PHONE AiPhone 12
No fresh verified price
Full specs →DATA-DRIVEN PHONE COMPARE
iPhone 12 vs iPhone SE (2nd generation)
17 source-backed differences · 8 fields the same. Official sources below.
✓Both records verified · latest Aug 19, 2026
PHONE A
PHONE BiPhone SE (2nd generation)
No fresh verified price
Full specs →Direct answer
iPhone 12 and iPhone SE (2nd generation) trade strengths: iPhone 12 leads in battery, display, Battery and Cameras, while iPhone SE (2nd generation) leads in Design.
Key differences
Prioritize what matters to you, then expand the full shared field set.
✓34 registry fields
FieldiPhone 12iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Front cameraMinor difference2 official sources12 MP7 MPFront camera changes affect selfies and video calls.
FieldiPhone 12iPhone 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 sources[{"nits":625,"context":"typical"},{"nits":1200,"context":"hdr"}][{"nits":625,"context":"typical"}]Higher outdoor brightness improves sunlight readability.
FieldiPhone 12iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
ChipMarginal difference2 official sourcesA14 BionicA13 BionicNewer silicon generally extends performance headroom.
FieldiPhone 12iPhone 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 30 minutes 13 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.
FieldiPhone 12iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
WeightMinor difference2 official sources164 g148 gWeight affects long sessions and one-handed comfort.
FieldiPhone 12iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Audio playback hoursMeaningful 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 12iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Height mmMinor difference2 official sources146.7138.4No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
Width mmMinor difference2 official sources71.567.3No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
Neural engine coresMajor difference2 official sources168No universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
CellularMarginal difference2 official sources5G sub-6 GHz and mmWaveLTENo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
WifiMarginal difference2 official sourcesWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)802.11ax Wi-FiNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.
FieldiPhone 12iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
HdrMeaningful difference1 official sourcetrueUnknownNo 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.
FieldiPhone 12iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters
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.
What’s the same
Which should you buy?
iPhone 12 and iPhone SE (2nd generation) trade strengths: iPhone 12 leads in battery, display, Battery and Cameras, while iPhone SE (2nd generation) leads in Design.
- Choose iPhone 12 if you prioritize battery, display, battery and cameras.
- Choose iPhone SE (2nd generation) if you prioritize design.
Category-by-category
Leads in battery.
Leads in display.
Leads in battery.
Leads in cameras.
Leads in design.
Comparable across performance.
Comparable across display.
Comparable across performance.
Comparable across connectivity.
Comparable across durability.
Comparable across body.
FIELD-LEVEL PROVENANCE
3 official sources
Every compared field traces to an official product source. No model-generated specs, prices or winners.