iPhone SE (2020) or iPhone 11: which one to buy? Before answering this question, it is important to know and analyze the settings for each of them. The two smartphones have interesting specifications, which approximate Apple’s most expensive models: iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. Still, the SE (2020) and the iPhone 11 are quite different, especially in the visual.
Release year*
- The iPhone SE (2020) was launched in April 2020;
- The iPhone 11 launched in October 2019.
Design and Colors
Design is a big differentiator here. The iPhone SE (2020) maintains the look of the iPhone 8, which also refers to the iPhone 6. The iPhone 11 comes with the most robust models of the brand (11 Pro and Pro Max), bringing a large display, less borders and two cameras.
Regarding the construction, both have a glass and aluminum structure. The iPhone 11 has no Home button (physical, on the front), that is, it is not possible to unlock it with your fingerprint; only with Face ID (or password). At the rear, the device features two 12 megapixel cameras and an LED flash.
The iPhone SE (2020) has the traditional Home button which is also a fingerprint reader (Touch ID). It has more prominent edges: chin and forehead, limiting immersion a little. The device has only a 12 megapixel rear camera.
For those who enjoy colorful smartphones, the iPhone 11 offers six colors, while the iPhone SE (2020) is available in just three:
- IPhone SE colors (2020): black, white and red (PRODUCT) RED;
- IPhone 11 colors: purple, yellow, green, black, white and red (PRODUCT) RED.
As we can see below, the iPhone SE (2020) is considerably lighter than the iPhone 11:
| iPhone SE (2020) | iPhone 11 | |
| Height | 138.4 mm | 150.9 mm |
| Thickness | 7.3 mm | 8.3 mm |
| Width | 67.3 mm | 75.7 mm |
| Weight | 148 grams | 194 grams |
The iPhone 11 wins here for bringing a design that accompanies the most expensive versions, in addition to a large display and more color options.
Winner: iPhone 11
Display
Unfortunately, neither has an OLED panel. However, the iPhone 11 stands out with a large 6.1-inch screen (Liquid Retina HD, borderless LCD, multi-touch, with IPS technology). It is only interrupted by a notch, which houses the front camera, the speaker and the sensors.
The iPhone SE has the same display as the iPhone 8: it’s 4.7 inches (widescreen LCD with borders, multi-touch, with IPS technology). At the top is the speaker next to the front camera, while at the bottom is the Home button.
| iPhone SE (2020) | iPhone 11 | |
| Size | 4.7 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Screen type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 pixels at 326 dpi (pixels per inch) | 1792 x 828 pixels at 326 dpi (pixels per inch) |
| Brightness | 625 nits (max) | 625 nits (max) |
| True Tone | Yes | Yes |
| Touch control | Haptic Touch | Haptic Touch |
Winner: iPhone 11
Camera
Here, we have another significant change. The iPhone SE (2020) has a 7 megapixel front camera and an aperture of f/2.2. It also has portrait mode, being able to focus on the person in the foreground and blur the background. Behind, there’s a 12 megapixel camera with an aperture of f/2.2. It shoots in 4K at up to 60 fps.
The front camera of the iPhone 11 has 12 megapixels and an aperture of f/2.2. It also serves for Face ID (TrueDepth), to unlock the device via facial recognition. At the rear, the iPhone 11 houses two cameras: a 12 megapixel main camera (f/1.8) and an ultrawide 12 MP camera (f/2.4).
A positive point here is that the two iPhone 11 cameras work in partnership: they can help in recovering details of the photo. It also records in 4K at up to 60 fps.
Both have optical image stabilization, up to 5x digital zoom and intelligent HDR for photos.
Photos with iPhone SE (images: Apple):
Photos with iPhone 11:
Winner: iPhone 11
Processor, RAM, battery and storage
Processor
Internally, iPhone SE (2020) and iPhone 11 use the A13 Bionic processor with Neural Engine. It is the same chip present in Apple’s most powerful devices: iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Therefore, the “cheap” gain positive points in the processor area.
The A13 Bionic highlights energy efficiency and guarantees great gaming performance. In addition, according to the company, the CPU and GPU register 20% higher performance compared to the A12 Bionic, which equips the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max.
The smartphones run iOS 13 and will receive iOS 14, too.
RAM memory
As usual, Apple does not reveal RAM. But the numbers are these: 3 GB for the iPhone SE (2020) and 4 GB for the iPhone 11.
Battery
As usual (part 2), Apple does not disclose the capacity of its batteries. But we already know the numbers and the difference here is considerable: the iPhone SE (2020) has 1,821 mAh, as does the iPhone 8. While the iPhone 11 has excellent capacity: 3,110 mAh – leaving the SE behind in terms of battery.
Some numbers:
| Activity | iPhone SE (2020) | iPhone 11 |
| Video playback | Up to 13 hours | Up to 17 hours |
| Video playback (streaming) | Up to 8 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Audio playback | Up to 40 hours | Up to 65 hours |
According to Apple, the battery of both can reach 50% in 30 minutes using an 18-watt charger.
Internal storage
When it comes to internal memory, both devices are available in: 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB. You cannot add a memory card.
Winner processor: Draw
Winner of RAM and battery: iPhone 11
Winner of internal storage: Draw
Price and other details
In terms of connectivity, both are pleasing: iPhone SE (2020) and iPhone 11 have Wi-Fi 6 ( with MIMO support ), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC (Near Field Communication), Siri, Apple Pay, in addition to wireless charging and Dual SIM ( eSIM and nano SIM). The connector is Lightning – used to charge the device and the headset (sad rs).
For those on duty, the iPhone SE (2020) and the iPhone 11 are IP67 and IP68 certified, respectively. They are resistant to water, splashes and dust, but the iPhone 11 wins here by having water resistance at a depth of up to 2 meters, against 1 meter of the SE:
| iPhone SE (IP67) | iPhone 11 (IP68) |
| Dustproof | Dustproof |
| Splash proof | Splash proof |
| Water resistance (depth up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) | Water resistance (depth up to 2 meters for 30 minutes) |
Let’s go to prices?
| Model | Price in July 2020 * |
| iPhone SE (64 GB) | $399 |
| iPhone SE (128 GB) | $449 |
| iPhone SE (256 GB) | $549 |
| iPhone 11 (64 GB) | $699 |
| iPhone 11 (128 GB) | $749 |
| iPhone 11 (256 GB) | $849 |
* There has been no price change since the launch (value verified on the Apple website).
iPhone SE (2020) or iPhone 11: which one to buy?
Both devices are very interesting, but can I give you some advice? I would buy the iPhone 11 and, of course, it comes out as the winner in this comparison. Okay, the price is not at all friendly, but one must consider that the iPhone 11 is closer to Apple’s most powerful devices, delivering a large display, dual camera, a powerful battery and more color options.
In a period when consumers are looking for big display, more camera and more battery, does it make sense to migrate to the iPhone SE (2020)?
Of course, this does not mean that it is bad, on the contrary. I see the Special Edition as an iPhone 8 that has been upgraded to not be so outdated. Apple did well to put the A13 Bionic on this “most popular” device. Bringing some features of the 11 family to the iPhone SE (2020) is very positive.
Still, the choice is yours! 🙂
With information: Apple