iPhone SE (2022) vs iPhone SE (2020): A Detailed Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone SE (2022) is the clear winner, thanks to its significantly faster A15 Bionic chip and slightly improved battery life. While the 2020 model remains a capable device, the 2022's performance boost and future-proofing make it the better investment, especially if you prioritize speed and longevity.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Apple iPhone SE (2020) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2783, A2784, A2785 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2296 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2783, A2784, A2785, A2782 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2595 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2275, A2298 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 08 | 2020, April 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 18 | Available. Released 2020, April 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in) | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 144 g (5.08 oz) | 148 g (5.22 oz) |
| IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Ion-strengthened glass | Ion-strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ) | Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.22 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard) | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | iOS 15.4, upgradable to iOS 26.1 | iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
| NVMe | NVMe | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec. | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min 7.5W wireless (Qi) | 18W wired, 50% in 30 min 7.5W wireless (Qi) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2018 mAh (6.96 Wh) | Li-Ion 1821 mAh (6.91 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight, Red | Black, White, Red |
| Models | A2783, A2595, A2785, A2782, A2784, iphone14,6 | A2275, A2296, A2298, iPhone12,8 |
| Price | $ 119.84 / C$ 199.99 / £ 142.00 / € 173.00 | $ 120.00 / C$ 165.75 / £ 99.95 / € 130.89 |
| SAR | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 1.17 W/kg (head) 1.16 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.20 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 62h | Endurance rating 59h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1424:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 1544:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -25.2 LUFS (Very good) | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 723486 (v9) GeekBench: 4629 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 462253 (v8) GeekBench: 3237 (v5.1) |
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
- Faster A15 Bionic Chip
- Slightly Better Battery Life
- Improved Image Processing
- Future-Proof Software Updates
- 5G Connectivity
- Higher Price
- Still Uses LCD Display
- No Major Design Changes
Apple iPhone SE (2020)
- Lower Price
- Compact and Lightweight
- Reliable Performance
- Familiar iPhone Experience
- Slower A13 Bionic Chip
- Older Technology
- Limited Future Software Updates
- No 5G
Display Comparison
The iPhone SE (2020) edges out the 2022 model slightly in display brightness, boasting 670 nits compared to 605 nits. Both retain the classic iPhone LCD display with a 1424:1 contrast ratio (nominal for both). While both are adequate, neither offers the vibrant colors or high resolution of OLED displays found in higher-end iPhones.
Camera Comparison
Both models feature a 12MP single rear camera. While image quality is generally good in well-lit conditions, the A15 Bionic's improved image processing in the 2022 model results in slightly better dynamic range and noise reduction. Both record video up to 4K at 60fps. Computational photography improvements in iOS on the 2022 model also contribute to better overall results.
Performance
This is where the iPhone SE (2022) truly shines. The A15 Bionic chip is a massive upgrade over the A13 Bionic, offering significantly faster processing speeds and improved graphics performance. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and better gaming experiences on the 2022 model. The A15 also provides better thermal management.
Battery Life
The iPhone SE (2022) offers a modest improvement in battery life, with an endurance rating of 62 hours compared to 59 hours for the 2020 model. While not a dramatic difference, it's a welcome addition, especially considering the more powerful processor in the 2022 model.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the iPhone SE (2022)? Users seeking the best possible performance in a compact form factor, those prioritizing future software updates, and those willing to spend a bit more for a noticeable upgrade. Who should buy the iPhone SE (2020)? Budget-conscious buyers who still want a reliable iPhone experience and don't require the absolute latest processing power.