Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE 4 and Xiaomi's 11 Lite 5G NE occupy different market positions despite similar prices. The iPhone SE 4 delivers superior processing power with its A18 chipset, enabling consistently smooth performance across demanding apps and games. Its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display offers 1200 nits peak brightness and 60Hz refresh, while the Xiaomi counters with a larger 6.55-inch AMOLED screen at 90Hz and 800 nits. Camera capabilities differ meaningfully: the iPhone SE 4 features a modern 48 MP main sensor with 4K 60fps video recording, whereas the Xiaomi offers more versatile quad-camera setup with 64 MP main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lenses but limited to 4K 30fps. Battery management reveals trade-offs too - Xiaomi's 4250 mAh capacity with 33W fast charging outlasts the iPhone SE's 3279 mAh with 20W charging, though the A18 chip's efficiency narrows real-world differences. Durability strongly favors the iPhone SE 4 with IP68 water resistance versus no rating on the Xiaomi. Software updates present another advantage for Apple, promising years of iOS support compared to Android's uncertain update timeline on older hardware. The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE wins on battery capacity, display refresh rate, and camera versatility, making it ideal for content creators and heavy users. The iPhone SE 4 excels in performance, longevity, and premium build quality. Choose the iPhone SE 4 for long-term reliability and consistent performance; select the Xiaomi for immediate feature richness at lower cost.
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 Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE if…
- →Ultra-thin at 6.81 mm and ultra-light at 158 g
- →Snapdragon 778G provides solid mid-range gaming performance
- →90Hz AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
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
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
Pros
- Ultra-thin at 6.81 mm and ultra-light at 158 g
- Snapdragon 778G provides solid mid-range gaming performance
- 90Hz AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
- 5G connectivity at an affordable price
- 64 MP main camera captures good daylight photos
Cons
- 4250 mAh battery drains quickly due to thin chassis limitations
- Only 33W charging — slower than newer Xiaomi phones
- No water resistance rating
- 8 MP ultrawide is low quality
- MIUI includes bloatware and ads
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 11 (MIUI 12.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 158 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Plastic frame, glass front and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 160.5 x 75.7 x 6.81 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 64 MP, f/1.79, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 20 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Macro | — | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Ultrawide | — | 8 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 | 4250 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 33W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.55 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 642L |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G |
| 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 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
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.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Xiaomi products. View full details for the Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) or the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE.