Editor's note: Apple stopped manufacturing and selling both the iPhone SE (2020) and iPhone 11. You may still be able to find both models from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, or select Canadian carriers.
Article Summary
The iPhone SE (2020) is powered by a lot of the same hardware that goes into an iPhone 11. If the most important feature for you is a compact and familiar design, upgrade today to the iPhone SE (2020). If you can handle the weight (and the price), the iPhone 11, on the other hand, offers a better camera, more battery life and superior display.
The new iPhone SE is a pocket-sized device that offers a fusion of the iPhone 11’s industry-leading performance in the familiar shape of an iPhone 8. Priced at almost 40% less than the cheapest iPhone 11, the new iPhone SE (2020) is an attractive upgrade. However, passionate photographers may prefer the iPhone 11.
iPhone SE (2020) 64GB Plans
|
Fido
$35 Basic Plan with Unltd Minutes + 3GB - Entry
$60.62/mth
|
iPhone 11 64GB Plans
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Rogers
Infinite 100GB - Student Plan
$84/mth
|
To get the best price on all current models of iPhones, visit our regularly updated guide on the best iPhone deals.
iPhone SE (2020) and iPhone 11 Compared
| iPhone SE (2020) | iPhone 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Price | $599 CAD | $979 CAD |
| Performance | A13 Bionic, 3GB RAM | A13 Bionic, 4GB RAM |
| Display | 4.7" Retina HD 1334x750 pixels True Tone |
6.1" Liquid Retina HD 1792x828 pixels True Tone |
| Camera | 12MP OIS (rear) 7MP (front) |
12MP wide (rear) 12MP ultrawide (rear) 12MP (front) |
| Power | Video: up to 13 hours Audio: up to 40 hours |
Video: up to 17 hours Audio: up to 65 hours |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Size/Weight | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 (mm) 148g |
150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 (mm) 194g |
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 11: Price
The $599 base price for the iPhone SE (2020) is comparable to the original model released four years ago. Carrier plans will let you spread out that cost over two years, which works out to around $25/month. Apple supports the iPhone SE with software updates, which makes this phone a great investment.
| Storage | iPhone SE (2020) | iPhone 11 |
|---|---|---|
| 64GB | $599 | $979 |
| 128GB | $669 | $1,049 |
| 256GB | $809 | $1,189 |
MSRP shown, carriers prices may vary.
Best Choice: iPhone SE
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 11: Performance
Both iPhone models use the A13 Bionic CPU and feature the same industry leading processing performance. However, the iPhone 11 has 4GB of RAM while the iPhone SE (2020) has only 3GB of RAM. That’s still enough for most uses, but you could experience performance issues when running multiple apps.
Best Choice: iPhone 11
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 11: Display
The high-resolution 6.1” Liquid Retina HD display on the iPhone 11 reaches
to all four corners except for a small notch at the top, and the screen
features 1792x828 pixels of TrueTone colour. The iPhone SE display is almost
identical to the older iPhone 8’s 4.7” screen with 1334x750 resolution, but uses
Haptic Touch instead of the older 3D Touch. Both the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE
(2020) use IPS LCD technology instead of the crisp OLED panels found on more
premium devices.
Best Choice: iPhone 11
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 11: Camera
Both the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11 feature 12MP wide angle cameras with f/1.8 apertures, optical image stabilization, and intelligent image processing via their A13 Bionic processors. Both phones can manage 5x digital zoom, but only the iPhone 11 features 2x optical zoom. The iPhone 11 also offers an additional 12MP ultra-wide lens on the back.
On the front, the iPhone 11 uses a third 12MP sensor to take high quality photos, and it can record slow motion HD video selfies. The 7MP front-facing lens on the iPhone SE (2020) appears to use the same camera found on older iPhone models. The A13 Bionic chip inside both devices enables real-time software effects and video stabilization.
Best Choice: iPhone 11
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 11: Power
The iPhone SE (2020) offers up to 13 hours of video playback. The iPhone 11 features a bigger battery which gives you about 30% more life. Only the iPhone 11 is sure to get you through a full day of heavy use. On the bright side, both phones offer wireless charging and Fast-charge. Powering them up with a compatible adapter gets you a 50% charge in half an hour.
Best Choice: iPhone 11
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 11: Storage
Both the iPhone SE and iPhone 11 offer the same storage options: 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. If you take a lot of photos, videos, or plan to download a lot of Apple TV+ shows, then go for an iPhone SE; the 256GB version costs less than a base model iPhone 11.
Best Choice: Tie
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 11: Size/Weight
The iPhone SE’s main selling point is its compact size; its height, width and depth are almost identical to the iPhone 6, 6s, 7 and 8. It’s larger than the previous iPhone SE, so owners of that model looking to upgrade should be aware of the difference.
The iPhone 11 builds on the success of full screen displays introduced with the iPhone X. The large 6.1” display may be exactly what you’re shopping for, but it’s taller, wider, thicker, and heavier than any iPhone released within the last eight years (excluding the Plus and Max models).
Best Choice: iPhone SE
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 11: Overall
The first iPhone SE was released in 2016 as a compromise: it fused current-generation hardware with a compact size. The new iPhone SE (2020) does it again by offering the engine of an iPhone 11 in a classic iPhone design. You don’t get the best camera, screen, or battery life, but you do save hundreds of dollars over the cost of a new iPhone 11.
If a large screen size and high-performance camera are the most important factors for you when choosing a smartphone, the iPhone 11 is one of the best choices you can make. For compact size, low price and a familiar experience, the iPhone SE (2020) is a seamless and low-cost upgrade to any classic iPhone.
- Compact size and weight
- Powerful hardware inside
- Low prices on every model
- Poor battery life
- Big, beautiful display
- Three 12MP cameras
- All-day battery life
- High price
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