Comparing the 2020 iPhone SE and the Original SE: Key Differences and Improvement

Comparing the 2020 iPhone SE and the Original SE: Key Differences and Improvement

The iPhone SE is a line of smartphones introduced by Apple, initially with the A9 chip and a 4.0-inch IPS LCD display. The latest iteration, the iPhone SE 2020, marks a significant upgrade with a much more powerful A13 Bionic chip. This article aims to highlight the primary differences between the original iPhone SE and the 2020 version, focusing on performance, design, and features.

Performance Comparison

Chipset and Memory Upgrade: The most notable difference between the original iPhone SE and the 2020 version is the chipset. The original SE featured the A9 chip, while the 2020 model is equipped with the powerful A13 Bionic. This upgrade not only brings better performance but also improved efficiency. Additionally, the 2020 SE comes with 3GB of RAM, compared to the 2GB on the original model, further enhancing multitasking and overall responsiveness.

The iOS operating system is consistent across both versions, ensuring a seamless user experience. However, the introduction of the A13 Bionic chip and 3GB of RAM in the 2020 model significantly boosts performance. Boot times are faster, and the device enters the unlock interface more quickly. While both devices offer similar performance in system software like the clock, photo album, calendar, weather, map, browser, music, SMS, and call functionalities, the 2020 model edges out in the speed of running third-party applications, especially in more demanding tasks such as 3D games.

Design and Display

Design and Build Quality: The 2020 iPhone SE maintains a design reminiscent of the iPhone 8, with a glass front and back, and an aluminum frame. This design is slightly larger than the original SE, but it is notably thinner. The increased screen size from 4.0 inches to 4.7 inches brings a more immersive viewing experience. Both devices feature LCD displays, but the new model features an updated Retina display with a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels, providing a sharper and more vibrant visual experience.

Camera and Photography

Camera Improvements: The original iPhone SE came with a single 12MP wide-angle rear camera, while the 2020 model retains this same megapixel count but introduces more advanced features. The new camera has an f/1.8 aperture, delivering better low-light performance and improved image quality. The A13 Bionic's Image Signal Processor (ISP) and Neural Engine enhance computational photography capabilities, supporting features like Smart HDR, Portrait mode with six lighting effects, and 4K video recording. The front camera has also been upgraded to a 7MP lens, capable of Portrait selfies and 4K video recording.

Battery and Storage

Battery and Internal Storage: In terms of battery capacity, the 2020 iPhone SE has a 1821mAh battery, which is slightly smaller than the original SE's 1960 mAh. However, it supports faster charging at 18W, making it easier to recharge. Storage options have also expanded with the 2020 model, now offering as low as 64GB up to 256GB, providing more storage flexibility compared to the original SE's 16GB minimum storage.

Both devices offer a similar level of performance and design, but the 2020 iPhone SE represents a significant leap forward in technology, offering better performance, more advanced camera features, and increased storage options.