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Head to head · 2 phones

iPhone SE (1st generation) vs iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Verified specs side by side. The green tick marks the better value on each measurable row.

Comparing 2 phones
iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone SE (1st generation)8.3Very good· Top score
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iPhone SE (2nd generation)
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The short verdict

iPhone SE (1st generation) is scored, the other is pending

We haven’t scored the iPhone SE (2nd generation) yet. Compare the measured differences and prices below.

iPhone SE (1st generation)
8.3
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
—
Choose the iPhone SE (1st generation) if
  • Small-phone fans and collectors
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Choose the iPhone SE (2nd generation) if
  • Ultra-budget stopgap with Touch ID
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At a glance

Key differences

Measured differences only. Ties and tiny gaps are left out.
Why pick theiPhone SE (1st generation)2 wins
−0.7"Easier one-handed use4" vs 4.7"
−35 gLighter in the hand113 vs 148 g
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Why pick theiPhone SE (2nd generation)1 win
+18%Larger screen4.7 vs 4 in
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Display2 differences
Screen size
4"
4.7"
Panel
Retina display
Retina HD display
Performance1 difference
Chipset
A9
A13 Bionic
Memory1 difference
Internal storage
16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Main camera1 difference
Modules
- 12-megapixel camera - ƒ/2.2 aperture - Five-element lens - 5x digital zoom - Live Photos with stabilization - Local tone mapping - Face detection - True Tone flash - Sapphire crystal lens cover - Backside illumination sensor
12MP Wide camera - ƒ/1.8 aperture - Digital zoom up to 5x - Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control - Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono) - Optical image stabilization - Six-element lens - LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync - Panorama (up to
Battery & Charging1 difference
Capacity
1,624 mAh
1,821 mAh
Network1 difference
SIM
Nano-SIM iPhone SE is not compatible with existing micro‑SIM cards.
Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM) iPhone SE is not compatible with existing micro-SIM cards.
Connectivity4 differences
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth 5.0
Audio formats supported
AAC (8 to 320 Kbps)
AAC-LC
External Buttons and Connectors
Touch ID sensor · Volume up/down · Ring/Silent
Home/Touch ID sensor · Volume up/down · Ring/Silent
Sensors & Security1 difference
Other sensors
Touch ID fingerprint sensor · Three‑axis gyro · Accelerometer
Touch ID fingerprint sensor · Barometer · Three‑axis gyro
Body2 differences
Dimensions
height: 4.87 inches (123.8 mm) · width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm) · depth: 0.30 inch (7.6 mm)
height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm) · width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm) · depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
Weight
113 g
148 g
Launch & Software2 differences
Operating system
iOS 11
iOS 15
In the box
iPhone with iOS 11 · EarPods with 3.5 mm Headphone Plug · Lightning to USB Cable
iPhoneSE · USB-C to Lightning Cable · Documentation
Camera1 difference
Video Calling
FaceTime video calling over Wi‑Fi or cellular; FaceTime video calling over Wi‑Fi or cellular
FaceTime video calling over cellular or Wi‑Fi
Battery & charging2 differences
Audio playback
Up to 50 hours
Up to 40 hours
Battery claims
Up to 14 hours on 3G · Up to 12 hours on 3G · up to 13 hours on LTE
Up to 13 hours
Design1 difference
Weights
3.99 ounces (113 grams)
5.22 ounces (148 grams)
Audio1 difference
Audio Calling
FaceTime audio · Voice over LTE (VoLTE)4 · Wi‑Fi calling
FaceTime audio
General6 differences
Built-in Apps
Camera · Photos · Health
App Store · Books · Calculator
Cellular and Wireless
Model A1662* LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29)
Model A2275* FDD‑LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 66, 71)
Finish
Silver · Gold · Space Gray
Black · White · (PRODUCT)RED
Free Apps from Apple
iMovie · Pages · Numbers
Apple Store · Clips · GarageBand
Location
Assisted GPS and GLONASS · Digital compass · Wi‑Fi
Built-in GPS/GNSS · Digital compass · Wi‑Fi
Siri
Use your voice to send messages · set reminders · and more
Use your voice to send messages
Where to buy

Specs verified against manufacturer data. Prices in USD before tax; we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Community

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