iPhone 16 vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 16

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 16 is supported until Sep 2031 at $11.05 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 16 59 · 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 $699

Safe to buy$11.05/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) $100

Buy with care$3.02/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16 50iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50

Both displays are effectively the same class.

Performance

iPhone 16 92iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74

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

Camera

iPhone 16 62iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40

The iPhone 16 has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone 16 51iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20

3,561mAh vs 2,018mAh — the iPhone 16 lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16 75iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39

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

Value

iPhone 16 59iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16	iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Price (street)	$699	$100
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz
Chipset	Apple A18	Apple A15 Bionic
RAM	8GB	4GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	64GB/128GB/256GB
Battery	3,561 mAh	2,018 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W
Rear cameras	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide	12MP main
Dimensions	147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm
Weight	170 g	144 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP67
Supported until	Sep 2031	Mar 2029

iPhone 16 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.