iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs 12+ 5G

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 $3.03 per month of safe use, while the 12+ 5G runs out in Mar 2028 ($10.50/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56 · 12+ 5G 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$3.03/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Realme 12+ 5G $215

Buy with care$10.50/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Mar 20262028

Category by category

Display

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 5012+ 5G 70

The 12+ 5G's screen is the better one — 6.67-inch curved amoled, fhd+, 120hz, up to 2000 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 7412+ 5G 52

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

Camera

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 4012+ 5G 67

The 12+ 5G has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 2012+ 5G 80

5,000mAh vs 2,018mAh — the 12+ 5G lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 3912+ 5G 24

The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 — 13 months longer than the 12+ 5G.

Value

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 5612+ 5G 68

Overall value goes to the 12+ 5G at $10.50 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone SE (3rd gen)	12+ 5G
Price (street)	$100	$215
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz	6.67-inch curved AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	MediaTek Dimensity 7050 (6nm)
RAM	4GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	2,018 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W	67W wired SUPERVOOC
Rear cameras	12MP main	50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro
Dimensions	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm	162.3 × 75.1 × 7.9 mm
Weight	144 g	190 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP54
Supported until	Mar 2029	Mar 2028

iPhone SE (3rd gen) full verdict →12+ 5G 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.