What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone SE 3? Is it for me?

Of course, only you can decide if the iPhone SE 3 is the best iPhone for you, but the below objective pros and cons can help.

Everyi.com also provides an in-depth iPhone SE 3 evaluation that can be ideal for those who prefer details. For those who would rather have a quick-to-read summary, though, the following can be perfect.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone SE 3)

iPhone SE 3 Pros:

• Inexpensive; the cheapest new iPhone available.
• The same fast performance as the more expensive iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max models available at the time the iPhone SE was released (newer iPhone models are faster).
• 5G networking capability.
• Respectable single lens rear camera is enhanced by A15-processor enabled software like Deep Fusion and Photographic Styles.
• Waterproof to one meter for up to 30 minutes (IP67).
• Integrated inductive (Qi) charging capability.
• Relatively small size is easy for most to hold with one hand.
• Familiar "Touch ID" authentication.
• Dual SIM capable with one Nano SIM and one eSIM (except in mainland China).
• Support for the current version of the iOS, iOS 18.

iPhone SE 3 Cons:

• Design is painfully dated and color options are limited.
• 5G networking does not support mmWave.
• Relatively low quality camera compared to more expensive iPhone models.
• Battery life is significantly worse than physically larger iPhone models with bigger batteries.
• Not as waterproof as more expensive iPhone models (IP68).
• Display is small and relatively low quality compared to more expensive iPhone models.
• No "Face ID" authentication support.
• Glass front and back are fragile compared to many kinds of metal, plastic, or other materials.
• Running iOS 18, these models do not support the Apple Intelligence (AI) and Messages via Satellite features.

So, should I buy an iPhone SE 3?

With better displays, better cameras, more capabilities, longer battery life, and then some, the originally more expensive, now discontinued, iPhone 13 lineup -- and subsequent models -- clearly are better devices than the inexpensive iPhone SE 3.

However, the iPhone SE 3 costs significantly less and is the exact same speed as its more expensive iPhone 13 cousins (it is slower than newer models, though). Accordingly, if you don't mind the dated design, you're on a budget, and you want a fast, relatively compact iPhone (albeit with a comparatively small screen), the iPhone SE 3 is a good choice.

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Please also see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.