iPhone 14 • Locked T-Mobile vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T

iPhone 14 • Locked T-Mobile
iPhone 14 • Locked T-Mobile
Starting at

Refurbished price:$239.00

Versus $599.00 new

See options
iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T
iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T
Starting at

Refurbished price:$102.00

Versus $429.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 14 and the iPhone SE (2022) are both smartphones released by Apple in 2022, offering distinct experiences for different users. While the iPhone 14, launched in September 2022, presents a modern design with an advanced display and camera system, the iPhone SE (2022), released in March 2022, maintains a classic form factor with a compact screen and a physical home button. Both devices run on Apple's iOS operating system, ensuring a consistent software experience, but they cater to varying preferences in terms of size, display technology, and photographic capabilities.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE (2022) benefit from Apple's commitment to long-term software updates, though their staggered release dates mean a slight difference in their expected support windows.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone SE (2022) was released in March 2022, while the iPhone 14 followed in September 2022. This six-month difference means the iPhone 14 will likely receive software updates for a slightly longer period.
  • Software Longevity: Both devices launched with recent iOS versions (iOS 15 for SE, iOS 16 for 14) and are expected to receive major iOS updates for several years. Users can anticipate consistent performance and access to new features for an extended duration.
  • Durability Features: The iPhone 14 features a Ceramic Shield front cover and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, offering enhanced protection against everyday mishaps. The iPhone SE (2022) has an IP67 rating, providing good resistance to dust and water, though slightly less than the iPhone 14.

Release Year

2022

2022

Last OS Compatibility

Yes

Yes

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE (2022) are equipped with powerful internal components, ensuring smooth operation for a wide range of tasks. The primary differences lie in their memory configurations and how they handle sustained demanding workloads.

  • Processing Power: Both devices utilize the same generation of Apple's powerful processors, enabling them to handle demanding applications, multitasking, and graphic-intensive games with ease. Users can expect quick app loading and fluid navigation across the system.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPhone 14 comes with 6GB of RAM, providing more headroom for keeping multiple applications open simultaneously without needing to reload them. The iPhone SE (2022) features 4GB of RAM, which is still capable for most daily tasks but may show slight differences in managing a very high number of active apps.
  • Storage Options: Both models offer various storage capacities, typically starting from 64GB or 128GB, allowing users to choose based on their needs for apps, photos, and videos.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 14 generally offers longer battery life, providing more hours of video playback and audio playback compared to the iPhone SE (2022). This difference is noticeable for users with heavy daily usage.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on these two iPhones differs significantly due to their display technologies, sizes, and overall design approaches.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 14 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which delivers deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors. The iPhone SE (2022) uses a 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display, offering good color accuracy and brightness, but with less contrast compared to OLED.
  • Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The iPhone 14's larger 6.1-inch screen provides a more expansive viewing area, which is beneficial for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. The iPhone SE (2022) has a compact 4.7-inch display, making it easier for one-handed use and fitting into smaller pockets.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The iPhone 14 offers higher peak brightness, making content more visible in bright outdoor conditions. Both devices feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth but not ultra-fluid scrolling experience.

Resolution

1170 x 2532

750 x 1334

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE (2022) are designed for different levels of photographic versatility and performance, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.

  • Rear Camera System: The iPhone 14 boasts a dual-camera system with a 12MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, featuring improved low-light performance and advanced computational photography features like Photonic Engine. The iPhone SE (2022) has a single 12MP wide camera, which performs well in good lighting but lacks the versatility and low-light capabilities of the iPhone 14's system.
  • Front Camera Capabilities: The iPhone 14 includes a 12MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus, enhancing selfie quality and video calls. The iPhone SE (2022) features a 7MP front camera, suitable for everyday selfies and video calls.
  • Video Recording: Both phones are capable of recording 4K video, but the iPhone 14 offers advanced video features such as Cinematic Mode with 4K HDR and Action Mode for stabilized footage. The iPhone SE (2022) provides solid 4K video recording with optical image stabilization.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements differentiate the user experience between the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE (2022).

  • Physical Design and Handling: The iPhone 14 features a modern, all-screen design with Face ID for biometric authentication. Its dimensions are 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm and it weighs 172 grams. The iPhone SE (2022) retains the classic iPhone design with a physical home button and Touch ID, measuring 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm and weighing 144 grams, making it more compact and lighter.
  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for faster cellular data speeds and Wi-Fi 6 for improved wireless performance. Both also use the Lightning port for charging and data transfer.
  • Additional Features: The iPhone 14 includes features like Emergency SOS via Satellite and Crash Detection, enhancing safety. The iPhone SE (2022) offers a familiar user experience with its Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

Weight

6 oz

3 oz

Screen size (inches)

6.1

4.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

T-Mobile

AT&T

Connector

Lightning

Lightning

Choosing between the iPhone 14 and the iPhone SE (2022) depends largely on individual priorities regarding design, display, and camera capabilities. Users frequently praise the iPhone 14 for its vibrant OLED display, improved camera performance, especially in low light, and its modern, expansive screen. Some common criticisms of the iPhone 14 often revolve around its incremental upgrades over its direct predecessor, though it still represents a significant step up from older models.

The iPhone SE (2022) is often lauded by users for its compact size, the convenience of Touch ID, and its powerful internal processor, which delivers excellent performance in a smaller package. However, its smaller LCD screen with larger bezels and its single rear camera are frequently mentioned as areas where it falls short compared to more contemporary smartphones.

Users prioritizing a larger, more immersive display for media and a more versatile camera system for photography, particularly in varied lighting conditions, may prefer the iPhone 14. Its modern design and additional safety features also appeal to those seeking the latest innovations. Conversely, users who value a compact form factor, the familiarity of a physical home button with Touch ID, and a device that is easy to handle with one hand will find the iPhone SE (2022) well-suited to their needs. Both devices offer a reliable iOS experience, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative for making an informed choice.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons