Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs Samsung Galaxy S25
The Verdict
Both phones pack flagship-tier silicon, but they target very different buyers. Apple's A18 chip in the iPhone SE 4 is genuinely excellent, matching or beating the Snapdragon 8 Elite in many benchmarks, and at $499 that's remarkable value. However, the SE 4 compromises in ways that matter daily: a 60Hz display feels noticeably sluggish compared to the Galaxy S25's smooth 120Hz LTPO panel, and a single 48MP camera with no telephoto or ultrawide is a real limitation versus the S25's versatile triple-camera system with 3x optical zoom and 8K video. Battery life is another concern, as the SE 4's 3279 mAh cell with 20W charging lags behind the S25's 4000 mAh with 25W wired and 15W Qi2 wireless. The S25 also brings 12GB RAM, a brighter 2600-nit screen, and USB-C 3.2 for faster transfers. That said, $300 is a substantial price gap. If you're committed to iOS and prioritize raw performance per dollar, the SE 4 is a genuinely smart buy. For anyone who shoots photos frequently, games on mobile, or simply wants a smoother, more future-proof experience, the Galaxy S25 justifies its premium.
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 S25 if…
- →Compact and pocketable flagship
- →Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- →12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
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 S25
Pros
- Compact and pocketable flagship
- Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- 12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
- Excellent 120Hz AMOLED display
- Long 7-year software support promise
Cons
- Small 4000 mAh battery limits endurance
- Slow 25W charging
- 1080p resolution instead of QHD
- No major camera hardware upgrades
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) | Samsung Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 162 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | ~3279 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| 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 |
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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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