iPhone 17 vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)
72.9Performance44
65.6Display21.3
53.2Camera31.9
55.1Battery27.7
89.3Features89.3
16 spec wins — iPhone 172 spec wins — iPhone SE (3rd gen)
InnoReviews verdict
iPhone 17 wins this phone face-off, 65.6 to 38.3, pulling ahead mainly in display (+44) and performance (+29). iPhone SE (3rd gen) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the iPhone 17
- Stronger performance score: 73 vs 44
- Stronger display score: 66 vs 21
- Stronger camera score: 53 vs 32
- Stronger battery score: 55 vs 28
- 380% higher Peak brightness: 3,000 nits vs 625 nits
Reasons to pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen)
- 19% lower weight: 144 g vs 177 g
- Lower launch price: $429 vs $799
Display
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 ″+34% | 4.7 ″ |
| Panel type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1206x2622 | 750x1334 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi+41% | 326 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz+100% | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits+380% | 625 nits |
| Screen-to-body | 90.9 %+39% | 65.4 % |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A19 | Apple A15 Bionic |
| AnTuTu 10 | 1,900,000+113% | 890,000 |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,600+71% | 2,100 |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 8,800+69% | 5,200 |
| RAM (max) | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 256/512GB | 64/128/256GB |
| Storage type | NVMe | NVMe |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP+300% | 12 MP |
| Main aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide | 48 MP | — |
| Optical zoom | 2 x+100% | 1 x |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Front camera | 18 MP+157% | 7 MP |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,692 mAh+83% | 2,018 mAh |
| Wired charging | 40 W+100% | 20 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W+233% | 8 W |
| Active use endurance | 12 h+71% | 7 h |
Design
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 177 g | 144 g+19% |
| Thickness | 8 mm | 7.3 mm+8% |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Connectivity
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | Lightning |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
Software
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 26 | iOS 15 |
| OS update pledge | 6 years | 6 years |
Audio
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |