iPhone 15 Pro & iPhone SE share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 15 Pro rather than the iPhone SE.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 15 Pro?
- The iPhone 15 Pro has the A17 Pro 3nm chip for faster processing, advanced gaming performance, and improved energy efficiency, while the iPhone SE uses the older A15 Bionic 5nm chip.
- iPhone 15 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and sharper visuals, whereas the iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD with only 60Hz refresh.
- It comes with a triple-lens system including a 48MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 12MP telephoto for professional-level photography versatility, while the iPhone SE has only a single 12MP wide camera.
- The iPhone 15 Pro supports Night Mode and ProRAW photography for capturing detailed, low-light, and professional-quality photos, whereas the iPhone SE lacks Night Mode and advanced shooting formats.
- iPhone 15 Pro includes Face ID with a 12MP TrueDepth camera for secure facial recognition and advanced AR capabilities, while the iPhone SE uses Touch ID with a 7MP front camera.
- It has a USB-C port with USB 3 speeds up to 10Gbps for faster data transfer, while the iPhone SE uses a Lightning port limited to USB 2 speeds.
- The iPhone 15 Pro features a larger 3274 mAh battery that delivers up to 23 hours of video playback for longer daily usage, while the iPhone SE uses a smaller 2018 mAh battery that lasts up to 15 hours of video playback.
- iPhone 15 Pro supports Always-On display and Dynamic Island for real-time notifications and easier multitasking, while the iPhone SE lacks Always-On functionality and does not include Dynamic Island.
Maybe the iPhone SE price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone SE |
| Display Size | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD |
| Display Refresh Rate | ProMotion 120Hz adaptive | 60Hz standard |
| Display Resolution | 2556 × 1179 pixels | 1334 × 750 pixels |
| Brightness | 2000 nits peak HDR | 625 nits max brightness |
| Material | Grade 5 titanium frame | Aluminum frame |
| Bezels | Slim, edge-to-edge | Thick top and bottom bezels |
| Processor | A17 Pro 3nm | A15 Bionic 5nm |
| GPU | 6-core with hardware ray tracing | 4-core without ray tracing |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Rear Camera Setup | Triple: 48MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto | Single: 12MP wide |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth with Face ID | 7MP with Touch ID |
| Night Mode | Supported | Not supported |
| Video Recording | ProRes, 4K 60fps, spatial video | 4K 60fps, no ProRes, no spatial |
| LiDAR Scanner | Yes | No |
| Zoom Capability | 3x optical zoom | Digital zoom only |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Touch ID |
| Weight | 187g | 144g |
| Charging Port | USB-C with USB 3 | Lightning with USB 2 |
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| 5G | mmWave + Sub-6 | Sub-6 only |
| Display Features | Always-On, Dynamic Island | No Always-On, no Dynamic Island |
| Battery Life (Video) | Up to 23 hours | Up to 15 hours |
| MagSafe | Supported | Not supported |
| Build Durability | Ceramic Shield + titanium | Glass + aluminum |
| OS Longevity | Longer updates due to newer chip | Shorter updates due to older chip |
| Price | Check iPhone 15 Pro Price | Check iPhone SE Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Operating System: Both iPhones run iOS 17, ensuring the same interface, features, and long-term software improvements.
- App Store Access: Both devices have full access to the App Store, allowing users to install the same apps and enjoy identical experiences.
- Chip Family: Both use Apple’s A-series processors, delivering optimized performance and efficiency tailored for iOS.
- Security Updates: Both models receive multi-year Apple security and system updates, keeping the devices secure and up to date.
- Wireless Charging: Both support Qi wireless charging, giving users convenient cable-free charging options.
- 5G Connectivity: Both include 5G support, providing faster download speeds and better mobile connectivity.
- NFC: Both integrate NFC for Apple Pay, allowing contactless payments in stores, apps, and public transport.
- Water Resistance: Both carry water-resistant ratings, protecting the devices from accidental splashes and short water exposure.
- Siri Integration: Both feature Siri voice control, enabling hands-free commands, reminders, and smart assistant functions.
- iMessage & FaceTime: Both support iMessage and FaceTime, ensuring seamless communication with other Apple users.
- Software Features: Both include iOS features such as Focus Mode, Live Text, and Visual Lookup, enhancing productivity and convenience.
- Privacy Features: Both provide App Tracking Transparency and other privacy protections, giving users control over app permissions.
- Smart HDR: Both utilize Smart HDR in their cameras, improving photos with better color balance and detail in high-contrast scenes.
- Stereo Speakers: Both are equipped with stereo speakers, delivering clear and immersive sound for media playback.
- MagSafe-Compatible Cases: Both support a wide range of MagSafe-compatible cases, ensuring accessory flexibility and protection.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 15 Pro | iPhone SE |
| Operating System | iOS 17 | iOS 17 |
| App Store Access | Full App Store | Full App Store |
| Chip Family | Apple Silicon A-series | Apple Silicon A-series |
| Security Updates | Multi-year Apple support | Multi-year Apple support |
| Wireless Charging | Qi wireless charging | Qi wireless charging |
| 5G Connectivity | Supported | Supported |
| NFC | Apple Pay via NFC | Apple Pay via NFC |
| Water Resistance | IP67–IP68 rating | IP67 rating |
| Siri Integration | Yes | Yes |
| iMessage & FaceTime | Yes | Yes |
| Software Features | Focus Mode, Live Text, Visual Lookup | Focus Mode, Live Text, Visual Lookup |
| Privacy Features | App Tracking Transparency | App Tracking Transparency |
| Smart HDR | Supported | Supported |
| Stereo Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| MagSafe-Compatible Cases | Available for both | Available for both |
| Price | Check iPhone 15 Pro Price | Check iPhone SE Price |
FAQ
What operating system do the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone SE run on? Do both the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone SE support 5G? Are the displays the same on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone SE? Which phone has better camera capabilities? How different are the front cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone SE? Do both models support wireless charging? Is there a difference in build materials between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone SE? Which phone has longer battery life? Do both phones have water resistance? How do the processors compare in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone SE? Do both phones support Apple Pay? What are the storage options for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone SE? How do users unlock each phone? What charging ports do the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone SE use? Is there a significant price difference between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone SE? |
