Comparison iPhone SE vs iPhone XR: Differences and Similarities

The iPhone SE and iPhone XR are two very different devices at a glance. The first, despite being more current, has a classic design with pronounced frames and a Home button. The other for its part has a design with reduced frames and the characteristic ‘notch’ of Apple. However these devices have much more similarities than it seems. That is why in this article we will tell you about them, as well as an in-depth analysis of their differences.

Let’s forget the design of both devices

It is evident that design is one of the first aspects that have to enter through the eyes and that on rare occasions we will buy a device that we do not like or that does not resemble what we understand by needs on a daily basis. Based on this basis, we from now on discard any design comparisons. Globally, most prefer a more modern design like that of the iPhone XR, but perhaps there is a part of users that a more compact design like that of the iPhone SE is enough or they may even like it more.

iPhone SE vs iPhone XR

In any of these teams an interesting debate can be opened in this aspect, but there are really many more things that are worth analyzing of both devices. In a way it can be interesting for those who in this aesthetic sense have no problem and want to know how far these equipment can go in benefits to decide on the purchase of one or the other.

Technical specifications

The visual section is the most subjective for analysis purposes, since everyone has their own opinion. However, there are some data that do not understand perceptions, but are as they are objectively. Below you will see a table with the highlights in this regard, although we recommend you continue reading later if you want to know how these features can behave when it comes to the truth.

characteristics iPhone SE (2020) iPhone XR
Colors White, black and red. White, black, red, yellow, blue and coral.
Dimensions Height: 13.84 cm Width: 6.73 cm Thickness: 0.73 cm Height: 15.09 cm Width: 7.57 cm Thickness: 0.83 cm
Weight 148 grams. 194 grams.
screen Retina 4.7-inch HD (LCD) Liquid Retina HD 6.1-inch (LCD)
Speakers Stereo sound. Wide stereo sound.
Processor A13 Bionic with 3rd generation Neural Engine. A12 Bionic with 2nd generation Neural Engine.
Capacity 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB. 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB.
RAM 3 GB *. 3 GB *.
Drums 1,821 mAh *. 2,942 mAh *.
Frontal camera 7 Mpx with f / 2.2 aperture with portrait mode and depth control. 7 Mpx with f / 2.2 aperture with portrait mode and depth control.
Rear camera 12 Mpx wide angle with f / 1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization, x5 digital zoom, portrait mode and depth control. 12 Mpx wide angle with f / 1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization, x5 digital zoom, portrait mode and depth control.
Connectors Lightning connector. Lightning connector.
Biometric systems Touch ID. Face ID.

* Apple is not used to giving official data about the capacity of batteries and RAM, despite the fact that some analysts have specified their data. This is because the autonomy and RAM space management of iPhones is handled differently than Android phones and therefore allows the company to implement a lower capacity, but identical performance to other devices.

IPS screens, but not identical

Both devices have IPS-type LCD panels. They are far behind in iPhone resolutions with OLED panels, but the truth is that they are still very good quality screens with which to enjoy a great day-to-day experience , unless you are a very demanding user or want a very high color accuracy for photo editing and the like.

iPhone SE 2020 blanco

The differences can be negligible except for the screen size, 4.7 inches of the SE compared to the 6.1 of the XR, but technically if they incorporate differences such as the 1,334 x 750 pixels resolution at 326 p / p of the small model before the 1,792 resolution x 828 pixels at 326 p / p. Yes, there are few differences, as we say, but even a slight point is favorable to the iPhone XR.

In this sense we can highlight the comfort of the SE to reach all parts of the screen without major difficulty and with one hand. The XR can also be used depending on the size of the hand, but the truth is that it becomes more complicated. However, if you are a user who often consumes multimedia content such as series, videos and others, the XR will be more practical for having a larger size.

Performance, fluidity and autonomy

The iPhone SE 2020 and iPhone XR start from two different processors, the A13 and A12 respectively. A priori we could think that in this sense the SE is better, and in part it is not bad reasoning because it is true that at a technical level it is superior. However, there are few changes that for practical purposes we notice between the two. Both chips are a year apart, so the comparison makes that there are no big differences.

The positive thing about both devices in this field is that they have a processor capable of carrying out certain processes thanks to a neural motor. As an example of how this works we see the photographic treatment by software, which allows photographs to be taken in portrait mode and with depth control in both, despite having a single camera. Otherwise, we find excellent fluidity to carry out any day-to-day process.

iPhone XR

In the field of the battery we already see differences that place the iPhone XR above. The iPhone SE 2020 continued to incorporate an identical battery to the iPhone 8 and despite the fact that the A13 slightly improves its autonomy, the truth is that it may continue to be scarce according to which uses. With moderate use you can reach the end of the day, but in many occasions it is required to connect it to the current to endure. The XR for its part was the iPhone with the best autonomy in its 2018 generation and still today is still an excellent team in this regard.

Reliability of Touch ID and Face ID

Fingerprint or face? This is the fundamental difference between the biometric sensors of both devices. Whether it is the Touch ID fingerprint reader of the Home button that has the iPhone SE or the Face ID of the iPhone XR notch, both teams are guaranteed high reliability and security in their respective methods. It is all a matter of tastes and customs adopted, since the way of using one and the other changes in different situations.

The Face ID of the iPhone XR has the advantage that it works very quickly on any occasion and even with sunglasses or caps, but if the iPhone is placed according to angles it will be impossible to unlock it. On surfaces such as a table you will have to move your head to detect it or grab the terminal and face it.

The Touch ID of the iPhone SE on the other hand can work with different fingerprints previously configured at a good speed. It is useful even having the device on a table, but it will not work if you have a wet or dirty finger, since it will not be able to identify you.

Same cameras!

When phones such as the iPhone 8 were launched, of which the iPhone SE 2020 is the heir, it was practically unthinkable to see features with portrait mode because the hardware was not prepared and the A11 Bionic chip of that time was not up to granting such modality via software. However, the iPhone XR arrived with a single camera and worked the miracle thanks to the A12 Bionic.

iPhone fotos

As you will have seen in the comparison table, all cameras are the same on both computers. Photo processing is also identical, although it must be said that portrait mode does not allow objects or animals to be taken. It is not a major evil, but the truth is that it is a weak point compared to iPhone with double or triple camera. In any case, the results are spectacular.

We are not going to find some added features in the last generation such as the ultra wide-angle lens, the telephoto lens or the much-awaited night mode. However, we have more than decent cameras for a large percentage of users that do not require more advanced technologies.

Software updates to bore

Apple has a crucial advantage in iOS over Android and is the possibility of being able to launch updates to all your devices as many years as possible and in a massive way. This is only achieved by Google with its Pixels in competition. The fact that an iPhone can have more or fewer updates depends fundamentally on the processor. In these cases we find two very recent chips, so they will be obsolete software at par, with a year of difference at most in favor of the iPhone SE.

The iPhone 5s has to its credit with the honor of having been the longest-lived, having been launched in 2013 and with its latest version available in 2019. The fact that phones are increasingly equipped with more powerful chips, makes us see that perhaps the record for that 5s may be left behind very soon by teams with an A12 or later. In any case, the iPhone XR would stop updating in at least 2023 and the SE in 2024. And in that case it could continue to be a fully functional device with the update that remains.

Price is a key factor

We arrive at a compromised section, since in the end what sometimes weighs more in a purchase decision is money. Depending on your purchasing capabilities, you may find it more convenient to pay the minimum price or pay more and take another. The iPhone XR is available from Apple for a price of € 709, while the iPhone SE can be purchased from € 489. In both cases there is the possibility of adding an old iPhone in the operation to lower the price.

precios iphone se iphone xr

For official purposes, the XR is much more expensive, but if we take into account the stores that offer it cheaper or the temporary offers that arise in places like Amazon, we can see that the difference between the two is reduced considerably to understand that can compensate more for an XR by design and autonomy.

What if there was a middle ground between the two?

A device with the size of the iPhone SE, but design ‘all screen’ like the iPhone XR. It’s possible? Not today, but in the future we could see it. There are reports that pointed to the possibility that the SE would date an older brother in ‘Plus’ size, and ultimately it was not. However, there are already analysts and experts with sources close to the company that indicate that in late 2020 or early 2021 we could see a device of a larger size, but with an updated design.

It remains to be seen what happens to the price, since it could lose that essence of “cheap mobile” that the current iPhone SE has. In any case they are mere hypotheses and in the absence of official confirmation, the fairest comparison for a new buyer is that.

And which one do you prefer? IPhone SE or iPhone XR? You can leave us your impressions in the comment box.