Apple iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) vs Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone SE (2020) vs Apple iPhone XS Max phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
4.7"
IPS
IPS
750x1334
12
MP
MP
7.1mp
3GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
1821
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1242x2688
12
MP
MP
7.1mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3174
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
7 Advantages 
12 Advantages | 33 Common items in both devices |
| 256GB (240GB available) / 256GB (244GB available) |
| NVMe (SSD) |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| HDR photo/video and HDR photo on front camera / HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| +26 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Model | iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone SE 2 A2275, A2296, A2298, iPhone SE2 | iPhone Xs Max A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104 |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Apple | Apple |
| Release date | 4/24/2020, Announced: 4/15/2020 | 9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018 |
| Depth | 7.3 millimeters (0.29 inches) | 7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 67.3 x 138.4 millimeters (2.65 x 5.45 in) | 77.4 x 157.5 millimeters (3.05 x 6.2 in) |
| Weight | 148 grams (5.18 ounces) | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | Stainless steel body, glass front/back |
| Protection against water and others | IP67 certified: dust proof and waterproof over 1 meter and 30min | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Display type | TFT LED-Backlit IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 4.7" inches | 6.5" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~65.4% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.1% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 750x1334 pixels (16:9) | 1242x2688 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 326 PPI | 456 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | 625nits[typ] Wide color gamut True-tone Oleophobic coating screen | 625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| System version | iOS 13 | iOS 12 |
| Firmware update | iOS 16 | iOS 16 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A13 Bionic (7nm) | 64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.65GHz Lightning (Dual-core) 4x 1.8GHz Thunder (Quad-core) | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Apple GPU MP4 | Apple GPU (4-Core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 462253 (v8) Geekbench: 3237 (v5.1) | AnTuTu: 353210 (v7) Geekbench: 11432 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| RAM memory | 3GB LPDDR4X | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 256GB (240GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 256GB (244GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Not supported |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 1024/150 Mbps | 1024/150 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2104 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat16 VoLTE A2275 (USA, Canada, Puerto Rico version), A2298 (China version): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD‑LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) A2296 (Global version): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66) TD‑LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) | LTE Cat16 VoLTE A1921/A2104 models: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,29,30,32,66,71) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2101 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,28,29,30,32,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2102 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,11,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,21,25,26,28,29,30,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,42,46) |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
| Secondary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat16 VoLTE A2275 (USA, Canada, Puerto Rico version), A2298 (China version): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD‑LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) A2296 (Global version): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66) TD‑LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 12 megapixels | (dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm |
| Main camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 4000x3000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 28mm lens |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/2.55" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 1.4µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video and HDR photo on front camera | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 1080p@240fps | 1080p@240fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 7.1 megapixels | 7.1 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3072x2304 pixels | 3072x2304 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | Full HD (1920x1080) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 32mm lens |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound | Stereo sound |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263 | MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 proprietary connector | USB 2.0 proprietary connector |
| Audio output | proprietary audio output | proprietary audio output |
| TV output | Proprietary TV-out | Proprietary TV-out |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (front-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 1821 mAh | 3174 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 18W Wired fast charging | 15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 7.5W Qi wireless charging | Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 25 hours (1 days) |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Black, White, Red • Apple Pay | • Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Face ID • AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri • Apple Pay • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Fast battery charging: 50% in 30min |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone SE 2020 (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 1.17W/kg (head), 1.16W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.98W/kg (head), 0.99W/kg (body) | feature not registered |