iPhone SE (2020) • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T

The iPhone SE 2020 and iPhone SE 2022 are Apple's compact and capable smartphones, sharing a familiar design while offering distinct internal advancements. Released in April 2020, the iPhone SE 2020 established a foundation of performance in a classic form factor. Its successor, the iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, brings notable upgrades in processing power, cellular connectivity, and camera capabilities, enhancing the user experience without altering the external appearance. Both devices operate on Apple's iOS, ensuring a consistent software ecosystem.

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, their release dates and Apple's software support policies are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone SE 2020 was released in April 2020, while the iPhone SE 2022 followed in March 2022. This two-year difference means the 2022 model will generally receive software updates for a longer period. [1, 2, 3]
• Software Longevity: Both models are known for receiving several years of iOS updates, ensuring access to the latest features and security enhancements. The iPhone SE 2020 is expected to receive updates for many years, potentially up to iOS 26 as of 2025, while the iPhone SE 2022, being newer, will extend that support by an additional year or two. [2, 5, 6, 28]
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning they can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. [5, 27, 29] They also share a similar build with an aluminum frame and glass front and back, offering comparable resistance to everyday wear and tear.

The internal components of these iPhone SE models dictate their speed and efficiency in handling various tasks.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE 2020 is equipped with a capable processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly. The iPhone SE 2022 features a newer, more advanced processor, which provides a significant boost in overall speed and efficiency. This translates to faster app loading, smoother navigation, and more responsive performance, especially with demanding applications and games. [1, 28, 35]
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPhone SE 2020 comes with 3GB of RAM, which is sufficient for typical daily use. The iPhone SE 2022 includes 4GB of RAM, allowing for more applications to run simultaneously in the background without slowdowns, contributing to a more fluid multitasking experience. [1, 4, 7]
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone SE 2020 has a battery capacity of 1821 mAh, providing a full day of moderate use for many users. The iPhone SE 2022, with a 2018 mAh battery and a more power-efficient processor, offers improved battery life, often lasting longer on a single charge, particularly during video playback or web browsing. [4, 7, 28, 35]

Both iPhone SE models share identical display specifications, offering a consistent visual experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature a 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. This provides clear and sharp visuals for general use, such as browsing, reading, and viewing photos. [2, 18, 27, 29]
• Color Accuracy and Brightness: The screens support True Tone technology, which adjusts the white balance to match ambient light, and Wide Color (P3) for accurate color reproduction. They both offer a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions, including outdoors. [2, 18, 27, 29]
• Viewing Experience: The compact 4.7-inch screen size, coupled with the traditional bezels and Home button, provides a familiar and easy-to-handle experience for users who prefer smaller devices. The standard 60Hz refresh rate offers smooth scrolling and animations for typical smartphone interactions. [2, 13, 27]

While both iPhone SE models share similar camera hardware, the newer processor in the 2022 model introduces significant software-driven enhancements.

• Rear Camera System: Both phones feature a single 12-megapixel wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization, capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. [2, 10, 22, 27] The iPhone SE 2022 benefits from a more advanced image signal processor, enabling features like Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, and Deep Fusion, which improve detail, contrast, and color accuracy in photos. [22, 25, 35]
• Low-Light and Everyday Photography: In well-lit conditions, both cameras produce high-quality images with good color balance and detail. However, the iPhone SE 2022 shows subtle improvements in sharpness and noise reduction, especially in moderate low-light scenarios, due to its enhanced computational photography. Neither model includes a dedicated Night Mode, which can limit performance in very dim environments. [6, 24, 28, 31]
• Front Camera and Video: Both devices have a 7-megapixel front camera with an f/2.2 aperture, suitable for selfies and video calls. The iPhone SE 2022's processor also brings minor improvements to front-facing camera processing, such as better focusing and brighter skin tones in some instances. Video recording quality is consistent across both, offering cinematic video stabilization and stereo recording. [2, 22, 27, 31]