iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen)

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 at $3.02 per month of safe use, while the iPhone 13 mini runs out in Sep 2028 ($8.72/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone 13 mini 58 · iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 13 mini $239

Buy with care$8.72/mo

2021◆ Buy-by Sep 20262028

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) $100

Buy with care$3.02/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Category by category

Display

iPhone 13 mini 50iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50

Both displays are effectively the same class.

Performance

iPhone 13 mini 74iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74

Performance is a wash — same chip tier.

Camera

iPhone 13 mini 52iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40

The iPhone 13 mini has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone 13 mini 28iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20

2,406mAh vs 2,018mAh — the iPhone 13 mini lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 13 mini 33iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39

The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 — 6 months longer than the iPhone 13 mini.

Value

iPhone 13 mini 58iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 13 mini	iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Price (street)	$239	$100
Display	5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, 1200 nits HDR peak	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	Apple A15 Bionic
RAM	4GB	4GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	64GB/128GB/256GB
Battery	2,406 mAh	2,018 mAh
Charging	20W wired (50% in ~30 min), MagSafe 15W wireless	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W
Rear cameras	12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide	12MP main
Dimensions	131.5 × 64.2 × 7.65 mm	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm
Weight	141 g	144 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP67
Supported until	Sep 2028	Mar 2029

iPhone 13 mini full verdict →iPhone SE (3rd gen) full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.