Apple iPhone SE (2020) vs iQOO 12
The Verdict
iPhone SE (2020) delivers a compact, affordable entry into Apple's ecosystem with the powerful A13 Bionic chip, solid single 12MP camera, and reliable build quality at just $399. iQOO 12 positions itself as a flagship performer with the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, impressive 50MP main camera with telephoto and ultrawide lenses, and a stunning 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED display with 3000-nit brightness. Battery capacity heavily favors iQOO with 5000mAh versus 1821mAh, alongside superior 120W charging. However, iPhone SE lacks 5G and IP rating protection is absent on iQOO. For budget-conscious users wanting proven Apple reliability and iOS ecosystem access, iPhone SE remains excellent value. iQOO 12 suits those prioritizing cutting-edge performance, display quality, and camera versatility at mid-premium pricing. Choose iPhone SE for longevity and software support, iQOO 12 for raw specifications and features.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (2020) if…
- →Incredibly affordable at $399 with flagship A13 chip
- →Compact and lightweight design
- →Touch ID home button
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (2020) | iQOO 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 13 | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 148 g | 202 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP67 | None |
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.45 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | — | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 3 GB | 12 GB / 16 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 1821 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 120W FlashCharge |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 4.7 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2800 x 1260 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 3000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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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