Skip to content
specpair

Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs OnePlus 13R

Updated Apr 2026phones
VS
OnePlus 13R
OnePlus
OnePlus 13R
$599
8.4/10
Winner

The Verdict

Apple's iPhone SE 3rd generation and OnePlus 13R occupy entirely different market segments, making direct comparison challenging. The iPhone SE prioritizes affordability at $429 with Apple's A15 Bionic processor, delivering strong single-threaded performance and iOS reliability. Its 4.7-inch Retina LCD display reaches 625 nits brightness with 60Hz refresh, adequate for everyday use but dated by modern standards. The 12MP main camera with 4K@60fps handles basic photography, though the 7MP front camera feels underwhelming. Battery capacity of 2018 mAh proves limiting, requiring daily charging even with moderate use. OnePlus 13R positions itself as a flagship alternative at $599, featuring a massive 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with 4500 nits peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling buttery smooth. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor combined with 12GB RAM handles demanding games and multitasking effortlessly. The camera system crushes the SE with a 50MP main sensor featuring OIS, dedicated 50MP 2x telephoto, and 8MP ultrawide. The 6000 mAh battery with 80W charging provides genuine all-day endurance. Recommendation depends on priorities: choose the iPhone SE if you value simplicity, ecosystem integration, and minimal spending; select the OnePlus 13R if you demand performance, display quality, camera versatility, and battery longevity.

Value(3rd generation)
CameraOnePlus 13R
BatteryOnePlus 13R
DisplayOnePlus 13R
PerformanceOnePlus 13R

Who Should Buy

Buy the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) if…

  • Most affordable iPhone with 5G
  • Powerful A15 Bionic chip
  • Compact and lightweight design

Buy the OnePlus 13R if…

  • Last-gen flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at a $599 price is terrific value
  • 6000 mAh battery is among the largest in any flagship phone
  • 4500-nit display brightness matches phones costing twice as much

Category Scores

Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
OnePlus 13R
Value
8.4
7.6
Camera
6.5
8.9
Battery
5.9
8.8
Display
6.0
9.1
Performance
7.8
9.2

Pros & Cons

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

OnePlus 13R

Pros

  • Last-gen flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at a $599 price is terrific value
  • 6000 mAh battery is among the largest in any flagship phone
  • 4500-nit display brightness matches phones costing twice as much
  • 80W fast charging fills the huge battery in under 40 minutes
  • Clean OxygenOS 15 is close to stock Android

Cons

  • 8MP ultrawide is a notable weak point
  • No wireless charging
  • IP65 water resistance is below IP68 competitors
  • 50MP 2x telephoto is good but not a true periscope zoom

Full Specifications

SpecApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)OnePlus 13R
SoftwareiOS 15Android 15 (OxygenOS 15)
Body
Weight144 g206 g
MaterialAluminum frameAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 7i
IP ratingIP67IP65
Dimensions138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm161.7 x 75.8 x 8.0 mm
Camera
Main camera12 MP50 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Sony LYT-700)
Front camera7 MP16 MP, f/2.4
Video4K@60fps4K@60fps
Telephoto50 MP, f/2.0, 2x telephoto
Ultrawide8 MP, f/2.2, 112-degree
Memory
RAM4 GB12 GB
Storage options64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB256 GB, 512 GB
Battery
Capacity2018 mAh6000 mAh
Charging20W wired80W wired
Wireless charging7.5W Qi
Display
Size4.7 inches6.78 inches
TypeRetina IPS LCDLTPO AMOLED
Resolution1334 x 7502780 x 1264
Refresh rate60Hz1-120Hz
Brightness (nits)6254500
Processor
CPUHexa-coreOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Adreno 750
ChipsetApple A15 BionicQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBLightningUSB-C 2.0
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.05.4

Want to compare a third product?

Add another product for a 3-way comparison.

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.

Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all OnePlus products. View full details for the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) or the OnePlus 13R.