Apple iPhone SE vs Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Sony Xperia Z5 Compact: specs comparison
posted by Peter K.
/ Mar 21, 2016, 2:11 PM
There is a new iPhone on the block and it's... the 4-inch iPhone SE. Yes, Cupertino decided to update its smallest device lineup with a new handset, and boy, what a handset this is! Packing the hardware of the iPhone 6s in a body that is just as small as the iPhone 5s' one, the iPhone SE is undoubtedly the most advanced 4-inch handset we've seen to date.
But how does it stack up against the current hottest topic, the oh-so-trendy Galaxy S7? Oh, and while we are at it, why don't we include another notable Android device that is considered a munchkin, the Xperia Z5 Compact? Well, we just did that!
the average is 6 oz (173 g)
the average is 6 oz (173 g)
the average is 6 oz (173 g)
the average is 23 h (1388 min)
the average is 21 days (500 h)
the average is 21 days (500 h)
the average is 23 h (1396 min)
the average is 23 h (1396 min)
the average is 23 h (1396 min)
the average is 26 days (636 h)
the average is 26 days (627 h)
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Here is how these fare against one another:
Apple iPhone SE vs Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
Display
Display size
Resolution
Pixel density
Technology
IPS LCD
Super AMOLED
IPS LCD
Screen-to-body ratio
60.82 %
72.30 %
70.64 %
Colors
16 777 216
16 777 216
16 777 216
Peak brightness
500 cd/m2 (nit)
Camera
Rear
Yes
Yes
Yes
Main camera
Hardware Features
Sapphire crystal lens cover, Autofocus, Back-illuminated sensor (BSI)
Optical image stabilization, Phase detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Specifications
Aperture size: F2.2; Focal length: 29 mm; Sensor size: 1/3"; Pixel size: 1.22 μm
Aperture size: F1.7; Focal length: 26 mm; Sensor size: 1/2.5"; Pixel size: 1.4 μm
Sensor size: 1/2.3"
Flash
Dual LED
LED
LED
Software Features
Digital image stabilization, HDR, Panorama, Face detection, Burst mode, Exposure compensation, Touch to focus, Self-timer, Geo tagging
RAW image capture, HDR, Panorama, Face detection, Smile detection, Voice activation, Scenes, Effects, Exposure compensation, ISO control, White balance presets, Shutter speed control, Touch to focus, Self-timer, Digital zoom, Geo tagging
Object tracking, Digital image stabilization, Touch to focus, Smile detection, Face detection, Self-timer, Digital zoom, Geo tagging, Exposure compensation, ISO control, White balance presets, HDR, Panorama, Scenes, Effects
Video recording
3840x2160 (4K UHD) (30 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (120 fps), 1280x720 (HD) (240 fps)
3840x2160 (4K UHD) (30 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (60 fps), 1280x720 (HD) (240 fps)
3840x2160 (4K UHD)
Recording format
MPEG4, H.263, H.264, H.265
Features
Time-lapse video, Continuous autofocus, Picture-taking during video recording, Digital image stabilization, Video calling, Video sharing
High Dynamic Range mode (HDR), Picture-taking during video recording, Video calling, Video sharing
Object tracking, Digital image stabilization, Video calling, Video sharing
Front
1.2 megapixels
5 megapixels
5 megapixels
Video capture
1280x720 (HD)
1920x1080 (Full HD)
Design
Dimensions
Weight
the average is 6 oz (173 g)
the average is 6 oz (173 g)
the average is 6 oz (173 g)
Materials
Back: Aluminum; Frame: Glass
Back: Glass (Corning Gorilla Glass 4); Frame: Aluminum
Back: Glass; Frame: Plastic
Resistance
Water, Dust
Water, Dust
IP certified
IP 68
IP 68
Biometrics
Fingerprint (touch)
Fingerprint (touch)
Fingerprint (touch)
Features
Touch sensitive control keys
Hardware & Performance
System chip
Apple A9 APL0898
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994
Processor
GPU
PowerVR GT7600
Adreno 530
Adreno 430
RAM
Storage expansion
Slot Type
microSDXC, microSDHC, microSD
microSDXC, microSDHC, microSD
OS
iOS (12.x, 11.x, 10.x, 9.x)
Android (8.0 Oreo, 7.0 Nougat, 6.0 Marshmallow), Samsung TouchWiz UI
Android (6.0 Marshmallow, 5.1 Lollipop)
Battery
Capacity
1624 mAh
3000 mAh
2700 mAh
Talk time
the average is 23 h (1388 min)
Stand-by time
the average is 21 days (500 h)
the average is 21 days (500 h)
Talk time (3G)
the average is 23 h (1396 min)
the average is 23 h (1396 min)
the average is 23 h (1396 min)
Stand-by time (3G)
the average is 26 days (636 h)
Stand-by time (4G)
the average is 26 days (627 h)
Internet use
3G
12 hours
11 hours
LTE
13 hours
13 hours
Wi-Fi
13 hours
14 hours
Music playback
50.00 hours
55.00 hours
77.00 hours
Video playback
13.00 hours
16.00 hours
8.33 hours
Cellular
LTE (FDD)
Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29
Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30
Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28
LTE (TDD)
Bands 38, 39, 40, 41
Bands 38, 39, 40, 41
Bands 38, 40
UMTS
850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz
850, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz
850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz
GSM
850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
CDMA
800, 1700/2100, 1900 MHz
Data
Connectivity
Mobile Payment
Apple Pay
Samsung Pay
Multimedia
Screen mirroring
DLNA, Wireless screen share
DLNA, Wireless screen share, MHL, MirrorLink
Shopping information
MSRP price
$ 499
$ 699
Apple iPhone SE — the official images gallery
45 Comments
1. Adreno
Posts: 755; Member since: Mar 12, 2016
Galaxy S7 and Z5 Compact both destroy iPhone SE.
Hands down
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 2:17 PM 17
11. Ahovking
Posts: 711; Member since: Feb 03, 2015
Until they do bench marks and speed tests showing that somehow this "mini iPhone 6s" is faster and is able to out perform the S6/7 in terms if memory.
The only thing the S7 and Sony has over this iPhone are more features.. The performece difference between these phones are almost nonexistent.
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 4:45 PM 4
34. techperson211
Posts: 1280; Member since: Feb 27, 2014
Z5 compact will be the alternative choice, if you want a more compact phone. Price and functionality. But if you're already lock in at ios then it's up to you.
posted on Mar 22, 2016, 12:22 AM 0
35. NoToFanboys
Posts: 3231; Member since: Oct 03, 2015
I thought you said iPhones has low specs? You have amnesia or what?
posted on Mar 22, 2016, 12:27 AM 0
13. mrochester
Posts: 947; Member since: Aug 17, 2014
Hardly. Neither the S7 and Z5 runs iOS, which destroys Android.
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 4:49 PM 3
43. uggman
Posts: 58; Member since: Feb 01, 2013
I think PA is triying hard to make the GS7 look bad, its comparing it to a mid range iphone and a mid range android, both with smaller screens and lower specs, my point is why not compare the new iphone SE with the 5S or the 6S or any other mid range android.
posted on Mar 22, 2016, 10:04 AM 0
2. GreekGeek
Posts: 1276; Member since: Mar 22, 2014
That bezels tho......
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 2:22 PM 4
25. ibend
Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014
with an impressive 60% screen-to-body ratio...
I bet no 2016's smartphone can get lower number than that
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 7:41 PM 2
33. AlikMalix unregistered
Man I hope you're wrong. Yet Apple was lazy with the 6/6s and now this? Believe me, I think iPhone 5/5s iS a gorgeous phone for its time, and I still prefer the design to just about anything outthere. But that screen to body ratio needs to change. iPhone 7 has to have embedded FP home button or I'm afraid it won't look much different from 6/6s.
As an iPhone fan - I'm actually worried.
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 11:45 PM 0
36. NoToFanboys
Posts: 3231; Member since: Oct 03, 2015
I'm fine with those bezels on a phone that size, but on a phablet, HECK NO! LOL
Hopefully the iPhone 7/7 Plus have small bezels.
posted on Mar 22, 2016, 3:21 AM 0
3. tunewar123
Posts: 17; Member since: Mar 17, 2016
I like how the image of the SE is the biggest phone on your comparison chart...
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 2:23 PM 1
4. raff0497
Posts: 3; Member since: May 28, 2015
apple is really falling behind, they have nothing left to offer lol
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 2:25 PM 7
6. S-R-K
Posts: 304; Member since: Mar 15, 2016
Apple does not care. As long thier are fanatics and fan boys along with users who have invested on there Os. They will remain and Apple will be milking them dry.
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 2:32 PM 6
28. jovy1212003
Posts: 11; Member since: Feb 27, 2016
So according to you Android guys who post negative s**t about Apple all day on Apple articles. A billion iOS users are wrong?
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 8:44 PM 2
12. Ahovking
Posts: 711; Member since: Feb 03, 2015
Kinda getting a little annoyed as these mindless posts? Try your hardest and actually think? Go on try it.. It won't hurt.
This is a "product update".. They are reintroducing a 4 inch phone into their main product line up (iPhone 6s and 6s Plus) it doesn't make sence for them to throw in a new design when it will change lass than a year later in September.. Nor does it make sense showing off now features and capabilities ruining the "surprise" if you could call it that will be reviled with the new IPhone 7.
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 4:49 PM 2
5. PhoneCritic
Posts: 1345; Member since: Oct 05, 2011
Wow never knew how small the new S7 and Sony z next to the brand new 5SE Wow!! Samsung has found a way to put a 5.5 inch screen on a phone smaller then the 5SE.Now thats innovation for you. PA fix your comparison images. The 5SE is no way bigger then the S7
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 2:28 PM 5
8. MrElectrifyer
Posts: 3960; Member since: Oct 21, 2014
- Worse than 720p display in 2016
- Mediocre 1.2 video-chat camera in 2016
- No OIS
Slowly picking up those corners being cut to reach that too-generous-to-be-apple price tag...
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 2:35 PM 12
9. cripton805
Posts: 1485; Member since: Mar 18, 2012
Why is Apple the only company that can get away with Zero changes to a design 3x in different years? The 5c is so close it should might as well be 4 if it wasnt for the plastic.
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 3:15 PM 1
31. jovy1212003
Posts: 11; Member since: Feb 27, 2016
Because that phone will still receive ios10. Will your phone receive the nom nom update or whatever it's called from Google? Probably not! Let's do bench test with my 6S to whatever phone u have and let's see how far behind Apple is??????
posted on Mar 21, 2016, 8:54 PM 1
10. TechieXP1969
Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013
Why woudlnt you compare this with the Xperia, the smaller model?
Why would you even compare this to any Galaxy S? Teh Galaxy S is a flagship, this iPhone SE isn't, so the spec comparison is unfair.
I mean a better comparison...the S5 Mini or the Galaxy J series. Not the Galaxy S, that's just pure failure.
