DATA-DRIVEN PHONE COMPARE

iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone SE (2nd generation)

27 source-backed differences · 8 fields the same. Official sources below.

✓Both records verified · latest Aug 19, 2026

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Comparing shared product base specs.

VS
iPhone SE (2nd generation) product viewPHONE B

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

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Direct answer

iPhone 12 Pro has advantages in battery, rear cameras, while iPhone SE (2nd generation) has advantages in design & dimensions.

Top Differences

Prioritize what matters to you, then expand the full shared field set.

✓35 registry fields

Outdoor brightness800 nits typical; 1,200 nits hdr → 625 nits typical
Streamed video hours11 → 8
HdrYes → Unknown
Display size6.1 in → 4.7 in
ChipA14 Bionic → A13 Bionic

What Changed

Deterministic differences from the verified structured records.

Outdoor brightnessDifferent, with no automatic winner

800 nits typical; 1,200 nits hdr compared with 625 nits typical

Streamed video hoursiPhone 12 Pro

11 compared with 8

HdrDifferent, with no automatic winner

Yes compared with Unknown

Display sizeDifferent, with no automatic winner

6.1 in compared with 4.7 in

ChipDifferent, with no automatic winner

A14 Bionic compared with A13 Bionic

Full Comparison

Expand every verified field and inspect the complete side-by-side data.

✓35 registry fields

FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Front cameraMinor difference2 official sources12 MP7 MPFront camera changes affect selfies and video calls.
TypeMarginal difference2 official sources12MP camera7MP cameraNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ZoomMarginal difference1 official source2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom rangeUnknownNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Display sizeMarginal difference2 official sources6.1 in4.7 inMore screen space changes reading and media comfort.
Outdoor brightnessMeaningful difference2 official sources800 nits typical; 1,200 nits hdr625 nits typicalHigher outdoor brightness improves sunlight readability.
HdrMeaningful difference1 official sourceYesUnknownNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ResolutionMarginal difference2 official sources2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppiNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
TechnologyMarginal difference2 official sourcesSuper Retina XDR displayRetina HD displayNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
ChipMarginal difference2 official sourcesA14 BionicA13 BionicNewer silicon generally extends performance headroom.
Cpu coresMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Gpu coresMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown4No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Neural engine coresMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown8No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Video playbackMarginal difference2 official sources17 hours13 hoursApple’s common playback test gives a comparable endurance signal.
Fast chargeMarginal difference2 official sourcesUp to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 11 with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes 12 with 18W adapter or higher (sold separately)Shorter top-up time matters during travel and busy days.
Audio playback hoursMarginal difference2 official sources6540No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Streamed video hoursMeaningful difference2 official sources118No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
WeightMarginal difference2 official sources189 g148 gWeight affects long sessions and one-handed comfort.
Depth mmMarginal difference2 official sources7.47.3No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Height mmMarginal difference2 official sources146.7138.4No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Width mmMarginal difference2 official sources71.567.3No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ColorsMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownBlack, WhiteNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Storage optionsMarginal difference2 official sources128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GBAvailable capacities determine local media and app headroom.
ContentsMarginal difference2 official sourcesiPhone with iOS 14, USB-C to Lightning Cable, Documentation, We encourage you to re-use your current USB-A to Lightning cables, power adapters, and headphones which are compatible with this iPhone. But if you need any new Apple power adapters or headphones, they are available for purchase.iPhoneSE, USB-C to Lightning Cable, Documentation, We encourage you to re-use your current USB-A to Lightning cables, power adapters, and headphones which are compatible with this iPhone. But if you need any new Apple power adapters or headphones, they are available for purchase.No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
RatingMarginal difference2 official sourcesRated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529Rated IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
ListMarginal difference2 official sourcesFace ID, LiDAR Scanner, Barometer, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensorTouch ID fingerprint sensor, Barometer, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensorNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
CellularMarginal difference2 official sources5G sub-6 GHz and mmWaveLTENo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12 ProiPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
WifiMarginal difference2 official sourcesWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)802.11ax Wi-FiNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.

What’s the same

Main camera12 MP
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0
U.S. SIMDual SIM
Apertureƒ/2.2 aperture
NfcYes
ConnectorLightning
ReleaseYear2020
OsiOS

Which should you buy?

iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone SE (2nd generation) trade strengths: iPhone 12 Pro leads in Battery and Camera, while iPhone SE (2nd generation) leads in Design.

CHOOSE IPHONE 12 PRO
  • Choose iPhone 12 Pro if you prioritize battery and camera.
CHOOSE IPHONE SE (2ND GENERATION)
  • Choose iPhone SE (2nd generation) if you prioritize design.

Category-by-category

BATTERY · iPhone 12 Pro

Leads in battery.

DESIGN & DIMENSIONS · iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Leads in design.

REAR CAMERAS · iPhone 12 Pro

Leads in camera.

DISPLAY · Comparable

Comparable across display.

PERFORMANCE · Comparable

Comparable across performance.

OTHER · Comparable

Comparable across other.

CELLULAR · Comparable

Comparable across cellular.

CONNECTIVITY · Comparable

Comparable across connectivity.

FIELD-LEVEL PROVENANCE

3 official sources

Every compared field traces to an official product source. No model-generated specs, prices or winners.

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