iPhone 15 vs iPhone SE 2026 - Specs & Price
The iPhone 15 features a modern 6.1-inch OLED display, A17 Pro chip, and advanced camera system, while the iPhone SE uses a smaller 4.7-inch LCD screen and older A15 Bionic processor at a significantly lower price point. The iPhone 15 is the premium flagship device, whereas the SE targets budget-conscious buyers.
iPhone 15
Apple's 2024 flagship smartphone with OLED display, A17 Pro chip, and advanced camera system.
Users who demand the latest technology, mobile photographers, gamers, and those upgrading from older iPhone models.
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
Apple's budget-friendly smartphone with A15 Bionic chip, Home button, and classic design in a 4.7-inch form factor.
Budget-conscious buyers, users who prefer smaller phones and physical home buttons, casual users, and those upgrading from iPhone 8 or earlier.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe iPhone 15 features a modern 6.1-inch OLED display, A17 Pro chip, and advanced camera system, while the iPhone SE uses a smaller 4.7-inch LCD screen and older A15 Bionic processor at a significantly lower price point. The iPhone 15 is the premium flagship device, whereas the SE targets budget-conscious buyers.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose the iPhone 15 if you want the latest technology, superior display quality, professional-grade camera capabilities, and are willing to invest in a premium device. Choose the iPhone SE if you prioritize affordability, prefer a smaller form factor with a home button, and don't need cutting-edge performance for everyday tasks like messaging, browsing, and standard photography.
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Choose iPhone 15 if
Best pickUsers who demand the latest technology, mobile photographers, gamers, and those upgrading from older iPhone models.
Choose iPhone SE (3rd Generation) if
Budget-conscious buyers, users who prefer smaller phones and physical home buttons, casual users, and those upgrading from iPhone 8 or earlier.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Display Technology:✓ iPhone 15 wins(6.1-inch OLED (460 ppi) vs 4.7-inch LCD (326 ppi))
- Processor:✓ iPhone 15 wins(A17 Pro (6-core, 2026 architecture) vs A15 Bionic (6-core, 2021 architecture))
- Main Camera:✓ iPhone 15 wins(48MP with f/1.6 aperture and OIS vs 12MP with f/2.2 aperture, no OIS)
Key Facts & Figures
37 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 points) | 2,900 points | — | — |
| GPU Performance(TFLOPS) | 30% faster | — | — |
| Optical Zoom(times) | 2x optical zoom | — | — |
| Display Peak Brightness (HDR)(nits) | 2,000 nits | — | — |
| Battery Life (Video Playback)(hours) | 26+ hours | 15 hours | |
| Starting Price (64GB/128GB)(USD) | $799 | — | — |
| Main Camera Resolution(MP) | 48MP with 2x optical zoom | — | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core(points) | 2,500 | — | — |
| Peak Brightness(nits) | 2,000 nits | — | — |
| Weight(lbs (kg)) | 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 | 12 MP | |
| Base Model Price (128GB)(USD) | $799 | $429 | |
| Display Size(inches (diagonal)) | 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 | |
| Camera Aperture(f-stop) | f/1.6 with OIS | f/2.2 without OIS | |
| Starting Price(USD) | $799 | $429 | |
| Battery Life (Typical Use)(hours) | 20 hours | 15 hours | |
| Display Peak Brightness(nits) | 1000 nits | — | — |
| Display Refresh Rate(Hz) | 60Hz standard (120Hz on Pro models) | — | — |
| Main Camera Sensor(Megapixels) | 48MP f/1.6 | — | — |
| Optical Zoom Range(x) | 2x optical | — | — |
| Wired Charging Speed(W) | 20W | — | — |
| Battery Capacity(kWh) | 3582 mAh | — | — |
| OS Update Guarantee (Major Versions)(years) | 7+ years (iOS 18+) | — | — |
| Starting Price (Base Model)(USD) | $799 | — | — |
| GPU Performance (Graphics)(Geekbench 6 multi-core) | 7,400 points | — | — |
| Ultra-Wide Camera(megapixels) | 12MP, 120° field of view | Not included | — |
| Base Storage Capacity(GB) | 128GB | — | — |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 6.1-inch OLED (460 ppi)(winner)Display Technology4.7-inch LCD (326 ppi)
- A17 Pro (6-core, 2026 architecture)(winner)ProcessorA15 Bionic (6-core, 2021 architecture)
- 48MP with f/1.6 aperture and OIS(winner)Main Camera12MP with f/2.2 aperture, no OIS
- $799Starting Price (USD)$429(winner)
- Up to 20 hours (typical use)(winner)Battery LifeUp to 15 hours (typical use)
- 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave)(winner)5G Support5G (sub-6 GHz only)
- Dynamic Island, modern bezels(winner)Design LanguageHome button, classic design
- Display Technology
iPhone 15
6.1-inch OLED (460 ppi)(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
4.7-inch LCD (326 ppi)
- Processor
iPhone 15
A17 Pro (6-core, 2026 architecture)(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
A15 Bionic (6-core, 2021 architecture)
- Main Camera
iPhone 15
48MP with f/1.6 aperture and OIS(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
12MP with f/2.2 aperture, no OIS
- Starting Price (USD)
iPhone 15
$799
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
$429(winner)
- Battery Life
iPhone 15
Up to 20 hours (typical use)(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
Up to 15 hours (typical use)
- 5G Support
iPhone 15
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave)(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
5G (sub-6 GHz only)
- Design Language
iPhone 15
Dynamic Island, modern bezels(winner)
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
Home button, classic design
Full Comparison
| Attribute | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE (3rd Generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size(inches) | 6.1 | — |
| Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120Hz | — |
| Display Peak Brightness (HDR)(nits) | 2,000 nits | — |
| Display Type | Liquid Retina without always-on | — |
| Peak Brightness(nits) | 2,000 nits | — |
Show 6 more attributesScreen Size(inches) 6.1-inch 4.7-inch Peak Display Brightness(nits) 2000 nits (peak) 625 nits (peak) Display Size(inches (diagonal)) 6.1 inches 4.7 inches Display Resolution(pixels) 460 ppi (OLED) 326 ppi (LCD) Display Peak Brightness(nits) 1000 nits — Display Refresh Rate(Hz) 60Hz standard (120Hz on Pro models) — | ||
| Processor | Apple A17 Pro | — |
| CPU Performance (Single-core)(Geekbench 6 points) | 2,900 points | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core(points) | 2,500 | — |
| Processor | A17 Pro (6-core, 5nm, ~3.0 GHz) | A15 Bionic (6-core, 5nm, ~3.2 GHz) |
| CPU Performance Gain(percent) | 18% faster single-core(winner) | Baseline |
Show 4 more attributesProcessor Generation(year) A17 Pro (2024) A15 Bionic (2021) Wired Charging Speed(W) 20W — Battery Capacity(kWh) 3582 mAh — GPU Performance (Graphics)(Geekbench 6 multi-core) 7,400 points — | ||
| Base Storage(GB) | 128GB | — |
| Storage Options(GB) | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Base Storage Capacity(GB) | 128GB | — |
| Battery Capacity(mAh) | 3349 | — |
| Battery Life (Video Playback)(hours) | 26+ hours(winner) | 15 hours |
| Video Playback Battery Life(hours) | 20 hours(winner) | 15 hours |
| Battery Life (Typical Use)(hours) | 20 hours(winner) | 15 hours |
| Operating System | iOS 17 | — |
| OS Update Guarantee (Major Versions)(years) | 7+ years (iOS 18+) | — |
| Weight(kg) | 171g | — |
| IP Rating | IP68 | — |
| Water Resistance Rating(meters) | IP68 (6m immersion, 30 min) | IP67 (1m immersion, 30 min) |
| Water Resistance(rating) | IP69 (6 meters) | IP67 (1 meter) |
| GPU Performance(TFLOPS) | 30% faster | — |
| Display Technology | OLED, 460 ppi, 120Hz ProMotion, 2000 nits peak | LCD, 326 ppi, 60Hz, 625 nits peak |
| Optical Zoom(times) | 2x optical zoom | — |
| Main Camera Resolution(MP) | 48MP with 2x optical zoom | — |
| Telephoto Lens(optical zoom) | No telephoto (digital zoom only) | — |
| Main Camera Megapixels(MP) | 48 MP(winner) | 12 MP |
| Rear Camera (Main)(megapixels) | 48MP with f/1.6, OIS, sensor-shift(winner) | 12MP with f/1.8 |
Show 5 more attributesCamera Aperture(f-stop) f/1.6 with OIS f/2.2 without OIS Main Camera Sensor(Megapixels) 48MP f/1.6 — Optical Zoom Range(x) 2x optical — Ultra-Wide Camera(megapixels) 12MP, 120° field of view Not included Video Recording Maximum 4K at 120fps with ProRes — | ||
| Starting Price (64GB/128GB)(USD) | $799 | — |
| Base Model Price (128GB)(USD) | $799 | $429(winner) |
| Weight(lbs (kg)) | 201g | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $799 | — |
| RAM(GB) | 8 GB(winner) | 4 GB |
| Price(USD) | $799 | $429(winner) |
| Starting Price(USD) | $799 | $429(winner) |
| Starting Price (Base Model)(USD) | $799 | — |
| Charging Port | USB-C (20W max wired) | — |
iPhone 15Show 6 more attributes
Show 4 more attributes
Show 5 more attributes
Pros & Cons
12 pros·6 cons across both
iPhone 15
Pros
- 6.1-inch vibrant OLED display with 2556x1179 resolution (460 ppi)
- A17 Pro chip delivers 40% faster performance than A15 for gaming and apps
- 48MP main camera with optical image stabilization and computational photography
- Dynamic Island for alerts and live activities
- 20-hour battery life with optimized power management
- IP69 water resistance rating
Cons
- Starting price of $799 is $370 more than iPhone SE
- Larger 6.1-inch form factor may be uncomfortable for single-hand use
- No charger or EarPods included in box
iPhone SE (3rd Generation)
Pros
- Most affordable iPhone at $429 starting price
- 4.7-inch compact size with traditional Home button for familiar navigation
- A15 Bionic chip still handles most apps and tasks smoothly
- 5G connectivity (sub-6 GHz) for modern network speeds
- IP67 water resistance for everyday durability
- Wireless charging and MagSafe compatible
Cons
- 326 ppi LCD display lacks vibrancy and color accuracy compared to OLED
- 12MP camera without optical image stabilization produces blurrier low-light photos
- 5-year-old processor architecture limits future app compatibility and performance
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Yes, the iPhone SE's A15 Bionic chip handles messaging, social media, email, web browsing, and most apps smoothly. However, it may struggle with demanding games and professional video editing apps. For casual users, it's perfectly adequate; for power users, the A17 Pro in iPhone 15 offers noticeably faster performance and will remain viable longer.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
- W
iPhone 15 on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Apple's 2024 flagship smartphone with OLED display, A17 Pro chip, and advanced camera system.
- W
iPhone SE (3rd Generation) on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Apple's budget-friendly smartphone with A15 Bionic chip, Home button, and classic design in a 4.7-inch form factor.
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