iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs 12 Pro

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 Pro runs out in Jan 2028 ($12.65/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 Pro 63 — 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 Pro $245

Buy with care$12.65/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Jan 20262028

Category by category

Display

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 5012 Pro 70

The 12 Pro's screen is the better one — 6.7-inch amoled, fhd+, 120hz, 950 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 7412 Pro 46

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

Camera

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 4012 Pro 79

The 12 Pro has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 2012 Pro 80

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

Software longevity

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 3912 Pro 23

The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 — 14 months longer than the 12 Pro.

Value

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 5612 Pro 63

Overall value goes to the 12 Pro at $12.65 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone SE (3rd gen)	12 Pro
Price (street)	$100	$245
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz	6.7-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, 950 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
RAM	4GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery	2,018 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W	67W wired
Rear cameras	12MP main	50MP main, 32MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm	161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm
Weight	144 g	190 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP65
Supported until	Mar 2029	Jan 2028

iPhone SE (3rd gen) full verdict →12 Pro 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.