Apple iPhone 14 Plus vs Apple iPhone SE (2020)
The Verdict
iPhone 14 Plus represents a substantial leap forward in nearly every meaningful category compared to the 2020 iPhone SE. Display technology differs dramatically: the 14 Plus features a spacious 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with 1200 nits brightness versus the SE's modest 4.7-inch IPS LCD at 625 nits. Performance gaps are equally pronounced, with the A15 Bionic chip delivering considerably faster processing than the aging A13, while the 14 Plus offers 6GB RAM to the SE's 3GB. Camera capabilities have progressed significantly, including advanced features like sensor-shift OIS, Cinematic mode, and Action mode video on the flagship. Battery capacity nearly doubled from 1821mAh to 4325mAh, ensuring all-day usage. Both support 5G connectivity on the 14 Plus only. At $899 versus $399, the 14 Plus justifies its premium pricing through modern internals, superior imaging, exceptional display quality, and practical wireless charging. For users prioritizing performance, display quality, and longevity, the iPhone 14 Plus is the clear choice. The SE suits only those with extremely tight budgets accepting significant compromises.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 14 Plus if…
- →Largest iPhone screen at 6.7 inches at a lower price than Pro Max
- →Excellent all-day battery life thanks to large 4325 mAh battery
- →Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite safety features
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 14 Plus
Pros
- Largest iPhone screen at 6.7 inches at a lower price than Pro Max
- Excellent all-day battery life thanks to large 4325 mAh battery
- Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite safety features
- Photonic Engine improves low-light photography
- MagSafe ecosystem for accessories and wireless charging
Cons
- 60Hz display feels outdated compared to ProMotion models
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto camera — only dual lens system
- Notch instead of Dynamic Island
- 12 MP camera resolution unchanged from previous generations
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 14 Plus | Apple iPhone SE (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 16 | iOS 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 203 g | 148 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.80 mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.5, sensor-shift OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/1.9, autofocus | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode, Action mode | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4325 mAh | 1821 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | 7.5W Qi |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 4.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 1334 x 750 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 625 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz + 4x1.82 GHz) | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A13 Bionic |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Apple products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 14 Plus or the Apple iPhone SE (2020).