.See the picks Amazon FindsApple Watch vs Galaxy Watch vs Pixel WatchThe right watch for your phone.See the picks

Related articles

All articles →
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Honor Magic V3 vs. OnePlus Open: The Definitive Flagship Foldable Architecture, Hinge Engineering, Crease-Free Displays, and Camera Benchmark Showdown (2026)Flagship Showdown
14 min read

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Honor Magic V3 vs. OnePlus Open: The Definitive Flagship Foldable Architecture, Hinge Engineering, Crease-Free Displays, and Camera Benchmark Showdown (2026)

An exhaustive microarchitectural breakdown, hinge mechanism durability, crease analysis, dual-screen multitasking benchmarks, and periscope camera shootout across the 4 premier book-style foldables of 2026.

Read →
Here are the Apple iPhone Duo alternativesGuide
6 min read

Here are the Apple iPhone Duo alternatives

Explore top alternatives to the $2,000 Apple iPhone Duo, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Xiaomi 18 Fold 5G, Vivo X Fold5 Pro, and OnePlus Open 2.

Read →
Pixel 10a Now $599 vs Galaxy A57 & iPhone 17e: Still Worth It?Tech News
6 min read

Pixel 10a Now $599 vs Galaxy A57 & iPhone 17e: Still Worth It?

Google quietly raised the Pixel 10a from $499 to $599 in early October, and Samsung pushed the Galaxy A57 up to $599.99 the same week. That puts three "budget" phones at the same $599 starting price as the iPhone 17e. Here is what changed, how the three compare, and which one makes sense now.

Read →