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iPhone SE vs. iPhone 13 Buyer's Guide: Apple's Cheapest iPhones
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Unfortunately for some, the SE will be the closest model in size to the Mini. And it will look more like it once Apple removes the Home button.
However, I'm confused. the article states that the iPhone 13 is "Available with 128GB, 256GB, or 256GB storage". What's the difference between the 256GB and the 256GB...Apple 'Magic' maybe?
However, I'm confused. the article states that the iPhone 13 is "Available with 128GB, 256GB, or 256GB storage". What's the difference between the 256GB and the 256GB...Apple 'Magic' maybe?
My gf decided to stay with the smaller iPhone SE gen 1 size and replace the battery
Why no mention of their respective SOC?
The third-generation iPhone SE and the iPhone 13 are now Apple's most inexpensive iPhone options, starting at $429 and $599, respectively. Apple released the iPhone 13 in late 2021 and has bumped it down in price since then to make it more accessible as new models have been released. On the other hand, the third-generation iPhone SE launched in early 2022, refreshing the most affordable iPhone option in the lineup.
With just $170 between them, should you get the smaller entry-level iPhone that still has a Touch ID Home button or the all-screen model that has come down in price over time? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhones is best for you.
iPhone SE (third-generation) iPhone 13 Design of 2017's iPhone 8, featuring rounded edges, a Home button, and large bezels at the top and bottom of the display Design based on 2020's iPhone 12, featuring flat sides, diagonally arranged rear cameras, and an edge-to-edge display with a "notch" TrueDepth camera array for Face ID Glass front and back Ceramic Shield front and glass back 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display 625 nits max brightness (typical) 800 nits max brightness (typical) and 1,200 nits peak brightness (HDR) 1400:1 contrast ratio (typical) 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical) Touch ID Face ID 15-hour battery life (during video playback) 19-hour battery life (during video playback) Single rear camera Dual rear cameras with 2x optical zoom range 12-megapixel Main camera with ƒ/1.8 aperture 12-megapixel Main camera with ƒ/1.6 aperture 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera with ƒ/2.4 aperture Optical image stabilization for video Sensor-shift optical image stabilization for video Night mode Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field (1080p at 30 fps) HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 30 fps Audio zoom Front-facing 7MP FaceTime HD camera with 1080p HD video recording and Smart HDR 4 Front-facing 12MP TrueDepth camera with 4K video recording, Smart HDR 4, slo-mo video support, Animoji, and Memoji Rated IP67 water-resistant to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes Rated IP68 water-resistant to a depth of six meters for up to 30 minutes First-generation ultra wideband chip for spatial awareness Supports Dolby Atmos audio playback Compatible with MagSafe cases, wallets, wireless chargers, and more Available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB storage Available with 128GB, 256GB, or 256GB storage Midnight, Starlight, and PRODUCT(RED) color options Green, Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and PRODUCT(RED) color options Starts at $429 Starts at $599
Overall, the iPhone SE remains an excellent entry-level iPhone option for just $429. It contains the A15 Bionic chip, which is still widely available across Apple's lineup of devices and offers more than sufficient performance. With Touch ID, wireless charging, water resistance, a capable rear camera, and the latest version of iOS, it is a great smartphone for those new to the iPhone and have basic needs. Some users value the more traditional design, Home Button, and size of the iPhone SE compared to the iPhone 13, but there is no escaping the fact that the iPhone SE offers an older and more basic iPhone experience with a design dating back to 2014's iPhone 6.
For $170 more, the iPhone 13 offers a decidedly more modern and advanced smartphone experience thanks to a much more modern design and a brighter, OLED display, as well as Face ID, an Ultra Wide camera, Cinematic mode, Night mode, considerably better front-facing and rear cameras, MagSafe, and longer battery life. There is also the benefit of improved water resistance, the ultra wideband chip for Precision Finding with AirTags, and Dolby Atmos audio playback. There are even additional color options to choose from. All of this makes for a significant upgrade over the iPhone SE if you can afford the $170 extra, but it is worth bearing in mind that they are not essential capabilities for many users.
The iPhone SE is an excellent device if your needs or budget are limited, but there is no doubt that the iPhone 13's larger display, more modern and durable design, brighter OLED display, better cameras, longer battery life, and MagSafe compatibility are universally beneficial. In most cases, this is worth the $170 extra if you can afford it.
It is also worth noting that the next-generation iPhone SE, which is not expected to launch until 2025, is expected to be based on the iPhone 13's all-screen design. This means that buying an iPhone 13 is also likely to be a much more future-proof purchase, looking reasonably up to date compared to Apple's other devices in the coming years.
Article Link: iPhone SE vs. iPhone 13 Buyer's Guide: Comparing Apple's Cheapest iPhones
SE 4th Gen dropping at Apple’s upcoming spring event will see both of these lose most of their already dwindling value in an instant.
The move to USB-C will see all these older Lightning iPhones retire much faster than any previous generations of iPhone ever before.
Hopefully the revamped 6.1” 12/13/14 with a single camera will be kept below $499 and come in some cool colors than aren’t as desaturated as those we got for iphones 15.
That would be a good deal, very unlike the SE2 and SE3 which have been terrible value since they launched.
The move to USB-C will see all these older Lightning iPhones retire much faster than any previous generations of iPhone ever before.
Hopefully the revamped 6.1” 12/13/14 with a single camera will be kept below $499 and come in some cool colors than aren’t as desaturated as those we got for iphones 15.
That would be a good deal, very unlike the SE2 and SE3 which have been terrible value since they launched.
The SE3 is unlikely to fare any better in that respect though (same SoC, older screen format).
Honestly, I would like to do the same, if it weren’t for connectivity and app compatibility.My gf decided to stay with the smaller iPhone SE gen 1 size and replace the battery
It’s the same SoC, but yes they should have mentioned it.
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It already happens with the mini that there are apps or web forms where the submit button is below the bottom, without any visual indication, because they are only designing for 6”+ phones. Sometimes there are popups on web pages with a fixed position where you can’t even scroll down to dismiss them. It’s still rare to get completely stuck, but it’s often inconvenient nevertheless, and it probably won’t get any better in the coming years.
The iPhone SE 2022 fits my needs pretty well (basic user) but I miss my nicely-sized OG iPhone SE and gave it up reluctantly. Rumors about no home button and OLED (with its PWM/Face ID) for the next generation concern me. Hopefully, Apple will take my visually impaired friends into consideration and incorporate Touch ID into a side button at the very least.
I haven't had any problem with the huge number of apps running on mine.
Having worked as a cashier and seeing the exasperated looks on hundreds of people's faces each day when they use Face ID tells me that I don't want to use it.
iPhone SE any day. Touch ID is still superior over STUPID FaceID.
I feel the exact opposite. I genuinely do not understand how people can even like FaceID on a phone. Any phone. Ninety percent of the time I need it, I'm using it to pay for something, and that requires holding the phone sideways so I can double-click to authorise the transaction and then timing it to bring the phone closer for FaceID to actually recognise me, and then moving it back towards the NFC reader so the transaction won't time out and the authorisation will be recognised in time before it too times out and requires reauthorisation, which in turn tends to require the NFC reader to reset the entire transaction and start again.
I've got it down to a fine art where this works almost every time!
Yay.
With a TouchID phone you just hold it near the reader with your finger (easiest with a thumb which even extends your reach to the NFC reader!) on the area that reads your print and BING! BANG! BOOM! it's done.
Maybe y'all are just short? NFC readers are almost never higher than counter level so people who like this paradigm must all be under around 165cm. That's my theory anyway.
I also don't understand the "it's more secure" arguments. You can far more easily bypass FaceID with artificial means than you can with TouchID.
For iPads, iMacs and Macbooks, I can see a good reason to go with FaceID for a lot of things. But for a phone? It's just clunky and annoying.
But hey, it's great for Apple that everyone seems to prefer having their faces read constantly. Gotta build up those A.I. dB's to monetize the path to the singularity...
Put a ring on that. She sounds like a keeperMy gf decided to stay with the smaller iPhone SE gen 1 size and replace the battery
I had the exact same thought, you beat me to this exact post!
I'm on a 13 mini and youll have to pry it from my hands before i 'upgrade' to a larger phone. If the OG SE was still supported I would have never upgraded either.
GroupMe is one. It only shows the top half of the bottom line of a thread, though you can pull up to see the whole thing.
I have a SE2 and I like the model, I haven't used FaceID but I do like the home button.
However, the SE is terrible value for money at the moment. The profit margins must be huge. The tech-hardware is so many years old that in comparison the iPhone 13 is so superior.
Apple could probably sell far more SE models if they cut the price by $100 or more and by doing that Apple is getting more customers and eventually they'll have them using their services which are billed monthly. More money. Apple loves money, probably one of the greediest companies in history.
However, the SE is terrible value for money at the moment. The profit margins must be huge. The tech-hardware is so many years old that in comparison the iPhone 13 is so superior.
Apple could probably sell far more SE models if they cut the price by $100 or more and by doing that Apple is getting more customers and eventually they'll have them using their services which are billed monthly. More money. Apple loves money, probably one of the greediest companies in history.
I do find there are quite a few instances where even websites are not usable unless I go in an reduce the font size on the page so that more information fits within the screen. But it is the only phone I can use without eye strain.
I got a couple of New SE 3 on Straight Talk for $149, with $25 TracFone service plan unlocked after 60 days.
I purchased and activated a single month of service, and 60 days later they were automatically unlocked. These have the same CPU and GPU as the 13 and are undoubtedly an incredible value.
That said, having used all three SE devices for everyday use cases, SE to SE2 was a large jump, but the SE2 to SE3 feel like they perform similarly. That said I dont use either than think 'boy this is slow!', but your use cases may be different. If so, maybe it's time to upgrade?
Not sure what basis or evidence you have to speak to 'the greediest company in history', so no real comment there. Sounds somewhat baseless to me.
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