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 $3.04 per month of safe use, while the 12 Pro+ runs out in Jan 2028 ($15.51/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$3.04/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Realme 12 Pro+ $300

Buy with care$15.51/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 curved amoled, 2412x1080, 120hz.

Performance

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 7412 Pro+ 56

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 $15.51 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone SE (3rd gen)	12 Pro+
Price (street)	$100	$300
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz	6.7-inch curved AMOLED, 2412x1080, 120Hz
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
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, 64MP telephoto 3x periscope, 8MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm	161.5 × 74.0 × 8.8 mm
Weight	144 g	196 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.