specpair

Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Apple iPhone SE (4th generation)

Both phones share Apple's A18 chip and iOS 18, ensuring solid performance for everyday tasks. Display quality differs significantly—the iPhone 16 Plus offers a larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR with 2000 nits peak brightness versus the SE's 6.1-inch panel at 1200 nits, making the Plus noticeably superior for outdoor visibility and content consumption. Camera capabilities are nearly identical with matching 48MP main and 12MP front sensors, though the Plus adds Dolby Vision video recording. Battery capacity heavily favors the Plus (4674 mAh vs 3279 mAh), delivering substantially better endurance and faster 25W MagSafe wireless charging compared to the SE's 7.5W. At $400 less, the iPhone SE 4 delivers exceptional value for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize core functionality over screen real estate and battery longevity. For users prioritizing larger display, premium brightness, extended battery life, and faster charging, the iPhone 16 Plus justifies its premium. Choose the SE for value; choose the Plus for overall experience.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
$899
8.4/10
Winner
VS

Full Specifications

SpecApple iPhone 16 PlusApple iPhone SE (4th generation)
SoftwareiOS 18iOS 18
Body
Weight199 g167 g
MaterialAluminum frameAluminum frame
IP ratingIP68IP68
Dimensions160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm
Camera
Main camera48 MP48 MP
Front camera12 MP12 MP
Video4K@60fps Dolby Vision4K@60fps
Ultrawide12 MP
Memory
RAM8 GB8 GB
Storage options128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
Battery
Capacity4674 mAh~3279 mAh
Charging20W wired20W wired
Wireless charging25W MagSafe7.5W Qi
Display
Size6.7 inches6.1 inches
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED
Resolution2796 x 12902532 x 1170
Refresh rate60Hz60Hz
Brightness (nits)20001200
Processor
CPUHexa-coreHexa-core
GPUApple GPU (5-core)Apple GPU (5-core)
ChipsetApple A18Apple A18
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBUSB-C 2.0USB-C 2.0
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.35.3

Category Scores

Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone SE (4th generation)
Value
7.8
8.9
Camera
8.5
8.3
Battery
8.8
6.8
Display
9.0
7.5
Performance
8.5
8.5

Pros & Cons

Apple iPhone 16 Plus

Pros

  • Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
  • A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
  • New Camera Control button
  • Bright 2000-nit display
  • More affordable than Pro Max

Cons

  • Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
  • No telephoto camera
  • USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
  • No always-on display

Apple iPhone SE (4th generation)

Pros

  • First SE with an OLED display, a generational leap over prior LCD
  • A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence at the entry price point
  • Face ID replaces Touch ID with modern full-screen front design
  • USB-C replaces Lightning for universal compatibility
  • Most affordable iPhone with A18 performance

Cons

  • No telephoto or ultrawide camera — single rear lens only
  • Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion
  • No Dynamic Island; uses standard notch
  • No MagSafe support, only standard Qi wireless
  • Modest battery life compared to standard iPhone 16

Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Apple products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Apple iPhone SE (4th generation).