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InnoReviews

iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs iPhone XS Max

WINNER
A
38.3Inno Score
VS
iPhone XS Max

Apple

iPhone XS Max

$1,099

33.9Inno Score
44Performance30
21.3Display29.7
31.9Camera35.3
27.7Battery23
89.3Features73.3
7 spec wins — iPhone SE (3rd gen)4 spec wins — iPhone XS Max

InnoReviews verdict

iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins this phone face-off, 38.3 to 33.9, pulling ahead mainly in features (+16) and performance (+14). iPhone XS Max still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen)

  • Stronger performance score: 44 vs 30
  • Stronger battery score: 28 vs 23
  • Stronger features score: 89 vs 73
  • 91% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,100 vs 1,100
  • 86% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 5,200 vs 2,800
  • Lower launch price: $429 vs $1,099

Reasons to pick the iPhone XS Max

  • Stronger display score: 30 vs 21
  • Stronger camera score: 35 vs 32
  • 100% higher Optical zoom: 2 x vs 1 x
  • 57% higher capacity: 3,174 mAh vs 2,018 mAh
  • 40% higher Pixel density: 458 ppi vs 326 ppi

Display

Display comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)iPhone XS Max
Screen size4.7 ″6.5 ″+38%
Panel typeRetina IPS LCDOLED
Resolution750x13342688x1242
Pixel density326 ppi458 ppi+40%
Refresh rate60 Hz60 Hz
Peak brightness625 nits625 nits
Screen-to-body65.4 %—

Performance

Performance comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)iPhone XS Max
ChipsetApple A15 BionicApple A12 Bionic
AnTuTu 10890,000+24%Top 59%720,000Top 68%
Geekbench 6 (single)2,100+91%Top 27%1,100Top 63%
Geekbench 6 (multi)5,200+86%Top 32%2,800Top 67%
RAM (max)4 GB4 GB
Storage options64/128/256GB64GB / 256GB / 512GB
Storage typeNVMeNVMe

Camera

Camera comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)iPhone XS Max
Main camera12 MP12 MP
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.8
Telephoto—12 MP
Optical zoom1 x2 x+100%
Max video4K@60fps4K@60fps
Front camera7 MP7 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)iPhone XS Max
Capacity2,018 mAh3,174 mAh+57%
Wired charging20 W+33%15 W
Wireless charging8 W8 W
Active use endurance7 h—

Design

Design comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)iPhone XS Max
Weight144 g+31%208 g
Thickness7.3 mm+5%7.7 mm
IP ratingIP67IP68
Frame materialAluminumStainless steel

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)iPhone XS Max
5GYesNo
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth5.05.0
NFCYesYes
USBLightningLightning
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)iPhone XS Max
OS at launchiOS 15iOS 12
OS update pledge6 years6 years

Audio

Audio comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus iPhone XS Max
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)iPhone XS Max
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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