The new iPhone SE is seen on display during an event at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California March 21, 2016.
The new iPhone SE is seen on display during an event at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California March 21, 2016. Reuters/Stephen Lam

Owning an iPhone has somehow become a status symbol of sorts not only because of its sophisticated look, but also due to its usability and performance reliability. But not everyone has the funds to buy Apple’s latest flagship, which is why the more affordable iPhone SE is considered as a reasonable option. Let’s see how the economical iPhone SE stacks up against the premium iPhone 7.

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Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone SE: Design and Display

The obvious difference between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 7 is the display size. The 4-inch iPhone SE has a screen resolution of 640 x 1136 pixels while the larger 4.7-inch iPhone 7 features Apple’s Retina HD display with 1334 x 750 pixel resolution. The iPhone 7 showcases colours and items better than the iPhone SE.

The iPhone 7 also features Apple’s 3D Touch enhancement which the iPhone SE lacks. The technology allows users to access content via pressure-sensitive mechanics. This basically means that users have to press on the iPhone SE’s display a bit harder to switch to app shortcuts.

The iPhone SE feels more secured when held compared to the iPhone 7. The latest iPhone model has a tendency to slip off one’s hand. The smaller iPhone SE is also 25 grams lighter than the iPhone 7.

The iPhone SE is available in four colours: gold, rose gold, space gray and silver. The iPhone 7, meanwhile, is available in five: gold, rose gold, silver, black and jet black.

iPhone 7 vs iPhone SE: Performance

The iPhone 7 is driven by the new A10 Fusion quad-core chipset, which is said to be 40 percent faster than its predecessor, the SE’s A9. The new chipset can handle extended heavy-duty tasks, allowing the iPhone 7 to remain fluid and snappy despite continuous usage. While both Apple handsets’ loudspeakers produce clean and crisp sounds, only the iPhone SE furnishes a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which most iPhone 7 users dearly miss.

The iPhone SE is available in two storage options: 16 GB and 64 GB. The iPhone 7 is available in 32 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB variants. Both handsets are backed by 2 GB of RAM.

WATCH: iPhone 7 or iPhone SE?

Credit: CultofMactv

iPhone 7 vs iPhone SE: Camera

The iPhone SE and the iPhone 7 both have 12 MP primary cameras, but the newer iPhone equips a wider f/1.8 lens. The iPhone 7 also has optical image stabilisation (OIS) and quad-LED flash that’s significantly brighter than that of the iPhone SE. The iPhone 7 also crushes the SE when it comes to selfies and FaceTime with its 7 MP secondary shooter. The iPhone SE can only manage a 1.2 MP front-facing snapper.

iPhone 7 vs iPhone SE: Battery

The iPhone SE is backed by a non-removable 1,624 mAh lithium polymer battery that can provide 14 hours of talk time and 50 hours of music play. The iPhone 7, on the hand, carries a lithium ion battery with 1,960 mAh capacity. What’s surprising though is that the SE can match, and in some cases beat, the iPhone 7’s battery performance-wise even though it packs lesser power.

iPhone 7 vs iPhone SE: Price

The iPhone 7’s 32 GB variant is currently priced at $1,079 at the online Apple shop. Its 128 GB model is offered at $1,229 while the 256 GB model is priced at $1,379. The 16 GB and 64 GB iPhone SE handsets are available for $679 and $749, respectively.

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Apple iPhone 7 vs iPhone SE: Verdict

The smaller iPhone SE is an excellent Apple smartphone alternative, although it lacks the major features that make the more expensive iPhone 7 better. Apple may never release another phone like the SE again because, after all, it is a “special edition.” iOS users who are on a budget can’t go wrong with the iPhone SE.

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