iPhone 15 Plus • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2020) • Unlocked

The iPhone 15 Plus, released in September 2023, and the iPhone SE 2020, launched in April 2020, represent distinct offerings within Apple's smartphone lineup. While both operate on Apple's iOS ecosystem, they cater to different user preferences through their design, display technology, and overall capabilities. The iPhone 15 Plus features a larger, more advanced display and a sophisticated camera system, whereas the iPhone SE 2020 offers a compact form factor with a traditional design.

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

• Release Timeline: The iPhone 15 Plus is a much newer device, released in September 2023, while the iPhone SE 2020 was released over three years prior, in April 2020. This age difference directly impacts their remaining support cycles.
• Software Longevity: The iPhone 15 Plus is expected to receive iOS updates for a longer duration, likely extending several years beyond the iPhone SE 2020. The iPhone SE 2020, having been released with iOS 13.4, has received updates up to iOS 26, but its update cycle is nearing its end. Users prioritizing the longest possible software support will find the iPhone 15 Plus more suitable.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone 15 Plus features a Ceramic Shield front cover and a color-infused glass back, along with an aluminum design, offering enhanced durability and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE 2020 has a glass front and back with an aluminum band and an IP67 rating, protecting against submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Both devices demonstrate solid build quality, with the iPhone SE 2020 proving reasonably durable in drop tests.

The performance capabilities of these two iPhones reflect the advancements in mobile processing technology over several years.

• Processor Capabilities: The iPhone 15 Plus is equipped with a more advanced processor, which provides substantial improvements in speed and efficiency. This translates to smoother operation for demanding applications, faster app loading times, and more fluid multitasking. The iPhone SE 2020, while still capable for everyday tasks, features an older generation processor.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Users of the iPhone 15 Plus will experience a more responsive system overall, particularly when switching between multiple applications or engaging in graphics-intensive activities like gaming. The iPhone SE 2020 handles general use well, but may show limitations with the most resource-intensive applications or heavy multitasking compared to the newer model.
• Storage Options: Both models offer various internal storage configurations, allowing users to choose based on their needs for apps, photos, and videos. The iPhone 15 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options. The iPhone SE 2020 was available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB configurations.

The display experience is a significant differentiator between the iPhone 15 Plus and the iPhone SE 2020, impacting visual clarity and overall viewing pleasure.

• Display Technology and Size: The iPhone 15 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a high contrast ratio. This larger screen size provides an expansive viewing area. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2020 has a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, which offers good color accuracy but does not achieve the same level of contrast or black levels as an OLED panel.
• Resolution and Brightness: The iPhone 15 Plus boasts a higher resolution of 2796 by 1290 pixels at 460 pixels per inch (ppi), resulting in sharper images and text. It also offers significantly higher peak brightness, reaching up to 2000 nits for outdoor use, improving visibility in bright conditions. The iPhone SE 2020 has a resolution of 1334 by 750 pixels at 326 ppi and a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits.
• Additional Display Features: The iPhone 15 Plus incorporates the Dynamic Island, a dynamic area at the top of the display that adapts to show alerts and live activities. Both models feature True Tone technology, which adjusts the display's white balance to match ambient light.

The camera systems of the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone SE 2020 offer different capabilities, reflecting advancements in mobile photography.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 15 Plus features an advanced dual-camera system with a 48MP Main camera and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera. The 48MP main sensor allows for capturing highly detailed photos, including 24MP super-high-resolution photos by default, and offers a 2x optical zoom option through sensor cropping. The iPhone SE 2020 has a single 12MP Wide camera. While capable of good everyday photos, it lacks the versatility and advanced features of the newer model.
• Photography Features: The iPhone 15 Plus benefits from features like Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 5, which enhance image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. It also offers next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. The iPhone SE 2020 supports Portrait mode for people and Smart HDR, but does not include Night mode.
• Video Recording: Both devices can record 4K video, with the iPhone 15 Plus supporting 4K Dolby Vision video recording at up to 60 frames per second (fps) and Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps. The iPhone SE 2020 also records 4K video at up to 60 fps. The iPhone 15 Plus also includes Action mode for stabilized video.