Are you trying to decide between the iPhone 12 and iPhone SE 2020? Let’s see how the iPhone 12 stacks up against the iPhone SE in 2025. Both devices bring unique strengths to the table, but which one truly fits your needs?
Despite being quite different in terms of specs and design, both phones feel surprisingly similar in the hand. This is mainly due to their flat-edged design. Though the iPhone SE is significantly smaller.
Let’s compare these two phones based on their features, specifications, and performance.
Display Size – iPhone 12 vs iPhone SE 2020
The iPhone SE gives you a compact 4 inch display, which is much smaller. However, it remains perfectly functional for everyday tasks.
On the other hand, the iPhone 12 offers a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. This panel is crisp, vibrant, and gives you deep contrast levels that truly make content bright. The iPhone 12 provides a better viewing experience due to its higher resolution and visual clarity.
So, when it comes to display quality, the iPhone 12 outshines the iPhone SE by a wide margin. Whether you’re streaming videos, browsing, or editing photos, the difference in sharpness and colour depth is clearly noticeable.
The iPhone 12 screen repair is more expensive due to the OLED panel, whereas the iPhone SE screen repair is typically more affordable due to its LCD technology. You can get all these services from Dr. Fixit at a reasonable price.
Design and build of iPhone SE and iPhone 12
When it comes to thickness, both devices feel quite similar in the hand. While the iPhone SE might appear slightly thinner at first glance, the difference is hard to notice during everyday use. iPhone 12 is a bit thicker in my opinion.
The iPhone 12 features a sleek all-glass back which gives premium feel. In contrast, the iPhone SE uses an aluminium back with glass panels only at the top and bottom. While both builds are solid, the iPhone 12 takes the lead in terms of materials and craftsmanship.
Connectivity and Performance
When it comes to software support, there’s a noticeable difference between the two. While both devices are still supported by Apple, the iPhone 12 is expected to receive updates for several more years compared to the iPhone SE 2nd generation.
iPhone SE was launched with iOS 13 and is currently running iOS 14, but it’s unlikely to receive major updates beyond the next version.
In contrast, the iPhone 12, which is the more powerful device, will likely continue receiving iOS updates into the future. So if software updates are important to you, the iPhone 12 is a good choice if you are planning to use it for the next few years.
Speed Test Review of iPhone 12 vs. iPhone SE
Now let’s do a speed comparison between the two devices. In the iPhone 12, you get Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, paired with 4GB of RAM. This combination delivers fast, efficient performance and handles multitasking such as gaming and heavy apps, with ease.
On the other hand, the iPhone SE (2nd generation) gives you the older A9 chip and just 2GB of RAM. Although you can use it for basic tasks smoothly, it’s slower in comparison with the iPhone 12 when you have to launch larger apps.
So, in terms of speed and responsiveness, the iPhone 12 outperforms the iPhone SE, due to its better build and additional memory.
Speed Testing Review with Various Apps
We also ran a series of speed tests by launching several native and third-party apps on both the iPhone 12 and the iPhone SE 2nd generation.
We began with basic system apps like Phone and Messages. In both cases, the iPhone 12 launched the apps faster, though the iPhone SE remained smooth and responsive. Opening the App Store also showed a clear win for the iPhone 12.
Next, we moved on to third party apps. In nearly every app, Dropbox, Quizlet, Netflix, and TikTok, the iPhone 12 loaded content faster and responded more quickly.
Camera Capability of iPhone 12 vs iPhone SE
When it comes to camera capabilities, I believe you should go for the iPhone 12 as it is better both in hardware and features.
You will get a single 12-megapixel rear sensor in the iPhone SE. It’s capable of shooting 4K video and still delivers decent image quality in good lighting. However, the camera is not very good compared to the iPhone 12. The front camera supports only up to 1080p video, which may be sufficient for casual selfies and video calls, but not ideal for high-quality content creation.
In contrast, in the iPhone 12, you will get a dual-camera system: a 12-megapixel wide lens and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. It supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second on both the rear and front cameras.
The ultra-wide sensor also allows you to have broader landscape shots, which makes it a flexible option for photography and videography.
The iPhone 12 also has improved Apple’s image processing, Night Mode, and advanced portrait capabilities. Due to these features, you will get an enhanced image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
While the iPhone SE’s camera is still good for everyday use, if you need a comprehensive photography experience, then opt for the iPhone 12.
Battery Life Comparison between iPhone 12 and iPhone SE
Battery life is another area where the iPhone 12 outperforms the iPhone SE (2nd Gen). The SE features a significantly smaller battery. Based on previous battery tests, the iPhone 12 consistently delivers longer screen time throughout the day. Whether it’s media consumption, gaming, or multitasking, the iPhone 12 holds up better under pressure.
If you’re experiencing charging or battery issues, an iPhone SE charging port repair and iPhone SE battery replacement might be necessary and Dr.Ffxit has the solution for this problem.
Conclusion
Still wondering which one to choose between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone SE? The answer is simple. The iPhone 12 has all the latest features and it will also get better with software updates. The iPhone SE remains a reliable backup iPhone, but the iPhone 12 is the better investment for most users today.
While maintenance tasks like iPhone 12 battery replacement or iPhone 12 screen repair may cost more, the benefits of using a high-performing phone outweigh the high costs. DrFixit provides all these repair and replacement services at a reasonable cost. Contact us for further details and tailored solutions for your device. We follow all the best practises as laid out by iFixit.
