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Spec drill · Thickness

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)

A side-by-side readout for thickness.

Apple · iPhone 17 Pro Max
8.3mm
Apple · iPhone SE (3rd gen)
7.3mm
▲ Lead
VerdictiPhone SE (3rd gen) wins on thickness.
Context

Understanding thickness

Thickness is a numeric spec measured in mm. On this metric, lower values are generally better — smaller, lighter, thinner, or less demanding usually translates to a more comfortable or more efficient product. When comparing two products, focus on the percentage gap rather than the raw delta: a 200-unit lead means something very different at the low end of the range than at the high end. Pay attention to the unit, too — manufacturers sometimes quote peak or burst figures that are not sustained in real-world use. Cross-check the published number against independent measurements where possible, especially for performance and battery claims. Finally, remember that a single spec rarely tells the whole story; the Mars Score weighs thickness together with the rest of the spec sheet so one outlier doesn't distort the verdict.

This matchupiPhone 17 Pro Max's 8.3mm is roughly 14% more than iPhone SE (3rd gen)'s 7.3mm (a 1mm gap). Lower is better here, so iPhone SE (3rd gen) takes the lead in real use.

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Other specs on this comparison

See the full Smartphones category for all products ranked by Mars Score.