iPhone 15 Plus • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked Verizon

The iPhone 15 Plus, released in September 2023, and the iPhone SE (3rd generation), launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches within Apple's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on Apple's iOS platform, they cater to different user preferences through their design, display technology, and camera capabilities. The iPhone 15 Plus offers a larger, more immersive experience, whereas the iPhone SE 2022 maintains a compact form factor with a traditional design.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The iPhone 15 Plus, being a newer model from September 2023, benefits from a longer expected period of iOS updates compared to the iPhone SE 2022, which was released in March 2022. The iPhone SE 2022 launched with iOS 15 and was eligible for iOS 26 as of September 2025, while the iPhone 15 Plus launched with iOS 17 and is expected to receive updates for a longer duration.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone 15 Plus features a Ceramic Shield front cover and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE 2022 also has a durable glass front and back and an IP67 rating, protecting it from submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
• Repairability: The iPhone SE 2022 has been noted to have average repairability, with some components being easier to replace than others, though the use of adhesive can add to repair difficulty. Information regarding the specific repairability score for the iPhone 15 Plus is less widely available, but generally, modern iPhones present challenges for user-level repairs.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily operations, from launching applications to managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 15 Plus is equipped with a more recent processor, which provides enhanced speed and efficiency for demanding applications and complex tasks. This results in smoother navigation and faster processing times. The iPhone SE 2022 utilizes a slightly older but still capable processor, ensuring smooth operation for everyday use and many popular games.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both devices offer a responsive user experience. However, the iPhone 15 Plus, with its more advanced internal components, handles intensive multitasking and graphically demanding games with greater ease and sustained performance. The iPhone SE 2022, while efficient, may experience apps relaunching more frequently when many are open in the background, suggesting its memory management is optimized for its hardware.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 15 Plus is recognized for its extended battery life, often lasting more than a full day even with heavy usage, making it suitable for users who prioritize long periods away from a charger. The iPhone SE 2022, due to its smaller physical size and battery capacity, typically requires more frequent charging, especially for users with high screen-on time or those who heavily utilize 5G connectivity.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and these two models offer distinct visual experiences.

• Display Technology and Size: The iPhone 15 Plus features a larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which delivers 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 offers good color accuracy but does not achieve the same level of contrast or true blacks as an OLED panel.
• Resolution and Brightness: The iPhone 15 Plus boasts a higher resolution of 2796x1290 pixels at 460 pixels per inch (ppi), providing sharp and detailed visuals. It also offers significantly higher peak brightness, reaching up to 2000 nits for outdoor viewing, making it highly legible in bright sunlight. The iPhone SE 2022 has a resolution of 1334x750 pixels at 326 ppi and a maximum brightness of 625 nits, which is sufficient for most indoor conditions but can be less visible under direct sunlight.
• Design and Refresh Rate: The iPhone 15 Plus incorporates the Dynamic Island, a dynamic area at the top of the screen that adapts to alerts and activities, and features a modern, edge-to-edge design. Both models have a standard 60Hz refresh rate, meaning content scrolls and animates smoothly, but not with the ultra-fluidity of higher refresh rate displays found in some other devices.

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and these iPhones offer different photographic experiences.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 15 Plus features a dual-camera system with a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The main camera benefits from sensor-shift optical image stabilization and can capture detailed 24MP or 48MP photos, along with a 2x optical-quality telephoto zoom enabled by its quad-pixel sensor. The iPhone SE 2022 has a single 12-megapixel wide camera with optical image stabilization.
• Photography Features: The iPhone 15 Plus includes advanced computational photography features like Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, and next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control, enhancing image quality across various conditions, including Night mode. The iPhone SE 2022 also utilizes computational photography with features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion, but it lacks a dedicated Night mode and an ultra-wide lens, limiting its versatility in low-light or expansive scene capture.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, offering high-quality video capture. The iPhone 15 Plus has a 12-megapixel front camera with autofocus, while the iPhone SE 2022 features a 7-megapixel front camera.