Between the iPhone 16e and iPhone SE (3rd gen), the iPhone 16e comes out ahead in main camera and antutu, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins on weight and wireless charging. Overall, the iPhone 16e scores 58.6 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The iPhone 16e is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 17.9 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the iPhone 16e if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. The biggest gaps in its favor are main camera, antutu, ram, among others.
Pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen) if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, wireless charging.
Both ship with comparable refresh rate, 5g support, wired charging, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the iPhone 16e is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - iPhone 16e wins
- ▲Main camera — 300.00% more. 48 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲AnTuTu — 102.56% more. 1580000 vs 780000.
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲Battery capacity — 98.46% more. 4005 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
- ▲Front camera — 71.43% more. 12 MP vs 7 MP.
- ▲Pixel density — 41.10% more. 460 ppi vs 326 ppi.
- ▲Screen size — 29.79% more. 6.1 " vs 4.7 ".
- ▲Water resistance: IP68 (vs IP67).
Why Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins
- ▲Weight — 23.00 g less. 144 vs 167.
- ▲Wireless charging: 7.5 W vs 0 W.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 167 g | 144 glead |
| Thickness | 7.8 mm | 7.3 mmlead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68lead | IP67 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.1 "lead | 4.7 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 460 ppilead | 326 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 1200 nitslead | 625 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 48 MPlead | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MPlead | 7 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4005 mAhlead | 2018 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 20 W | 20 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 0 W | 7.5 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS | iOS |
| Promised OS updates | 5 years | 5 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone 16e or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone 16e has 98.5% more battery — 4005 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone 16e or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 23g lighter — 167g vs 144g.
Is iPhone 16e waterproof?+
iPhone 16e has an IP68 rating.
Does iPhone SE (3rd gen) support 5G?+
Yes, iPhone SE (3rd gen) supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone 16e or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone 16e offers 8GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone 16e or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone 16e has a 48 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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