Between the iPhone SE (3rd gen) and Xiaomi 15, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) comes out ahead in weight and promised os updates, while the Xiaomi 15 wins on wireless charging and front camera. Overall, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 and the Xiaomi 15 scores 70 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Xiaomi 15 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 29.3 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 Xiaomi 15 if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are wireless charging, front camera, wired charging, 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 Xiaomi 15 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 Xiaomi 15 wins
- ▲Wireless charging — 566.67% more. 50 W vs 7.5 W.
- ▲Front camera — 357.14% more. 32 MP vs 7 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 350.00% more. 90 W vs 20 W.
- ▲Main camera — 316.67% more. 50 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲AnTuTu — 243.59% more. 2680000 vs 780000.
- ▲RAM — 200.00% more. 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲Battery capacity — 167.59% more. 5400 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Xiaomi 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 144 glead | 192 g |
| Thickness | 7.3 mmlead | 8.1 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP67 | IP68lead |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Xiaomi 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 4.7 " | 6.36 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 326 ppi | 460 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 625 nits | 3200 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Xiaomi 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 12 MP | 50 MPlead |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Xiaomi 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 2018 mAh | 5400 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 20 W | 90 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 7.5 W | 50 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Xiaomi 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Xiaomi 15 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOSlead | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 yearslead | 4 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Xiaomi 15?+
Xiaomi 15 has 167.6% more battery — 2018 mAh vs 5400 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Xiaomi 15?+
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 Xiaomi 15 support 5G?+
Yes, Xiaomi 15 supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Xiaomi 15?+
Xiaomi 15 offers 12GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Xiaomi 15?+
Xiaomi 15 has a 50 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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