Between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone SE (3rd gen), the iPhone 16 Pro comes out ahead in main camera and wireless charging, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins on weight. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro scores 60.6 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The iPhone 16 Pro is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 19.9 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 16 Pro if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. The biggest gaps in its favor are main camera, wireless charging, antutu, among others.
Pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen) if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, optical image stabilization, promised os updates, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the iPhone 16 Pro is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - iPhone 16 Pro wins
- ▲Main camera — 300.00% more. 48 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Wireless charging — 233.33% more. 25 W vs 7.5 W.
- ▲AnTuTu — 124.36% more. 1750000 vs 780000.
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Battery capacity — 77.50% more. 3582 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
- ▲Front camera — 71.43% more. 12 MP vs 7 MP.
- ▲Pixel density — 41.10% more. 460 ppi vs 326 ppi.
Why Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins
- ▲Weight — 55.00 g less. 144 vs 199.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16 Pro | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 199 g | 144 glead |
| Thickness | 8.25 mm | 7.3 mmlead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68lead | IP67 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16 Pro | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.3 "lead | 4.7 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 460 ppilead | 326 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hzlead | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2000 nitslead | 625 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16 Pro | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 48 MPlead | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MPlead | 7 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16 Pro | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 3582 mAhlead | 2018 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 27 Wlead | 20 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 25 Wlead | 7.5 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16 Pro | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16 Pro | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS | iOS |
| Promised OS updates | 5 years | 5 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone 16 Pro has 77.5% more battery — 3582 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 55g lighter — 199g vs 144g.
Is iPhone 16 Pro waterproof?+
iPhone 16 Pro has an IP68 rating.
Does iPhone SE (3rd gen) support 5G?+
Yes, iPhone SE (3rd gen) supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone 16 Pro offers 8GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone 16 Pro has a 48 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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