Apple iPhone 11 Pro vs Apple iPhone SE (2020)
The Verdict
iPhone 11 Pro commands a $600 premium over the SE (2020), delivering meaningful upgrades where it counts. Display technology separates these devices most dramatically,the 11 Pro's 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with 1200 nits brightness vastly outperforms the SE's 4.7-inch 625-nit IPS LCD, making a tangible difference in color accuracy and outdoor visibility. Camera systems diverge significantly: the 11 Pro features triple lenses (including telephoto and ultrawide) versus the SE's single rear camera, though both share the same A13 processor and capable main sensor. Battery capacity differs substantially,3046 mAh versus 1821 mAh,translating to noticeably longer endurance on the 11 Pro. Build quality favors the 11 Pro with stainless steel and premium glass, while the SE uses aluminum. For photography enthusiasts, videographers, or those prioritizing screen quality, the 11 Pro justifies its price. Budget-conscious users who prioritize core performance and don't need advanced camera features will find the SE delivers surprising competence at half the cost.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 11 Pro if…
- →Triple camera system with Night mode
- →Compact 5.8-inch OLED with great color accuracy
- →18W fast charger included in the box
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (2020) if…
- →Incredibly affordable at $399 with flagship A13 chip
- →Compact and lightweight design
- →Touch ID home button
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 11 Pro
Pros
- Triple camera system with Night mode
- Compact 5.8-inch OLED with great color accuracy
- 18W fast charger included in the box
- A13 Bionic was the fastest mobile chip in 2019
- Premium matte glass finish
Cons
- No 5G support
- 60Hz display refresh rate
- Smaller battery than Pro Max
- Wide notch design
- Starting at $999 for 64 GB was steep
Apple iPhone SE (2020)
Pros
- Incredibly affordable at $399 with flagship A13 chip
- Compact and lightweight design
- Touch ID home button
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Long software support from Apple
Cons
- Tiny 1821 mAh battery with poor endurance
- Dated design with thick bezels
- Single rear camera with no ultrawide
- 750p LCD display
- No 5G support
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 11 Pro | Apple iPhone SE (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 13 | iOS 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 188 g | 148 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, textured matte glass | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 144 x 71.4 x 8.1 mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.0, 2x optical zoom | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3046 mAh | 1821 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 7.5W Qi |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.8 inches | 4.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2436 x 1125 | 1334 x 750 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 625 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic | Apple A13 Bionic |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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