Apple iPhone 16e vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
The Apple iPhone 16e scores 6.8 in our rating, and the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) scores 4.9. The Apple iPhone 16e leads in display, performance, camera, battery, design, software support and value for money. At launch in the US, the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) cost $170 less ($429 vs $599). The Apple iPhone 16e is the newer phone, announced Feb 19, 2025.
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Key differences
Why choose the Apple iPhone 16e
- Bigger battery 4,005 mAh vs 2,018 mAh
- Bigger screen 6.1 inches vs 4.7 inches
- Brighter screen 1,200 nits vs 625 nits
- Better water resistance IP68 vs IP67
- Newer model Feb 19, 2025 vs Mar 8, 2022
- More RAM 8 GB vs 4 GB
Why choose the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- Lower launch price $429 vs $599
- Lighter 144 g vs 167 g
- Thinner 7.3 mm vs 7.8 mm
PhoneRanked scores
Calculated from specs, relative to phones from the same year and price range. How we rate phones
Spec
Apple iPhone 16eApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Overall
6.8
4.9
Display
6.4
4.1
Performance
7.9
6.5
Camera
5.9
5.4
Battery
4.8
3.2
Design
8.7
8.4
Software support
7.4
3.5
Value for money
4.3
2.7
Display
Spec
Apple iPhone 16eApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Size
6.1 inches
4.7 inches
Type
OLED, Super Retina XDR
LCD, Retina HD
Resolution
1170 × 2532 px
750 × 1334 px
Pixel density
460 ppi
326 ppi
Refresh rate
60 Hz
60 Hz
Adaptive refresh
✕ No
✕ No
Peak brightness
1,200 nits
625 nits
HDR
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
—
Protection
Ceramic Shield
—
Performance
Spec
Apple iPhone 16eApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Process
3 nm
5 nm
GPU
Apple GPU (4-core)
Apple GPU (4-core)
RAM
8 GB
4 GB
Storage
128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB
64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB
microSD slot
✕ No
✕ No
Cameras
Spec
Apple iPhone 16eApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Main camera
48 MP, f/1.6
12 MP, f/1.8
Optical stabilization
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Rear cameras
1
1
Rear video
4K@60
4K@60
Front camera
12 MP
7 MP
Front video
4K@60
1080p@30
Battery and charging
Spec
Apple iPhone 16eApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Capacity
4,005 mAh
2,018 mAh
Battery type
Li-Ion
Li-Ion
Wired charging
—
20 W
Wireless charging
7.5 W
—
Reverse wireless
✕ No
✕ No
Charger in box
✕ No
✕ No
Design and build
Spec
Apple iPhone 16eApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Dimensions
146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm
138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm
Thickness
7.8 mm
7.3 mm
Weight
167 g
144 g
Form factor
Bar
Bar
Frame
Aluminum
Aluminum
Back
Glass
Glass
Water resistance
IP68
IP67
Fingerprint
None
Front-mounted
3D face unlock
✓ Yes
✕ No
SIM
eSIM only
Nano-SIM + eSIM
Colors
Black, White
Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED
Connectivity and features
Spec
Apple iPhone 16eApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
5G
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
USB
USB-C 2.0
Lightning
NFC
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
3.5 mm jack
✕ No
✕ No
Stereo speakers
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Satellite
✓ Yes
✕ No
IR blaster
✕ No
✕ No
Software
Spec
Apple iPhone 16eApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
OS at launch
iOS 18
iOS 15
Security updates
5 years
—
Launch and price
Spec
Apple iPhone 16eApple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Announced
Feb 19, 2025
Mar 8, 2022
Released
Feb 28, 2025
Mar 18, 2022
Status
Discontinued
Discontinued
US launch price
$599
$429
Green marks the stronger value in a row. Specs come from official manufacturer data, cross-checked with established tech media; each phone page lists its sources. Report an error
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