iPhone 13 vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 at $3.16 per month of safe use, while the iPhone 13 runs out in Sep 2028 ($9.60/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.
Value Score: iPhone 13 60 · iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
Around $249 refurbished, the iPhone 13 is one of the cheapest ways into iOS in 2026 — but the clock is the real story here, with only about two years of estimated updates left rather than five.
Pick it if
- ✓ Tight budgets
- ✓ A child's first iPhone
- ✓ A cheap backup phone
Skip it if
- ✗ You keep phones four or more years
- ✗ You want USB-C
- ✗ You care about AI features
The quiet TrueCost champion of the used market: $100 buys an estimated ~33 more months of updates — about $3 per month of safe iPhone, the cheapest safe phone we track.
Pick it if
- ✓ Maximum safety per dollar
- ✓ Small-phone lovers
- ✓ Kids and seniors who want Touch ID
Skip it if
- ✗ You want a big modern screen
- ✗ Battery life is a priority
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
Both displays are effectively the same class.
Performance is a wash — same chip tier.
The iPhone 13 has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).
3,240mAh vs 2,018mAh — the iPhone 13 lasts longer between charges.
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 — 6 months longer than the iPhone 13.
Overall value goes to the iPhone 13 at $9.60 per month of safe use.
Frequently asked
Is the iPhone 13 still supported in 2026, and for how long?
Yes — it still runs the latest iOS in 2026. It launched in September 2021, so on Apple's typical seven-year pattern we estimate updates ending around September 2028; Apple's written five-year minimum has already been met (September 2026). Treat the 2028 figure as an informed estimate, not a promise.
Should I buy the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 16e?
The 16e costs more but is the smarter long-term buy: it adds years of extra update runway into 2032, an A18 chip with Apple Intelligence, and USB-C. Choose the iPhone 13 only if the low refurbished price is the deciding factor and you plan to keep it a couple of years at most.
Is the iPhone SE 3rd generation still supported in 2026?
Yes — comfortably. It launched in March 2022 with the same A15 chip as the iPhone 13, and on Apple's typical seven-year pattern we estimate updates until around March 2029.
Is a used iPhone SE 3 worth buying in 2026?
At ~$100, it's arguably the single best value in phones: roughly $3 per month of estimated safe use, cheaper than even the $199 Galaxy A16. You trade screen size and battery for that — but nothing this cheap is safer.
Full spec table
| Spec | iPhone 13 | iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $249 | $100 |
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz | 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 | 3,240 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 | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.65 mm | 138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm |
| Weight | 174 g | 144 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Supported until | Sep 2028 | Mar 2029 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.