Between the iPhone SE (3rd gen) and 13 Pro+, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) comes out ahead in weight and promised os updates, while the 13 Pro+ wins on front camera and main camera. Overall, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 and the 13 Pro+ scores 65.2 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The 13 Pro+ is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 24.5 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, wireless charging.
Pick the 13 Pro+ if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are front camera, main 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 13 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 SE (3rd gen) wins
- ▲Weight — 46.00 g less. 144 vs 190.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 5 (vs 3).
- ▲Wireless charging: 7.5 W vs 0 W.
Why Realme - 13 Pro+ wins
- ▲Front camera — 357.14% more. 32 MP vs 7 MP.
- ▲Main camera — 316.67% more. 50 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 300.00% more. 80 W vs 20 W.
- ▲RAM — 200.00% more. 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲Battery capacity — 157.68% more. 5200 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲AnTuTu — 51.28% more. 1180000 vs 780000.
- ▲Screen size — 42.55% more. 6.7 " vs 4.7 ".
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Realme - 13 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 144 glead | 190 g |
| Thickness | 7.3 mmlead | 8.0 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP67 | IP69lead |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Realme - 13 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 4.7 " | 6.7 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 326 ppi | 460 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 625 nits | 2000 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Realme - 13 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 12 MP | 50 MPlead |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Realme - 13 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 2018 mAh | 5200 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 20 W | 80 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 7.5 Wlead | 0 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Realme - 13 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Realme - 13 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOSlead | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 yearslead | 3 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or 13 Pro+?+
13 Pro+ has 157.7% more battery — 2018 mAh vs 5200 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or 13 Pro+?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 46g lighter — 144g vs 190g.
Is iPhone SE (3rd gen) waterproof?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) has an IP67 rating.
Does 13 Pro+ support 5G?+
Yes, 13 Pro+ supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or 13 Pro+?+
13 Pro+ offers 12GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or 13 Pro+?+
13 Pro+ has a 50 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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