iPhone comparison. Detailed review and testing of Apple iPhone SE

Today, the smartphone market is more diverse than ever. iPhone models are becoming accessible to everyone; prices are no longer scary.

The question is simple - what is better to take as conditional 25-30 thousand rubles? Compact iPhone SE in a classic case or iPhone 6S, which is still a fighter?

Let's look at the pros and cons of each.

Size + body = convenience

To begin with, information from the “captain's bridge”.

Essentially, the iPhone SE is housed in the now classic iPhone 5s case. One of the most recognizable smartphone designs, proven over the years and thousands of crash tests. This is a direct descendant of the beloved iPhone 4s.

iPhone SE is one of the few smartphones on the market that is comfortable to use with one hand and control all functions with one finger. Without problems, interceptions and fear of dropping the device.

iPhone 6s received the body of the usual “six”. Manufactured using 7000 series aluminum alloy. Unlike its predecessor, it is more resistant to bending. Otherwise, the case is disgustingly slippery, and the stripes on the back cover of the antennas are still just as disgusting (as in the iPhone 6).

The iPhone 6s is unlikely to survive a fall with its rounded side edge onto the floor. A smartphone without a case just wants to take flight. Parachutist without equipment.

1-0 in favor of SE.

The age of content consumption requires an appropriate display

iPhone SE has a 4-inch screen with a resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels. A very tiny display by modern standards. Someone will say - it’s okay, all the basic information is always at your fingertips, iOS is beautifully adapted, and so on.

But when you pick up the iPhone 6s, you compare it with a baby and immediately feel the difference.

“Six-s” has a 4.7-inch screen with a resolution of 1334×750 pixels, on which more useful (and not so useful) information can be placed. The typing keys are also a little larger, which means this keyboard is more convenient to use. Fewer accidental clicks.

We live in an era of information consumption. Texts, videos, photographs, even navigator maps are more convenient to view on a larger display. There is no need to talk about games. A banal truth against which the iPhone SE simply has no arguments.

By the way, the iPhone SE screen contrast is only 800:1, while in all new models (except for the “ten”) this figure is at 1400:1.

1-1. iPhone 6s evens the score.

Equality in performance

Taking into account the leapfrog with the new iOS 11 firmware, it is pointless to talk about the advantage of any of the two smartphones that were released two years ago.

Both run on the Apple A9 processor with an M9 coprocessor and 2 GB of RAM. Parity. In the AnTuTu performance test, the smartphone scored 134,358 points. For comparison, the iPhone 6s achieved a score of 132,620 points.

Videos showing the performance of devices on new firmware are also demonstrate approximately the same response speed in iOS 11.

In general, both devices are able to cope with any tasks that are relevant for 2018 without any problems. Without strong brakes and glitches. No more is required from them.

2-2. Logical equality

Photo component - deceptive similarity

The cameras in both models are identical: 12-megapixel modules with a high-speed focusing system (Focus Pixels), True Tone flash, 4K video and the Live Photos option.

But those who like selfies can safely pass by SE. Its front camera received a module with a resolution of 1.2 megapixels with an aperture of ƒ/2.4. Against 5 megapixel resolution and ƒ/2.2 aperture in the iPhone 6s.

2-3. "Six-s" takes the lead

Familiar technologies 2018. Not for everyone

The iPhone 6s has a second-generation Touch ID fingerprint scanner. The screen has proprietary 3D Touch technology built into it. Inside the Taptic Engine.

SE doesn't have any of the above.

Overall, the first generation Touch ID also gets the job done, albeit a little slower. You can live without 3D Touch and Taptic Engine. These are not features of primary importance.

2-4. iPhone 6s seals victory

It's 2018, and the iPhone SE is starting to look dated.

It's like a car with 150 thousand miles. She’s still good, she’s doing her job, but she already looks tired. The design is obsolete, it is six years old. Crazy number for the world of smartphones.

There are no objective reasons to buy the iPhone SE other than “it’s compact, lightweight and fits comfortably in my hand.” The exception is the group of consumers for whom a smartphone is an extremely reliable work tool.

Given the ongoing rumors about the release second generation “budget compact” Considering an iPhone SE for purchase today is a questionable matter.

At the same time, taking an iPhone 6s instead is a completely reasonable decision. What would you take for 25-30 thousand rubles? Share in the comments.

Reading time: 9 min


From this review, you will learn about the main differences between the iPhone 7, iPhone 6S and iPhone SE, which will allow you to decide whether to buy one or another phone model.

In September 2016, Apple introduced new devices, including the iPhone 7. The next series of annual research began, the purpose of which is to find out why the new iPhone is better than previous versions. An impartial comparison shows that the iPhone 7 is not marketing, but the next step in the development of smartphones.

To understand how far the developers have come in Last year, let's compare iPhone 7 with two previous models: iPhone 6S and iPhone SE.

Comparison table between iPhone 7 6S and SE

Please note that the table shows only those characteristics that differ between phones.

Characteristics iPhone 7 iPhone 6S iPhone SE
Screen size 4.7" 4.7" 4"
Screen resolution 750x1334 750x1334 640x1136
CPU A10 Fusion Apple A9 Apple A9
Number of Cores 4 2 2
Dust and moisture protection IP67 No No
Length 138.3 mm 138.3 mm 123.8 mm
Width 67.1 mm 67.1 mm 58.6 mm
Thickness 7.1 mm 7.1 mm 7.6 mm
Weight 138 g 143 g 113 g
Pressure recording Yes Yes No
Optical stabilization Yes No No
Digital zoom 5 X 3 X 3 X
Front-camera 7 MP 5 MP 1.2 MP
Battery type Li-ion Li-ion Li-pol
Battery capacity 1,960 mAh 1,715 mAh 1,642 mAh

Appearance

6S and SE are available in 4 colors: silver, space gray, gold and rose gold. iPhone 7 has 5 colors: silver, gold, rose gold, black and black onyx.

The SE retains the appearance of the iPhone 5S with glass inserts in the lower and upper parts of the body, and the iPhone 7 is practically no different from the 6S, made entirely of aluminum. However, it is still impossible to talk about complete similarities between the iPhone 6S and iPhone 7. The Home button has turned from a physical button into a touch button and acquired a bunch of sensors. In addition, the iPhone 7 case, unlike previous models, is protected from splashes of water and dust.

The main feature of the iPhone 7 is the lack of a headphone jack. There is only one Lightning port left on the phone, which is used to charge the device and connect the original headphones. Music lovers who are not yet ready to give up the standard 3.5 jack can use the Lightning to 3.5 mm jack adapter that comes with the phone.

In addition, the corporation introduced new wireless headphones AirPods, which have a separate chip inside that ensures the operation of all sensors. AirPods work without recharging for 5 hours.

Display and speakers

The Retina display on iPhone 7 has 25% more color gamut than previous models. The physical size is no different from the iPhone 6S - 4.7 inches; the iPhone SE has a 4-inch screen. The resolution also remains the same - 1334x750 pixels (SE - 1136x640). But the screen brightness has increased - 625 cd/m2 versus 500 cd/m2 for the 6S and SE.

Initially, information appeared that the iPhone 7 has two stereo speakers. But in reality, the grille, which is located on the bottom edge of the device, turned out to be decorative. Stereo sound is organized using a second speaker. When playing audio, two loudspeakers work at once, so in comparison with previous models, the sound on the seventh iPhone is twice as loud.

Cameras

The number of megapixels has not changed - 12 on all three compared devices. However, you need to look at other characteristics of the iPhone 7:


The front camera on the iPhone 7 has not received any new technologies, but it takes selfies just as perfectly as on the 6S or SE.

Performance

The iPhone 6S and iPhone SE used the Apple A9 chip. At the time these devices appeared, there was nothing faster.

iPhone 7 is built on the Apple A10 Fusion processor with 4 cores, made using a 14-nanometer process technology, which allows for increased performance while reducing heat and power consumption. Compared to the A9, the new chip is 40% faster. If you compare it with the A8 processor from the iPhone 6, the difference will be even more significant - the performance of the iPhone 7 chip has increased by 2 times.

Apple has always been famous high quality of its products. Previous generations of phones work stably and also have stylish design, even in 2018. Another plus in favor of such devices is the price, which attracts users. In this regard, the question of which iPhone is better - 6 or SE, remains relevant today.

Characteristics

First, let's look at the “dry characteristics”.

Characteristics iPhone 6 iPhone SE
Display4.7″, IPS4.0″, IPS
Permission750 x 1334 pixels640 x 1136 pixels
CPUApple A8Apple A9
Number of CoresDual-core 1.4 GHz CycloneDual-core 1.84 GHz Twister
Graphics acceleratorPowerVR GX6450 (4-core graphics)PowerVR GT7600 (6-core graphics)
RAM1 GB2 GB
ROM16, 64, 128 GB16, 64 GB
Battery1810 mAh1642 mAh
Main camera8 MP, 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps12 MP, 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps
Front-camera1.2 MP, 720p@30fps1.2 MP, 720p@30fps
Net2G/3G/4G2G/3G/4G
Size138.1/67/6.9 mm123.8/58.6/7.6
Weight129 g113 g
ColorsGold, Silver, Space GrayGold, Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold
Latest iOS versioniOS 12 (2018)iOS 12 (2018)
On saleyear 20142016
AdditionallyNFC, GPS, Touch IDNFC, GPS, Touch ID

After studying the data, we can conclude that the iPhone SE is much better. But will the average user notice this difference in everyday use? Let's take a closer look at these devices.

What common

Both devices are running operating system iOS, which is known for its stability. Regardless of your choice, any of these gadgets will work great even on latest version OS. Using an iPhone for everyday tasks, the user in 80% of cases will not notice a difference in their performance.

The gadgets also have the same 1.2 MP front camera. Despite the low resolution, the pictures come out quite good. Also, both devices support 2G/3G/4G communication standards.

As for the price, it is approximately the same (about $300). It all depends on the store’s markup, as well as the amount of memory.

What is the difference

Now let's talk about the differences between these devices and start with the appearance. Instead of talking, it is better to look at the photographs in person.

In 2018, screens smaller than 5 inches are almost never used. This is due to the fact that each manufacturer tries to set the diagonal as large as possible, while making the frames around it minimal.

But here it depends on the user’s preferences. If you use your iPhone to view news or other content, then the iPhone 6 is for you. iPhone SE is suitable for those who prefer compactness and performance at the same time. If you use a smartphone as a “dialer” or for communicating in instant messengers, then it is just for you.

One of the differences between the devices is performance. Apple has installed the hardware from the iPhone 6s into a compact case. When compared in “dry” tests, benchmarks and demanding games, the iPhone SE performs better. The younger model has a previous generation processor on board. It’s worth noting right away that it also copes well with the assigned tasks and there are no lags.

Note! Apple introduced iOS 12, which significantly improves performance. Even the iPhone 5s received a “second life,” not to mention the iPhone 6. You can get acquainted with the innovations and installation method in.

The compact gadget received 2 GB of RAM, which is twice as much as the “six”. Even with the excellent optimization of iOS, 1 GB is not enough in 2018. You won't experience any discomfort, but you won't be able to work with more than 3 applications in the background at the same time.

The most important difference (in my opinion) is the camera, which can be a deciding factor for the buyer. The main model received a resolution of 12 megapixels, while the “six” has an 8 MP camera. The company has never chased quantity, but worked on quality. This is why Apple devices produce excellent pictures, despite the small number of pixels.

But it is worth noting that in in this case photos from SE are more detailed due to high resolution. Benjamin Lowy, a Times magazine photographer, says the camera is main feature phone. This is the main factor that should influence the purchase.

When it comes to video recording, the iPhone SE takes the lead here too. The device supports the following shooting variations:

  • 2160p@30fps
  • 1080p@30/60fps
  • 1080p@120fps
  • 720p@240fps

This is one of the most compact phones that can shoot 4K video. The iPhone 6 cannot boast of this.

What to choose?

It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. When choosing, you should take into account the main purpose for which the device is purchased.

  1. Surfing the Internet, watching videos, etc. In this case, you should give preference to the iPhone 6 with a larger screen. The display will show more information, making content consumption much easier.
  2. Use as a camera. iPhone SE is a great option. His camera was admired by the Times' chief photographer, which says a lot. The ability to record video in 4K will allow you to capture every moment, and the software technology will produce an excellent picture in the photo.
  3. Games and demanding software. There is no clear answer. The Six has a large display, which is convenient for gameplay, while the SE has more powerful hardware. In this case, the user himself decides what is more convenient for him.
  4. Communication, instant messengers, etc. A more compact gadget, I believe, is better suited for these purposes. It is more comfortable to carry it with you, and if necessary, quickly take it out and respond to a message.
  5. For work. If you are a business person, then the sixth version of the iPhone is more suitable for you. This is due to its representative appearance, especially in black. Also, a large screen is more convenient for displaying tables, graphs, etc.

If you are faced with a choice between the iPhone 6s and iPhone SE, then in this review you will find a comparison of all the main parameters of these models: operating speed, display and camera quality, additional options.

Colors

TO appearance There is no fault with the devices - they are made in the same classic design for their time, and the visible difference is, perhaps, only in size. Models are presented in the following 4 colors: space gray, silver, gold, rose gold.

Size, thickness and weight

The large screen diagonal allows you to view photos and videos with greater comfort. If this is important to you, then your choice is the iPhone 6s, which has a diagonal that is almost an inch larger. Against this background, the iPhone SE can only boast that it weighs noticeably less.

Screen Specifications

The iPhone 6s boasts a Retina screen with the “HD” prefix: noticeably better contrast and higher resolution. Although the pixel density, it is worth noting, remained at the same level.

Processor, memory size and battery

Processor name Apple A9
Apple A9
CPU frequency 1.8 GHz 1.8 GHz
Memory
  • 32 GB
  • 128 GB
  • 32 GB
  • 128 GB
Battery life
In talk mode until 14 o'clock until 14 o'clock
In the Internet until 10 o'clock until 13 o'clock
When listening to audio up to 50 hours up to 50 hours

The smartphones are equipped with the same A9 processor with a clock frequency of 1.8 GHz, as well as the same memory options. There are also no significant differences in operating time without recharging.

Camera

Do you like to take pictures with your phone? Then this section will help you better decide on the choice of model.

Do you often make video calls? The iPhone 6s has significantly better front camera resolution.

Other properties

For a complete picture, pay attention to the additional characteristics of the models.

SIM card Nano‑SIM Nano‑SIM
Image stabilization - -
Video recording, frame rate HD video 1080p at 30 or 60 fps
Zoom when recording video 3x digital zoom 3x digital zoom
Water protection - -
Geolocation GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS GPS and GLONASS
Authentication Fingerprint ID sensor (2nd generation) built into the Home button Fingerprint ID sensor built into the Home button

Conclusion

In our review, the iPhone 6s got 7 likes, while the iPhone SE got 2. Should you make a decision yet? Take your time, there are other parameters that can be viewed on the manufacturer’s websites. Final table, why we liked it.

Today we will compare two smartphones from Apple, which are so different in appearance, but almost identical inside. As you probably already guessed, this will be a battle between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 6S.

Of course, battle is too strong a word, but we will try to find out what is better and what are the main differences between these two smartphones.

The difference in the output of the phones is quite insignificant and all fans of compact smartphones were delighted when the SE appeared, which is completely identical in appearance to the 5S.

Apple released this smartphone primarily for the Chinese market, but we love big screens. Let's compare these two smartphones and find out the main differences:

These are the most basic things that are the main differences between these two devices. Let's find out which one is better and talk in more detail about the characteristics.

Which is better iPhone SE or iPhone 6S?

If we think logically, then SE is a budget version of the iPhone 6S and all the leaks said that the new iPhone will be a smaller copy of the flagship.

Externally they are not at all similar, but inside they are almost completely identical. I wrote the differences above, but what do they have in common:

  • CPU: Apple A9 1.8 GHz;
  • RAM: 2 GB;
  • Rear camera: 12 MP.

The basic characteristics of smartphones are the same, which makes it very difficult for buyers to decide when choosing a smartphone. What is better anyway?

Appearance. This is a matter of taste, since the design of smartphones comes from different generations of devices. By the way, they are also identical in color.


The SE also has rose gold, which is essentially the second difference from the 5S after the inscription on the back of the phone. Girls will definitely be happy with this color.

The screens are designed for different users, because some people like a more informative display, while compactness is more important to others.

Camera. Lovers to do regular photos They definitely won’t be disappointed, because the cameras in them are the same and the quality is very high.


Apple's front camera has been cut down quite seriously. And this is at a time when the front camera is one of the main criteria when choosing a new smartphone.

So selfies on the SE will turn out about the same as on the iPhone 5S. What did you want, the version is cut down.

Performance. No matter how many tests the video bloggers did, the devices work almost identically in all programs.


Everyone thought that due to the smaller screen, processing would be faster on the SE. But this did not happen and we received completely identical phones.

So any modern games and the apps just fly on both devices.

Battery and other technologies. You may not immediately pay attention to the battery, because in the 6S it is a little larger, but the compactness of the SE makes it possible to match the operating time.


3D Touch is another significant part that differentiates these two phones. But as time has shown, you won't be too disappointed by the lack of this technology.

Touch ID is still of different generations, I searched for a long time, but found it this information. In practice, you won’t feel much of a difference, so we don’t pay attention to this parameter either.

As usual, there are a lot of comparisons and no real conclusions. But you understand, when you start comparing two very similar devices, it is most difficult to draw accurate conclusions.


To simplify your choice, let's divide all users into several categories:

  • iPhone 6S Buyers: What is important to you is a large informative screen that will always delight you with a rich picture. Selfie photos are also very important for you, because it’s difficult to exist without Instagram.

    Love to always carry the latest smartphones and learn how to use new technologies like 3D Touch.

  • iPhone SE Buyers: compactness is paramount. You don’t have to worry about your smartphone falling out of your hands.

    You use the front camera, but quite rarely, and a quality of 1.2 MP will be more than enough for you. The main thing is that it is small and has enough power for the next 2 or 3 years.

If I had to choose between these two phones, of course I would choose the 6S. I have enough big hand and large smartphones are not scary for me.

Whatever you say, the iPhone 6S is the flagship of 2015, and the iPhone SE is a slightly simplified version of it and an attempt to reach buyers who still haven’t said goodbye to the compactness and design of the 5S.

Results

The phones differ in price, of course, but not so significantly that the amount would dictate buying one or another phone.

Just choose which category of people described above you belong to and here is your answer about your next purchase. I hope you can satisfy your needs.

This is how it turned out to compare smartphones from Apple: iPhone SE and iPhone 6S. I hope I helped you with your choice, and if you have any questions, you can always write them in the comments.