DATA-DRIVEN PHONE COMPARE

iPhone 16 vs iPhone SE (2nd generation)

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

✓Both records verified · latest Aug 19, 2026

iPhone 16 product view

PHONE A

iPhone 16

128GB $699

VS

iPhone SE (2nd generation) product view

PHONE B

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

No fresh verified price

Direct answer

iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone 16 trade strengths: iPhone SE (2nd generation) leads in Design, while iPhone 16 leads in battery, performance, Battery, display, Cameras, camera and charging.

Key differences

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

✓43 registry fields

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

Ultra Wide cameraMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown12 MPHigher resolution can preserve more detail in wide scenes.

Main cameraMarginal difference2 official sources12 MP48 MPResolution is one part of camera detail and crop flexibility.

Front cameraMinor difference2 official sources7 MP12 MPFront camera changes affect selfies and video calls.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

ZoomMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom rangeNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.

VideoMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fpsNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

Display sizeMarginal difference2 official sources4.7 in6.1 inMore screen space changes reading and media comfort.

Outdoor brightnessMajor difference2 official sources[{"nits":625,"context":"typical"}]2000 nits outdoorHigher outdoor brightness improves sunlight readability.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

ChipMarginal difference2 official sourcesA13 BionicA18Newer silicon generally extends performance headroom.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

Video playbackMeaningful difference2 official sources13 hours22 hoursApple’s common playback test gives a comparable endurance signal.

Fast chargeMarginal difference2 official sourcesUp to 50% charge in 30 minutes 12 with 18W adapter or higher (sold separately)Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes 6 with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB-C charging cable, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger (both available separately)Shorter top-up time matters during travel and busy days.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

WeightMarginal difference2 official sources148 g170 gWeight affects long sessions and one-handed comfort.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

Storage optionsMarginal difference2 official sources64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GBAvailable capacities determine local media and app headroom.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

BluetoothMarginal difference2 official sourcesBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.3The generation can affect accessory capabilities.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

U.S. SIMMarginal difference2 official sourcesDual SIMDual eSIM onlySIM format determines carrier setup and travel flexibility.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

Audio playback hoursMajor difference2 official sources4080No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

Streamed video hoursMajor difference2 official sources818No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

Depth mmMinor difference2 official sources7.37.8No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

Height mmMinor difference2 official sources138.4147.6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

Width mmMinor difference2 official sources67.371.6No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

Magsafe wMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown25No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

Qi2 wMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknown25No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

Gpu coresMarginal difference2 official sources45No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

Neural engine coresMajor difference2 official sources816No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

CellularMarginal difference2 official sourcesLTE5G sub-6 GHz and mmWaveNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.

WifiMarginal difference2 official sources802.11ax Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

HdrMeaningful difference1 official sourceUnknowntrueNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.

ResolutionMarginal difference2 official sources1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi2556-by-1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppiNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

RatingMarginal difference2 official sourcesRated IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

ConnectorMarginal difference2 official sourcesLightningUSB-CNo universal winner; decide based on your use case.

Usb speedMarginal difference1 official sourceUnknownUSB 2 (up to 480Mb/s)No universal winner; decide based on your use case.

FieldiPhone 16iPhone SE (2nd generation)Why it matters

Fresh ordinary priceMarginal difference1 official sourceUnavailable$729 · 128GBOrdinary unlocked prices avoid presenting carrier-dependent discounts as universal.

What’s the same

ContentsiPhoneSE, 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.

Apertureƒ/2.2 aperture

Type7MP camera

Cpu cores6

Nfctrue

TechnologyRetina HD display

ColorsBlack, White

ReleaseYear2020

Which should you buy?

iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone 16 trade strengths: iPhone SE (2nd generation) leads in Design, while iPhone 16 leads in battery, performance, Battery, display, Cameras, camera and charging.

CHOOSE IPHONE 16

Choose iPhone SE (2nd generation) if you prioritize design.

CHOOSE IPHONE SE (2ND GENERATION)

Choose iPhone 16 if you prioritize battery, performance, battery, display, cameras, camera and charging.

Category-by-category

BATTERY · iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Leads in battery.

PERFORMANCE · iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Leads in performance.

BATTERY · iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Leads in battery.

DISPLAY · iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Leads in display.

CAMERAS · iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Leads in cameras.

DESIGN · iPhone 16

Leads in design.

CAMERA · iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Leads in camera.

CHARGING · iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Leads in charging.

DISPLAY · Comparable

Comparable across display.

PERFORMANCE · Comparable

Comparable across performance.

STORAGE · Comparable

Comparable across storage.

CONNECTIVITY · Comparable

Comparable across connectivity.

REGIONAL · Comparable

Comparable across regional.

CONNECTIVITY · Comparable

Comparable across connectivity.

DURABILITY · Comparable

Comparable across durability.

PORTS · Comparable

Comparable across ports.

PRICE · Comparable

Comparable across price.

BODY · Comparable

Comparable across body.

FIELD-LEVEL PROVENANCE

4 official sources

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