iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 16 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2031 at $10.30 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 16 Pro Max 71 · 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 16 Pro Max $649

Safe to buy$10.30/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) $100

Buy with care$3.04/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16 Pro Max 80iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50

The iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is the better one — 6.9-inch super retina xdr oled, promotion 1–120hz, up to 2000 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone 16 Pro Max 95iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74

The iPhone 16 Pro Max's Apple A18 Pro is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 16 Pro Max 74iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone 16 Pro Max 74iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20

4,685mAh vs 2,018mAh — the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16 Pro Max 75iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2031 — 30 months longer than the iPhone SE (3rd gen).

Value

iPhone 16 Pro Max 71iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56

Overall value goes to the iPhone 16 Pro Max at $10.30 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16 Pro Max	iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Price (street)	$649	$100
Display	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz
Chipset	Apple A18 Pro	Apple A15 Bionic
RAM	8GB	4GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB	64GB/128GB/256GB
Battery	4,685 mAh	2,018 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with a 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W
Rear cameras	48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP periscope 5x	12MP main
Dimensions	163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm
Weight	227 g	144 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP67
Supported until	Sep 2031	Mar 2029

iPhone 16 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.