Oppo Reno4 Z 5G vs. Apple iPhone SE (2020): A Detailed Comparison

The Oppo Reno4 Z 5G and Apple iPhone SE (2020) represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Reno4 Z 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity and a larger display at a competitive price, while the iPhone SE (2020) delivers Apple’s powerful A13 Bionic chip and iOS ecosystem in a compact form factor. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and long-term software support, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) is the superior choice. Its A13 Bionic chip significantly outperforms the Dimensity 800, and iOS offers a smoother, more consistent experience. However, the Reno4 Z 5G provides better battery life and 5G connectivity for those on a tighter budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno4 Z 5G Apple iPhone SE (2020)
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 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 bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G 3.5 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -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
Announced2020, September 29. Released 2020, October 152020, April 15
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, April 24
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.8 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.32 in)138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)148 g (5.22 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3+Ion-strengthened glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ)Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm)Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G57 MC4Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11.1iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM
 UFS 2.1NVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens-
Single2 MP12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-7 MP, f/2.2
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGLightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired, 50% in 30 min 7.5W wireless (Qi)
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Ion 1821 mAh (6.91 Wh)
Misc
ColorsInk Black, Dew WhiteBlack, White, Red
ModelsCPH2065A2275, A2296, A2298, iPhone12,8
PriceAbout 260 EUR$ 120.00 / C$ 165.75 / £ 99.95 / € 130.89
SAR-1.17 W/kg (head)     1.16 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.98 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 78h Endurance rating 59h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1284:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1544:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.1 LUFS (Average) -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 295562 (v8) GeekBench: 2196 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 462253 (v8) GeekBench: 3237 (v5.1)

Oppo Reno4 Z 5G

  • Significantly longer battery life (78h endurance)
  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • More affordable price point
  • Larger display for media consumption

  • Less powerful processor (Dimensity 800)
  • Lower display brightness and contrast
  • Android OS with potentially shorter software support

Apple iPhone SE (2020)

  • Exceptional performance with the A13 Bionic chip
  • Brighter and higher contrast display
  • iOS ecosystem and long-term software support
  • Wireless charging (Qi) support

  • Shorter battery life (59h endurance)
  • Higher price tag
  • Smaller display size

Display Comparison

The iPhone SE (2020) boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1544:1 compared to the Reno4 Z 5G’s 1284:1, resulting in deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. More importantly, the iPhone SE achieves a peak brightness of 670 nits, substantially brighter than the Reno4 Z 5G’s 398 nits. This makes the iPhone SE far more usable in direct sunlight. While both displays are adequate, the iPhone SE’s superior brightness and contrast provide a noticeably better viewing experience, especially for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable cameras, but a direct comparison is difficult without detailed image samples. However, the iPhone SE (2020) benefits from Apple’s renowned image processing pipeline, which consistently delivers excellent dynamic range and accurate colors. While sensor sizes aren't specified, Apple's computational photography often compensates for smaller sensors. The Reno4 Z 5G likely relies more heavily on software enhancements to achieve similar results. Both phones are capable of capturing video, but the iPhone SE’s video stabilization and dynamic range are generally considered superior.

Performance

The Apple A13 Bionic chip in the iPhone SE (2020) is the clear winner in performance. Its hexa-core architecture (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) delivers significantly faster processing speeds than the Mediatek Dimensity 800 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) found in the Reno4 Z 5G. While both are 7nm chips, Apple’s chip design and optimization provide a substantial advantage in both single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience on the iPhone SE. The Reno4 Z 5G is capable, but will show its limitations with demanding tasks.

Battery Life

The Oppo Reno4 Z 5G’s endurance rating of 78 hours significantly surpasses the iPhone SE (2020)’s 59 hours. This difference is primarily due to the Reno4 Z 5G’s larger battery capacity (not specified, but assumed larger than the iPhone SE’s) and the more efficient Dimensity 800 chip under lighter workloads. While both phones support 18W wired charging, the iPhone SE (2020) also offers 7.5W wireless charging (Qi), providing added convenience. The Reno4 Z 5G’s longer battery life is a significant advantage for users who prioritize all-day usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno4 Z 5G if you need extended battery life, 5G connectivity, and a larger screen for media consumption, all while staying within a strict budget. Buy the Apple iPhone SE (2020) if you prioritize performance, a compact design, the iOS ecosystem, and guaranteed software updates for years to come, even if it means sacrificing battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 800 in the Reno4 Z 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 800 is a capable chip, it will likely require reduced graphics settings and frame rate caps to maintain a smooth experience in demanding games like Genshin Impact. The iPhone SE (2020)'s A13 Bionic can handle these games at higher settings without significant performance drops.
❓ How long will the iPhone SE (2020) receive iOS updates, and is it a worthwhile investment considering its age?
Apple typically provides 5-6 years of software support for its iPhones. The iPhone SE (2020) launched in 2020, meaning it will likely receive updates until 2025-2026. This long-term support is a significant advantage, ensuring security updates and access to new features for years to come.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Oppo Reno4 Z 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing feature?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the benefit will be minimal. The Reno4 Z 5G provides the *option* of 5G, which is valuable for future-proofing.