Between the iPhone SE (3rd gen) and Phone (3a), the iPhone SE (3rd gen) comes out ahead in weight and water resistance, while the Phone (3a) wins on front camera and main camera. Overall, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 and the Phone (3a) scores 62.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Phone (3a) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 21.8 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, water resistance, promised os updates, among others.
Pick the Phone (3a) 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 Phone (3a) 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 — 57.00 g less. 144 vs 201.
- ▲Water resistance: IP67 (vs IP64).
- ▲Promised OS updates: 5 (vs 3).
- ▲Wireless charging: 7.5 W vs 0 W.
Why Nothing - Phone (3a) wins
- ▲Front camera — 357.14% more. 32 MP vs 7 MP.
- ▲Main camera — 316.67% more. 50 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 150.00% more. 50 W vs 20 W.
- ▲Battery capacity — 147.77% more. 5000 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Screen size — 44.04% more. 6.77 " vs 4.7 ".
- ▲Pixel density — 18.71% more. 387 ppi vs 326 ppi.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 144 glead | 201 g |
| Thickness | 7.3 mmlead | 8.4 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP67lead | IP64 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 4.7 " | 6.77 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 326 ppi | 387 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 625 nits | 3000 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 12 MP | 50 MPlead |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 2018 mAh | 5000 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 20 W | 50 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 7.5 Wlead | 0 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOSlead | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 yearslead | 3 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Phone (3a)?+
Phone (3a) has 147.8% more battery — 2018 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Phone (3a)?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 57g lighter — 144g vs 201g.
Is iPhone SE (3rd gen) waterproof?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) has an IP67 rating.
Does Phone (3a) support 5G?+
Yes, Phone (3a) supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Phone (3a)?+
Phone (3a) offers 8GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone SE (3rd gen) or Phone (3a)?+
Phone (3a) has a 50 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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