Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs OPPO A78 5G
The Verdict
iPhone SE (4th Gen) and OPPO A78 5G serve entirely different market segments with a $250 price gap. iPhone SE delivers Apple's flagship A18 processor, superior 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 1200 nits brightness and 60Hz refresh, plus 48MP main camera with 4K 60fps video. Construction feels premium with aluminum frame and IP68 dust/water resistance. Battery capacity of 3279 mAh is modest, requiring daily charging despite 20W wired support. OPPO A78 5G prioritizes value with a larger 6.56-inch IPS LCD screen, bigger 5000 mAh battery enabling 2+ day usage, and faster 33W charging. Its MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor handles everyday tasks competently but lags significantly behind A18 performance. Camera maxes out at 1080p video versus iPhone's 4K, and IPX4 rating provides splash resistance only. OPPO weighs 188g versus iPhone's 167g, feeling heavier due to plastic construction. iPhone SE excels for users prioritizing performance, camera quality, and iOS ecosystem, while OPPO A78 5G wins for budget-conscious buyers needing long battery life and larger screen. iPhone SE justifies premium pricing through better processor, display technology, and video capabilities. OPPO offers practical alternative for those prioritizing affordability and battery endurance over raw power.
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 OPPO A78 5G if…
- →5G connectivity at a budget-friendly price point
- →33W SUPERVOOC fast charging is quick for the price segment
- →5000 mAh battery provides solid two-day endurance
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
OPPO A78 5G
Pros
- 5G connectivity at a budget-friendly price point
- 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging is quick for the price segment
- 5000 mAh battery provides solid two-day endurance
- 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling than 60Hz
- IPX4 splash resistance adds basic water protection
Cons
- IPS LCD lacks AMOLED vibrancy and contrast
- Dimensity 700 is basic — struggles with demanding apps
- 2 MP depth sensor is essentially useless
- 8 MP front camera is low resolution for selfies
- ColorOS includes pre-installed bloatware
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) | OPPO A78 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13 (ColorOS 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 188 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IPX4 |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8.0 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB / 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | ~3279 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 33W SUPERVOOC |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.56 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 680 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | MediaTek Dimensity 700 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
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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.
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