Apple iPhone 17 vs Apple iPhone SE (2020)
The Verdict
The Apple iPhone 17 and Apple iPhone SE (2020) sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple iPhone SE (2020) is the cheaper of the two at $399 versus $799, a difference of about $400. The Apple iPhone 17 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPhone 17 stands out for a19 chip with improved efficiency, while Apple iPhone SE (2020) is praised for incredibly affordable at $399 with flagship a13 chip. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 if…
- →A19 chip with improved efficiency
- →Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- →48MP main camera with improved processing
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (2020) if…
- →Incredibly affordable at $399 with flagship A13 chip
- →Compact and lightweight design
- →Touch ID home button
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 17
Pros
- A19 chip with improved efficiency
- Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- 48MP main camera with improved processing
- ProMotion 120Hz display
Cons
- Still only 27W wired charging
- No telephoto lens
- 8GB RAM vs 12GB on Pro models
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 17 | Apple iPhone SE (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 19 | iOS 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 174 g | 148 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield 2 | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 147 x 71 x 7.8 mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 24 MP, f/1.9, Center Stage | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode | 4K@60fps |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3600 mAh | 1821 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 7.5W Qi |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 4.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 | 1334 x 750 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 625 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | 6-core | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | 5-core GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A19 | Apple A13 Bionic |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.0 | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.0 |
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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 17 or the Apple iPhone SE (2020).