iPhone SE (4th gen) vs iPhone 18 Pro
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone SE (4th gen) | iPhone 18 Pro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,622,118 | 2,980,000 | -45.6% |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Apple A20 | — |
| Display | 6.1" 60 Hz | 6.3" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 3,279 | 3,700 | -11.4% |
| Rear cameras | 48 MP | 48+48+48+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 24 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 8 GB / 128 GB | 12 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 8 GB / 256 GB | 12 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 165 | 192 | -14.1% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $499–$599 | $1,149–$1,549 | -56.6% |
- iPhone 18 Pro leads on raw performance by about 46% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Apple A20).
- iPhone SE (4th gen) is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Verdict: iPhone SE (4th gen) or iPhone 18 Pro?
iPhone SE (4th gen) advantages
- Lightness (+14%)
- Affordability (+57%)
iPhone 18 Pro advantages
- Raw performance (+46%)
- Battery capacity (+11%)
- Display smoothness (+50%)
- Memory (+33%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone SE (4th gen) if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
- Choose the iPhone 18 Pro if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the iPhone SE (4th gen) if you want the best value for money.
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 SE (4th gen) vs iPhone 18 Pro: which should you choose?
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 18 Pro — Apple iOS 20 smartphone (2026) with a 6.3-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A20, 3700 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 2,980,000 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,149.
iPhone SE (4th gen) vs iPhone 18 Pro: iPhone 18 Pro is the faster phone. iPhone 18 Pro leads on raw performance by about 46% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Apple A20). iPhone SE (4th gen) is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 18 Pro is the faster device on raw benchmarks (2,980,000 vs 1,622,118 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A20 against the Apple A18. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone SE (4th gen) carries a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.3-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 18 Pro. Batteries are 3,279 and 3,700 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 48 MP versus 48+48+48+LiDAR MP, with 12 MP and 24 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 8 GB / 128 GB and 12 GB / 256 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 SE (4th gen) better than the iPhone 18 Pro?
iPhone 18 Pro takes the overall edge, though iPhone SE (4th gen) wins in specific areas worth weighing. iPhone 18 Pro leads on raw performance by about 46% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Apple A20).
What is the main difference between the iPhone SE (4th gen) and the iPhone 18 Pro?
iPhone 18 Pro leads on raw performance by about 46% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A18 vs Apple A20). iPhone SE (4th gen) is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
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 want a lighter phone for one-handed use. Choose the iPhone 18 Pro 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.