Between the CMF Phone 1 and iPhone SE (3rd gen), the CMF Phone 1 comes out ahead in main camera and battery capacity, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins on weight and antutu. Overall, the CMF Phone 1 scores 61.4 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The CMF Phone 1 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 20.7 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 CMF Phone 1 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. The biggest gaps in its favor are main camera, battery capacity, front camera, among others.
Pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen) if you push the hardware — gaming, on-device AI, heavy multitasking — and the extra compute headroom is worth the trade-offs. Its strongest claims are weight, antutu, optical image stabilization, among others.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, headphone jack, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the CMF Phone 1 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Nothing - CMF Phone 1 wins
- ▲Main camera — 316.67% more. 50 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Battery capacity — 147.77% more. 5000 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
- ▲Front camera — 128.57% more. 16 MP vs 7 MP.
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Wired charging — 65.00% more. 33 W vs 20 W.
- ▲Screen size — 41.91% more. 6.67 " vs 4.7 ".
- ▲Pixel density — 21.17% more. 395 ppi vs 326 ppi.
Why Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins
- ▲Weight — 53.00 g less. 144 vs 197.
- ▲AnTuTu — 39.29% more. 780000 vs 560000.
- ▲Has Optical image stabilization.
- ▲Water resistance: IP67 (vs IP52).
- ▲Promised OS updates: 5 (vs 2).
- ▲Wireless charging: 7.5 W vs 0 W.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Nothing - CMF Phone 1 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 197 g | 144 glead |
| Thickness | 8.2 mm | 7.3 mmlead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP52 | IP67lead |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Nothing - CMF Phone 1 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.67 "lead | 4.7 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 395 ppilead | 326 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hzlead | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2000 nitslead | 625 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Nothing - CMF Phone 1 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MPlead | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 16 MPlead | 7 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | false | truelead |
Battery
| Spec | Nothing - CMF Phone 1 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAhlead | 2018 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 33 Wlead | 20 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 0 W | 7.5 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Nothing - CMF Phone 1 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | truelead | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Nothing - CMF Phone 1 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | iOSlead |
| Promised OS updates | 2 years | 5 yearslead |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, CMF Phone 1 or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
CMF Phone 1 has 147.8% more battery — 5000 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
Which is lighter, CMF Phone 1 or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 53g lighter — 197g vs 144g.
Is CMF Phone 1 waterproof?+
CMF Phone 1 has an IP52 rating.
Does iPhone SE (3rd gen) support 5G?+
Yes, iPhone SE (3rd gen) supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, CMF Phone 1 or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
CMF Phone 1 offers 8GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, CMF Phone 1 or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
CMF Phone 1 has a 50 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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