Whereas the new iPhone SE 3 will get the identical A15 chip because the dearer iPhone 13 and upgrades like 5G, improved battery life, digital camera enhancements, and extra, there are of course trade-offs with Apple’s most inexpensive iPhone. Let’s dive into the iPhone SE 3 vs. SE 2, iPhone 11, and extra.
As anticipated, the iPhone SE 3 is the newest iteration of Apple prioritizing a low value whereas upgrading efficiency and providing favourite options. However with Apple nonetheless formally promoting the iPhone 11 for simply $70 greater than the SE 3 and the iPhone 12/13 within the combine too, there’s quite a bit to contemplate.
iPhone SE 3 vs. SE 2, iPhone 11, 12, and 13
Efficiency
In one other transfer that units iPhone other than Android smartphones, Apple has put its present and strongest smartphone chip in its most inexpensive iPhone.
With the iPhone SE 3 getting the A15 Bionic, it leapfrogs the iPhone 11 and 12 in efficiency and matches the iPhone 13 lineup. That’s spectacular for a $429 iPhone to have the identical processor because the $700–$1,100 fashions.
| iPhone SE 3 | iPhone SE 2 | iPhone 11/12 | iPhone 13 | |
| Chip | A15 | A13 | A13/14 | A15 |
| CPU cores | 6-core | 6-core | 6-core | 6-core |
| GPU cores | 4-core | 4-core | 4-core | 4-core |
| Neural engine | 16-core | 8-core | 8/16-core | 16-core |
| Storage | 64-256GB | 64 or 128GB | 64-128GB/64-256GB | 64-512GB |
So far as what to anticipate with the A15-equipped iPhone SE 3, Apple says it affords 1.2x quicker graphics efficiency than the iPhone SE 2 and has 1.8 instances quicker CPU efficiency over the iPhone 8 (A11 chip).
In real-world use, having the A15 contained in the iPhone SE 3 means apps will load quick and run easily. And, as we’ll cowl extra beneath, the brand new chip allows options like Apple’s computational pictures and improved battery life.
Design and show
The iPhone SE 3 retains the identical 4.7-inch design of the SE 2 and iPhone 8, which Apple calls “pocket pleasant” and “made to final.”
That features glass on the back and front – not the extra-durable Ceramic Protect discovered on the face of the iPhone 12 and 13 – however what Apple says continues to be “the hardest glass in a smartphone.”
| Design | iPhone SE 3 | iPhone SE 2 | iPhone 11/12 | iPhone 13 |
| Aluminum chassis | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Glass back and front | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ceramic Protect entrance | ❌ | ❌ | ❌/✅ | ✅ |
| All-screen design | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| House button | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Water resistance | As much as 1 meter | As much as 1 meter | As much as 2/6 meters | As much as 6 meters |
So far as the general dimensions, the iPhone SE 3 is identical because the SE 2:
- 5.45 inches tall (138.4 mm)
- 2.65 inches huge (67.3 mm)
- 0.29 inches thick (7.3 mm)
- 5.09 ounces (144 grams) – really 4 grams lighter than SE 2
After all, one of many large cost-saving measures with the iPhone SE 3 is that it makes use of the identical LCD show design because the SE 2 and iPhone 8. Which means giant high and backside bezels as a substitute of the trendy all-screen design + OLED show of the iPhone 11, 12, and 13.
| Show | iPhone SE 3 | iPhone SE 2 | iPhone 11/12 | iPhone 13 |
| Show dimension | 4.7″ | 4.7″ | 6.1″ | 6.1″ |
| Show sort | LCD | LCD | OLED | OLED |
| Decision | 1334 x 750 | 1334 x 750 | 1792 x 828/2532 x 1170 | 2532 x 1170 |
| PPI | 326 | 326 | 326/460 | 460 |
| True Tone | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| P3 huge shade | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Haptic contact | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 625 | 625/625-1200 | 800-1200 |
Different show variations embody a bit decrease pixels per inch (PPI) and brightness than the iPhone 12 and 13. Nevertheless, the iPhone SE 3 matches the iPhone 11 with each of these specs.
Battery life
With iPhone SE 3, you get two hours extra for video playback and 10 hours extra for audio than the SE 2. Apple says that’s due to the A15 chip, its newest battery chemistry, and inside design adjustments.
That places SE 3 battery life on par with the iPhone 12 mini however nonetheless beneath the opposite fashionable iPhones.
Be aware: Battery estimates from Apple characteristic the “as much as” qualifier on all of its specs pages.
| Battery life | iPhone SE 3 | iPhone SE 2 | iPhone 11/12 | iPhone 13 |
| Video playback | 15 hours | 13 hours | 17 hours | 19 hours |
| Streaming video | 10 hours | 8 hours | 10/11 hours | 15 hours |
| Audio playback | 50 hours | 40 hours | 65 hours | 75 hours |
Like different iPhones, the SE 3 affords quick charging, so a 20W+ energy adapter will provide you with a 50% cost in half-hour.
Connectivity
That is the place extra of the trade-offs turn out to be clear with the brand new iPhone SE. You’re giving up MagSafe that’s obtainable on iPhone 12 and 13 in addition to Face ID and extremely wideband assist that comes on iPhone 11 and later.
Another limitation is that the 5G connectivity on the iPhone SE 3 doesn’t embody assist for mmWave (the quickest, however most uncommon taste) and as a substitute sticks with Sub-6GHz 5G. That’s not going a difficulty in real-world use since Sub-6GHz 5G is the commonest, however it’s a superb factor to concentrate on.
| Connectivity | iPhone SE 3 | iPhone SE 2 | iPhone 11/12 | iPhone 13 |
| Contact ID | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Face ID | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lightning port | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| MagSafe | ❌ | ❌ | ❌/✅ | ✅ |
| Wi-fi charging | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 5G | ✅ (however no mmWave) | ❌ | ❌/✅ | ✅ |
| Extremely wideband | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Twin SIM | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Cameras
iPhone SE 3 will get some good upgrades for the principle rear digital camera together with Deep Fusion (first arrived with iPhone 11), Sensible HDR 4 for images, and Photographic Types (launched with iPhone 13).
Nevertheless, you’re nonetheless lacking out on options like 2x optical zoom out and Night time mode obtainable with the iPhone 11 and later.
| Rear digital camera(s) | iPhone SE 3 | iPhone SE 2 | iPhone 11/12 | iPhone 13 |
| Broad 12MP digital camera | ✅ (f/1.8 aperture) | ✅ (f/1.8 aperture) | ✅ (f/1.8/f/1.6) | ✅ (f/1.6) |
| Extremely huge 12MP digital camera | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Night time mode | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Deep Fusion | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Optical picture stabilization (OIS) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | – |
| Sensor-shift OIS | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 2x optical zoom out | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| True Tone flash | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Portrait mode | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Portrait Lighting | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sensible HDR 4 for images | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Photographic Types | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
With regards to video recording, right here’s how options examine:
| Rear digital camera(s) video | iPhone SE 3 | iPhone SE 2 | iPhone 11/12 | iPhone 13 |
| 4K recording | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 1080p recording | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cinematic mode | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| HDR video recording | ❌ | ❌ | ❌/✅ | ✅ |
| OIS for video | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | – |
| Sensor-shift OIS for video | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Audio zoom | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Slo-mo | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Time-lapse | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Night time mode Time-lapse | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Stereo recording | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
For the entrance digital camera, the iPhone SE 3 sticks with a 7MP FaceTime HD digital camera that provides:
- Sensible HDR 4
- f/2.2 aperture
- Retina flash
- Photographic Types
- Portrait mode and Portrait Lighting
- 1080p video recording with cinematic stabilization
- Deep Fusion
A couple of options you miss out on with the SE 3 entrance digital camera in comparison with iPhone 11 and newer are 4K video recording, Animoji and Memoji assist, and a 12MP lens.
SE 3 colours, storage, and value
With a minor tweak to the SE 2 colours, the SE 3 is available in midnight, starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED. And the beginning value elevated by $30 over the SE 2 with the SE 3 ranging from $429 (orders begin March 11).
| 64GB | $429 |
| 128GB | $479 |
| 256GB | $579 |
What’s within the field?
Bear in mind the one factor you get within the field is the iPhone SE 3 and a USB-C to Lightning cable.
Should you want one, Apple sells its 20W USB-C energy adapter for $19 however you’ll be able to decide up extra compact choices like Anker’s PowerPort III for much less.
iPhone SE 3 vs. SE 2, iPhone 11 wrap-up
Should you’re trying to spend $500 or much less on a brand new iPhone that can final for years to come back, the SE 3 is a compelling possibility with the newest processor from Apple, improved battery life, a compact design, and a few good digital camera enhancements.
That’s so long as you’re good with the older design with bigger high and backside show bezels, sticking with Contact ID as a substitute of Face ID, skipping MagSafe, and forgoing among the superior digital camera options of the iPhone 11 and newer.
iPhone SE 3 goes up for pre-order on March 11 with deliveries ranging from March 18.
For comparisons on iPhone 12, 13, and 13 Professional, try our detailed guides:
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