iPhone SE (2022) vs iPhone XR: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Apple offers a range of iPhones to suit different budgets and needs. The iPhone SE (2022) brings flagship performance to a budget-friendly price, while the iPhone XR remains a popular choice for its larger display and affordability. But which one is right for you?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone SE (2022) boasts significantly faster performance thanks to the A15 Bionic chip, making it ideal for demanding users. However, the iPhone XR wins with its larger, more immersive display and longer battery life, offering a better overall user experience for everyday tasks.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone SE (2022) Apple iPhone XR
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 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, A27851, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands1, 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-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / 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 - A2595CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, March 082018, September 12. Released 2018, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 18Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), aluminum frame (7000 series)
Dimensions138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in)150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight144 g (5.08 oz)194 g (6.84 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
ProtectionIon-strengthened glassScratch-resistant glass
Resolution750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)828 x 1792 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeRetina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.22 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest)
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm)
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSiOS 15.4, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 12, upgradable to iOS 18.7
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF, OIS
Video4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec.4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single7 MP, f/2.27 MP, f/2.2, 32mm (standard) SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS1080p@60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBLightning, USB 2.0Lightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging20W wired, 50% in 30 min 7.5W wireless (Qi)15W wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Ion 2018 mAh (6.96 Wh)Li-Ion 2942 mAh, non-removable (11.16 Wh)
Misc
ColorsMidnight, Starlight, RedBlack, Red, Yellow, Blue, Coral, White
ModelsA2783, A2595, A2785, A2782, A2784, iphone14,6A2105, A1984, A2107, A2108, A2106, iPhone11,8
Price$ 119.84 / C$ 199.99 / £ 142.00 / € 173.00About 150 EUR
SAR0.98 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)1.13 W/kg (head)     1.16 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.20 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 62h Endurance rating 78h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1424:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -25.2 LUFS (Very good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 723486 (v9) GeekBench: 4629 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 341196 (v7), 422465 (v8) GeekBench: 11437 (v4.4), 2690 (v5.1) GFXBench: 58fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

  • Blazing-fast A15 Bionic chip
  • Improved camera performance
  • Compact and pocketable design
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Short battery life
  • Small display
  • Older design

Apple iPhone XR

  • Larger, more immersive display
  • Longer battery life
  • More affordable
  • Good overall performance

  • Slower processor
  • Older design
  • No 5G

Display Comparison

The iPhone XR features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display, offering a more immersive viewing experience compared to the iPhone SE (2022)'s smaller 4.7-inch Retina HD display. While the SE (2022) boasts a higher contrast ratio (1424:1 vs XR's nominal), the XR's larger size is a significant advantage for media consumption and browsing. Both displays are bright and vibrant, but the XR's size is the key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable cameras, but the iPhone SE (2022) has some advantages. While both have a single 12MP rear camera, the A15 Bionic's image processing capabilities are superior, resulting in better low-light performance and more detailed photos. The iPhone XR captures good photos in well-lit conditions, but the SE (2022) consistently delivers better results overall. Video recording is also improved on the SE (2022).

Performance

This is where the iPhone SE (2022) truly shines. Its A15 Bionic chip is significantly faster than the iPhone XR's A12 Bionic, providing a noticeable performance boost in demanding apps and games. The SE (2022) handles multitasking and graphics-intensive tasks with ease, while the XR, though still capable, shows its age in comparison.

Battery Life

The iPhone XR holds a clear advantage in battery life. Its endurance rating of 78h significantly surpasses the iPhone SE (2022)'s 62h. While both support wireless charging, the XR's larger battery capacity translates to longer usage between charges.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the iPhone SE (2022)? Users prioritizing speed, gaming, and future-proofing. Who should buy the iPhone XR? Those seeking a larger screen, longer battery life, and a more affordable entry point into the iOS ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone SE (2022) worth the extra cost over the iPhone XR?
If performance is your top priority, the iPhone SE (2022) is worth the upgrade. However, if you value a larger screen and longer battery life, the iPhone XR remains a compelling option at a lower price.
❓ Which phone has better future software support?
The iPhone SE (2022) will likely receive software updates for a longer period due to its newer hardware.