Between the iPhone 17 and iPhone SE (3rd gen), the iPhone 17 comes out ahead in main camera and wireless charging, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins on weight. Overall, the iPhone 17 scores 61.7 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The iPhone 17 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 21.0 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 17 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, headphone jack, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the iPhone 17 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - iPhone 17 wins
- ▲Main camera — 300.00% more. 48 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Wireless charging — 233.33% more. 25 W vs 7.5 W.
- ▲AnTuTu — 153.85% more. 1980000 vs 780000.
- ▲RAM — 100.00% more. 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Battery capacity — 82.95% more. 3692 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 — 50.00 g less. 144 vs 194.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 17 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 194 g | 144 glead |
| Thickness | 8.1 mm | 7.3 mmlead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68lead | IP67 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 17 | 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ⓘ | 2200 nitslead | 625 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 17 | 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 17 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 3692 mAhlead | 2018 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 27 Wlead | 20 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 25 Wlead | 7.5 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 17 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 17 | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS | iOS |
| Promised OS updates | 6 yearslead | 5 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone 17 or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone 17 has 83.0% more battery — 3692 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone 17 or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 50g lighter — 194g vs 144g.
Is iPhone 17 waterproof?+
iPhone 17 has an IP68 rating.
Does iPhone SE (3rd gen) support 5G?+
Yes, iPhone SE (3rd gen) supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone 17 or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone 17 offers 8GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone 17 or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone 17 has a 48 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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