iPhone 16 Plus • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T

The iPhone 16 Plus, released in September 2024, and the iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, represent distinct offerings within Apple's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the iOS platform, they cater to different user preferences through their design, performance capabilities, and camera systems. The iPhone 16 Plus features a larger, more modern design with advanced internal components, whereas the iPhone SE 2022 maintains a compact form factor with a classic aesthetic and a focus on core functionality.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone 16 Plus, having been released in September 2024, benefits from a more recent launch, ensuring a longer period of software updates and feature support compared to the iPhone SE 2022, which was released in March 2022.
• Software Support: The iPhone 16 Plus runs on iOS 18, with current updates to iOS 26.4, indicating a longer future for operating system and security updates. The iPhone SE 2022, initially shipping with iOS 15.4, is upgradeable to iOS 17.2 or 17.3, and is expected to receive software support for approximately 5-7 years from its release.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone 16 Plus features an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, and incorporates Ceramic Shield on the front for enhanced drop protection. Durability tests suggest good scratch resistance and structural integrity. The iPhone SE 2022 has an IP67 rating, protecting against submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, and uses ion-strengthened glass.

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently daily tasks are handled.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 16 Plus is equipped with a newer generation processor, featuring a hexa-core CPU, a 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This allows for excellent performance in demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphically intensive games. The iPhone SE 2022 utilizes a previous generation processor, which also includes a hexa-core CPU, a 4-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. It delivers very fast and responsive performance for everyday use, gaming, and video editing.
• Memory and Storage: The iPhone 16 Plus comes with 8GB of RAM and offers storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The iPhone SE 2022 has 4GB of RAM and is available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of internal storage.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 16 Plus has a larger battery capacity of 4674 mAh, providing an excellent active use score of nearly 19 hours in some tests, and supports both wired and wireless charging. The iPhone SE 2022 features a 2018 mAh battery, offering around 7-9 hours of web browsing on a 5G connection, and can typically last a full day with moderate usage. It also supports wireless charging.

The visual experience is significantly shaped by the display technology and characteristics of each device.

• Display Technology and Size: The iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast. The iPhone SE 2022 has a more compact 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display.
• Resolution and Brightness: The iPhone 16 Plus provides a resolution of 2796x1290 pixels at 460 pixels per inch (ppi), with a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits, peaking at 1600 nits for HDR content and 2000 nits outdoors. It also includes Dynamic Island functionality. The iPhone SE 2022 offers a 1334x750 pixel resolution at 326 ppi and a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits.
• Refresh Rate: Both the iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone SE 2022 feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a consistent visual experience for most content.

Camera capabilities vary between the two models, impacting photographic and videographic outcomes.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 16 Plus boasts an advanced dual-camera system, including a 48MP Fusion Main camera with sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera. It also enables a 12MP 2x Telephoto capability from the main sensor, offering 2x optical zoom in and out, and a 4x optical zoom range. It supports advanced features like Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, and Night mode. The iPhone SE 2022 features a single 12MP Wide rear camera with OIS and an f/1.8 aperture. It produces good images in adequate lighting but lacks a dedicated Night mode.
• Front Camera and Video: The iPhone 16 Plus includes a 12MP front camera with autofocus and an f/1.9 aperture. It records 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 60 frames per second (fps) and supports spatial video recording. The iPhone SE 2022 has a 7MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture. Both devices offer 4K video recording at up to 60 fps from their main rear cameras.
• Additional Camera Features: The iPhone 16 Plus introduces a dedicated Camera Control button for tactile adjustments to camera settings. The iPhone SE 2022 benefits from the image processing capabilities of its chip, including Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion, which enhance photo quality.