iPhone 16 vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Quick answer
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 4.3 millimetres0.17 inches narrower and 26 grams0.92 ounces lighter than the iPhone 16.
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) on Amazon (paid link) is noticeably lighter and easier to use in one hand, while the iPhone 16 (paid link) gives you a vastly superior screen and a battery that simply lasts longer. Apple sells the iPhone 16 for seven hundred ninety-nine dollars now, whereas the iPhone SE (3rd generation) runs on the A15 Bionic and is available renewed for around one hundred thirty dollars. If you want a modern display and significantly better cameras, move to the iPhone 16.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Pocket: iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Weight difference: Noticeable
TRUE SCALE · 1.5 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.3 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 16: 147.6 by 71.6 by 7.8 millimetres, 170 grams. iPhone SE (3rd gen): 138.4 by 67.3 by 7.3 millimetres, 144 grams.
16, SE (3rd gen) shown at 2.3 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 16
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone SE (3rd gen)
from $429 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 16 147.6 millimetres, SE (3rd gen) 138.4 millimetres.Height: 16 5.81 inches, SE (3rd gen) 5.45 inches.Width: 16 71.6 millimetres, SE (3rd gen) 67.3 millimetres.Width: 16 2.82 inches, SE (3rd gen) 2.65 inches.Depth: 16 7.80 millimetres, SE (3rd gen) 7.30 millimetres.Depth: 16 0.31 inches, SE (3rd gen) 0.29 inches.Weight: 16 170 grams, SE (3rd gen) 144 grams.Weight: 16 6.00 ounces, SE (3rd gen) 5.08 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 16 | SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 147.6 millimetres5.81 inches | 138.4 millimetres, 9.2 millimetres less5.45 inches, 0.36 inches less |
| Width | 71.6 millimetres2.82 inches | 67.3 millimetres, 4.3 millimetres less2.65 inches, 0.17 inches less |
| Depth | 7.80 millimetres0.31 inches | 7.30 millimetres, 0.50 millimetres less0.29 inches, 0.02 inches less |
| Weight | 170 grams6.00 ounces | 144 grams, 26 grams less5.08 ounces, 0.92 ounces less |
| Volume | 82.4 cubic centimetres5.03 cubic inches | 68.0 cubic centimetres, 14.4 cubic centimetres less4.15 cubic inches, 0.88 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 87 percent | 65 percent, 22 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.1 inches | 4.7 inches, 1.4 inches less |
| Resolution | 1179 × 2556 | 750 × 1334 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 326 pixels per inch, 134 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | None |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A18 | A15 Bionic |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 22 hrs | 15 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 128 – 512 GB | 64 – 256 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 799 dollars | 429 dollars, 370 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2024 | Mar 2022 |
| Status | Current | Discontinued |
Also compared with iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17
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- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 14
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17e
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone Duo
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 vs iPhone 18 Pro
Questions about these phones
How do the physical dimensions of the iPhone 16 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) compare?
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 9.2 mm shorter, 4.3 mm narrower, and 0.5 mm thinner than the iPhone 16.
Is the weight difference between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) noticeable?
Yes, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 26 g lighter than the iPhone 16, a difference you can feel when holding them side by side.
Which phone is better suited for one-handed use and small hands?
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is easier to use with one hand and better for small hands compared to the iPhone 16.
How do the screen sizes differ between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) has a smaller 4.7-inch screen.
Do both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) fit in a typical pocket?
Both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) fit comfortably in a typical men's jeans pocket, but neither fits easily into a median women's jeans pocket.
Is upgrading from the iPhone SE (3rd gen) to the iPhone 16 a worthwhile size change?
Upgrading to the iPhone 16 gives you a substantially larger screen and body, so whether the size jump is worth it depends on your preference for compact devices versus modern display space.