The iPhone SE and iPhone 11 are both excellent phones. Having come out within about six months of each other, they feature similar internal hardware. A primary goal of the SE is to offer the Apple experience in a smaller package with fewer bells and whistles. To accomplish that, the A13 Bionic chip provides up-to-date processing power in a less-complex body, so the biggest differences will be in appearance.
That being said, these phones share a lot of features, including:
- True Tone display
- Haptic Touch
- Portrait Mode and lighting
- The same video recording options
- QuickTake video
- Apple Pay
- Siri
- Fast charging and wireless charging
As with all Apple devices, there is no 5G support or a MicroSD card slot to expand the storage on either option.
The primary technological differences are subtle, and a lot of casual phone users won't notice or care for them, especially if they aren't accustomed to iPhones. As far as the looks go, you will definitely notice the smaller screen on the SE — which is almost a full 2 inches smaller diagonally than the largest iPhone 11. The differences between the LCD and OLED screens are also significant.
In terms of features, those lacking in the SE are pretty minimal. There is no ultra-wide camera or night mode, and you'll also miss out on Face ID, optical zoom and longer battery life. If those are important to you, they may be worth the extra cost for the 11.
Which IS the Best iPhone: the iPhone SE or the iPhone 11?
Most would say that the iPhone 11 is the objectively better phone. It has more features, longer battery life and a premium build. But, of course, all of those features come with a steep price tag. Not everyone wants to shell out almost $1,000 for a phone, and many don't want to spend that much for something they might lose or break. For those people, the low price point on the SE is a massive selling point — and it's practically the whole point of the phone.
Other reasons you might opt for the SE include its smaller size. A lot of people prefer smaller phones, which could be easier to handle or fit in a pocket. Other users prefer the whopping 6.5-inch screen you can get with the 11 Pro Max and the weightier feel that comes with it. The iPhone 11 also has an edge-to-edge design, which is an important factor in the appearance of it.
Whether you like big phones or small ones, you may need to compare the individual features that you would gain in the 11 lineup against the cost savings in the SE. If cost is your primary focus, the SE is an excellent choice. It currently comes in at $300 less than the base iPhone 11, which is almost double the cost of the SE.
Unless a nicer camera or the larger screen are must-haves for you, the SE can save you quite a bit. If you like to have the latest and greatest, the 11 Pro and Pro Max are excellent options, especially if you're focused on photography. The base 11 is a nice middle ground, offering a decent-sized LCD screen and a dual-camera setup, plus an array of colorful options.
Save on a New iPhone With Gazelle
Whichever phone is right for you, you can save money on it with Gazelle. By buying a used iPhone SE or iPhone 11 device, you can significantly cut down the costs of a new one.
You might find that the iPhone 11 is the phone for you, but its cost is out of your budget. Buying a used iPhone 11 on Gazelle can suddenly bring that phone to a much more affordable price. If you're eyeing the other option, buying a used iPhone SE can save you even more. Plus, you can sell your old device for even more money toward your new one.
Gazelle is a safe, easy and environmentally responsible way to get money for your old device. It eliminates in-person meetups and can give your phone a second life, going to the hands of another user instead of sitting in a landfill. Take a look at our pre-owned iPhones or trade-in your old device today.
