Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs OnePlus 12
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE 4 targets budget-conscious users with iOS 18, a compact 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, and solid A18 performance at $499. OnePlus 12 delivers flagship specifications at $799, featuring a larger 6.82-inch 1-120Hz LTPO AMOLED display, superior camera system (quad-lens with 3x periscope telephoto), faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and significantly larger 5400 mAh battery with 100W charging. iPhone SE 4 excels in software integration, compactness, and value-per-dollar for Apple ecosystem users, while OnePlus 12 dominates in display technology, camera versatility, battery endurance, and raw performance. OnePlus 12's heavier weight (220g vs 167g) and larger dimensions may concern portability seekers. For mainstream Android users seeking maximum features and capability, OnePlus 12 is the superior choice. iPhone SE 4 remains the better option for those prioritizing ecosystem preference, compact form factor, and budget optimization.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) if…
- →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
Buy the OnePlus 12 if…
- →Blistering 4500-nit peak display brightness
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagship performance
- →100W wired and 50W wireless charging
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
OnePlus 12
Pros
- Blistering 4500-nit peak display brightness
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagship performance
- 100W wired and 50W wireless charging
- 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto
- Large 5400 mAh battery
Cons
- Only IP65 rating (vs IP68 on rivals)
- Heavy at 220 g
- Limited to 4 years of OS updates
- No mmWave 5G in US
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) | OnePlus 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 14 (OxygenOS 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 220 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP65 |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 164.3 x 75.8 x 9.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.6, OIS (Sony LYT-808) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.6, 3x optical periscope |
| Ultrawide | — | 48 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | ~3279 mAh | 5400 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 100W SuperVOOC wired (80W in US) |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 50W AirVOOC |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.82 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 3168 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 1-120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 4500 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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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