iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs Phone (2a)

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen)

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 at $3.04 per month of safe use, while the Phone (2a) runs out in Mar 2028 ($12.18/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56 · Phone (2a) 68 — 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 SE (3rd gen) $100

Buy with care$3.04/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Nothing Phone (2a) $250

Buy with care$12.18/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Mar 20262028

Category by category

Display

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50Phone (2a) 70

The Phone (2a)'s screen is the better one — 6.7-inch amoled, 1080×2412 (fhd+), up to 120hz, 1300 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74Phone (2a) 60

The iPhone SE (3rd gen)'s Apple A15 Bionic is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40Phone (2a) 67

The Phone (2a) has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20Phone (2a) 80

5,000mAh vs 2,018mAh — the Phone (2a) lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39Phone (2a) 24

The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 — 12 months longer than the Phone (2a).

Value

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56Phone (2a) 68

Overall value goes to the Phone (2a) at $12.18 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone SE (3rd gen)	Phone (2a)
Price (street)	$100	$250
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz	6.7-inch AMOLED, 1080×2412 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 1300 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro
RAM	4GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	2,018 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W	45W wired, no wireless
Rear cameras	12MP main	50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm	161.74 × 76.32 × 8.55 mm
Weight	144 g	190 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP54
Supported until	Mar 2029	Mar 2028

iPhone SE (3rd gen) full verdict →Phone (2a) 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.