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
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone SE |
| Display Size | 6.3-inch OLED | 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD |
| Resolution & PPI | 2622 × 1206 px, ~460 ppi | 1334 × 750 px, ~326 ppi |
| Refresh Rate | ProMotion variable up to 120 Hz | Fixed 60 Hz |
| Brightness | Typical 1000 nits, HDR peak 1600 nits, outdoor peak 2000 nits | ~625 nits max brightness |
| Screen Features | Always-On display, Dynamic Island | No Always-On, no Dynamic Island |
| Chipset | A18 Pro | A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5X | 4 GB |
| SoC Performance Cache | Larger caches (A18 Pro higher L2 and system cache) | Standard A15 cache |
| Rear Cameras | Triple: 48 MP wide, 12 MP periscope telephoto, 48 MP ultrawide, with LiDAR | Single 12 MP wide, no LiDAR |
| Front Camera | 12 MP TrueDepth | 7 MP |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Touch ID |
| Storage Range | 128 GB – 1 TB NVMe | 64 GB – 256 GB |
| Body Material & Weight | Titanium frame, ~199 g | Aluminum frame, ~144 g |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Connectivity Ports | USB-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 satellite | Lightning (USB 2), limited connectivity, older standards |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Pro Price | Check 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
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone SE |
| iOS compatibility | Ships with iOS 18 | Runs iOS 18 |
| 5G connectivity | 5G NR support | 5G NR support |
| No headphone jack | No 3.5 mm jack | No 3.5 mm jack |
| Touch-based interaction | Capacitive touch screen | Capacitive touch screen |
| Cellular bands coverage (LTE etc.) | Multi-band 4G LTE | 4G LTE support |
| GPS and navigation | Dual-frequency GPS, GNSS | GPS, GNSS support |
| Accelerometer & gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Proximity and ambient sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi calling support | Yes | Yes |
| Express transit / NFC (reader mode) | NFC support | NFC 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? Do both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE support 5G connectivity? Is there a headphone jack on either the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone SE? Do the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE both have stereo speakers? Can both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE be charged wirelessly? Are the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE resistant to water? Do both iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE include biometric authentication? Can both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE use Apple Pay? Do the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE both support Wi-Fi calling? Are both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE compatible with GPS navigation? Do the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE both have motion sensors? Do the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE both use proximity and ambient light sensors? Can both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE connect to 4G LTE networks? Do both devices lack expandable storage? Can both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE download apps from the App Store? |
