iPhone 15 vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 15

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 15 is supported until Sep 2030 at $8.38 per month of safe use, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) runs out in Mar 2029 ($3.02/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone 15 62 · 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 $430

Safe to buy$8.38/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20282030

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) $100

Buy with care$3.02/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Category by category

Display

iPhone 15 50iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50

Both displays are effectively the same class.

Performance

iPhone 15 80iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74

The iPhone 15's Apple A16 Bionic is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 15 62iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40

The iPhone 15 has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone 15 47iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20

3,349mAh vs 2,018mAh — the iPhone 15 lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 15 61iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39

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

Value

iPhone 15 62iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56

Overall value goes to the iPhone 15 at $8.38 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 15	iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Price (street)	$430	$100
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz
Chipset	Apple A16 Bionic	Apple A15 Bionic
RAM	6GB	4GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	64GB/128GB/256GB
Battery	3,349 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 main
Dimensions	147.6 × 71.6 × 7.80 mm	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm
Weight	171 g	144 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP67
Supported until	Sep 2030	Mar 2029

iPhone 15 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.