iPhone 15 • Locked AT&T vs iPhone SE (2022) • Unlocked

The iPhone 15, released in September 2023, and the iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, represent different approaches within Apple's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the iOS platform, the iPhone 15 offers a modern design with an advanced camera system and an immersive display, whereas the iPhone SE 2022 maintains a classic design with a physical home button and a more compact form factor.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its physical resilience and the duration of software support it receives.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The iPhone 15, being a newer device from September 2023, is expected to receive major iOS updates for a longer period, likely until 2029-2030. The iPhone SE 2022, released in March 2022, is anticipated to receive updates until approximately 2027-2028. This difference means the iPhone 15 will maintain compatibility with the latest software features and security patches for an extended duration.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone 15 features Ceramic Shield on the front and a color-infused glass back, along with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE 2022 has a glass front and back with an aluminum frame, offering IP67 water and dust resistance, protecting against submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
• Repairability: The iPhone 15 has seen improvements in repairability, with some assessments giving it a score of 7 out of 10, an increase from its initial rating. The iPhone SE 2022 generally has an average repairability score, around 5.5 out of 10, with common components like the battery and screen being relatively accessible for repair.

Evaluating performance involves looking at how smoothly devices handle daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 15 is equipped with a more advanced processor, providing enhanced capabilities for complex computations and graphics rendering. The iPhone SE 2022 features a powerful processor that delivers robust performance for most everyday applications and gaming. Both devices offer a responsive user experience, but the iPhone 15 provides more headroom for future software and intensive tasks.
• Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone 15 comes with 6GB of RAM, allowing for smoother transitions between multiple open applications and more efficient background processes. The iPhone SE 2022 has 4GB of RAM, which is sufficient for typical multitasking but may lead to more frequent app reloads with a higher number of active applications. Storage options vary, with the iPhone 15 offering up to 512GB and the iPhone SE 2022 up to 256GB.
• Battery Performance: The iPhone 15 generally offers a longer battery life, with users reporting it can comfortably last through a full day of varied use, including around 11 hours of web browsing. The iPhone SE 2022, due to its smaller battery capacity, typically provides sufficient power for a day of moderate use, but heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge more frequently, with web browsing endurance around 7-9 hours.

The display is a primary interface for user interaction, and differences in screen technology and specifications can significantly impact the visual experience.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a high resolution of 2556x1179 pixels at 460 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPhone SE 2022 has a 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1334x750 pixels at 326 ppi. The OLED technology in the iPhone 15 provides superior contrast and color accuracy compared to the LCD panel of the iPhone SE 2022.
• Brightness and Clarity: The iPhone 15's display can reach a typical brightness of 1000 nits and a peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. The iPhone SE 2022 offers a maximum brightness of 625 nits. This difference makes the iPhone 15 more suitable for outdoor viewing.
• Design and Viewing Experience: The iPhone 15 boasts an edge-to-edge display with smaller bezels and the Dynamic Island, providing a more expansive and immersive viewing area. The iPhone SE 2022 retains a more traditional design with larger bezels and a physical Home button, resulting in a less modern and smaller screen-to-body ratio. Both devices feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Camera capabilities are a key consideration for many users, and these two models offer distinct photographic experiences.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 15 features an advanced dual-camera system, including a 48MP Main camera with sensor-shift optical image stabilization and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera. This setup allows for greater detail, improved zoom capabilities (2x optical zoom option), and more versatile shooting scenarios. The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a single 12MP Main camera with optical image stabilization.
• Photography Performance: The iPhone 15 excels in various lighting conditions, offering significantly improved low-light performance thanks to features like Night mode and the Photonic Engine. It also supports next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. The iPhone SE 2022 delivers good results in well-lit environments but lacks Night mode, limiting its performance in darker settings.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video. The iPhone 15 offers more advanced video features, including Cinematic mode and enhanced HDR video recording. For selfies and video calls, the iPhone 15 has a 12MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus, while the iPhone SE 2022 features a 7MP front camera. Both phones provide a good audio experience for media consumption and calls through their stereo speakers.