Between the iPhone SE (3rd gen) and OnePlus 12, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) comes out ahead in weight and water resistance, while the OnePlus 12 wins on wireless charging and wired charging. Overall, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 and the OnePlus 12 scores 69.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The OnePlus 12 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 28.9 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 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, water resistance, promised os updates.
Pick the OnePlus 12 if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are wireless charging, wired charging, front camera, among others.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, optical image stabilization, headphone jack, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the OnePlus 12 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 — 76.00 g less. 144 vs 220.
- ▲Water resistance: IP67 (vs IP65).
- ▲Promised OS updates: 5 (vs 4).
Why OnePlus 12 wins
- ▲Wireless charging — 566.67% more. 50 W vs 7.5 W.
- ▲Wired charging — 400.00% more. 100 W vs 20 W.
- ▲Front camera — 357.14% more. 32 MP vs 7 MP.
- ▲Main camera — 316.67% more. 50 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲RAM — 200.00% more. 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲Battery capacity — 167.59% more. 5400 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
- ▲AnTuTu — 164.10% more. 2060000 vs 780000.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | OnePlus 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 144 glead | 220 g |
| Thickness | 7.3 mmlead | 9.15 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP67lead | IP65 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | OnePlus 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 4.7 " | 6.82 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 326 ppi | 510 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 625 nits | 4500 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | OnePlus 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 12 MP | 50 MPlead |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | OnePlus 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 2018 mAh | 5400 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 20 W | 100 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 7.5 W | 50 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | OnePlus 12 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | OnePlus 12 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOSlead | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 yearslead | 4 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or OnePlus 12?+
OnePlus 12 has 167.6% more battery — 2018 mAh vs 5400 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or OnePlus 12?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 76g lighter — 144g vs 220g.
Is iPhone SE (3rd gen) waterproof?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) has an IP67 rating.
Does OnePlus 12 support 5G?+
Yes, OnePlus 12 supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or OnePlus 12?+
OnePlus 12 offers 12GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or OnePlus 12?+
OnePlus 12 has a 50 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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