Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs OnePlus 13R
The Verdict
Two very different phones at similar price points, each making clear tradeoffs. Apple's iPhone SE 4th gen packs the A18 chip, the same silicon found in the iPhone 16, making it a performance powerhouse in a compact 138.7mm frame at just 167g. Its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED is sharp at 2532x1170, but the 60Hz refresh rate feels dated against the OnePlus 13R's silky 1-120Hz LTPO AMOLED panel with a blinding 4500 nit peak. The 13R also brings a triple camera system with a dedicated 50MP telephoto, wider ultrawide, and OIS, versus the SE's single 48MP shooter. Battery life is where the gap widens considerably: the 13R's 6000 mAh cell with 80W fast charging obliterates the SE's ~3279 mAh with 20W wired. The SE counters with tighter software longevity guarantees, a lighter build, and Apple ecosystem integration. At $499 vs $599, the SE asks less money for less hardware but more polish. For most buyers who want a bigger screen, longer daily battery life, and a versatile camera system, the OnePlus 13R is the stronger hardware value. Stick with the SE if you're already in the Apple ecosystem or prioritize a lighter, more pocketable phone.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) if…
- →First SE with an OLED display, a generational leap over prior LCD
- →A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence at the entry price point
- →Face ID replaces Touch ID with modern full-screen front 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
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone SE (4th generation)
Pros
- First SE with an OLED display, a generational leap over prior LCD
- A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence at the entry price point
- Face ID replaces Touch ID with modern full-screen front design
- USB-C replaces Lightning for universal compatibility
- Most affordable iPhone with A18 performance
Cons
- No telephoto or ultrawide camera — single rear lens only
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion
- No Dynamic Island; uses standard notch
- No MagSafe support, only standard Qi wireless
- Modest battery life compared to standard iPhone 16
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
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) | OnePlus 13R |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 15 (OxygenOS 15) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 206 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 7i |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP65 |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 161.7 x 75.8 x 8.0 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Sony LYT-700) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | — | 50 MP, f/2.0, 2x telephoto |
| Ultrawide | — | 8 MP, f/2.2, 112-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | ~3279 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 80W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2780 x 1264 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 1-120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 4500 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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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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