iPhone 15 • Locked AT&T vs iPhone SE (2020) • Unlocked

The iPhone 15 (released in 2023) and the iPhone SE 2020 (released in 2020) represent different tiers within Apple's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the iOS platform, the iPhone 15 offers a more contemporary design, advanced camera capabilities, and a more powerful internal architecture compared to the iPhone SE 2020, which retains a classic form factor and focuses on core functionality. Both devices provide access to Apple's ecosystem of apps and services.

The expected lifespan and software support differ between these two models due to their release dates and hardware capabilities.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The iPhone 15, released in September 2023, benefits from a longer projected period of iOS updates, likely extending several years beyond the iPhone SE 2020. The iPhone SE 2020, launched in April 2020, originally shipped with iOS 13.4 and has received updates to iOS 26.4 as of March 2026, but its update cycle is naturally closer to its conclusion.
• Durability Features: The iPhone 15 features a Ceramic Shield front cover and an aluminum design, offering enhanced resistance to drops and scratches, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE 2020 utilizes a glass front and back with an aluminum band and carries an IP67 rating, protecting against water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
• Repairability and Practical Lifespan: Both models are designed with repairability in mind, though the newer iPhone 15 may benefit from more readily available parts and service options for a longer duration. The practical lifespan of both devices is influenced by software support and the availability of replacement components, with the iPhone 15 having an advantage due to its more recent release.

Performance capabilities vary significantly between these two iPhones, impacting how smoothly they handle demanding applications and multitasking.

• Processor Capabilities: The iPhone 15 incorporates a more advanced processor, enabling it to handle graphically intensive games, complex applications, and augmented reality experiences with greater fluidity. The iPhone SE 2020, while still capable for everyday tasks, uses an older generation processor that may show limitations with newer, more demanding software over time.
• System Responsiveness and Multitasking: Users will experience quicker app loading times and smoother transitions between applications on the iPhone 15. Its internal architecture allows for more efficient multitasking, maintaining responsiveness even with multiple apps running simultaneously. The iPhone SE 2020 provides a responsive experience for general use, but heavy multitasking or switching between resource-intensive applications may occasionally exhibit slower performance.
• Storage Options: The iPhone 15 offers storage configurations up to 512GB, providing ample space for a large volume of apps, photos, and videos. The iPhone SE 2020 is available with up to 256GB of storage, which may be sufficient for many users but could be a limiting factor for those with extensive digital libraries.

The display technology and viewing experience differ considerably between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone SE 2020.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which delivers deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors, resulting in a more immersive visual experience. The iPhone SE 2020 has a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, offering good color accuracy and brightness, but it does not achieve the same level of contrast or black depth as an OLED panel.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The iPhone 15's display can reach significantly higher brightness levels, particularly in outdoor conditions, making content easier to view under direct sunlight. The iPhone SE 2020's display offers adequate brightness for most indoor and outdoor scenarios, though it may be less legible in very bright environments.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The larger 6.1-inch screen of the iPhone 15, combined with its edge-to-edge design and Dynamic Island, provides a more expansive viewing area for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. The iPhone SE 2020's 4.7-inch screen, with its traditional bezels and Home button, offers a more compact form factor that some users prefer for one-handed use, though it provides a smaller canvas for content.

The camera systems of the iPhone 15 and iPhone SE 2020 offer distinct capabilities for photography and videography.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 15 features an advanced dual-camera system with a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, enabling higher-resolution photos, improved low-light performance, and a 2x optical zoom option. The iPhone SE 2020 has a single 12-megapixel wide camera, which performs well in good lighting conditions and supports Portrait mode for people.
• Photography Features: The iPhone 15 benefits from more advanced computational photography features, including next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control, and improved Smart HDR for better detail in highlights and shadows. While the iPhone SE 2020 also utilizes computational photography for features like Portrait mode, it lacks some of the newer enhancements found in the iPhone 15, such as Night Mode.
• Video Recording Quality: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. The iPhone 15 offers enhanced video stabilization and cinematic mode capabilities, providing a more refined video recording experience.