When comparing phones, you typically need them to be in the identical league. These days that may imply there’s a number of hundred {dollars} separating the fashions—just like the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, or the Galaxy S20+ and the OnePlus 8 Pro—however everybody is aware of the $1,400 Galaxy S20 Ultra will trounce a $400 Galaxy A51.
But Apple’s new iPhone SE is a horse of a distinct shade. Yes, it’s Apple’s funds telephone and prices greater than a thousand {dollars} lower than the highest-end Galaxy S20, however it additionally has a bunch of Apple’s newest tech. And, you understand, it’s an iPhone.
I did the unthinkable and in contrast it to the three of the highest Android telephones accessible right now: Galaxy S20 Ultra ($1,400), Google Pixel 4 ($900) and OnePlus 7T ($600). Add all of it up and also you’ve obtained $3,000 in Android telephones in opposition to one lowly $399 iPhone. But what ought to have been a ridiculously one-sided battle was surprisingly shut.
iPhone SE vs Android: Design
The iPhone SE seems to be and looks like an older telephone. Like the iPhone 8, the SE is extraordinarily much like the {hardware} launched with the iPhone 6 in 2014 and you may really feel each little bit of its six-year-old design. The display is small, the bezels are monstrous, and the house button is bodily. It’s been a very long time since an Android telephone of any reputation had a house button, and the SE seems to be and feels downright antiquated compared to the opposite telephones right here.
The iPhone SE (proper) has extraordinarily related dimensions to the iPhone 6s.
I’m not going to debate the designs of the opposite telephones, however I’ll say this: Despite its historical seems to be, the iPhone SE is an especially engaging telephone with a strong construct high quality and retro allure. Even Apple’s outdated designs are higher than a few of right now’s Android telephones, and the glass again, aluminum sides, and punctiliously curved chamfers are satisfyingly symmetrical and ergonomically nice. The S20 and 7T are undoubtedly a step forward within the seems to be division—the Pixel 4 is a toss-up—however for a telephone that hasn’t been in fashion for years, the SE actually isn’t so dangerous.
Granted, its not a telephone for everybody, however those that like or can get previous its outdated Home button will recognize is craftsmanship. The easy glass again and polished aluminum edges bely its $399 price ticket, and the entire bundle looks like a premium handset. Its bezels are means too huge to compete with the opposite telephones right here, however there’s a sure allure to the iPhone SE—and it’s good to not have to fret about palm rejection. There’s additionally one thing to be stated for a telephone that matches in any pocket.
iPhone SE vs Android: Display
Right off the bat, the iPhone SE is at an obstacle. While the Android telephones right here all have high-refresh-rate OLED shows, the iPhone SE makes use of an LCD display that pales compared to the opposite telephones right here:
Galaxy S20 Ultra: 6.9-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED, 120Hz, 3200×1440, 511 ppi
Pixel 4 XL: 6.3-inch Quad HD+ P-OLED, 90Hz, 3040×1440, 537ppi
OnePlus 7T: 6.55-inch Full HD+ AMOLED, 90Hz, 2400×1080, 402ppi
iPhone SE: 4.7-inch HD IPS LCD, 60Hz, 1334×750, 326 ppi
Michael Simon/IDGThere’s a 2.2-inch distinction between the iPhone SE’s display and the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s.
Apple labels the iPhone SE a Retina HD show moderately than Liquid Retina, however it’s primarily the identical show because the iPhone 11 with sq. corners as an alternative of rounded ones. But for an LCD that’s already a number of years outdated, the iPhone SE’s display is surprisingly good. Text is crisp and it’s very vibrant, rivaling the height guide brightness I used to be in a position to obtain on the opposite shows utilizing the identical all-white picture.
Galaxy S20 Ultra: 610 nits
Pixel 4 XL: 745 nits
OnePlus 7T: 870 nits
iPhone SE: 740 nits
However, with adaptive brightness turned on and a direct supply of vibrant gentle utilized, the outcomes had been dramatically totally different.
Galaxy S20 Ultra: 1275 nits
Pixel 4 XL: 1075 nits
OnePlus 7T: 1275 nits
iPhone SE: 840 nits
With adaptive brightness turned on, the OLED shows can leverage superior algorithms and better distinction ratio to ship fuller colours and spectacular brightness. And they’re far superior on the decrease finish too, with extremely deep blacks that put the SE’s LCS to disgrace.
Michael Simon/IDGThe iPhone is the thinnest telephone right here however not by a lot.
Then there’s the problem of measurement. The iPhone SE isn’t simply small for 2020, it seems to be comically small in comparison with the Galaxy S20 Ultra and is greater than an inch and a half smaller than the common Android flagship. Even the 5.8-inch display on the iPhone 11 Pro seems to be monstrous by comparability, and movies and web sites really feel very cramped by comparability. With Apple rumored to be switching to an all-OLED lineup for the iPhone 12, the SE’s LCD goes to rapidly turn out to be out of date, however all in all it’s an honest show.
iPhone SE vs Android: Performance
Quite frankly, the iPhone SE wouldn’t be value its salt (or evaluating to the telephones right here) if not for its processor. Apple has put the iPhone 11 Pro’s A13 processor contained in the iPhone SE, making it one of many speediest telephones ever made and positively the quickest for lower than $400.
I picked the three telephones I did as a result of they signify the cream of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon crop. The S20 Ultra makes use of the 865, the most effective system-on-chip accessible, the OnePlus 7T is powered by the Snapdragon 855+, and the Pixel 4 runs the Snapdragon 855. Simply put, you gained’t discover a trio of quicker processors in any Android telephone. But pitted in opposition to the lowly iPhone SE, the three telephones merely can’t stack up:
Geekbench 5 (CPU)
Galaxy S20 Ultra
Single-core: 901
Multi-core: 3245
Pixel 4 XL
Single-core: 724
Multi-core: 2529
OnePlus 7T
Single-core: 772
Multi-core: 2883
iPhone SE
Single-core: 1331
Multi-core: 3310
Before you ask, these outcomes are with all the newest patches and updates put in and following contemporary restarts. I carried out them a number of occasions and took the most effective outcomes. In quick, there’s no contest. The iPhone SE not solely handles the most effective Android telephones, it handily beats telephones costing twice and thrice as a lot. And in the case of graphics, the iPhone SE is a beast.
Geekbench 5 (Compute)
Galaxy S20 Ultra: 3085
Pixel 4 XL: 2149
OnePlus 7T: 2675
iPhone SE: 6413
That’s to not say any of the telephones listed below are gradual. Far from it. The Galaxy S20 Ultra and OnePlus 7T each have UFS 3.0 storage together with 12GB and 8GB of RAM, respectively, in comparison with the iPhone SE’s 3GB. The Pixel 4, just like the iPhone SE, has the advantage of being engineered alongside the identical staff that makes the Android working system. But even with these benefits, the iPhone SE is principally quicker in each means.
IDGThe iPhone SE merely trounced the most effective Android telephones in the case of processing speeds and graphics energy.
And if you happen to had been to check the iPhone SE to a $399 Android telephone, the outcomes can be lopsided to the purpose of being absurb. Don’t imagine me? Take a take a look at the Geekbench 5 scores for the Pixel 3a, which is extensively thought to be the most effective funds Android telephone you should buy:
Single-core: 351
Multi-core: 1244
Compute: 639
And these are good numbers in comparison with the Exynos-powered Galaxy telephones in that worth vary. But actually, even when the upcoming Pixel 4a had been to share the identical Snapdragon 855 processor because the Pixel 4, the iPhone SE would nonetheless run circles round it.
iPhone SE vs Android: Battery and charging
Granted, the Android telephones I checked out are a lot greater, so they are going to have greater batteries. Apple doesn’t disclose the battery capability of its telephones, however by means of teardowns it’s been revealed that it has the identical 1,821mAh battery because the iPhone 8. By any metric that’s extremely small, however it’s downright puny compares to the others right here.
Galaxy S20 Ultra: 5,000mAh
Pixel 4 XL: 3,700mAh
OnePlus 7T: 3,800mAh
It’s additionally small in comparison with Apple’s different choices. The iPhone XR has a 2,942 mAh battery, the iPhone 11 has a 3,110 mAh battery, the iPhone 11 Pro has a 3,046 mAh battery, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 3,969 mAh battery. And on this case, measurement undoubtedly issues. The iPhone SE’s battery life is suitable in that it’ll most likely get most individuals by means of a day of regular use, however it’s not going to blow anybody away. And if you happen to plan on utilizing it do to a very good quantity of streaming or navigation, you’re going to wish to have a charger close by.
Michael Simon/IDGIf you’re going to be utilizing the iPhone SE’s Lightning port for charging, you’ll wish to spend money on a greater adapter.
In my testing, I performed a two-hour film on the brightest settings with automated brightness turned on after which the identical film with automated brightness turned on. Here’s how a lot battery life every telephone used:
Galaxy S20 Ultra: 23 %
Pixel 4 XL: 35 %
OnePlus 7T: 29 %
iPhone SE: 46 %
Even with far fewer pixels to push, you’ll must fil the SE up way more typically than the opposite telephones right here. When that point arrives, iPhone SE helps wi-fi charging, which is one thing of a rarity for a telephone this low cost. (Case in level: The OnePlus 7T and the newer OnePlus 8 don’t.) Charging speeds are acceptable however the SE remains to be the slowest of this bunch, topping out at 7.5W, half what the Galaxy S20 affords (15W) and slower than the Pixel 4’s 11W max speeds.
For wired charging, the iPhone SE comes with a lame 5W adapter within the field, which is able to take a painfully lengthy two-plus hours to totally cost your iPhone SE. That’s wonderful if you happen to’re plugging it in earlier than bedtime, however if you happen to’re on the lookout for a fast cost earlier than heading out for the evening, you’re going to wish to plan forward.
All of the opposite telephones assist fast-charging out of the field they usually every destroy the SE’s charging speeds. The OnePlus 7T can attain 30W, the S20 hits 25W, and the Pixel 4 will get 18W. The distinction between them is fairly minimal, with all them filling up between 40 to 50 % of the battery in a half hour, however they shine a harsh gentle on Apple’s cussed refusal to surrender the 5W charger, which additionally comes with the iPhone 11.
The excellent news is that the iPhone SE does assist 18W quick charging, however you’ll want to purchase a charger able to 18-watt speeds and a USB-C-to-Lightning cable. You can purchase each at Apple.com for $48 however you’re higher off checking Amazon for a high-rated third-party possibility.
iPhone SE vs Android: Biometrics
The iPhone SE is the one telephone right here (and actually, wherever) to make use of a bodily fingerprint scanner. I don’t assume Apple is able to making a $399 iPhone with Face ID, so till the subsequent iteration of the SE, it is a wonderful tradeoff. The Pixel 4 makes use of 3D face unlock and it’s practically as quick as it’s on the iPhone 11. It’s barely much less handy than a fingerprint sensor in that you want to be wanting instantly at your telephone, however it’s safer.
Michael Simon/IDGYup, that’s an honest-to-goodness residence button.
Even funds telephones have begun to undertake in-display fingerprint scanners just like the Galaxy S20 Ultra and the OnePlus 7T, so the know-how needs to be mature by now. But whereas in-display scanners look good and allow near-edge-to-edge designs, they’re not practically as quick as bodily fingerprint scanners. My iPhone SE unlocked in a split-second each time I tried it whereas the 2 telephones with in-display sensors generally struggled. As an admittedly unscientific take a look at, I set a stopwatch for a minute and timed what number of occasions I may lock and unlock every telephone with he identical finger:
Galaxy S20 Ultra: 29
Pixel 4 XL: 33
OnePlus 7T: 28
iPhone SE: 42
Apple’s Touch ID sensor won’t be as cool or fairly as an in-display scanner, however bodily scanners are merely superior to digital ones. You can discover it with out wanting, you don’t have to attend for the display to activate, they usually’re extra dependable. The iPhone SE’s bodily scanner won’t be fairly, however it’s nonetheless the speediest technique to implement biometric unlocking on a telephone.
iPhone SE vs Android: OS updates
The deserves of iOS versus Android shall be debated endlessly, so I’ll depart that argument for one more day, But one factor is obvious: You’ll nonetheless be getting updates to your iPhone SE in 2024. And you’ll most likely have the ability to set up iOS 18 on it too. That Galaxy S20 Ultra individuals are spending $1,400 on is fortunate to get Android 12 in two years.
Michael Simon/IDGThe iPhone SE will nonetheless be getting updates lengthy after the S20 is EOL’d.
There’s no contest right here. I’ll admit that Android telephone makers have gotten means higher at pushing updates in a well timed style and speaking to clients what they’re going to be getting, however even the most effective Android telephone within the iPhone SE’s worth vary, the Pixel 3a, solely ensures two years of model updates and three years of month-to-month safety updates. And Samsung’s low-cost choices solely get quarterly updates.
iPhone SE vs Android: Camera
The latest iPhone is at all times at or close to the highest of the smartphone heap in the case of taking footage, however the SE is a brand new iPhone in title solely. That’s to not say it has a foul digital camera, however it’s far cry from the multi-camera modules within the iPhone 11 Pro and the Android telephones right here. You’re getting a succesful digital camera, however I don’t assume we’ll be seeing any iPhone SE pics in Apple’s subsequent Shot on iPhone marketing campaign.
Michael Simon/IDGCan one digital camera tackle 9?
The largest hole between the iPhone SE and the opposite telephones right here is with low-light photographs. Apple made a giant deal of Night Mode on the iPhone 11, and rightfully so—the iPhone 11’s algorithms do a outstanding job of extending the seize time and amping up the publicity to scale back noise and up the brightness in difficult gentle.
Without Night Mode, the SE struggles like Apple’s telephones used to, and the outcomes are darkish and grainy. They’re satisfactory most often, however in comparison with the telephones right here, particularly the Pixel 4 XL, there’s no contest. Night Mode is the primary factor I miss with the SE, and it’s irritating that Apple left it out, for the reason that digital camera and chip appear to be technically able to dealing with it.
Michael Simon/IDGWhen the sunshine goes down, the iPhone SE’s deficiencies come out.
Even with a single lens, the iPhone SE can take portraits, however just like the iPhone XR, it solely works with individuals. It’s one other bizarre limitation that different single-camera funds telephones don’t have, however the SE takes improbable bokeh photographs of people. Even in comparison with the S20 Ultra, which has 4 cameras together with a devoted depth sensor, the iPhone SE carried out impressively. In the photographs beneath, the iPhone SE dealt with the brilliant background with no hitch and even did a greater job with my son’s pores and skin tones, notably his rosy cheeks.
Michael Simon/IDGThe iPhone SE (left) is pretty much as good of a portrait taker because the S20 Ultra even with a single digital camera.
The iPhone has at all times had an inclination to tamp down the colour in photographs in favor of real-world accuracy, and the iPhone SE doesn’t stray from that lane. In the photograph beneath, the OnePlus 7T oversaturated the inexperienced a bit and added a cool tint to the wall whereas the SE maintained shade accuracy and correct white stability.
Michael Simon/IDGThe iPhone SE (left) did a greater job than the OnePlus 7T with dealing with the colour on this shot.
The outcomes see considerably subjective, however the SE does its greatest to correctly seize the scene. And in the correct gentle, it’s pretty much as good of a point-and-shoot as the opposite cameras right here.
iPhone SE vs Android: Conclusion
I can’t think about anybody with a thousand bucks to spend on a brand new smartphone would truly go for an iPhone SE over the iPhone 11 Pro or one of many Android telephones right here, but when they do, they’ll be getting a telephone that’s quicker, extra pocketable, and many able to taking excellent footage. More importantly, if you happen to’re on a funds, it’s an especially engaging possibility regardless of which platform flag you fly below.
Michael Simon/IDGThe iPhone SE prices a whole lot lower than the OnePlus 7T, Galaxy S20 Ultra, and Pixel 4 XL.
The pace of the iPhone SE is just mind-blowing. With the identical design as my outdated iPhone 6s, I anticipate it to be pokey, however the SE flies by means of duties and apps with ease. I didn’t anticipate it to stack as much as the opposite telephones right here in each class, however its large efficiency is eye-opening and compensates for a few of the areas the place it falls a bit quick, particularly the show and battery.
In quick, the compromises Apple made with the SE are good. Yes, it’s an outdated design and lacks a few of the latest iPhone tech, however it’s a $399 telephone that gained’t really feel sluggish after a yr or two or 4, which is greater than you possibly can say for any Android worth in that worth vary—and even a number of which might be far more costly.
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