Choosing between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 15 involves a significant difference in technology, features, and price. The iPhone SE offers a more budget-friendly entry into the Apple ecosystem with a classic design, while the iPhone 15 boasts a modern design with advanced cameras, a larger display, and the latest features. Let's break down their key differences to help you decide which iPhone is the better fit for your needs.
Here's a table comparing the essential specifications of the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) and the iPhone 15:
Feature |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
iPhone 15 |
Display |
4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD |
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (OLED) |
Processor |
A15 Bionic |
A16 Bionic |
Rear Cameras |
Single 12MP (Wide) |
Dual 48MP (Wide), 12MP (Ultra Wide) |
Front Camera |
7MP FaceTime HD |
12MP TrueDepth |
Storage Options |
64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Battery Life |
Up to 15 hours video playback |
Up to 20 hours video playback |
Water Resistance |
IP67 |
IP68 |
5G Support |
Yes |
Yes |
Operating System |
iOS 15 (at launch) |
iOS 17 (at launch) |
Charging Port |
Lightning |
USB-C |
The iPhone SE retains a classic iPhone design with a physical Home button and thicker bezels, offering a familiar and compact feel. In contrast, the iPhone 15 features a modern design with slimmer bezels, a larger display with a Dynamic Island, and no physical Home button.
Feature |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
iPhone 15 |
Materials |
Aluminum frame, glass back |
Aluminum frame, color-infused glass back |
Front Design |
Retina display with Home button |
Super Retina XDR display, Dynamic Island |
Size |
138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm |
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm |
Weight |
144 grams |
171 grams |
Color Options |
Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED |
Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue, Black |
The camera systems on these two iPhones are vastly different. The iPhone 15 offers a significant upgrade with a dual-camera setup, including a high-resolution Main camera and an Ultra Wide lens, along with advanced computational photography features. The iPhone SE has a single, capable rear camera.
Feature |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
iPhone 15 |
Main Camera |
12MP Wide (ƒ/1.8) |
48MP Wide (ƒ/1.6) |
Ultra Wide |
Not Available |
12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4) |
Telephoto |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Front Camera |
7MP FaceTime HD (ƒ/2.2) |
12MP TrueDepth (ƒ/1.9) |
Photographic Styles |
Yes |
Yes |
Cinematic Mode |
Not Available |
Yes (up to 4K HDR at 30 fps) |
Night Mode |
Main Camera Only |
Yes (All Cameras) |
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization |
Yes |
Yes (Main) |
Optical Zoom |
Digital zoom up to 5x |
2x Optical zoom in, 2x Optical zoom out; 4x Optical zoom range |
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Both iPhones offer excellent performance for their time of release. The iPhone 15 features a newer and more powerful A16 Bionic chip, providing a performance advantage over the iPhone SE's A15 Bionic. The larger size of the iPhone 15 also allows for a larger battery, resulting in longer battery life.
Feature |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
iPhone 15 |
Chip |
A15 Bionic |
A16 Bionic |
CPU |
6-core |
6-core |
GPU |
4-core |
5-core |
RAM |
4GB |
6GB |
Battery Life |
Good |
Excellent |
Both iPhones run on iOS and will receive software updates for several years. However, the iPhone 15 benefits from newer features enabled by its advanced hardware, such as the Dynamic Island and more sophisticated camera capabilities. The iPhone 15 also features a USB-C port, a more universal charging and connectivity standard.
Feature |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
iPhone 15 |
Operating System |
Latest iOS Updates |
Latest iOS Updates |
Face ID |
No (Touch ID) |
Yes |
Dynamic Island |
No |
Yes |
Night Mode on all Cameras |
No |
Yes |
Photographic Styles |
Yes |
Yes |
Cinematic Mode |
No |
Yes |
USB-C |
No |
Yes |
The iPhone 15 is significantly more expensive than the iPhone SE. The iPhone SE is positioned as Apple's budget-friendly iPhone, making it a more accessible option for many buyers. The price difference reflects the advanced features and newer technology found in the iPhone 15.
Choose the iPhone 15 if: You prioritize a large and vibrant OLED display, a versatile and high-quality dual-camera system, longer battery life, a modern design with Face ID and the Dynamic Island, and the future-proof USB-C port. You are willing to pay a premium for these advanced features.
Choose the iPhone SE if: You prefer a more compact and familiar design with a physical Home button and Touch ID. You want excellent performance for everyday tasks at a significantly more affordable price point. While the camera is capable, it lacks the versatility and advanced features of the iPhone 15.
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The major differences between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 15 include the display technology and size (LCD vs. OLED, smaller vs. larger), camera system (single vs. dual lens with significant feature differences), design (classic with Home button vs. modern with Face ID and Dynamic Island), processor (A15 Bionic vs. A16 Bionic), battery life (shorter vs. longer), and price (more affordable vs. more expensive).
Yes, the iPhone 15 is generally worth more than the iPhone SE due to its significantly more advanced features, including a better display, a more versatile camera system, longer battery life, and a modern design. The higher price reflects these advancements.
Yes, the iPhone 15 typically offers noticeably longer battery life compared to the iPhone SE, thanks to its larger battery capacity and more efficient display technology.
The iPhone 15 has a vastly superior display. Its Super Retina XDR OLED display offers much better contrast, color accuracy, and brightness compared to the iPhone SE's Retina IPS LCD display. The larger size and smaller bezels also provide a more immersive viewing experience.
Yes, the iPhone 15 has numerous new features not available on the iPhone SE, including a dual-camera system with a 48MP Main lens and Ultra Wide lens, Night mode on all cameras, Cinematic mode, Photographic Styles, Face ID, the Dynamic Island, and a USB-C port.
Upgrading from the iPhone SE to the iPhone 15 is a significant leap in terms of features, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery life. Whether it's worth the upgrade depends on your priorities and budget. If you desire a modern smartphone experience with advanced features, the iPhone 15 is a worthwhile upgrade. If you prioritize affordability and a compact, familiar design, the iPhone SE remains a capable option.