Iphone se comparison. Detailed review and testing of Apple iPhone SE

In the lineup of iOS-devices there is iPhone SE - a compact smartphone with impressive features and a great camera.

Externally, the iPhone SE is very similar to the 2013 model, the iPhone 5s. However, inside they have significant differences.

External differences

iPhone SE is available in four color options: Space Grey, Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold. The iPhone 5s in rose gold does not exist.

iPhone SE has improved matte edges. Therefore, even with inaccurate use, the iPhone SE is less prone to minor scratches.

The iPhone SE has the Apple logo in brushed metal and the “SE” badge on the back bottom of the smartphone.

Internal differences

Battery

Thanks to the updated “stuffing” and an increased battery (1624 mAh versus 1560 mAh for the iPhone 5s), the autonomy of the iPhone SE allows you to use your smartphone 2-3 hours longer than 5s.

iPhone SE will last 13 hours of active use on 4G LTE networks, Wi-Fi or video playback and up to 50 hours of non-stop music playback. By comparison, the iPhone 5s could last up to 10 hours of talk time, 10 hours of video playback, or 40 hours of music playback.

RAM

The iPhone SE has 2GB of RAM, while the iPhone 5s has 1GB less.

Therefore, the performance of the iPhone SE is much higher - now you can open a dozen pages in Safari, minimize the browser, launch a resource-intensive game or other application, then open the browser again and not worry that the pages will reload again, wasting traffic and time.

CPU

Inside the iPhone SE is the latest proprietary A9 chip, similar to that of the iPhone 6s.

In performance tests, the SE scores 4421 points. For comparison, the iPhone 5s, which has an A7 processor, scores 2555 points.

The A9 processor guarantees the high speed of the iPhone SE. Even when running resource-intensive applications and games, the system will not slow down.

Coprocessor M9

In addition to the main A9 processor, the iPhone SE has an M9 co-processor that directly interacts with the compass, gyroscope and accelerometer.

Therefore, the smartphone collects and analyzes statistics about physical activity more accurately, and also allows you to use the “Hey Siri” function even when iPhone SE is not connected to the network.

The iPhone SE also supports the Raise to Wake feature in iOS 10, when in order to see notifications on the lock screen, you just need to lift your smartphone off the table.

Camera

The iPhone SE has one of the best cameras in smartphones, with a resolution of 12 megapixels.

When photographing with the front camera, the new Retina Flash feature for selfies is activated: the screen brightness increases several times compared to the normal state. At the beginning of the process, the screen lights up in a cold white color, after which it changes its hue to a warm amber.

The result is a photograph with realistic color reproduction and natural skin tone.

The video function also pleasantly surprises with the quality: unlike the iPhone 5s, where the video resolution is 1920x1080 pixels, and slow motion is possible at 120 fps, the iPhone SE records video at 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels) at 30 fps and slow motion at 240 fps.

If the iPhone 5s shot well with an 8-megapixel camera, then the iPhone SE shoots just fine.

Live Photos

Like iPhone 6s and later, iPhone SE supports Live Photos when you take photos.

If you press your finger on a photo taken on the iPhone SE, then the picture will literally “come to life”. You will see a few seconds before the snapshot is taken and a few seconds after.

This feature in iPhone SE expands the perception of photos and allows you to experience unforgettable moments of nostalgia, looking at photos come to life under your fingers. The iPhone 5s does not have this feature.

Conclusion

iPhone SE will appeal to those who want to get a modern smartphone, but in a compact package.

While the iPhone SE and iPhone 5s are similar in appearance, the SE model has many undeniable advantages that will give you the joy of using Apple products.

Can't decide which to buy - iPhone 5S or iPhone SE? We have made an in-depth comparison of all the most important characteristics of smartphones.

Apple's new iPhone SE will be welcome news for those who have been looking forward to the new 4-inch iPhone for so long. But what do we get when we compare it to the company's current 4-inch champion, the iPhone 5S? To help you make the right choice, we've directly compared each of these phones' specs, discovering how they differ and how they compare to each other, including their design, performance, display, memory options, and camera. Once we have our own SE model in hand to review, we'll update this article with more detailed information, such as test run scores, battery life, and test shots taken with the new model's camera.

iPhone 5S or iPhone SE: Design.

Materials. The iPhone SE is crafted from brushed aluminum and features matte and bevelled edges, much like the iPhone 5S. The SE model even has the same “+” and “–” volume control buttons located on the side panel, and the same stainless steel Apple logo on the back panel to match. So, at first glance, it's very difficult to tell the two apart - unless, of course, you're buying the SE in rose gold, which wasn't previously available in the silver, gold, and "space" gray 5S colorway.

The iPhone SE looks identical to the iPhone 5S

Dimensions. These phones also have exactly the same dimensions, namely - 124x59x7.6 mm, so the SE in the hand does not feel any different from the previous model if you compare them directly. The only difference is that the SE is one gram heavier at 113g compared to the 5S's 112g. However, this is unlikely to affect day-to-day use of the phone, so all things considered, we conclude that the SE is in many ways a revised model of the 5S in new, brighter colors.

iPhone 5S or iPhone SE: Display.

Screen size and resolution. The key feature of the iPhone SE is its 4-inch display. With over 30 million 4-inch iPhones sold in 2015 alone, it's clear that people really, really like tiny iPhones, hence the SE's return to the company's traditional 4-inch design. The screen of the new model is the same size as the screen of the 5S and comes with the same branded “Retina” display with a resolution of 1,134x640 pixels.

As a result, we expect the quality of both screens to be mostly identical, especially considering that during the presentation, company representatives hardly said a word about the display. This means that the new model will not have the trendy Force Touch technology found on the iPhone 6S, but we still have to wait until we have this model to review it and see if it really is.

iPhone 5S or iPhone SE: Specifications.

CPU. The SE is a star in this area, as it uses the same dual-core A9 processor as the iPhone 6S. On the other hand, the 5S only comes with an A7 chip, which, at the moment, is really outdated compared to new designs. It's no surprise that Apple was keen in its launch presentation to highlight just how much this chip speeds up the SE phone compared to the outgoing 5S. The company said that the speed of the CPU has increased by 50% compared to the 5S model, and the work of the GPU has tripled.

Name
Our assessment
Price from	$399	$399	$549
Operating system	iOS 9.3	iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 9.3	iOS 8, upgradable to iOS 9.3
CPU	Apple A9	Apple A7	Apple A8
Dimensions	123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (LWH)	123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (LWH)	138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm (LWH)
Weight	113 g	112 g	129 g
Screen size	4 inches	4 inches	4.7 inches
Screen type	LED-backlit IPS LCD	LED-backlit IPS LCD	LED-backlit IPS LCD
Screen resolution	640 x 1136 pixels	640 x 1136 pixels	750 x 1334 pixels
Screen Pixel Density	326 ppi	326 ppi	326 ppi
Camera resolution	12 MP - rear; 1.2 MP - front		8 MP - rear; 1.2 MP - front
802.11x/Standards	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n	WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth version	v4.2, A2DP, LE	v4.0, A2DP	v4.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes (Apple Pay only)	Not	Yes (Apple Pay only)
Slot for memory cards	Missing	Missing	Missing
RAM	2 GB	1 GB	1 GB
Inner memory	16/64 GB	16/32/64 GB	16/64/128 GB
Battery	Non-removable Li-Po 1642 mAh	Non-removable Li-Po 1560 mAh	Non-removable Li-Po 1810 mAh

It's basically the same performance jump you get when you upgrade from a 5S to a 6S, so we expect to see the same benchmark scores as soon as we get the samples to review. run, as in the model 6S.

Every time you decide to buy a new iPhone, the question arises, which one is better to buy? If the budget is limited, the choice narrows down to a few options. In this article, we will compare two different, but at the same time similar devices: Iphone 6 vs Iphone SE. Since this is not a review, we will not touch on some aspects.

Considering that the iPhones came out not with a big time gap from each other, only two years, the design is radically different. Pre-orders for the 6 began on September 12, 2014, and for the SE from March 21, 2016. It is not clear why the company decided to release our favorite copy of the 5S.

SE is very similar to 5S, only the stuffing is different. The body is made of high-strength aluminum, like the competitor. The edges have the same shape as the 5S. On the front panel you can see a screen with a diagonal of 4 inches, the home button, which has a built-in fingerprint sensor. Also earpiece, proximity sensors and front 1.2 megapixel camera. On the left side are the volume buttons and the switch to silent mode, on the right side is the SIM card tray. On top is the power button for the phone, and on the bottom is the charging connector, speaker, microphone and 3.5 mm. headphone input. The thickness of the phone is 7.6 millimeters. Length 123.8 mm, width 58.6 mm. In the hand lies perfectly, because it weighs only 113 grams.

His competitor got a new design. Instead of smooth, slightly rectangular edges, they became curved and oval. Thanks to this, the smartphone lies chic in the hand. Instead of four inches, a screen with a diagonal of 4.7 inches was installed on the six. The connectors are the same as the predecessor. At the bottom are the charging port and the 3.5mm headphone jack. In addition, the conversational speaker. But the power button is now on the right. It has become much more convenient because it has grown in length and it is easier to reach out with your finger to turn it off.

small in size;
5S fans will love it.

the size has become larger, which means the screen has also increased;
a new feeling of use due to the bevelled edges;
the back cover is aluminum while the SE has solid plastic areas.

Device display

The iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch Retina display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels. Its competitor uses a four-inch screen with 1136 by 640 pixels. The six has priority, due to the fact that it has a large diagonal. If you like to read, then 6 is better for you than SE.

Camera

A lot of people buy smartphones because of it. Therefore, the comparison of cameras will be done as detailed as possible.

The iPhone 6 has an 8 megapixel rear camera with f/2.2 aperture. It can record videos in 1080p 30 or 60 fps HD quality. Front - 1.2 megapixels.

While the SE has a rear 12 megapixel camera but with f/2.4. Video recording can take place in 4K, but also 1080p with 60 frames in place. In almost all respects, the camera of the younger brother is better than that of the big one.

new main 12 megapixel camera like the older model 6S;
the ability to record video in 4K;

Aperture 2.2.

Software and hardware

Next, we will look at the technical characteristics of these devices, their similarities and differences between them. The iPhone 6 is equipped with an A8 chip and has one gigabyte of RAM. The smartphone has a battery with a capacity of 1810 milliamp hours. The amount of built-in memory is 16 or 64 gigabytes without the possibility of expansion. If you decide to buy a six, save up and take the 64 GB version. The phone will not last a day with normal use, so prepare external batteries for recharging. However, the presence of a power-saving mode can solve this problem for a while.

The iPhone SE has a new A9 chip, the same as the 6S. Two gigabytes of RAM will help to cope with heavy applications easier than six. Battery for 1642 milliamp hours. This is 168 less than the competitor, but you will not feel a strong difference. On the contrary, for his money he works out with a bang. The performance of the device in tests is much better. The memory is the same, 16 and 64 gigabytes. Since his year of release is 2016, he will no longer receive firmware support later. The latest IOS 11 is much more stable, while 6 is hard or not at all.

battery capacity is larger;

new processor;
firmware works more stable;
performance is better.

Cost and trend

In online stores you can find a wide variety of offers for purchase. In the middle price segment, the iPhone 6 and SE cost 18,000 and 21,000 respectively, but when it gets cheaper, you can take the 64 GB SE.

As for the trend, today most people like the so-called "shovels". It is problematic to call the younger brother that because of his small screen. SE is good to give to a girl if you have one. Many prefer the six, because it is very similar to last year's flagship, but then they do not dare to switch to 7 or 7S, because the design is not new. Judging objectively, both smartphones will be a good choice, because each has its own zest.

Conclusion

Summing up the comparison of two excellent smartphones 6 and se, we will mention the main theses from our article in order to decide which is better. If you decide to choose between these models, pay attention to the main differences.

First, the camera. The smaller one is better, because it has the ability to shoot 4K video and better images. But it also has one drawback, namely a large aperture. This is not critical, but it will be inconvenient for photographers.

Secondly, the screen. The iPhone 6 and iPhone SE screens are almost identical. Differs in the sizes 4.7 and 4 inches respectively.

Third, iron. The base for the smaller has moved from the older 6S model. The A9 chip in the old 5S case works perfectly. And comparing them, the six cannot boast of such. Modest A8 with one gigabyte of RAM versus two for SE.

Finally, the big picture. An iPhone SE would be a great buy, not an iPhone 6. Why an iPhone SE? It's about the camera, and the best processor, and the screen size does not play a big role.

Video

If you are faced with a choice between iPhone 6s and iPhone SE, then in this review you will find a comparison of all the main parameters of these models: speed, display and camera quality, additional options.



Colors

You can't find fault with the appearance of the devices - they are made in the same classic design for their time, and the visible difference, perhaps, is only in size. Models are presented in the following 4 colors: space gray, silver, gold, rose gold.

Size, thickness and weight

The large screen diagonal allows you to view photos and videos with great comfort. If this is important to you, then your choice is the iPhone 6s, which has a diagonal larger by almost an inch. Against this background, the iPhone SE can only boast of the fact that it weighs noticeably less.

Screen specifications

The iPhone 6s boasts a Retina display with the “HD” prefix: noticeably better contrast and more resolution. Although the pixel density, it is worth noting, remained at the same level.

Processor, memory size and battery


Processor name	Apple A9	Apple A9
CPU frequency	1.8 GHz	1.8 GHz
Memory	32 GB 128 GB	32 GB 128 GB
	Battery life
In talk mode	up to 14 hours	up to 14 hours
In the Internet	until 10 o'clock	up to 13 hours
When listening to audio	up to 50 hours	up to 50 hours

Smartphones are equipped with the same A9 processor with a clock speed of 1.8 GHz, as well as the same memory options. There are also no significant differences in the operating time without recharging.

Camera

Love taking pictures with your phone? Then this section will help you better decide on the choice of model.

Do you often make video calls? The iPhone 6s has a much better front camera resolution.

Other properties

For a complete picture, pay attention to the additional characteristics of the models.


SIM card	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Image stabilization	-	-
Video recording, frame rate		1080p HD video at 30 or 60 fps
Zoom when recording video	3x digital zoom	3x digital zoom
Water protection	-	-
Geolocation	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS	GPS and GLONASS
Authentication	Fingerprint identification sensor (second generation) built into the home button	Fingerprint ID sensor built into the home button

Conclusion

In our review, the iPhone 6s scored 7 likes, while the iPhone SE got 2. Should I make a decision already? Take your time, there are other parameters that can be viewed on the manufacturer's websites. The final table, for which we put likes.

The display is a rectangle with rounded corners. The diagonal of this rectangle, excluding rounds, is 5.85 inches (for iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone XS and iPhone X), 6.46 inches (for iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone XS Max) or 6.06 inches (for iPhone 11 and iPhone XR). The actual viewing area is smaller.
All stated battery specifications are subject to network settings and other factors; Actual hours may not match those shown. The battery has a limited number of charge cycles. After some time, it may need to be replaced by an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Battery life and number of charge cycles may vary depending on device settings and usage patterns. More details on the pages and.
iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS , iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR , iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone 11 are splash, water, and dust resistant and have been specially tested to supported laboratory conditions. iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are rated IP68 under IEC 60529 (submersible up to 4 meters in water for up to 30 minutes). iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone 11 are IP68 rated under IEC 60529 (submersible up to 2 meters in water for up to 30 minutes). Phone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, and iPhone XR are IP67 rated under IEC 60529 (submersible up to 1 meter in water for up to 30 minutes). Splash, water and dust resistance may decrease with normal wear and tear. Don't try to charge a wet iPhone: wipe and dry it according to the instructions in the user manual. Damage resulting from contact with liquid is not covered by the warranty.
The amount of available space is less than stated and depends on various factors. The default configuration (including iOS and pre-installed apps) is approximately 11 to 14 GB, depending on the device model and settings. Pre-installed applications take up about 4 GB; they can be deleted and reloaded. The amount of available space may vary depending on the device and software version.
Dimensions and weights vary by configuration and manufacturing process.
Data plan required. Gigabit Class LTE, 4G LTE Advanced, 4G LTE, VoLTE, and Wi‑Fi calling are not available in all regions or with all carriers. Speed is based on theoretical throughput and may vary depending on local conditions. For details on LTE support, contact your carrier or visit the page.
Both users must have a FaceTime-enabled device and be connected to a Wi-Fi network to use FaceTime. Availability of FaceTime over cellular is subject to carrier conditions; data charges may apply.
Siri may not be available in all languages or all regions. Siri capabilities may also vary. Internet access required. Cellular data charges may apply.
Hey Siri is supported on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus when the device is connected to a power outlet.
Qi wireless chargers are sold separately.
Testing conducted by Apple in August 2017 using preproduction iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus units with pre-release software, and in August 2018 using preproduction iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR units with pre-release software; Apple USB‑C adapters were used (Model A1720 - 18W, Model A1540 - 29W, Model A1882 - 30W, Model A1718 - 61W, Model A1719 - 87W). Testing conducted by Apple in August 2019 using preproduction iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max units with pre-release software; Apple USB‑C adapters were used (Model A1720 - 18W, Model A1540 - 29W, Model A1882 - 30W, Model A1947 - 61W, Model A1719 - 87W). Fast charging testing was conducted on a depleted iPhone. Charging time depends on environmental factors; Actual charging time may not be the same.
An eSIM requires a wireless data plan (may have carrier and roaming restrictions even after contract expiration). Not all carriers support eSIM. When purchasing an iPhone from some carriers, the eSIM feature may be disabled. For more information, contact your carrier. More details on the page