iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 15 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2030 at $14.87 per month of safe use, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) runs out in Mar 2029 ($3.04/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone 15 Pro Max 63 · 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 15 Pro Max $760

Safe to buy$14.87/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20282030

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) $100

Buy with care$3.04/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Category by category

Display

iPhone 15 Pro Max 80iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50

The iPhone 15 Pro Max's screen is the better one — 6.7-inch super retina xdr oled, 120hz promotion, always-on, dynamic island, up to 2000 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone 15 Pro Max 88iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74

The iPhone 15 Pro Max's Apple A17 Pro is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 15 Pro Max 74iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40

The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone 15 Pro Max 68iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20

4,422mAh vs 2,018mAh — the iPhone 15 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 15 Pro Max 61iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2030 — 18 months longer than the iPhone SE (3rd gen).

Value

iPhone 15 Pro Max 63iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56

Overall value goes to the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $14.87 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 15 Pro Max	iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Price (street)	$760	$100
Display	6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz
Chipset	Apple A17 Pro	Apple A15 Bionic
RAM	8GB	4GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB	64GB/128GB/256GB
Battery	4,422 mAh	2,018 mAh
Charging	Wired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; MagSafe 15W wireless	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W
Rear cameras	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto	12MP main
Dimensions	159.9 × 76.7 × 8.25 mm	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm
Weight	221 g	144 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP67
Supported until	Sep 2030	Mar 2029

iPhone 15 Pro Max 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.