BeastCompare

Galaxy S6 vs iPhone SE (1st generation): Which One Should You Buy?

These two are too close to call on BeastScore — the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Samsung · 2015

Galaxy S6

Galaxy S6
64/ 100
Launch price$685
Apple · 2016

iPhone SE (1st generation)

iPhone SE (1st generation)
64/ 100
Launch price$399
Head-to-head

Too close to call: 1 of 7 categories each

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6
1 win
iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone SE (1st generation)
1 win
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivityValue
Galaxy S6iPhone SE (1st generation)
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeedTie
    60
    60
  • CameraGalaxy S6
    72
    68
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieTie
    40
    40
  • BatteryTie
    58
    58
  • DisplayTie
    62
    62
  • ConnectivityTie
    45
    45
  • SecurityNot enough data
  • ValueiPhone SE (1st generation)
    68
    80
Key differences
  • Galaxy S6 has the bigger battery2,550 mAh vs 1,624 mAh
  • Galaxy S6 charges faster15W vs 5W
  • Galaxy S6 has a sharper main camera16 MP vs 12 MP
  • Galaxy S6 has the bigger screen5.1" vs 4"
  • iPhone SE (1st generation) is lighter113 g vs 138 g
  • iPhone SE (1st generation) launched cheaper$399 vs $685
  • Galaxy S6 has a sharper selfie camera5 MP vs 1.2 MP
  • iPhone SE (1st generation) has newer Bluetooth4.2 vs 4.1
  • Galaxy S6 has more RAM3 GB vs 2 GB
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy Galaxy S6
  • ✓Bigger 2,550 mAh battery (+926 mAh)
  • ✓16 MP main camera
  • ✓5.1" display at 60 Hz
Reasons to buy iPhone SE (1st generation)
  • ✓25 g lighter (113 g vs 138 g), easier to hold
  • ✓$286 cheaper at launch ($399 vs $685)
  • ✓12 MP main camera

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationGalaxy S6iPhone SE (1st generation)
1. Display & Screen
Screen typeSuper AMOLEDLED-backlit IPS LCD Retina
Screen Size5.1"4"
Resolution & Density2560x1440 (577 ppi)1136x640 (326 ppi)
Refresh Rate60 Hz60 Hz
Brightness784 nits peak500 nits peak
Screen ProtectionNot listedNot listed
2. Platform & Performance
Chipset / ProcessorNot listed Not listed
CPU CoresNot listedNot listed
GPU GraphicsNot listedNot listed
Operating SystemAndroid 5.0iOS 9
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory3 GB LPDDR2 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage32GB / 64GB / 128GB16GB / 32GB / 64GB / 128GB
Storage SpeedNot listedNot listed
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S6 Wins Camera
Primary Camera16 MP, f/1.9, OIS12 MP, f/2.2
Telephoto ZoomNone (digital zoom only)None (digital zoom only)
Ultrawide CameraN/AN/A
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
Not listed
Front Video
Not listed
Not listed
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens5 MP, f/1.91.2 MP, f/2.4
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 iPhone SE (1st generation) Lightest Chassis
Dimensions143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm
Weight138 g113 g
Build MaterialsNot listedNot listed
SIM TypeNot listedNot listed
Water ResistanceNot listedNot listed
8. Battery & Charging
Battery Capacity2,550 mAh1,624 mAh
Wired Fast Charging15W wired fast charging5W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging9W wireless chargingNot listed
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedNot listed
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth4.14.2
USB Port & SpeedMicro-USB 2.0Lightning
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedNot listed
Satellite FeaturesNot listedNot listed
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedNot listed
Launch Price$685$399
Our verdict

Galaxy S6 and iPhone SE (1st generation) are evenly matched

It's a close call. Pick the Galaxy S6 for its bigger battery (2,550 mAh vs 1,624 mAh) and faster charging (15W vs 5W), or the iPhone SE (1st generation) for its lighter body (113 g vs 138 g) and lower launch price ($399 vs $685).

Buy Galaxy S6 if you want

Larger battery: 2,550 mAh vs 1,624 mAh · Faster wired charging: 15W vs 5W

Buy iPhone SE (1st generation) if you want

Lighter: 113 g vs 138 g (25 g less) · Lower launch price: $399 vs $685

Common questions

Which is better: Galaxy S6 or iPhone SE (1st generation)?

It's a close call. Pick the Galaxy S6 for its bigger battery (2,550 mAh vs 1,624 mAh) and faster charging (15W vs 5W), or the iPhone SE (1st generation) for its lighter body (113 g vs 138 g) and lower launch price ($399 vs $685). BeastScore: Galaxy S6 63.8/100, iPhone SE (1st generation) 64.0/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between Galaxy S6 and iPhone SE (1st generation)?

Galaxy S6 has a 5.1-inch display and 2550 mAh battery. iPhone SE (1st generation) has a 4-inch display and 1624 mAh battery.

How do Galaxy S6 and iPhone SE (1st generation) compare for speed?

Galaxy S6 scores 60/100 for performance; iPhone SE (1st generation) scores 60/100.

Similar Smartphones

Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung

Galaxy S6 Edge

iPhone 11 Pro
Apple

iPhone 11 Pro

Pixel
Google

Pixel

OnePlus One
Oneplus

OnePlus One

Xiaomi Redmi A3x 4G Standard Edition Global Dual SIM TD-LTE 64GB 24048RN6CG (Xiaomi Klein)
Xiaomi

Xiaomi Redmi A3x 4G Standard Edition Global Dual SIM TD-LTE 64GB 24048RN6CG (Xiaomi Klein)

BBK Vivo Y01 2022 Standard Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE V3 NP BD KH VN 32GB
Vivo

BBK Vivo Y01 2022 Standard Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE V3 NP BD KH VN 32GB

Oppo A55s 2022 5G TD-LTE JP 64GB A102OP (BBK 2309)
Oppo

Oppo A55s 2022 5G TD-LTE JP 64GB A102OP (BBK 2309)

Motorola Razr (2019)
Motorola

Motorola Razr (2019)

More Smartphones comparisons

vs

Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S6 Edge

Compare →
vs

iPhone SE (1st generation) vs Galaxy S6 Edge

Compare →
vs

Galaxy S6 vs iPhone 11 Pro

Compare →
vs

iPhone SE (1st generation) vs iPhone 11 Pro

Compare →
vs

Galaxy S6 vs Pixel

Compare →
vs

iPhone SE (1st generation) vs Pixel

Compare →
vs

Galaxy S6 vs OnePlus One

Compare →
vs

iPhone SE (1st generation) vs OnePlus One

Compare →

Gear for the Galaxy S6

All Amazon Finds →
Amazon FindsAirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs BoseWhich flagship earbuds fit your phone.See the picks Amazon FindsApple Watch vs Galaxy Watch vs Pixel WatchThe right watch for your phone.See the picks Amazon FindsBest power banksFast charging for a full day out.See the picks Amazon FindsBest USB-C chargersSmall GaN bricks that charge fast.See the picks

Related articles

All articles →
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Honor Magic V3 vs. OnePlus Open: The Definitive Flagship Foldable Architecture, Hinge Engineering, Crease-Free Displays, and Camera Benchmark Showdown (2026)Flagship Showdown
14 min read

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Honor Magic V3 vs. OnePlus Open: The Definitive Flagship Foldable Architecture, Hinge Engineering, Crease-Free Displays, and Camera Benchmark Showdown (2026)

An exhaustive microarchitectural breakdown, hinge mechanism durability, crease analysis, dual-screen multitasking benchmarks, and periscope camera shootout across the 4 premier book-style foldables of 2026.

Read →
Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 57" vs. Odyssey OLED G9 49" vs. ASUS ROG Swift PG49WCD vs. LG UltraGear 45GS96QB: The Definitive Flagship Super Ultrawide & Curved Gaming Monitor Architecture, Dual 4K 7680x2160 vs. Dual QHD QD-OLED, DisplayPort 2.1 Bandwidth (UHBR 13.5/20), 240Hz Refresh Rates, 2,392 Mini-LED Local Dimming Zones vs. Infinite Contrast OLED, KVM Multitasking, and GPU Driveability Shootout (2026)Flagship Monitor Shootout
16 min read

Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 57" vs. Odyssey OLED G9 49" vs. ASUS ROG Swift PG49WCD vs. LG UltraGear 45GS96QB: The Definitive Flagship Super Ultrawide & Curved Gaming Monitor Architecture, Dual 4K 7680x2160 vs. Dual QHD QD-OLED, DisplayPort 2.1 Bandwidth (UHBR 13.5/20), 240Hz Refresh Rates, 2,392 Mini-LED Local Dimming Zones vs. Infinite Contrast OLED, KVM Multitasking, and GPU Driveability Shootout (2026)

A comprehensive architectural shootout of the world's most advanced curved super ultrawide monitors. We compare Samsung's 57-inch Dual 4K Quantum Mini-LED titan against 49-inch Gen 2 QD-OLEDs and LG's 45-inch 800R curved WOLED across DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth tunneling, 240Hz motion clarity, text rendering subpixel matrices, multi-window KVM workflows, and GPU horsepower requirements.

Read →
Here are the Apple iPhone Duo alternativesGuide
6 min read

Here are the Apple iPhone Duo alternatives

Explore top alternatives to the $2,000 Apple iPhone Duo, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Xiaomi 18 Fold 5G, Vivo X Fold5 Pro, and OnePlus Open 2.

Read →