Between the iPhone SE (3rd gen) and Phone (3), the iPhone SE (3rd gen) comes out ahead in weight, while the Phone (3) wins on front camera and main camera. Overall, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 and the Phone (3) scores 68.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Phone (3) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 28.0 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 SE (3rd gen) if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight.
Pick the Phone (3) if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are front camera, main camera, wired charging, among others.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, optical image stabilization, promised os updates, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Phone (3) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins
- ▲Weight — 52.00 g less. 144 vs 196.
Why Nothing - Phone (3) wins
- ▲Front camera — 357.14% more. 32 MP vs 7 MP.
- ▲Main camera — 316.67% more. 50 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 225.00% more. 65 W vs 20 W.
- ▲RAM — 200.00% more. 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲AnTuTu — 162.82% more. 2050000 vs 780000.
- ▲Battery capacity — 155.20% more. 5150 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Wireless charging — 100.00% more. 15 W vs 7.5 W.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 144 glead | 196 g |
| Thickness | 7.3 mmlead | 8.4 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP67 | IP68lead |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 4.7 " | 6.7 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 326 ppi | 460 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 625 nits | 4500 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 12 MP | 50 MPlead |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 2018 mAh | 5150 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 20 W | 65 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 7.5 W | 15 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOSlead | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 years | 5 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Phone (3)?+
Phone (3) has 155.2% more battery — 2018 mAh vs 5150 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Phone (3)?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 52g lighter — 144g vs 196g.
Is iPhone SE (3rd gen) waterproof?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) has an IP67 rating.
Does Phone (3) support 5G?+
Yes, Phone (3) supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Phone (3)?+
Phone (3) offers 12GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Phone (3)?+
Phone (3) has a 50 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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