Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs Realme 12 Pro+
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE 4 delivers a premium compact experience with its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display (1200 nits), powerful A18 processor, and exceptional video capabilities (4K@60fps). Its IP68 rating and lighter 167g body appeal to users preferring smaller flagships. Realme 12 Pro+ counters with a larger 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, significantly superior battery (5000 mAh vs 3279 mAh), faster 67W charging, and versatile multi-camera setup including 3x optical zoom and 50MP main with OIS. Performance-wise, the A18 edges out Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 for raw speed, though real-world differences narrow for everyday tasks. The SE 4 excels in display quality and software longevity; the Realme wins on battery endurance, zoom capability, and value proposition. iPhone SE 4 suits premium ecosystem users and compact phone enthusiasts, while Realme 12 Pro+ better serves those prioritizing all-day battery and camera versatility.
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 Realme 12 Pro+ if…
- →64 MP periscope 3x telephoto at sub-$400 pricing
- →Sony IMX882 main sensor delivers excellent photos
- →67W fast 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
Realme 12 Pro+
Pros
- 64 MP periscope 3x telephoto at sub-$400 pricing
- Sony IMX882 main sensor delivers excellent photos
- 67W fast charging
- IP65 water resistance
- Premium vegan leather back option
Cons
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is not a performance flagship chip
- No wireless charging
- 8 MP ultrawide is disappointing
- Realme UI has bloatware and ads
- Only Wi-Fi 6 (no 6E or 7)
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) | Realme 12 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 14 (Realme UI 5.0) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 195 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP65 |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 162.0 x 74.2 x 8.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Sony IMX882) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.6, 3x periscope optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | — | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | ~3279 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 67W SuperVOOC wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2412 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 950 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 710 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
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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