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Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs OnePlus 13R vs Samsung Galaxy S25

3-way comparisonphones

The Verdict

The Verdict

Budget iPhone sacrifices performance for price, while OnePlus balances both, and Samsung demands premium dollars for flagship features.

Where each wins

Apple iPhone SE (4th generation)

The first SE with an OLED Super Retina XDR display represents a genuine leap forward for budget buyers, and the A18 chip unlocks Apple Intelligence features at $499, making it the most affordable way into Apple's AI ecosystem.

OnePlus 13R

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 paired with a 6000 mAh battery and 120Hz AMOLED display at $599 delivers flagship performance and all-day endurance without the premium price tag of the Galaxy S25.

Samsung Galaxy S25

Its compact 6.2-inch form factor and full Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12 GB RAM make it the only true pocket-friendly flagship here, ideal for users who reject large phones but won't compromise on raw processing power.

Which to buy

Buy the iPhone SE

if you're locked into Apple's ecosystem and want your first entry to premium features like Face ID and on-device AI without spending $800+. The single camera and 60Hz display are acceptable trade-offs at this price.

Buy the OnePlus 13R

if battery life matters most and you want a large, bright display with last-gen flagship speed. The 6000 mAh battery outlasts both competitors significantly, and you gain 120Hz smoothness that the SE lacks.

Buy the Galaxy S25

if you prioritize one-handed use and want the absolute newest Snapdragon with a compact footprint. Skip this if battery endurance is critical, since 4000 mAh paired with 25W charging leaves you tethered to outlets more than the 13R.

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

Samsung Galaxy S25

Pros

  • Compact and pocketable flagship
  • Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
  • 12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
  • Excellent 120Hz AMOLED display
  • Long 7-year software support promise

Cons

  • Small 4000 mAh battery limits endurance
  • Slow 25W charging
  • 1080p resolution instead of QHD
  • No major camera hardware upgrades

Full Specifications

SpecApple iPhone SE (4th generation)OnePlus 13RSamsung Galaxy S25
SoftwareiOS 18Android 15 (OxygenOS 15)Android 15, One UI 7
Body
Weight167 g206 g162 g
MaterialAluminum frameAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 7iAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
IP ratingIP68IP65IP68
Dimensions138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm161.7 x 75.8 x 8.0 mm146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm
Camera
Main camera48 MP50 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Sony LYT-700)50 MP, f/1.8, OIS
Front camera12 MP16 MP, f/2.412 MP, f/2.2
Video4K@60fps4K@60fps8K@30fps, 4K@60fps
Telephoto50 MP, f/2.0, 2x telephoto10 MP 3x optical
Ultrawide8 MP, f/2.2, 112-degree12 MP, f/2.2
Memory
RAM8 GB12 GB12 GB
Storage options128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB256 GB, 512 GB128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
Battery
Capacity~3279 mAh6000 mAh4000 mAh
Charging20W wired80W wired25W wired
Wireless charging7.5W Qi15W Qi2
Display
Size6.1 inches6.78 inches6.2 inches
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDLTPO AMOLEDDynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO
Resolution2532 x 11702780 x 12642340 x 1080
Refresh rate60Hz1-120Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)120045002600
Processor
CPUHexa-coreOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz)
GPUApple GPU (5-core)Adreno 750Adreno 830
ChipsetApple A18Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBUSB-C 2.0USB-C 2.0USB-C 3.2
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.35.45.4

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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications. Learn more about our methodology.