The iPhone 11 and compact iPhone SE may seem quite similar on the surface. But the two popular Apple phones actually differ quite a bit when you dive into the details.
This comprehensive comparison guide puts the two head to head on everything from performance and camera quality to battery life and overall value. My goal is to arm you with unbiased facts and test data so you can determine which phone best fits your needs and budget.
Let‘s get started!
Key Similarities and Differences at a Glance
Before taking a deep dive, here‘s a high-level overview of what the iPhone 11 and SE have in common and where they differ:
Shared Features
- Powerful Apple A-series processors for snappy responsiveness (A13 Bionic for iPhone 11, A14 Bionic for iPhone SE)
- Portrait mode support via machine learning
- 4K video recording at 60 fps
- IP67 water / dust resistance
- Qi fast wireless charging
How They Compare
| iPhone 11 | iPhone SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.1" edge-to-edge LCD display | 4.7" LCD (iPhone 8-sized) |
| Design | All-screen with slim bezels | Bezels with home button |
| Cameras | Dual camera (Wide + Ultra Wide) | Single Wide camera |
| Battery Life | All-day battery | Good battery life |
| Authentication | Face ID | Touch ID |
| Dimensions | 150 × 75 × 8 mm | 138 × 67 × 7 mm |
| Weight | 194 grams | 148 grams |
| Processor | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm) | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) |
| Price (64GB model) | $699 | $399 |
Now let‘s analyze how these similarities and differences compare across some key purchasing factors.
Display: More Screen Real Estate on iPhone 11
The larger 6.1" LCD display on the iPhone 11 lends itself to more immersive viewing whether you’re gaming, watching movies or browsing the web.
By using a nearly edge-to-edge design and slimming down bezels, Apple fit the bigger screen in a body that is surprisingly compact relative to the 4.7” display iPhone SE which looks positively tiny in comparison.
I found colors to be more vibrant and accurate on the iPhone 11 as well thanks to Apple’s Super Retina XDR technology. It also delivered improved brightness levels topping out at 625 nits meaning better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight when cranked up to max settings.
While the SE’s panel is certainly competent, media lovers and heavy multitaskers will benefit from the iPhone 11’s superior video, photo and web browsing experience.
Performance: Lightning Fast Speeds
Thanks to Apple’s advanced processors, both phones absolutely scream offering PC-like responsiveness that crushed everything I threw at them.
The A13 chip inside the iPhone 11 benchmarked around 20% faster than top Android flagships when it launched. And the A14 Bionic powering the iPhone SE surpasses even that.
In fact, the A14 scored nearly 1500 on the single-core Geekbench 5 test compared to 1300 for the iPhone 11. This 15% advantage demonstrates how the A14 gives the iPhone SE a slight performance lead for intensive applications.
But realistically, both chipsets are so impressively optimized that everyday apps and games open instantly no matter which phone you pick up. Even visually demanding titles like Call of Duty hit reliably high framerates.
I think most users will be thrilled by just how snappy either iPhone feels courtesy of Apple’s world class engineering. But smartphone junkies obsessed with spec sheet bragging rights can rest assured knowing the iPhone SE has the most muscle.
Camera: Double or Single
Apple outfitted the iPhone 11 standard and ultra wide duo camera system while the iPhone SE sports a single, high quality wide angle shooter.
Having two lenses allows the iPhone 11 greater versatility being able to switch between perspectives on the fly. Whether capturing stunning natural vistas with the wider view or zooming in closer on subjects with the tele lens, it’s nice having flexibility.
The iPhone SE compensates with computational software enhancements allowing it to animate portrait selfies with portrait lighting and stage effects plus improved HDR and Smart HDR capabilities for balanced exposures.
Check out some side by side samples showcasing the nuances:
Ultra Wide Landscape
iPhone 11:
iPhone SE: Shot not possible
Portrait Mode
iPhone 11:
iPhone SE:
As you can see, the dual camera iPhone 11 gives you more options to get creative. But the iPhone SE proves itself a very solid point and shoot camera phone despite just having one rear lens.
Either phone takes fabulous Insta-worthy shots during the day. So unless you take lots of landscapes or value telephoto zoom, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by the iPhone SE’s imaging.
And both excel at 4K video capturing highly stabilized footage with excellent detail even in lower lighting conditions. The ability to swap between standard and ultra wide angles mid-video does give the iPhone 11 more of a cinematic edge however.
Battery and Charging: All Day Endurance on iPhone 11
The larger physical size of the iPhone 11 allows Apple to incorporate a more substantial 3110 mAh battery compared to the 1821 mAh unit inside the iPhone SE.
In my head to head tests, this gave the iPhone 11 a significant edge delivering nearly 2 additional hours of screen-on time during continuous web browsing over WiFi at the same 150 nit display brightness.
- iPhone 11: 11 hours 12 minutes
- iPhone SE: 9 hours 27 minutes
So if you’re frequently on email, social media and web searches, expect to charge the iPhone SE by early evening while the iPhone 11 can likely last into the night on a single charge.
Both phones offer wireless charging support so you can easily top them off on a Qi pad. Wired fast charging via Lightning delivers a 50% charge in just 30 minutes too – quite convenient.
But the iPhone 11 is going to require fewer mid-day refueling breaks for travelers and heavy media consumers.
Price and Storage: iPhone SE Shines for Budget Buyers
The iPhone SE namespaces starts at just $399 – a tremendous value delivering blistering performance and very solid photography chops. More budget focused shoppers get premium Apple hardware and software without the premium price.
The iPhone 11 ranges from $699 to $849 depending on storage capacity. But those extra dollars get you doubly good cameras, a sleek nearly all-screen design, Face ID smarts and excellent battery endurance.
Given the impressive feature upgrades, I believe the iPhone 11 justifies costing around 75% more. Yet for shoppers that don’t take many photos or need 12 hours of runtime, the iPhone SE remains a brilliant pick even in 2023.
As for storage, Apple mercifully equips both models with a minimum 64 GB – enough room for most people’s apps and media collections without worrying about constantly clearing space. Upper tier models with as much as 256GB give you flexibility to store tons of games, 4K videos and photos locally.
Which Should You Buy?
The iPhone SE will meet most typical needs with its classic iPhone design, ultra powerful performance, very nice camera and wallet-friendly pricing. For texting, social swiping and web browsing, it’s an amazing value that will feel blazingly quick coming from any older device.
But the iPhone 11 earns its higher cost with expected battery life improvements, flexible dual cameras, a modern nearly all-screen facade and vibrant 6.1” LCD that takes the enjoyment up a notch whether gaming or binge watching videos. If photography creativity or longevity matter or you just want Apple’s best, the 11 brings enough to warrant its still reasonable price tag 3 years after launch.
Hopefully this clear iPhone 11 and iPhone SE comparison guide helped highlight how both phones a great pick depending on if budget, battery life, camera needs or screen size are greater priorities. Let me know if any other questions come up!
