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Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Apple

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Compact Touch ID iPhone with A15

iPhones
—/10What the pros sayPendingExpert consensusSee score breakdown ↓
Storage
Buying call

Buy the iPhone SE (3rd generation) if you want a small Home-button iPhone with Touch ID and A15 performance. Skip it if you need 5G longevity into the late 2020s with a modern camera stack — a newer base iPhone is kinder — or if the small battery will frustrate you.

Full verdict ↓
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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
iPhone SE (3rd generation)Check priceSee price
Key specs
Modules
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
Capacity
2018 mAh
Wired charging
20W
Display type
LCD
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Panel
LCD
Size
4.7" (119 mm)
Brightness
625 nits
Performance
Processor
A15 Bionic
GPU
4-core GPU
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
OS
iOS; iOS 18 iOS is the world s most personal and secure mobile operating system, packed with powerful features and desig
Battery
Wired charge
20 W
Body
Weight
5.1 oz (144 g)
Dimensions
height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm); width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm); depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
IP rating
IP67
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

Display4.7" (119 mm)LCD
ChipsetA15 Bionic4-core GPU
RAM / storage64GB, 128GB, 256GBiOS; iOS 18 iOS is the world s most personal and secure mobile operating system,
Weight5.1 oz (144 g)height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm); width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm); depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm) · IP67
57 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

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Available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB.
Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the iPhone SE (3rd generation) if you want a small Home-button iPhone with Touch ID and A15 performance. Skip it if you need 5G longevity into the late 2020s with a modern camera stack — a newer base iPhone is kinder — or if the small battery will frustrate you.

Best for

Buyers who want Touch ID and a small iPhone

Not for

Anyone who needs a modern camera system or long battery life

Main strengthTouch ID and familiar Home-button layout
Main weaknessSingle-camera system without Night mode depth of newer iPhones
Reasons to buy
Touch ID and familiar Home-button layout
A15 keeps apps snappy
Compact one-hand size
Lowest-friction path into current iOS for small-phone fans
Reasons to avoid
Single-camera system without Night mode depth of newer iPhones
Small battery
Design is dated versus notched and Dynamic Island models
Measured view—/10What the pros say.
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
This deviceiPhone SE (3rd generation)
VS
iPhone Duo
AlternativeiPhone Duo
Chipset
A15 BionicA20 Pro
Full comparison
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
This deviceiPhone SE (3rd generation)
VS
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
AlternativeiPhone SE (2nd generation)
Display
4.7"4.7"
Chipset
A15 BionicA13 Bionic
Full comparison
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
This deviceiPhone SE (3rd generation)
VS
iPhone 7
AlternativeiPhone 7
Display
4.7"4.7"
Chipset
A15 BionicQuad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr)
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

All iphones →
iPhone SE (2nd generation)—
AppleiPhone SE (2nd generation)4.7" (119 mm) · A13 Bionic
—
AppleiPhone 84.7" (119 mm) · Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) · 2 GB
iPhone 7—
AppleiPhone 74.7" (119 mm) · Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) · 2 GB
iPhone 6s—
AppleiPhone 6s4.7" (119 mm) · Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister · 2 GB
Product data

Full specifications

57 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Display

Display type
LCD
Peak brightness
625 nits

Main camera

Modules
  • 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
  • 63MP) - Sapphire crystal lens cover - Autofocus with Focus Pixels - Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos - Deep Fusion

Selfie camera

Modules
7MP camera; /2.2 aperture; Portrait mode with Depth Control; Portrait Lighting with six effects; Deep Fusion; Smart HDR 4

Battery & Charging

Capacity
2018 mAh
Wired charging
20W

Network

SIM
  • Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)13
  • Dual eSIM support
  • Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)13
  • Dual eSIM support

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.0

Sensors & Security

Proximity sensor
✓
Barometer
✓
Other sensors
  • Touch ID fingerprint sensor
  • Barometer
  • Three‑axis gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Touch ID fingerprint sensor
  • Barometer
  • Three‑axis gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor

Body

Dimensions
  • height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm)
  • width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm)
  • depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
Water & dust resistance
IP67

Launch & Software

Released
2022
Operating system
  • iOS
  • iOS 18 iOS is the world s most personal and secure mobile operating system
  • packed with powerful features and designed to protect your privacy.
  • See what s new in iOS
  • iPhone User Guide
In the box
  • iPhone SE
  • USB-C to Lightning Cable
  • Documentation
  • iPhone SE
  • USB-C to Lightning Cable
  • Documentation
Vote & discuss

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