Between the iPhone SE (3rd gen) and Xperia 1 VII, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) comes out ahead in weight and promised os updates, while the Xperia 1 VII wins on main camera and ram. Overall, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 and the Xperia 1 VII scores 67.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Xperia 1 VII is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 27.0 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, promised os updates.
Pick the Xperia 1 VII if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are main camera, ram, antutu, among others.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, optical image stabilization, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Xperia 1 VII 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 — 48.00 g less. 144 vs 192.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 5 (vs 4).
Why Sony - Xperia 1 VII wins
- ▲Main camera — 300.00% more. 48 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲RAM — 200.00% more. 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲AnTuTu — 166.67% more. 2080000 vs 780000.
- ▲Battery capacity — 147.77% more. 5000 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.
- ▲Pixel density — 97.24% more. 643 ppi vs 326 ppi.
- ▲Front camera — 71.43% more. 12 MP vs 7 MP.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Sony - Xperia 1 VII |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 144 glead | 192 g |
| Thickness | 7.3 mmlead | 8.2 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP67 | IP68lead |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Sony - Xperia 1 VII |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 4.7 " | 6.5 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 326 ppi | 643 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 625 nits | 1800 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Sony - Xperia 1 VII |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 12 MP | 48 MPlead |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 12 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Sony - Xperia 1 VII |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 2018 mAh | 5000 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 20 W | 30 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 7.5 W | 15 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Sony - Xperia 1 VII |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | truelead |
| microSD slot | false | truelead |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Sony - Xperia 1 VII |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOSlead | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 yearslead | 4 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Xperia 1 VII?+
Xperia 1 VII has 147.8% more battery — 2018 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Xperia 1 VII?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 48g lighter — 144g vs 192g.
Is iPhone SE (3rd gen) waterproof?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) has an IP67 rating.
Does Xperia 1 VII support 5G?+
Yes, Xperia 1 VII supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Xperia 1 VII?+
Xperia 1 VII offers 12GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Xperia 1 VII?+
Xperia 1 VII has a 48 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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