Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
The Verdict
iPhone 15 delivers flagship performance with a larger 6.1-inch OLED display (2000 nits peak brightness vs 625 nits IPS), superior A16 Bionic processor, and a capable 48MP main camera with Dolby Vision video recording. Battery capacity nearly doubles at 3349mAh, supporting faster 15W MagSafe charging. SE 3rd Gen remains competent for budget-conscious users with a proven A15 chip, Touch ID, and compact 4.7-inch form factor,ideal for those prioritizing portability and lower cost. However, the 2018mAh battery, 12MP camera, and aging design feel dated. iPhone 15's USB-C, modern iOS 17, and significantly enhanced display and performance justify the $370 premium for most users seeking longevity and current features. Choose SE only if you absolutely need a small phone or extremely tight budget.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 if…
- →Dynamic Island brought to base model
- →48 MP main camera upgrade
- →Switched to USB-C port
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) if…
- →Most affordable iPhone with 5G
- →Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- →Compact and lightweight design
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15
Pros
- Dynamic Island brought to base model
- 48 MP main camera upgrade
- Switched to USB-C port
- Strong A16 Bionic performance
- Comfortable lightweight design
Cons
- Stuck at 60Hz refresh rate
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Pros
- Most affordable iPhone with 5G
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Compact and lightweight design
- Touch ID home button
- Long iOS software support
Cons
- Dated design with thick bezels
- Single rear camera
- Small 4.7-inch LCD display
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Modest battery life
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 | Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | iOS 15 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 171 g | 144 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 7 MP |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3349 mAh | 2018 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 20W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 7.5W Qi |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 4.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 1334 x 750 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 625 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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