Iphone 11 Vs Iphone Se 2020 Camera Is The Upgrade Really Worth It

Choosing between the iPhone 11 and the iPhone SE (2020) often comes down to one question: is the better camera on the iPhone 11 actually worth the extra cost? Both phones run iOS smoothly, share similar processors, and deliver excellent performance. But when it comes to photography—the feature many users rely on daily—the differences become more nuanced. For someone upgrading from an older iPhone or switching from Android, understanding these distinctions can save money—or justify a bigger investment.

Camera Hardware: What’s Under the Hood?

The most obvious difference lies in the hardware setup. The iPhone 11 features a dual-camera system: a 12MP wide lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. This allows for a broader field of view, making it ideal for landscapes, architecture, and group shots where fitting everything into the frame matters.

In contrast, the iPhone SE (2020) sticks with a single 12MP wide lens—identical to the one found on the iPhone 11. Apple marketed this as a strength, emphasizing that the core sensor and image processing are the same. However, lacking an ultra-wide lens means you can’t capture wider scenes without stepping back or using digital zoom, which degrades quality.

Despite the hardware gap, both devices use Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, meaning computational photography features like Smart HDR, Portrait Mode (via software), and noise reduction benefit from the same powerful processing.

Tip: If you frequently shoot landscapes or tight interiors, the ultra-wide lens on the iPhone 11 adds creative flexibility the SE simply can’t match.

Photo Quality in Real-World Conditions

In daylight, both phones produce impressively sharp, color-accurate images. Thanks to Smart HDR, highlights and shadows are balanced well, preserving detail in skies and dark corners. If you were shown a side-by-side photo set without labels, distinguishing between the two might be difficult—especially if the shot doesn’t require ultra-wide framing.

Where the iPhone 11 pulls ahead is in dynamic range and depth control. Its second lens enables true optical depth mapping, resulting in more natural-looking Portrait Mode effects. The SE simulates depth using facial recognition algorithms, which works reasonably well on centered faces but struggles with pets, glasses, or complex hairlines.

Low-light performance tells a clearer story. The iPhone 11 includes Night Mode across both its wide and ultra-wide lenses, automatically activating in dim environments to brighten scenes while reducing grain. The SE also supports Night Mode—but only on the wide lens, and it’s less aggressive due to thermal and battery constraints on the smaller chassis. In practice, this means darker shots with the SE may appear noisier or slightly underexposed compared to the iPhone 11.

“Even with the same sensor, multi-lens systems give modern iPhones an edge in scene interpretation and lighting estimation.” — David Kim, Mobile Imaging Analyst at DXOMARK

Side-by-Side Comparison: Key Camera Features

Feature	iPhone 11	iPhone SE (2020)
Main Sensor	12MP Wide (ƒ/1.8)	12MP Wide (ƒ/1.8)
Secondary Lens	12MP Ultra-Wide (ƒ/2.4)	None
Night Mode	Yes (Wide & Ultra-Wide)	Yes (Wide only)
Portrait Mode	True depth mapping (dual-sensor)	Software-based (face-focused)
Video Recording	4K up to 60fps, extended dynamic range	4K up to 30fps, standard dynamic range
Front Camera	12MP, supports 4K video & Slofie	7MP, 1080p video only

A Real Example: Travel Photography Test

Sarah, a freelance blogger based in Portland, upgraded from an iPhone 6s to either the iPhone 11 or SE 2020. She needed a phone for travel blogging but wanted to keep costs down. Over a weekend trip to the Oregon Coast, she tested both models side by side (borrowing a friend’s iPhone 11).

Downtown shots in good light looked nearly identical. Her food photos at a seaside café were vibrant on both. But when she visited Cannon Beach at sunset, the iPhone 11 captured the full sweep of Haystack Rock and the tidal pools using the ultra-wide lens. On the SE, she had to step back onto the road to fit the scene, compromising composition.

Later, during a dimly lit dinner, Night Mode kicked in on both devices. The iPhone 11 produced warmer tones with less shadow noise. The SE’s image was usable but required minor brightness adjustments in editing. Sarah concluded that while the SE was capable, the iPhone 11 gave her more confidence in challenging conditions.

Tip: If you post directly to Instagram or blogs without editing, the iPhone 11’s out-of-the-box photo quality reduces post-processing time.

Is the Upgrade Worth It? A Practical Checklist

Before deciding, consider your actual usage. Here’s a checklist to help determine whether the iPhone 11’s camera justifies the price difference:

• Do you regularly take landscape, architectural, or interior photos? → iPhone 11 preferred
• Do you shoot portraits of people, pets, or objects with soft background blur? → iPhone 11 delivers more reliable results
• Are you often in low-light settings (restaurants, evening walks, concerts)? → iPhone 11 offers superior Night Mode
• Do you record videos in 4K or use slow-motion clips? → iPhone 11 supports higher frame rates and better stabilization
• Is budget your top priority and do you mostly take casual snapshots in daylight? → iPhone SE 2020 is sufficient

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iPhone SE 2020 take portrait photos?

Yes, but only of human faces. The software estimates depth using AI, so it struggles with pets, objects, or off-center subjects. The iPhone 11 uses dual-lens data for more accurate depth maps, enabling better edge detection and natural bokeh.

Does the iPhone SE have Night Mode?

Yes, it does—but only on the rear wide camera and typically at 1-second exposure. The iPhone 11 uses longer exposures (up to 3 seconds) and activates Night Mode on both lenses, producing brighter, cleaner night shots.

Is the front camera significantly different?

Yes. The iPhone 11 has a 12MP TrueDepth front camera that records 4K video and supports “Slofie” slow-motion selfies. The SE’s 7MP front camera is limited to 1080p at 30fps, making it less ideal for vloggers or high-quality selfie takers.

Final Verdict: Balancing Value and Capability

The iPhone SE (2020) remains one of the best-value smartphones ever released. It packs flagship-level performance into a compact, affordable body. For users who prioritize speed, battery life, and iOS updates over advanced photography, it’s an outstanding choice.

But if photography plays a central role in how you use your phone—if you document travels, create social media content, or want the best possible image quality without carrying a separate camera—the iPhone 11’s camera upgrade is absolutely worth it. The ultra-wide lens, improved Night Mode, better front camera, and superior video specs add tangible benefits that accumulate over time.

You’re not just paying for extra megapixels; you’re investing in versatility, reliability in tough lighting, and future-proofing your content creation.

💬 Have you made the switch from SE to iPhone 11? Share your experience below. Did the camera improvements meet your expectations, or was the SE enough? Join the conversation and help others decide.