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Head to head · 2 phones

iPhone SE (1st generation) vs iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Verified specs side by side. The green tick marks the better value on each measurable row.

Comparing 2 phones
iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone SE (1st generation)8.3Very good· Top score
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iPhone SE (3rd generation)
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The short verdict

iPhone SE (1st generation) is scored, the other is pending

We haven’t scored the iPhone SE (3rd generation) yet. Compare the measured differences and prices below.

iPhone SE (1st generation)
8.3
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
—
Choose the iPhone SE (1st generation) if
  • Small-phone fans and collectors
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Choose the iPhone SE (3rd generation) if
  • Buyers who want Touch ID and a small iPhone
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At a glance

Key differences

Measured differences only. Ties and tiny gaps are left out.
Why pick theiPhone SE (1st generation)2 wins
−0.7"Easier one-handed use4" vs 4.7"
−31 gLighter in the hand113 vs 144 g
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Why pick theiPhone SE (3rd generation)1 win
+18%Larger screen4.7 vs 4 in
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Display2 differences
Screen size
4"
4.7"
Panel
Retina display
Retina HD display
Performance1 difference
Chipset
A9
A15 Bionic
Memory1 difference
Internal storage
16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Main camera1 difference
Modules
- 12-megapixel camera - ƒ/2.2 aperture - Five-element lens - 5x digital zoom - Live Photos with stabilization - Local tone mapping - Face detection - True Tone flash - Sapphire crystal lens cover - Backside illumination sensor
12MP Main camera - ƒ/1.8 aperture - Digital zoom up to 5x - Portrait mode with Depth Control - Portrait Lighting with six effects - Optical image stabilization - True Tone flash with Slow Sync - Panorama (up to
Battery & Charging1 difference
Capacity
1,624 mAh
2,018 mAh
Network1 difference
SIM
Nano-SIM iPhone SE is not compatible with existing micro‑SIM cards.
Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)13 · Dual eSIM support
Connectivity3 differences
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth 5.0
External Buttons and Connectors
Touch ID sensor · Volume up/down · Ring/Silent
Front camera · Side button · SIM tray
Sensors & Security1 difference
Other sensors
Touch ID fingerprint sensor · Three‑axis gyro · Accelerometer
Touch ID fingerprint sensor · Barometer · Three‑axis gyro
Body2 differences
Dimensions
height: 4.87 inches (123.8 mm) · width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm) · depth: 0.30 inch (7.6 mm)
height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm) · width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm) · depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
Weight
113 g
144 g
Launch & Software2 differences
Operating system
iOS 11
iOS
In the box
iPhone with iOS 11 · EarPods with 3.5 mm Headphone Plug · Lightning to USB Cable
iPhone SE · USB-C to Lightning Cable · Documentation
Camera1 difference
Video Calling
FaceTime video calling over Wi‑Fi or cellular; FaceTime video calling over Wi‑Fi or cellular
FaceTime video calling over cellular or Wi‑Fi
Battery & charging1 difference
Battery claims
Up to 14 hours on 3G · Up to 12 hours on 3G · up to 13 hours on LTE
Up to 15 hours
Design1 difference
Weights
3.99 ounces (113 grams)
5.09 ounces (144 grams)
Audio1 difference
Audio Calling
FaceTime audio · Voice over LTE (VoLTE)4 · Wi‑Fi calling
FaceTime audio
General5 differences
Built-in Apps
Camera · Photos · Health
Apple Store · App Store · Books
Cellular and Wireless
Model A1662* LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29)
5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79)
Finish
Silver · Gold · Space Gray
(PRODUCT)RED · Starlight · Midnight
Location
Assisted GPS and GLONASS · Digital compass · Wi‑Fi
GPS · GLONASS · Galileo
Touch ID
Fingerprint sensor built into the Home button; Fingerprint sensor built into the Home button
Fingerprint sensor built into the Home button
Where to buy

Specs verified against manufacturer data. Prices in USD before tax; we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Community

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