Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone SE 4
Compare Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone SE 4 side by side: Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple A18 (3nm), 48MP vs 48MP camera, 3349mAh vs 3279mAh battery, $799 vs $499…
Apple
iPhone 15
$799
4categories won
Apple
iPhone SE 4
$499
7categories won
9 categories tied · 20 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone SE 4 takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone SE 4 proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 15, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the iPhone SE 4 leads with superior optics, while battery life remains closely matched. Choose the iPhone SE 4 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 15 if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Both phones deliver comparable battery performance with 3,349 mAh.
iPhone SE 4 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A18 (3nm) and 8GB RAM.
iPhone SE 4 takes photography with 48MP optics and 1x optical telephoto capabilities.
iPhone SE 4 wins on budget and value at $499 compared to $799.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 15 vs iPhone SE 4: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.06" |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556Winner | 1170 x 2532 |
| Pixel density | 461 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2000 nitsWinner | 1200 nits |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A18 (3nm) |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,380,000 | 2,400,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 6650 | 8900Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 6 GB | 8 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 512GBWinner | 128GB |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2Winner | 1 |
| Optical zoom | — | 1x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,349 mAh | 3,279 mAh |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 20 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 171 g | 165 gWinner |
| Thickness | 7.8 mm | 7.8 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, color-infused matte glass back | Aerospace aluminum frame, glass front and back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 17 | iOS 18 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 15 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799 | $499Winner |
Apple iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 gains the interactive Dynamic Island, a 48MP dual camera capturing 24MP default snaps with 2x lossless digital cropping, 2000-nit outdoor brightness, USB-C convenience, and pastel matte glass styling.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A16 Bionic
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,349mAh
Apple iPhone SE 4
The iPhone SE 4 transforms Apple’s budget lineup: the home button and thick bezels are replaced with a 6.1-inch OLED, Face ID, USB-C, 48MP camera, and full Apple Intelligence capability for under $500.
- Display
- 6.06"
- Chipset
- Apple A18 (3nm)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,279mAh