Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE 4 delivers exceptional value at $499, featuring the powerful A18 chip, a sharp 6.1-inch OLED display with 1200 nits brightness, and a capable 48MP main camera with 4K60 video. Its lightweight 167g design and IP68 rating offer solid durability, though the 60Hz refresh rate feels dated. Samsung's Galaxy S20 FE, while $200 more expensive, brings a larger 6.5-inch AMOLED screen with 120Hz smoothness, a bigger 4500mAh battery providing noticeably longer endurance, and a more versatile quad-camera system including 3x optical zoom and ultra-wide lens. The S20 FE's 25W charging and wireless PowerShare justify premium pricing for power users wanting versatility. However, the iPhone SE 4 runs current iOS 18 with guaranteed longevity, packs substantially better raw performance, and offers superior display brightness and pixel density. The Galaxy S20 FE uses outdated Android 10, making it less future-proof despite strong hardware. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing speed and longevity, the iPhone SE 4 is the smarter choice. Camera enthusiasts needing zoom and larger displays should consider the S20 FE, though its age is concerning.
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 Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G if…
- →Flagship Snapdragon 865 at a reduced Fan Edition price
- →120Hz Super AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare at this price point
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
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 865 at a reduced Fan Edition price
- 120Hz Super AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare at this price point
- IP68 water resistance and wireless charging
- MicroSD expansion for additional storage
Cons
- Plastic Glastic back instead of glass at flagship pricing
- 25W charging is slow compared to competitors
- Software updates have reached end of life
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- 32 MP front camera can oversharpen selfies
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 10 (One UI 2.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic (Glastic) back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | ~3279 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.80 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 650 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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.
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