iPhone SE (2020) • Unlocked vs OnePlus 12 • Unlocked

The iPhone SE 2020 and the OnePlus 12 are smartphones released by Apple and OnePlus, respectively, offering distinct experiences in the mobile market. The iPhone SE 2020, launched in April 2020, represents Apple's approach to a compact device with a familiar design, running on iOS. In contrast, the OnePlus 12, introduced globally in early 2024, is a larger Android-based device that emphasizes modern flagship features. The primary differentiators lie in their operating systems, physical design, and the technological advancements incorporated due to their differing release timelines.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is often influenced by its release date, software support, and physical resilience. These two devices offer different timelines and durability features.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The iPhone SE 2020 was released in April 2020 and typically receives iOS updates for approximately five to six years from its launch. The OnePlus 12, launched globally in early 2024, benefits from a more recent release, implying a longer period of major Android OS and security updates. It launched with OxygenOS 14.0 based on Android 14, with OxygenOS 15 (Android 15) rolling out in late 2024 and OxygenOS 16 (Android 16) expected in late 2025.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone SE 2020 features an aerospace-grade aluminum and durable glass design with an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The OnePlus 12 has an aluminum frame and an etched glass back, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its display, and carries an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance.
• Repairability: The iPhone SE 2020 received a repairability score of 6 out of 10 from iFixit, noting that common repairs like display and battery replacement are relatively straightforward, partly due to its shared components with older iPhone models. However, its glass back is considered difficult to replace. Information regarding the OnePlus 12's repairability score is not as widely detailed, but its modern construction suggests a typical flagship repair complexity.

Performance is a key aspect for daily use, and these devices offer different levels of responsiveness and capability for various tasks.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE 2020 is equipped with a powerful processor that allows it to handle demanding tasks and run current applications smoothly. This enables efficient multitasking and responsive navigation within the iOS ecosystem. The OnePlus 12 features a more recent generation processor, providing substantial power for intensive applications, high-fidelity gaming, and seamless multitasking, ensuring a fluid user experience even with graphically demanding content.
• Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone SE 2020 comes with sufficient RAM to manage typical daily applications and switch between them without significant delays. It offers storage options up to 256GB. The OnePlus 12, with its larger RAM configurations, is designed for more aggressive multitasking, allowing numerous applications to remain active in the background and switch instantly. It also provides larger storage capacities, up to 512GB globally, catering to users with extensive media libraries or numerous applications.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone SE 2020 has a smaller battery capacity, which for heavy users may necessitate more frequent charging throughout the day. The OnePlus 12, on the other hand, is known for its substantial battery capacity, often providing extended usage, with many users reporting it can last up to two days on a single charge with moderate use.

The display is the primary interface for interaction, and both devices present different visual experiences tailored to their design philosophies.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The iPhone SE 2020 features a 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, resulting in a clear image for its size. The OnePlus 12 boasts a larger 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a significantly higher 1440 x 3168 pixel (QHD+) resolution, offering sharper details and richer colors.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The iPhone SE 2020 provides a typical brightness of 625 nits, which is adequate for most indoor and outdoor conditions, and has a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The OnePlus 12 offers a much brighter display with up to 1600 nits in high brightness mode and a peak brightness of 4500 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Its dynamic refresh rate ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing smoother scrolling and more fluid animations while optimizing power consumption.
• Viewing Experience: The iPhone SE 2020's compact display and traditional bezels offer a classic iPhone viewing experience, suitable for users who prefer a smaller form factor. The OnePlus 12's larger, curved AMOLED screen with minimal bezels provides an expansive and immersive viewing experience, ideal for media consumption and gaming.

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, and these devices approach photography with different hardware and software philosophies.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone SE 2020 features a single 12-megapixel wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture, supported by optical image stabilization and computational photography features like Smart HDR and Portrait Mode for people. It does not include an ultra-wide lens, telephoto lens, or a dedicated Night Mode. The OnePlus 12 offers a versatile triple-camera system co-developed with Hasselblad, including a 50-megapixel main sensor (f/1.6 with OIS), a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens with autofocus for macro shots, and a 64-megapixel telephoto lens providing 3x optical zoom and up to 6x in-sensor zoom with OIS.
• Low-Light and Video Performance: The iPhone SE 2020 performs well in good lighting conditions, producing vibrant and detailed photos. However, its low-light performance is less capable compared to devices with dedicated night modes. It can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second with optical image stabilization. The OnePlus 12 excels in various lighting conditions, with its larger sensors and Hasselblad tuning contributing to natural and accurate color representation, even in challenging low-light scenarios. It supports video recording up to 8K at 24fps and 4K at 60fps.
• Front Camera and Audio: The iPhone SE 2020 has a 7-megapixel front camera with an f/2.2 aperture, capable of Portrait Mode and 1080p video recording. The OnePlus 12 features a higher-resolution 32-megapixel front camera (f/2.4) that can record 4K video at 30fps. For audio, the OnePlus 12 includes stereo speakers with 3D Spatial Audio, enhancing the media consumption experience.