iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone SE (4th gen)
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone SE (4th gen) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,091,814 | 1,622,118 | -32.7% |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A18 | — |
| Display | 6.1" 60 Hz | 6.1" 60 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 2,815 | 3,279 | -14.2% |
| Rear cameras | 12+12+12+LiDAR MP | 48 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 12 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 6 GB / 128 GB | 8 GB / 128 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 6 GB / 512 GB | 8 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 189 | 165 | +14.5% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $999–$1,299 | $499–$599 | +100.2% |
- iPhone SE (4th gen) leads on raw performance by about 33% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18).
- iPhone SE (4th gen) is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 5 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone SE (4th gen)?
iPhone 12 Pro advantages
- No decisive advantage on the tracked metrics.
iPhone SE (4th gen) advantages
- Raw performance (+33%)
- Battery capacity (+14%)
- Camera resolution (+75%)
- Memory (+25%)
- Lightness (+13%)
- Affordability (+50%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone SE (4th gen) if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Value for money
iPhone SE (4th gen) delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone SE (4th gen): which should you choose?
iPhone 12 Pro — Apple iOS 14 smartphone (2020) with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A14 Bionic, 2815 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $999.
iPhone SE (4th gen) — Apple iOS 18.4 smartphone (2025) with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A18, 3279 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,622,118 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $499.
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone SE (4th gen): iPhone SE (4th gen) is the faster phone. iPhone SE (4th gen) leads on raw performance by about 33% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18). iPhone SE (4th gen) is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 5 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone SE (4th gen) is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,622,118 vs 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A18 against the Apple A14 Bionic. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone 12 Pro carries a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone SE (4th gen). Batteries are 2,815 and 3,279 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 12+12+12+LiDAR MP versus 48 MP, with 12 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 6 GB / 128 GB and 8 GB / 128 GB. The iPhone SE (4th gen) is the more affordable at about $499 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 12 Pro better than the iPhone SE (4th gen)?
iPhone SE (4th gen) is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. iPhone SE (4th gen) leads on raw performance by about 33% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone SE (4th gen)?
iPhone SE (4th gen) leads on raw performance by about 33% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A18). iPhone SE (4th gen) is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 5 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
iPhone SE (4th gen) delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone SE (4th gen) if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.