Apple iPhone 18 vs Apple iPhone SE 4
Compare Apple iPhone 18 vs Apple iPhone SE 4 side by side: Apple A20 (2nm TSMC) vs Apple A18 (3nm), 48MP vs 48MP camera, 3800mAh vs 3279mAh battery, $899 vs…
Apple
iPhone 18
$899
13categories won
Apple
iPhone SE 4
$499
3categories won
4 categories tied · 20 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 18 takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 18 claims the overall win over the Apple iPhone SE 4, delivering a stronger technical package across battery endurance and core hardware. In camera testing, the iPhone SE 4 leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 18. Choose the iPhone 18 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone SE 4 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 18 wins on endurance with 3,800 mAh and 35W fast charging.
iPhone 18 leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Apple A20 (2nm TSMC) and 12GB 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 $899.
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 18 vs iPhone SE 4: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 18 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3" | 6.06" |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556Winner | 1170 x 2532 |
| Pixel density | 447 ppi | 460 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 120 HzWinner | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3000 nitsWinner | 1200 nits |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 18 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A20 (2nm TSMC) | Apple A18 (3nm) |
| Process node | 2 nmWinner | 3 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 3,200,000Winner | 2,400,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 10800Winner | 8900 |
| Maximum RAM | 12 GBWinner | 8 GB |
| Maximum storage | 512GBWinner | 128GB |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 18 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 48 MP | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2Winner | 1 |
| Optical zoom | — | 1x |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | — |
| Selfie camera | 18 MPWinner | 12 MP |
| Max video | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 18 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,800 mAhWinner | 3,279 mAh |
| Wired charging | 35 WWinner | 20 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 WWinner | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 18 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 172 g | 165 gWinner |
| Thickness | 7.6 mm | 7.8 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Grade 5 Titanium frame, Ceramic Glass front and back | Aerospace aluminum frame, glass front and back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 18 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 20 | iOS 18 |
| OS updates | 7 years | 7 years |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 18 | iPhone SE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $899 | $499Winner |
Apple iPhone 18
The base iPhone 18 finally adopts smooth 120Hz ProMotion display technology alongside TSMC’s bleeding-edge 2nm Apple A20 chip, dual 48MP Fusion optics, and dedicated Camera Control 2.0.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Apple A20 (2nm TSMC)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,800mAh
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