Galaxy S25+ • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked T-Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, released in February 2025, and the Apple iPhone SE (2022), launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Galaxy S25 Plus offers a contemporary large-screen Android experience with advanced camera capabilities, the iPhone SE (2022) provides a compact iOS device with a familiar design and robust performance for its size. These devices cater to different user preferences, primarily differing in display technology, camera versatility, and overall form factor.

The expected lifespan and ongoing support for a device are important considerations for users.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S25 Plus is a more recent device, having been released in February 2025. The iPhone SE (2022) was released earlier, in March 2022, and was discontinued in February 2025. This difference in release dates means the Galaxy S25 Plus will likely receive software updates for a longer period from its launch.
• Software Longevity: Apple typically provides iOS updates for its devices for approximately 5-6 years from their release. The iPhone SE (2022) shipped with iOS 15.4 and is upgradeable to newer versions, extending its functional life. Samsung also offers several years of Android and security updates for its flagship Galaxy S series, ensuring the S25 Plus remains current for an extended duration.
• Durability Features: Both devices offer a degree of protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy S25 Plus features an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, capable of submersion in deeper water for longer periods. It also incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back for enhanced drop protection. The iPhone SE (2022) has an IP67 rating, providing resistance to dust and water splashes, and uses durable glass on its front and back, similar to the back glass of the iPhone 13 series.

Performance is a key aspect, influencing how smoothly applications run and how responsive the device feels during daily use.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S25 Plus is equipped with a current-generation processor, designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking with efficiency. This allows for smooth operation across various tasks, from intensive gaming to complex productivity apps. The iPhone SE (2022) features a powerful A15 Bionic chip, which, despite its earlier release, provides robust performance for its size, ensuring quick app launches and fluid navigation within the iOS ecosystem.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy S25 Plus offers substantial capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously without noticeable slowdowns, making it suitable for users who frequently switch between apps. The iPhone SE (2022) comes with 4GB of RAM, which is optimized by iOS to provide a responsive experience for everyday tasks and moderate multitasking.
• Storage Options: The Galaxy S25 Plus is available with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, utilizing UFS 4.0 technology for fast data access. The iPhone SE (2022) offers storage configurations of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, catering to different user needs for app and media storage.

The display is the primary interface for interacting with a smartphone, and differences in screen technology can significantly impact the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a large 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. In contrast, the iPhone SE (2022) has a more compact 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, which provides accurate colors but does not achieve the same level of contrast or black levels as an OLED panel.
• Resolution and Brightness: The Galaxy S25 Plus boasts a QHD+ resolution of 3120x1440 pixels, resulting in a sharp 513 pixels per inch (PPI), and can reach a peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone SE (2022) has a resolution of 1334x750 pixels at 326 PPI and a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits, which is sufficient for most indoor and outdoor viewing but less bright than the S25 Plus.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Galaxy S25 Plus offers an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing exceptionally smooth scrolling and fluid animations, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. The iPhone SE (2022) has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which delivers a consistent experience for general use but lacks the enhanced fluidity of a higher refresh rate display.

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many smartphone users, influencing the quality and versatility of photos and videos.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP main wide-angle lens, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed zoomed-in shots. The iPhone SE (2022) is equipped with a single 12 MP wide main camera, which, while capable of capturing high-quality images, offers less versatility in terms of focal lengths.
• Photography Features and Performance: The Galaxy S25 Plus benefits from advanced image processing, including a Pro Visual Engine, Super Steady video mode, and a dedicated Night mode for improved low-light photography. Its telephoto lens enables clear zoomed images, and the ultra-wide lens captures broader scenes. The iPhone SE (2022), despite its single lens, leverages computational photography features like Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, and Deep Fusion to enhance image quality, particularly in everyday lighting conditions. Both devices offer Portrait mode for creating images with depth effects.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both smartphones are capable of recording high-resolution video. The Galaxy S25 Plus can record up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second, offering exceptional detail, and includes features like Zoom-in mic for enhanced audio. It has a 12 MP front-facing camera with autofocus. The iPhone SE (2022) records video up to 4K at 60 frames per second and supports slow-motion video at up to 240 frames per second. Its front camera is 7 MP and supports Portrait mode.