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Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) ($83) vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max ($1,299) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right smartphone.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $83 | $1,299 |
| Weight | 144g | 249g |
| Chip | A15 Bionic | A20 Pro |
| Display | 4.7" 60Hz | 6.9" 120Hz OLED |
| Camera | 12MP single | 48MP Pro Fusion Triple |
| Battery | 2,018mAh | — |
| Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Weight | 144g (Apple published) | — |
| Storage | — | 256GB–2TB |
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- A15 chip, the same one in the iPhone 13
- Touch ID home button, still the fastest unlock with wet hands
- 144g and genuinely small
- The cheapest current-chip iPhone by a wide margin
- 4.7-inch display with large bezels
- Single 12MP camera, no ultrawide or night mode
- Small battery
- IP67 rather than IP68
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Longest battery life of any iPhone (up to 45 hrs video)
- Biggest Pro display at 6.9"
- Same A20 Pro camera system as 18 Pro
- Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- $1,299 starting price, $100 over 18 Pro
- 249g, the heaviest current iPhone
- Same aluminum-not-titanium tradeoff as 18 Pro
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) is the better value at $83. Both are part of our curated smartphone index — tap through to check current pricing.