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Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Apple · Phones

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

iPhone SE (3rd generation) is strongest when you care about compact budget iPhone and Touch ID users. At about $299, judge it by whether those strengths fix a real daily problem rather than by the longest spec sheet.

Buying verdict

Choose iPhone SE (3rd generation) if compact budget iPhone matters more than chasing the absolute top-tier option. Skip it if outdated display and single camera.

Best for compact budget iPhoneBest for Touch ID usersBest for simple daily use

Score

7.1 / 10

Reference price

$299

Released

Mar 18, 2022

Reference price, not a live offer. Editorial data date Jul 27, 2026. Specs and availability can vary by configuration, region, and retailer. Status: discontinued.

No official product reference is published for this entry yet. Treat listed specifications as editorial reference data and confirm purchase-critical details with the manufacturer.

Compare alternatives See key specs Check Apple

Should you buy it?

A practical ownership call

  • Buy it if you want compact budget iPhone and Touch ID users.
  • Skip it if carrier promos can erase the unlocked value story overnight.
  • Treat it as a discount or refurbished pick, not a default new purchase.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Strong everyday fit for compact budget iPhone
  • US unlocked pricing is usually easier to compare
  • Reference US pricing around $299 makes the trade-offs easier to evaluate

Cons

  • Carrier promos can erase the unlocked value story overnight
  • Treat current stock as a discount or refurbished path rather than a default new buy
  • Peak camera or battery performance still trails the category leaders

Key specs

Display
4.7-inch Retina HD LCD Needs confirmation
Panel Type
LCD Needs confirmation
Refresh Rate
60Hz Needs confirmation
Resolution
1334 x 750 Needs confirmation
Chipset
A15 Bionic Needs confirmation
Memory
4GB Needs confirmation
Storage
64GB / 128GB / 256GB Needs confirmation
Expandable Storage
No microSD Needs confirmation

Buying scores

Camera

6.5

Battery

6.2

Display

6

Performance

8

Software Support

8.5

Value

8

Compare

Compare with similar products

Choose any phones alternative. Curated pairs open an editorial decision; every other pair opens a specs-only comparison.

Curated comparisons for iPhone SE (3rd generation)

iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs Nothing Phone (2a)

Samsung Galaxy A26 vs iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Alternatives

Featured in rankings

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Popular comparisons

iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs Nothing Phone (2a)

Compare iPhone SE (3rd generation) and Nothing Phone (2a) by camera reliability, battery life, software support, carrier compatibility, display quality,.

Samsung Galaxy A26 vs iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Compare Samsung Galaxy A26 and iPhone SE (3rd generation) by camera reliability, battery life, software support, carrier compatibility, display quality,.

Related guides

Refurbished Phone Buying Guide

Refurbished Phone Buying Guide for North America shoppers, with practical links to products, rankings, comparisons, and category pages.
Availability, sources, and full notes

US availability

iPhone SE (3rd generation) is tracked mainly as a discounted, refurbished, open-box, or carrier-clearance option in the US.

Common retailers

Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target

Sources and verification

No official product reference is published for this entry yet.

Editorial specification note

Official manufacturer materials, launch documentation, and Snowyme editorial verification as of 2026-07-27.

Editorial price note

Apple US launch and street-price patterns are tracked as editorial USD references, not live retailer checkout prices.

Specifications

24 tracked specs across 10 groups · No official product reference is published for this entry yet.

Display

Display
4.7-inch Retina HD LCD Needs confirmation
Panel Type
LCD Needs confirmation
Refresh Rate
60Hz Needs confirmation
Resolution
1334 x 750 Needs confirmation

Performance

Chipset
A15 Bionic Needs confirmation
Memory
4GB Needs confirmation

Storage

Storage
64GB / 128GB / 256GB Needs confirmation
Expandable Storage
No microSD Needs confirmation

Camera

Main Camera
12MP wide Needs confirmation
Ultra Wide
No ultra wide Needs confirmation
Telephoto / Zoom
No telephoto Needs confirmation
Front Camera
7MP front Needs confirmation
Video Capture
4K60 video Needs confirmation

Battery

Battery
Up to 15 hours video playback Needs confirmation
Wired Charging
20W-class Lightning PD Needs confirmation
Wireless Charging
Qi wireless Needs confirmation

Design

Weight
144g Needs confirmation
Dimensions
138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm Needs confirmation
Build
Aluminum, glass front/back Needs confirmation

Durability

Water Resistance
IP67 Needs confirmation

Software

Operating System
iOS 15 and later Needs confirmation
Update Policy
Still receiving major updates later into its life cycle Needs confirmation

Connectivity

Connectivity
5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC Needs confirmation

Security

Biometrics
Touch ID Needs confirmation