GPU Performance

Real-world GPU Performance of the iPhone SE should be pretty much the best on any mobile device on the market right now. Apple’s A13 already outperformed any other chipset out there in the iPhone 11 series, and the fact that the new SE now comes with an even lower resolution 1334 x 750 means that on-screen performance will be even better than what you’d experience on an iPhone 11.

Basemark GPU 1.2 - Medium 1440p - Off-Screen / Blit GFXBench Aztec Ruins - High - Vulkan/Metal - Off-screen GFXBench Aztec Ruins - Normal - Vulkan/Metal - Off-screen GFXBench Manhattan 3.1 Off-screen GFXBench T-Rex 2.7 Off-screen

In all our 3D tests, we see peak performance of the iPhone SE be near that of the other A13-powered iPhones, take a few frames here and there. Sustained performance is also extremely respectable, as the phone keeps up with the 11 series in most tests, which is again very impressive given its much smaller form-factor and correspondingly smaller thermal envelope.

Again, because this is a low-resolution screen, I have doubts users will even find real-world workloads that actually stress the phone enough for it to dip below V-sync limits, meaning when it comes to gaming, it’s going to be a incredibly future-proof phone – as long as you have the battery capacity for gaming.

Compared to the iPhone 8, even though we’re “only” talking about 2 generations difference in the SoCs, the new iPhone SE is essentially double, in some cases more than double, faster than the A11-based counterpart.

System Performance Camera - Quick Evaluation
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  • eek2121 - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link

    I am using my 11 pro max with one hand right now.
  • Deicidium369 - Sunday, April 26, 2020 - link

    I bet you are, I bet you are... just clean up the area when you are done, and close down Pornhub.
  • Maltz - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link

    I've never understood this raging debate. Why is it so hard to understand that some people want one-handed operation, and other people want larger screens? They make both, so what's the problem?
  • eek2121 - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link

    The people slamming phones with big screens have no basis for doing so IMO. Excluding hand sizes, some of us like large phones with giant high resolution screens. You won’t find me complaining about the 11 Pro Max, for example. I don’t have big hands, but I enjoy the phone.
  • Retycint - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link

    That's exactly why. I used to own a Nexus 6, and loved it despite it being humongous. The extra screen estate compared to flagships at the time was such a joy to have.

    But for some reason, these "one handed usage" whiners seems to think that only their opinion is correct and acceptable, and everyone else is somehow wrong despite it being a matter of personal preference
  • boozed - Saturday, April 25, 2020 - link

    You can't get high end components without having to also get a gigantic screen. There's the rub.
  • Deicidium369 - Sunday, April 26, 2020 - link

    Well when I buy a gigantic screen I EXPECT high end components
  • nathanddrews - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link

    Bought one for my mom to upgrade her Lumia 635. She always complains about larger phones and doesn't understand why her Windows Phone doesn't "time face" with her grandkids. This should last her many, many years.
  • Speedfriend - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link

    I don't see the excitement about this phone. For most who will buy this phone, the speed and GPU is meaningless. But you get a screen size and shape from years ago, a mediocre camera, mediocre battery life.
  • The_Assimilator - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link

    The excitement is that it's finally an iPhone at a price that represents decent value. At a time when the Android vendors seem to be going for thousand-dollar flagships, and the global economy is suffering its worst downturn in years, this phone is gonna sell like hotcakes.

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