iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs Galaxy S23

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 $3.02 per month of safe use, while the Galaxy S23 runs out in Feb 2028 ($8.68/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56 · Galaxy S23 67 — 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$3.02/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Samsung Galaxy S23 $175

Buy with care$8.68/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Category by category

Display

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50Galaxy S23 70

The Galaxy S23's screen is the better one — 6.1-inch dynamic amoled 2x, fhd+, 120hz.

Performance

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74Galaxy S23 85

The Galaxy S23's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40Galaxy S23 79

The Galaxy S23 has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20Galaxy S23 58

3,900mAh vs 2,018mAh — the Galaxy S23 lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39Galaxy S23 24

The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is supported until Mar 2029 — 13 months longer than the Galaxy S23.

Value

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56Galaxy S23 67

Overall value goes to the Galaxy S23 at $8.68 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone SE (3rd gen)	Galaxy S23
Price (street)	$100	$175
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz	6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 120Hz
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM	4GB	8GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	2,018 mAh	3,900 mAh
Charging	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W	25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Rear cameras	12MP main	50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x
Dimensions	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm	146.3 × 70.9 × 7.6 mm
Weight	144 g	168 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP68
Supported until	Mar 2029	Feb 2028

iPhone SE (3rd gen) full verdict →Galaxy S23 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.