Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs OnePlus 13R vs Samsung Galaxy S25
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
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.
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.
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
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) | OnePlus 13R | Samsung Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 15 (OxygenOS 15) | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | |||
| Weight | 167 g | 206 g | 162 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 7i | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP65 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 161.7 x 75.8 x 8.0 mm | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm |
| Camera | |||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Sony LYT-700) | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | — | 50 MP, f/2.0, 2x telephoto | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | — | 8 MP, f/2.2, 112-degree | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | |||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | ~3279 mAh | 6000 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 80W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | — | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.78 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2780 x 1264 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 1-120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 4500 | 2600 |
| 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) | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 750 | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | |||
| 5G | |||
| NFC | |||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
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Head-to-Head Matchups
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications. Learn more about our methodology.
