Should I buy an iPhone SE (2020) or iPhone 8? Short answer: The iPhone SE 2020 and the iPhone 8 are very similar in terms of features and looks, and either phone can handle the day-to-day basics with ease. If you’re on a very tight budget you should check out the iPhone 8, but if you can stretch the budget just a little, the iPhone SE 2020 is the better buy.
It can be exciting to buy a new iPhone on release day, but not everyone wants, or needs, to pay for that excitement. If you want an iPhone but don’t want to blow your budget, you’re probably looking at slightly older models. Today we’ll be taking a look at the iPhone SE 2020 and iPhone 8. Keep reading if you’re looking for a great deal on a cheap iPhone with Touch ID.
iPhone SE 2020 vs iPhone 8: Specs and features
The hardware specs on any given iPhone will always stay the same, obviously. But Apple releases new software features with iOS updates. Apple released iOS 15 in September 2021, with support going back to the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, which were released six years ago — in September 2015.
This is good news for anyone buying an older iPhone. But if you’re planning on keeping it for several years, you should keep the original release date in mind to get a better idea of how much longer you’ll keep getting iOS updates. On that note, the iPhone 8 was released in 2017 and the iPhone SE (2nd generation) was released in April 2020.
Essentially, this means the 2nd generation iPhone SE should get iOS software updates longer into the future, as compared to the iPhone 8. The table below outlines the key hardware specs for each of these models.
iPhone SE (2020) | iPhone 8 | |
Display | 4.7″ Retina HD display (at 1334 x 750) with True Tone | 4.7″ Retina HD display (at 1334 x 750) with True Tone |
Network Connectivity | 4G LTE | 4G LTE |
SIM Card | Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM) | Nano-SIM |
Processor | A13 Bionic | A11 Bionic |
Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 64GB or 128GB |
Rear Camera | 12MP wide camera | 12MP wide camera |
Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD camera | 7MP FaceTime HD camera |
Power & Battery | Up to 13 hours of video playback, and up to 40 hours of audio playback | Up to 13 hours of video playback, and up to 40 hours of audio playback |
Charging | Lightning cable and Qi wireless charging | Lightning cable and Qi wireless charging |
Fast Charging | Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes using an Apple 20W power adapter | Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes using an Apple 20W power adapter |
Water Resistance | IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes) | IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes) |
A quick glance at the hardware specs for these two phones may have you thinking they are the same exact phone — and that is actually pretty close to reality. But there are some differences when you dig a little deeper. For example, the iPhone SE (2020) supports dual SIM cards, so you can have a SIM for work and a SIM for personal use.
The other difference is in the cameras. Both models have a single 12MP wide lens on the back, but the iPhone SE 2020 has some additional features not found on the iPhone 8. The iPhone SE 2020 has Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control. The iPhone SE 2020 also has Portrait Lighting and next-generation Smart HDR for photos, as well as QuickTake video and Stereo recording.
Similarly, the front-facing camera on the iPhone SE 2020 supports Portrait mode and Portrait Lighting. The front camera on the iPhone SE 2020 also features Cinematic video stabilization and QuickTake video.
iPhone SE 2020 vs iPhone 8: Size and design
The iPhone 8 and iPhone SE 2020 feature the same design, and both are made with aerospace-grade aluminum. They each also have a glass front and back. The glass back allows for Qi wireless charging.
Both models use Touch ID for security, as opposed to Face ID which is found on all newer models. In fact, the iPhone SE 2020 is the newest Apple iPhone to use Touch ID. The iPhone 8 and iPhone SE 2020 are also the same size and weight.
- Size: 5.45″ (H) x 2.65″ (W) x 0.29″ (D)
- Weight: 5.22 ounces
The one key design difference between these two models is the color options. The iPhone 8 is available in Silver, Space Gray, or Gold, and the iPhone SE 2020 is available in Black, White, or PRODUCT(RED).
Read more: iPhone Buyer’s Guide
iPhone SE 2020 vs iPhone 8: Price
The iPhone 8 was originally priced from $699, though Apple later lowered the price to better compete with the iPhone SE (2020). The iPhone SE (2020) was originally priced from $399. Apple no longer sells the iPhone 8, but you can still buy an iPhone SE from Apple. The retail price for the iPhone SE (2020) is still $399, but you can get a much better deal when you buy a gently used model instead. In fact, you can expect to pay about half — around $200 for a gently used iPhone SE (2020) on Swappa!
Should you buy the iPhone SE 2020 or iPhone 8?
Here at Swappa, we recommend grabbing an iPhone SE (2020). The reasoning here is that the iPhone SE (2020) is three years newer than the iPhone 8, and as such, you’ll be able to stay current with iOS for longer into the future. You can review the current iPhone SE (2020) listings by tapping the widget below.
As we’ve shown here in this post — the iPhone SE (2020) and the iPhone 8 are very similar. If you don’t care about Portrait Mode or Portrait Lighting, and if you don’t need dual SIM support — or you simply want to spend as little as possible — the iPhone 8 is the better buy.
Regardless of whether you choose the iPhone SE (2020), the iPhone 8, or another iPhone — you can rest assured knowing that you’ll get the best deal on Swappa.
Swappa is an active marketplace, so you won’t have any trouble finding one that fits within your budget. Swappa is also the safest marketplace for used tech, so you can buy with confidence. And, if you’re curious to see what other iPhones are available, tap the green button below.
Snag the best deals on used iPhones wherever you go. Download the Swappa App today!