Apple iPhone 11 vs Apple iPhone SE (2020)
The Verdict
Both phones share Apple's powerful A13 Bionic processor and iOS 13, but they serve different user needs. iPhone 11 offers a larger 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display with superior brightness at 625 nits, dual rear cameras including an ultrawide lens, and a substantially larger 3110 mAh battery delivering all-day endurance. iPhone SE (2020) prioritizes portability with its compact 4.7-inch screen and lighter 148g frame, making it ideal for one-handed use, though its 1821 mAh battery requires frequent charging. The SE's single rear camera and 7MP front sensor lag behind the 11's dual 12MP setup. At $699 versus $399, the iPhone 11 justifies its premium with better display quality, superior camera versatility, and significantly longer battery life. Choose the 11 for comprehensive features and reliability; select the SE only if you prioritize compact form factor and minimal budget constraints.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 11 if…
- →Excellent value with A13 Bionic chip
- →Night mode on main camera
- →Dual camera system with ultrawide
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
Pros
- Excellent value with A13 Bionic chip
- Night mode on main camera
- Dual camera system with ultrawide
- Great battery life for the price
- Wide range of color options
Cons
- LCD display instead of OLED
- 720p-class resolution on 6.1-inch screen
- No telephoto camera
- 5W charger in the box (no fast charger)
- No 5G connectivity
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 | Apple iPhone SE (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 13 | iOS 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 194 g | 148 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 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 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3110 mAh | 1821 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 7.5W Qi |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 4.7 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1792 x 828 | 1334 x 750 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 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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