iPhone 16e Vs iPhone SE (2022)

iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e
Starting at

Refurbished price:£359.00

Versus £599.00 new

See options
iPhone SE (2022)
iPhone SE (2022)
Starting at

Refurbished price:£102.00

Versus £429.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone SE 2022 and the iPhone 16E represent different approaches within Apple's smartphone lineup, catering to distinct user preferences. The iPhone SE 2022, released in March 2022, offers a classic design with a physical home button, while the iPhone 16E, launched in February 2025, adopts a more modern aesthetic with an edge-to-edge display. Both devices run on Apple's iOS, ensuring a consistent software experience, but the 16E features a significantly newer processor and an updated camera system.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. These two models offer different expectations in these areas.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone SE 2022 was released in March 2022 and was discontinued globally in February 2025, making it an older model. The iPhone 16E, released in February 2025, is a much newer device, positioning it for a longer period of current relevance.
  • Software Longevity: The iPhone SE 2022 shipped with iOS 15.4 and is upgradeable to later versions, with an expected software support window of approximately seven years from its release. The iPhone 16E launched with iOS 18.3 and is designed to support Apple Intelligence features, ensuring it will receive major iOS updates for a considerably longer duration.
  • Durability Features: The iPhone SE 2022 features an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The iPhone 16E offers an enhanced IP68 rating, allowing for submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes, and incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover for increased drop protection.

Year of Release

2025

2022

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer model benefiting from significant advancements in processing power and efficiency.

  • Processor Capabilities: The iPhone SE 2022 is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, which delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking. The iPhone 16E features the A18 chip, a newer generation processor built on a more advanced manufacturing process, offering enhanced speed and efficiency for demanding applications and future software features, including Apple Intelligence.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone SE 2022 comes with 4GB of RAM and storage options starting at 64GB. The iPhone 16E includes 8GB of RAM and starts with 128GB of storage, providing more headroom for multitasking and accommodating larger apps and media files.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone SE 2022 has a battery capacity of approximately 2018 mAh, offering up to 15 hours of video playback. The iPhone 16E features a larger battery, around 4005 mAh, and a more efficient processor, resulting in significantly extended usage times, with up to 26 hours of video playback.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The display experience varies considerably between these two iPhone models, impacting visual clarity and overall user interaction.

  • Display Technology and Size: The iPhone SE 2022 features a 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1334x750 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 326 ppi. The iPhone 16E boasts a larger 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels and a pixel density of 460 ppi, providing a more expansive and detailed viewing area.
  • Brightness and Contrast: The iPhone SE 2022 offers a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits. The iPhone 16E's OLED panel delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, with a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits, enhancing visibility in various lighting conditions and for HDR content.
  • Refresh Rate: Both devices feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a consistent visual experience for general use.

Resolution

2532x1170

750 x 1334

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities show a notable progression, with the newer iPhone 16E offering significant upgrades in sensor technology and computational photography.

  • Main Camera System: The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a single 12-megapixel wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization. The iPhone 16E features a more advanced 48-megapixel Fusion main camera with an f/1.6 aperture, also with optical image stabilization. This sensor allows for 2x optical-quality zoom through in-sensor cropping.
  • Photography Features: The iPhone SE 2022 includes Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion, and supports Portrait mode for people. It does not offer Night mode. The iPhone 16E benefits from newer computational photography features like Smart HDR 5, Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, and includes a dedicated Night mode, significantly improving low-light performance.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both phones support 4K video recording up to 60 frames per second. The iPhone SE 2022 has a 7-megapixel front camera. The iPhone 16E upgrades to a 12-megapixel front camera with an f/1.9 aperture and autofocus, capable of 4K video recording, offering improved clarity for selfies and video calls.

Front camera

TrueDepth 12MP

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and daily convenience.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G (sub-6 GHz) and Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless connectivity. The iPhone SE 2022 uses the Lightning port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 16E transitions to a USB-C port, aligning with a broader industry standard and offering compatibility with a wider range of accessories.
  • Biometrics and Design: The iPhone SE 2022 retains the classic Home button with Touch ID for secure authentication. The iPhone 16E adopts Face ID for facial recognition and replaces the traditional mute switch with a customizable Action Button, providing quick access to various functions.
  • Physical Characteristics: The iPhone SE 2022 has dimensions of 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm and weighs 144g, offering a compact and lightweight feel. The iPhone 16E is slightly larger and heavier at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm and 167g, reflecting its larger display and battery, while still maintaining a manageable form factor.

Weight

167 g

144 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

4.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

User sentiment for the iPhone SE 2022 often praises its compact size, the familiarity of the Home button with Touch ID, and its powerful processor for its release era. Many users appreciated getting flagship-level performance in a smaller, more traditional package. However, common criticisms included its dated design with thick bezels, the smaller LCD display, and particularly the lack of Night mode for its camera, which limited its versatility in low-light conditions. Its battery life was also frequently noted as being adequate for a day of moderate use but requiring more frequent charging for heavy users.

For the iPhone 16E, initial user feedback highlights the significant upgrade to an OLED display, the modern design with Face ID, and the improved camera system with Night mode and 2x optical zoom as major advantages. The inclusion of the A18 chip and Apple Intelligence features are also well-received for ensuring future-proof performance and advanced capabilities. The transition to USB-C is generally seen as a positive change for convenience. Some users might note the absence of an ultrawide or telephoto lens, or a higher refresh rate display, as areas where it differs from more premium models.

Users prioritizing a compact device with a traditional Home button and Touch ID, who primarily use their phone for everyday tasks and value a familiar interface, may find the iPhone SE 2022 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users seeking a more modern design with a larger, vibrant OLED display, significantly enhanced camera capabilities, longer battery life, and the latest performance for demanding applications and AI features will likely prefer the iPhone 16E. Both devices offer the robust iOS ecosystem, and for those considering a quality-assured refurbished option, both models can provide an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new.

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