iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016)
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iPhone 11 Pro Max
Starting at
£215.40£749.00 new
iPhone SE (2016)
Starting at
£192.40What's the difference between the iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone SE (2016)?
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone SE (2016) starts at £192.40, £23 less than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is the newer model, released in 2019.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A13 Bionic on the iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple A9 (14 nm) on the iPhone SE (2016).
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 3969 mAh vs 1624 mAh.
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) specs
The iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone SE (2016) offer distinct experiences suited to different needs. The iPhone 11 Pro Max provides a much larger, higher resolution OLED screen and a triple camera setup, ideal for media and photography enthusiasts. The iPhone SE (2016) has a smaller screen and simpler camera, making it a practical choice for everyday use and those who prefer a compact phone. It comes with a headphone jack and a lighter design, which some users may find more convenient.
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) price
Colour
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity and software updates.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a 3969 mAh battery, which is much larger than the iPhone SE (2016) at 1624 mAh. This means the 11 Pro Max can last longer between charges, suiting those who use their phone heavily through the day. The SE (2016) will require more frequent charging, fitting users with lighter daily use or who prefer a smaller device.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options. These affect speed, multitasking, and how much data and apps you can keep on the device.
Processor and RAM
The iPhone 11 Pro Max features the Apple A13 Bionic chipset with 4 GB of RAM. This combination delivers faster processing and smoother multitasking compared to the iPhone SE (2016), which has an Apple A9 (14 nm) chipset and 2 GB of RAM. The 11 Pro Max is well suited for users who want to run demanding apps or keep multiple apps open at once. The SE (2016) works well for everyday tasks and lighter app use.
Storage Options
The iPhone 11 Pro Max comes in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB sizes, offering more space for apps, photos, and media. The iPhone SE (2016) is available with 64GB storage only, which fits users with simpler storage needs.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) screen
Screen quality affects how you view content, including size, clarity, and colour quality.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a large 6.5 inch screen with a resolution of 1242 x 2688. This provides a spacious and sharp display ideal for watching videos and browsing. The iPhone SE (2016) has a smaller 4 inch screen with a resolution of 640 x 1136, making it more compact and easier to hold, suitable for users who prefer a smaller device.
Screen Type
The iPhone 11 Pro Max uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, which delivers deep blacks and vibrant colours. The iPhone SE (2016) uses an IPS LCD screen, which provides accurate colours and good brightness but with less contrast. The 11 Pro Max suits users who want a premium viewing experience.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) camera
Audiovisual features include cameras and front cameras, affecting photo quality and video calls.
Main and Front Cameras
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a triple main camera setup, allowing more versatility in photography. Both phones have a 12 megapixel main camera, meaning they capture similar detail in photos. The front camera on the 11 Pro Max is 12 megapixels, providing higher detail for selfies and video calls compared to the SE (2016) with 1.2 megapixels. This makes the 11 Pro Max better suited for users who value front camera quality and photographic options.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) size and design
Other features include physical dimensions, connectivity, and network compatibility, all influencing daily use and convenience.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is larger and heavier at 158 mm tall, 77.8 mm wide, 8.1 mm deep, and weighs 226 g. The iPhone SE (2016) is smaller and lighter at 123.8 mm tall, 58.6 mm wide, 7.6 mm deep, and 113 g. The SE (2016) suits users who prefer a compact and lightweight phone that fits easily in a pocket.
SIM and Connectivity
The iPhone 11 Pro Max supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, offering flexibility for users who want multiple numbers or carriers. The iPhone SE (2016) accepts only a physical SIM. Both support 4G networks.
Connector Options
The iPhone SE (2016) includes a 3.5mm headphone jack alongside the Lightning connector, which benefits users who prefer wired headphones without an adapter. The iPhone 11 Pro Max uses only a Lightning connector.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 11 Pro Max or iPhone SE (2016): which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 11 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3969 mAh vs 1624 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4 inch)
Buy the iPhone SE (2016) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £192.40, £23 less than the iPhone 11 Pro Max
- you want a lighter build (113 g vs 226 g)
- you want a headphone jack
What our customers say
Customers who chose the iPhone 11 Pro Max often praise its condition and performance. They highlight the phone's appearance as looking like new, and many appreciate the battery life lasting a couple of days. The larger screen and camera setup receive positive mentions, with users enjoying the media experience and the phone's speed. Some customers note battery concerns but still find the device reliable and recommend it for those wanting a feature-rich phone with good battery capacity.
Those who bought the iPhone SE (2016) mention satisfaction with its value and condition. The phone suits users looking for a simpler device that performs well for everyday tasks. Many customers find the battery life solid for their needs and appreciate the phone's smaller size and lighter weight. The SE (2016) is favoured by people who want a straightforward iPhone without the need for the latest features or a larger screen.
Overall, the iPhone 11 Pro Max suits users who prioritise screen size, camera versatility, and longer battery life. The iPhone SE (2016) fits those who prefer a compact, lightweight phone for everyday use with straightforward performance.
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) FAQs
iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (2016) comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A13 Bionic on the iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple A9 (14 nm) on the iPhone SE (2016). The iPhone 11 Pro Max has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
The iPhone SE (2016) is cheaper refurbished, from £192.40 compared with £215.40 for the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 3969 mAh vs 1624 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27. Updates for the iPhone SE (2016) ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max adds more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB), a bigger battery (3969 mAh vs 1624 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4 inch). Refurbished, it costs £23 more (from £215.40 vs £192.40).
Refurbished, the iPhone 11 Pro Max comes in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone SE (2016) in 64GB.
