iPhone SE vs iPhone 16 Pro – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 16 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 16 Pro rather than the iPhone SE.

Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16 Pro

  • The iPhone 16 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and gaming, while the iPhone SE uses a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD with a fixed 60Hz refresh rate.
  • iPhone 16 Pro has the A18 Pro chip built on 3nm with 8GB RAM for faster performance, advanced AI tasks, and better multitasking, whereas the iPhone SE uses the older A15 Bionic with 4GB RAM.
  • It includes a triple-camera system with 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto lenses for versatile photography and zoom, while the iPhone SE has only a single 12MP rear camera.
  • The iPhone 16 Pro supports ProRAW and ProRes video recording for professional editing and high-quality capture, whereas the iPhone SE lacks these advanced formats.
  • iPhone 16 Pro comes with a 12MP TrueDepth front camera for sharper selfies and Face ID authentication, while the iPhone SE uses a 7MP front camera with Touch ID on the Home button.
  • It features a larger 3355mAh battery for up to 23 hours of video playback, whereas the iPhone SE has a smaller 2018mAh battery lasting up to 15 hours.
  • The iPhone 16 Pro includes USB-C with USB 3 speeds up to 10Gbps for faster data transfer and professional workflows, while the iPhone SE uses the older Lightning port limited to USB 2 speeds.
  • iPhone 16 Pro has a titanium frame with Ceramic Shield glass for higher durability and premium build quality, whereas the iPhone SE uses an aluminum frame with standard glass.

Maybe the iPhone SE price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16 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

FeatureiPhone 16 ProiPhone SE
Display Size6.3-inch OLED4.7-inch Retina HD LCD
Resolution & PPI2622 × 1206 px, ~460 ppi1334 × 750 px, ~326 ppi
Refresh RateProMotion variable up to 120 HzFixed 60 Hz
BrightnessTypical 1000 nits, HDR peak 1600 nits, outdoor peak 2000 nits~625 nits max brightness
Screen FeaturesAlways-On display, Dynamic IslandNo Always-On, no Dynamic Island
ChipsetA18 ProA15 Bionic
RAM8 GB LPDDR5X4 GB
SoC Performance CacheLarger caches (A18 Pro higher L2 and system cache)Standard A15 cache
Rear CamerasTriple: 48 MP wide, 12 MP periscope telephoto, 48 MP ultrawide, with LiDARSingle 12 MP wide, no LiDAR
Front Camera12 MP TrueDepth7 MP
BiometricsFace IDTouch ID
Storage Range128 GB – 1 TB NVMe64 GB – 256 GB
Body Material & WeightTitanium frame, ~199 gAluminum frame, ~144 g
Water ResistanceIP68IP67
Connectivity PortsUSB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 10 Gb/s), Wi-Fi 7, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, UWB, NFC, dual SIM options, Wi-Fi 7, LEO satelliteLightning (USB 2), limited connectivity, older standards
PriceCheck iPhone 16 Pro PriceCheck iPhone SE Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • iOS Compatibility: Both iPhones run on iOS 18, ensuring access to the latest Apple features, updates, and security improvements.
  • 5G Connectivity: Both devices support 5G networks, allowing faster download speeds and smoother streaming in supported regions.
  • No Headphone Jack: Both iPhones lack a 3.5mm headphone jack, encouraging the use of wireless earbuds or Lightning/USB-C audio accessories.
  • Touch-Based Interaction: Both feature capacitive multi-touch displays, enabling gestures like swiping, tapping, and zooming for intuitive navigation.
  • Stereo Speakers: Both include stereo speakers, providing balanced sound for music, calls, and video playback.
  • Fast Charging: Both support fast wired charging, allowing users to recharge their battery more quickly than older iPhones.
  • Water Resistance: Both models are water resistant, protecting against accidental splashes and brief submersion.
  • Biometric Security: Both offer biometric authentication, giving users quick and secure access either through Face ID or Touch ID.
  • Wireless Charging: Both support wireless charging, letting users power up the devices without plugging in a cable.
  • 4G LTE Support: Both are compatible with 4G LTE networks, ensuring connectivity in areas where 5G coverage is not available.
  • GPS and Navigation: Both include GPS and GNSS support, enabling precise navigation and location tracking.
  • Motion Sensors: Both devices feature accelerometers and gyroscopes, allowing motion tracking for fitness and app interactions.
  • Proximity and Ambient Light Sensors: Both are equipped with sensors that adjust display brightness automatically and turn off the screen during calls.
  • Wi-Fi Calling: Both support Wi-Fi calling, enabling phone calls over Wi-Fi when cellular signal strength is weak.
  • NFC Support: Both include NFC, allowing contactless payments through Apple Pay and Express Transit functionality.

Common Features

FeatureiPhone 16 ProiPhone SE
iOS compatibilityShips with iOS 18Runs iOS 18
5G connectivity5G NR support5G NR support
No headphone jackNo 3.5 mm jackNo 3.5 mm jack
Touch-based interactionCapacitive touch screenCapacitive touch screen
Cellular bands coverage (LTE etc.)Multi-band 4G LTE4G LTE support
GPS and navigationDual-frequency GPS, GNSSGPS, GNSS support
Accelerometer & gyroscopeYesYes
Proximity and ambient sensorsYesYes
Wi-Fi calling supportYesYes
Express transit / NFC (reader mode)NFC supportNFC support
Price Check iPhone 16 Pro Price Check iPhone SE Price

FAQ

What operating system do both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE use?
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE run on iOS 18, meaning they share the same software environment, app compatibility, and access to Apple’s ecosystem of updates and features.

Do both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE support 5G connectivity?
Yes, both devices support 5G networks, although the iPhone 16 Pro includes wider band coverage and mmWave support in more regions compared to the iPhone SE.

Is there a headphone jack on either the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone SE?
No, neither device includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, and users must rely on wireless options like AirPods or wired connections through Lightning or USB-C depending on the model.

Do the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE both have stereo speakers?
Yes, both iPhones include stereo speakers, providing a balanced sound experience for music, calls, and video playback.

Can both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE be charged wirelessly?
Yes, both devices support wireless charging, though the iPhone 16 Pro supports faster MagSafe and Qi2 charging while the iPhone SE is limited to standard Qi speeds.

Are the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE resistant to water?
Yes, both are water resistant, with the iPhone 16 Pro rated IP68 for deeper immersion and the iPhone SE rated IP67 for shallower protection.

Do both iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE include biometric authentication?
Yes, both include biometric security, with the iPhone 16 Pro using Face ID facial recognition and the iPhone SE relying on Touch ID fingerprint recognition.

Can both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE use Apple Pay?
Yes, both devices support Apple Pay through NFC, allowing contactless payments and transit card usage.

Do the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE both support Wi-Fi calling?
Yes, both models support Wi-Fi calling, which is useful for making and receiving calls in areas with poor cellular coverage.

Are both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE compatible with GPS navigation?
Yes, both devices include GPS and GNSS systems for accurate location tracking, though the iPhone 16 Pro provides dual-frequency GPS for greater precision.

Do the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE both have motion sensors?
Yes, both include accelerometers and gyroscopes, enabling features like fitness tracking, screen rotation, and AR app interaction.

Do the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE both use proximity and ambient light sensors?
Yes, both models have these sensors to automatically adjust screen brightness and turn the display off when the phone is held close during calls.

Can both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE connect to 4G LTE networks?
Yes, both support 4G LTE in addition to 5G, ensuring reliable connectivity even in areas without 5G coverage.

Do both devices lack expandable storage?
Yes, neither the iPhone 16 Pro nor the iPhone SE supports expandable storage via microSD, and users must choose their storage capacity at purchase.

Can both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE download apps from the App Store?
Yes, both devices have full access to the Apple App Store, allowing users to download the same range of applications across categories including productivity, entertainment, and gaming.

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