iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Quick answer
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 10.7 millimetres0.42 inches narrower and 105 grams3.70 ounces lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max on Amazon (paid link) offers a recent launch experience with a large screen and a battery that carries you easily through the day. The iPhone SE (3rd gen) (paid link) remains remarkably compact for one-handed use and costs significantly less on the renewed market. Choose the Max for premium performance and size, or the SE for portability and value.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Pocket: iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 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.
TRUE SCALE · 1.3 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 163.4 by 78 by 8.75 millimetres, 249 grams. iPhone SE (3rd gen): 138.4 by 67.3 by 7.3 millimetres, 144 grams.
18 Pro Max, SE (3rd gen) shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 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: 18 Pro Max 163.4 millimetres, SE (3rd gen) 138.4 millimetres.Height: 18 Pro Max 6.43 inches, SE (3rd gen) 5.45 inches.Width: 18 Pro Max 78.0 millimetres, SE (3rd gen) 67.3 millimetres.Width: 18 Pro Max 3.07 inches, SE (3rd gen) 2.65 inches.Depth: 18 Pro Max 8.75 millimetres, SE (3rd gen) 7.30 millimetres.Depth: 18 Pro Max 0.34 inches, SE (3rd gen) 0.29 inches.Weight: 18 Pro Max 249 grams, SE (3rd gen) 144 grams.Weight: 18 Pro Max 8.78 ounces, SE (3rd gen) 5.08 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 18 Pro Max | SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 163.4 millimetres6.43 inches | 138.4 millimetres, 25.0 millimetres less5.45 inches, 0.98 inches less |
| Width | 78.0 millimetres3.07 inches | 67.3 millimetres, 10.7 millimetres less2.65 inches, 0.42 inches less |
| Depth | 8.75 millimetres0.34 inches | 7.30 millimetres, 1.45 millimetres less0.29 inches, 0.06 inches less |
| Weight | 249 grams8.78 ounces | 144 grams, 105 grams less5.08 ounces, 3.70 ounces less |
| Volume | 111.5 cubic centimetres6.81 cubic inches | 68.0 cubic centimetres, 43.5 cubic centimetres less4.15 cubic inches, 2.66 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 91 percent | 65 percent, 25 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.9 inches | 4.7 inches, 2.2 inches less |
| Resolution | 1320 × 2868 | 750 × 1334 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 326 pixels per inch, 134 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | None |
| Rear main | 48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48-f/4.0 | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | 48MP Fusion f/2.2 | — |
| Rear telephoto | 48MP Fusion 100mm (4x optical, 8x optical-quality) | — |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage f/1.9 | 12MP |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A15 Bionic |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 45 hrs | 15 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6 · Apple C2 modem | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 2 TB | 64 – 256 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 1,299 dollars | 429 dollars, 870 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2026 | Mar 2022 |
| Status | Current | Discontinued |
Dimensions
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 25.0 mm (0.98 in) shorter, 10.7 mm (0.42 in) narrower, 1.45 mm (0.06 in) thinner and 105 g (3.70 oz) lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro Max measures 163.4 × 78.0 × 8.75 mm (6.43 × 3.07 × 0.34 in) and weighs 249 g (8.78 oz). The iPhone SE (3rd gen) measures 138.4 × 67.3 × 7.30 mm (5.45 × 2.65 × 0.29 in) and weighs 144 g (5.08 oz).
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Questions about these phones
How much smaller is the iPhone SE (3rd gen) than the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 25 mm shorter and 10.7 mm narrower than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The iPhone SE (3rd gen) also weighs 105 g less.
What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch display, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) has a 4.7 inch display. This makes the iPhone 18 Pro Max screen 2.2 inches larger.
Which phone is easier to use with one hand?
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is easier to use with one hand due to its smaller dimensions. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is significantly larger and heavier.
Do these phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) fit in a typical men's jeans pocket. The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is more pocketable overall.
How much heavier is the iPhone 18 Pro Max compared to the iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 g, which is 105 g heavier than the iPhone SE (3rd gen) at 144 g. The weight difference is noticeable.
Is the size difference worth the upgrade from the iPhone SE (3rd gen) to the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
It depends on whether you prioritize screen size and performance over portability. The iPhone 18 Pro Max offers a much larger display but is heavier and less one-handed friendly.