iPhone 15 vs iPhone SE 2024: Full Specs Comparison
The iPhone 15 features a modern 6.1-inch OLED display, A17 Pro chip, and advanced dual camera system, while the iPhone SE offers a compact 4.7-inch LCD screen and older A15 Bionic processor at a significantly lower price point of $429 vs $799.
iPhone 15
Premium 2023 flagship iPhone with OLED display, A17 Pro chip, and advanced dual camera system.
Users wanting cutting-edge photography, high refresh rate display, maximum performance, and latest Apple features without budget constraints.
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
Budget-friendly compact iPhone with A15 Bionic chip, 4.7-inch LCD display, and Touch ID.
Budget-conscious buyers, small-phone enthusiasts, those upgrading from iPhone 8/SE 2, and users prioritizing affordability over premium features.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe iPhone 15 features a modern 6.1-inch OLED display, A17 Pro chip, and advanced dual camera system, while the iPhone SE offers a compact 4.7-inch LCD screen and older A15 Bionic processor at a significantly lower price point of $429 vs $799.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose iPhone 15 if you want the best camera quality, largest display, fastest performance, and latest features like Dynamic Island and always-on capabilities. Choose iPhone SE if you prioritize affordability, prefer a compact form factor, and need reliable daily performance without cutting-edge features—it's ideal for budget-conscious users and those with smaller hands.
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Choose iPhone 15 if
Best pickUsers wanting cutting-edge photography, high refresh rate display, maximum performance, and latest Apple features without budget constraints.
Choose iPhone SE (3rd Generation) if
Budget-conscious buyers, small-phone enthusiasts, those upgrading from iPhone 8/SE 2, and users prioritizing affordability over premium features.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Display Technology & Size:✓ iPhone 15 wins(6.1-inch OLED, 460 ppi, 120Hz ProMotion vs 4.7-inch LCD, 326 ppi, 60Hz)
- Processor Performance:✓ iPhone 15 wins(A17 Pro (6-core CPU, 5nm) vs A15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 5nm))
- Camera System:✓ iPhone 15 wins(Dual 48MP + 12MP ultra-wide with computational photography vs Single 12MP rear camera)
Key Facts & Figures
25 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE (3rd Generation) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size(inches) | 6.1 | — | — |
| Weight(kg) | 171g | — | — |
| CPU Performance (Single-Core)(Geekbench 6 Score) | 2900 points | — | — |
| GPU Performance(TFLOPS) | 30% faster | — | — |
| Main Camera Sensor(megapixels) | 48MP | — | — |
| Optical Zoom(x magnification) | 2x optical zoom | — | — |
| Display Peak Brightness (HDR)(nits) | 2000 nits | — | — |
| Battery Life (Video Playback)(hours) | 26+ hours | 15 hours | |
| Base Storage Capacity(GB) | 128GB | — | — |
| Starting Price (64GB/128GB)(USD) | $799 | — | — |
| Main Camera Resolution(megapixels) | 48MP with f/1.6 aperture | — | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core(points) | 2,500 | — | — |
| Peak Brightness(nits) | 2,000 nits | — | — |
| Weight(lbs) | 201g | — | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $799 | — | — |
| Screen Size(inches) | 6.1-inch | 4.7-inch | |
| Peak Display Brightness(nits) | 2000 nits (peak) | 625 nits (peak) | |
| RAM(GB) | 8 GB | 4 GB | |
| Main Camera Megapixels(MP) | 48 MP with OIS | 12 MP (no OIS) | |
| Base Model Price (128GB)(USD) | $799 | $429 | |
| Display Size(inches) | 6.1 inches | 4.7 inches | |
| CPU Performance Gain(percent) | 18% faster single-core | Baseline | |
| Rear Camera (Main)(megapixels) | 48MP with f/1.6, OIS, sensor-shift | 12MP with f/1.8 | |
| Price(USD) | $799 | $429 | |
| Video Playback Battery Life(hours) | 20 hours | 15 hours |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 6.1-inch OLED, 460 ppi, 120Hz ProMotion(winner)Display Technology & Size4.7-inch LCD, 326 ppi, 60Hz
- A17 Pro (6-core CPU, 5nm)(winner)Processor PerformanceA15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 5nm)
- Dual 48MP + 12MP ultra-wide with computational photography(winner)Camera SystemSingle 12MP rear camera
- $799Price$429(winner)
- 20 hours video playback(winner)Battery Life (typical usage)15 hours video playback
- Dynamic Island, curved edges, Ceramic Shield(winner)Design & DurabilityTouch ID home button, flat edges, Ceramic Shield
- IP68 (6m for 30 minutes)(winner)Water ResistanceIP67 (1m for 30 minutes)
- Display Technology & Size
iPhone 15
6.1-inch OLED, 460 ppi, 120Hz ProMotion(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
4.7-inch LCD, 326 ppi, 60Hz
- Processor Performance
iPhone 15
A17 Pro (6-core CPU, 5nm)(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
A15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 5nm)
- Camera System
iPhone 15
Dual 48MP + 12MP ultra-wide with computational photography(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
Single 12MP rear camera
- Price
iPhone 15
$799
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
$429(winner)
- Battery Life (typical usage)
iPhone 15
20 hours video playback(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
15 hours video playback
- Design & Durability
iPhone 15
Dynamic Island, curved edges, Ceramic Shield(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
Touch ID home button, flat edges, Ceramic Shield
- Water Resistance
iPhone 15
IP68 (6m for 30 minutes)(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
IP67 (1m for 30 minutes)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE (3rd Generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size(inches) | 6.1 | — |
| Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120Hz | — |
| Display Peak Brightness (HDR)(nits) | 2000 nits | — |
| Display Type | Liquid Retina without always-on | — |
| Peak Brightness(nits) | 2,000 nits | — |
Show 4 more attributesScreen Size(inches) 6.1-inch 4.7-inch Display Resolution(pixels) 460 ppi OLED 326 ppi LCD Peak Display Brightness(nits) 2000 nits (peak) 625 nits (peak) Display Size(inches) 6.1 inches 4.7 inches | ||
| Processor | Apple A17 Pro | — |
| CPU Performance (Single-Core)(Geekbench 6 Score) | 2900 points | — |
| GPU Performance(TFLOPS) | 30% faster | — |
| Processor Generation(generation) | A16 Bionic (2022) | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core(points) | 2,500 | — |
Show 2 more attributesProcessor A17 Pro (6-core, 5nm, ~3.0 GHz) A15 Bionic (6-core, 5nm, ~3.2 GHz) CPU Performance Gain(percent) 18% faster single-core Baseline | ||
| Base Storage(GB) | 128GB | — |
| Base Storage Capacity(GB) | 128GB | — |
| Storage Options(GB) | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Battery Capacity(mAh) | 3349 | — |
| Battery Life (Video Playback)(hours) | 26+ hours(winner) | 15 hours |
| Video Playback Battery Life(hours) | 20 hours(winner) | 15 hours |
| Operating System | iOS 17 | — |
| Weight(kg) | 171g | — |
| IP Rating | IP68 | — |
| Water Resistance Rating | IP68 (6m immersion, 30 min) | IP67 (1m immersion, 30 min) |
| Main Camera Sensor(megapixels) | 48MP | — |
| Optical Zoom(x magnification) | 2x optical zoom | — |
| Main Camera Resolution(megapixels) | 48MP with f/1.6 aperture | — |
| Telephoto Lens(x optical zoom) | No telephoto (digital zoom only) | — |
| Main Camera Megapixels(MP) | 48 MP with OIS(winner) | 12 MP (no OIS) |
Show 2 more attributesRear Camera (Main)(megapixels) 48MP with f/1.6, OIS, sensor-shift 12MP with f/1.8 Ultra-wide Camera 12MP, 120° field of view Not included | ||
| Starting Price (64GB/128GB)(USD) | $799 | — |
| Base Model Price (128GB)(USD) | $799 | $429(winner) |
| Weight(lbs) | 201g | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $799 | — |
| RAM(GB) | 8 GB(winner) | 4 GB |
| Display Technology | OLED, 460 ppi, 120Hz ProMotion, 2000 nits peak | LCD, 326 ppi, 60Hz, 625 nits peak |
| Price(USD) | $799 | $429(winner) |
iPhone 15Show 4 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·5 cons across both
iPhone 15
Pros
- 6.1-inch OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion for smooth scrolling and vibrant colors
- A17 Pro processor with 18% faster CPU performance than A15, handling demanding apps and games effortlessly
- Dual 48MP + 12MP camera with Night Mode, computational photography, and 2x optical zoom
- 20-hour video playback battery life, 5+ hours longer than iPhone SE
- Dynamic Island for interactive notifications and live activities
Cons
- Price of $799 is nearly double the iPhone SE cost
- Larger 6.1-inch screen may feel too big for users preferring compact phones
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
Pros
- Ultra-affordable at $429, 46% cheaper than iPhone 15, excellent value proposition
- Compact 4.7-inch form factor with lightweight design perfect for one-handed use and pocket fit
- Familiar Touch ID home button for secure biometric authentication preferred by many users
- A15 Bionic still handles iOS 18, gaming, and everyday tasks smoothly without lag
- Wireless charging and Qi-certified for convenient cable-free charging options
Cons
- Single 12MP camera lacks ultrawide lens and advanced computational photography features
- 60Hz LCD display cannot match OLED color accuracy and 120Hz smoothness of iPhone 15
- 15-hour video playback battery life is 5 hours shorter than iPhone 15
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Yes, the iPhone SE's A15 Bionic processor still handles iOS 18, gaming, and most apps smoothly. However, demanding games may hit thermal limits faster than on iPhone 15's A17 Pro. For everyday use, email, social media, and web browsing, the SE performs identically to the iPhone 15.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
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