iPhone SE (2022) vs iPhone 11: Which one should you buy? (2024)

There's no doubt about Apple'siPhone SEis a solid, smaller smartphone, priced for potential users on a budget. Starting at $429, the 5G-compatible, A15 Bionic-powered handset is the most affordable iPhone Apple officially sells. But for a little less money – and some shopping around at third-party retailers – the older, but biggeriPhone 11is as attractive as a device to upgrade to.

Regardless of whether you lookthe new best iPhonesfor a family member, a partner, or for yourself, there's no doubt that both iPhone SE and iPhone 11 deliver exceptional mobile experiences. If you're trying to decide which of the two sub-$450 smartphones to spend your hard-earned money on, we've listed below the top reasons to buy one over the other.

Also: New iPhone models compared: which one should you buy?

Specifications

You should buy the iPhone SE if…

1. You want a faster processor

For how much smaller and cheaper it is, the iPhone SE has plenty of firepowercompete with an Apple flagship. This is largely due to the A15 Bionic chip – the same processor as in theiPhone 13 Pro-- under the hood. When ZDNET's Jason Ciprianibenchmarked iPhone SE, it scored 1,731 and 4,316 on the single- and multi-core tests respectively, doubling Google's top-tier resultsPixel 6 Pro.

From a real-world perspective, this basically means the iPhone SE can run apps, games and multitask with little to no lag. While the iPhone 11's A13 Bionic Chip follows closely behind, it's still ultimately two generations older than the smarter SE.

2. You want a long-term investment at a good price

The phones' identical software experiences make it worth noting that Apple typically honors up to seven years of iOS updates. Considering the three-year gap between the iPhone 11 and SE (2022), expect the latter to get longer software support if purchased today. SE is a future-proof investment that should perform well for years to come.

It's also worth noting that at Apple'sthe fall release of the iPhone 14 line, Apple's physical and online stores no longer sell the iPhone 11, so you'll have to buy the handset through a third-party carrier.

3. You want a compact iPhone

It's true that there won't be an iPhone 14 Mini released this yeariPhone 13 Miniand the iPhone SE (2022) as the last of their miniature breed. Although it was no surprise that Apple cut back on thatworst performing iPhone linethe SE remains one of the best and most valuable compact handsets on the market today. Most customers probably buy the SE for its affordability and nostalgic design, but the comfortable hand feel certainly helps too.

Also:The iPhone 14 Mini is dead. Long live the iPhone 14 Plus

Buy iPhone SE (2022)

$429 for Apple

You should buy the iPhone 11 if…

1. You want a newer iPhone design

Although the iPhone SE was released in early 2022, it is virtually indistinguishable in terms of hardwareiPhone SE (2020), which shared the same design asiPhone 8of 2017. Similarly, the iPhone 11 offers a recycled design from its predecessor,iPhone XR. But unlike the SE, the iPhone 11 has a much more screen-dominant look, with a notch in the center for Face ID (face unlock) instead of the old Touch ID fingerprint sensor. It's also significantly larger than the SE, with a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display. For entertainment enthusiasts who want the best viewing experience, the larger iPhone may have more use than the SE.

2. You want an ultra-wide camera lens

For casual and professional use, both the iPhone SE and iPhone 11 do a great job of taking photos and videos day and night. The same 12MP wide lens can be found on the back of the two devices and enables 4K video recording, optical image stabilization and all of Apple's computing features - including Deep Fusion, Smart HDR and Night Mode.

But the iPhone 11 takes the camera one step further by deploying a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens for exciting landscape photos. With a 120-degree field of view, iPhone 11 can capture a wider variety of subjects and provide more context than the standard camera. The ultra-wide lens also makes macro photography – or close-ups – possible thanks to its smaller focal length. Overall, the iPhone 11 offers more flexibility with your photos and video recording.

Apple iPhone 11 (64 GB)

$399 at Walmart

See Also

iPhone 13 vs iPhone 11: Should You Upgrade?

Alternatives to consider

If you're open to other smartphones, consider these ZDNET-tested deals:

Apple iPhone 12 Mini (64GB)

Check out Best Buy now

Google Pixel 6A

See now on Amazon

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Now available at Samsung