iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Quick answer
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 11.6 millimetres0.46 inches shorter and 67 grams2.36 ounces lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro.
Both run the newest iOS, but the 18 Pro on Amazon (paid link) is a current flagship while the SE 3rd gen (paid link) is a legacy model sold renewed. You will feel the gap in responsiveness and battery life, making the 18 Pro a clear daily driver unless you simply want a compact, low-cost option.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Pocket: iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 18 Pro
from $1,199 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 · 1.4 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.2 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 18 Pro: 150 by 71.9 by 8.75 millimetres, 211 grams. iPhone SE (3rd gen): 138.4 by 67.3 by 7.3 millimetres, 144 grams.
18 Pro, SE (3rd gen) shown at 2.2 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 18 Pro
from $1,199 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 150.0 millimetres, SE (3rd gen) 138.4 millimetres.Height: 18 Pro 5.91 inches, SE (3rd gen) 5.45 inches.Width: 18 Pro 71.9 millimetres, SE (3rd gen) 67.3 millimetres.Width: 18 Pro 2.83 inches, SE (3rd gen) 2.65 inches.Depth: 18 Pro 8.75 millimetres, SE (3rd gen) 7.30 millimetres.Depth: 18 Pro 0.34 inches, SE (3rd gen) 0.29 inches.Weight: 18 Pro 211 grams, SE (3rd gen) 144 grams.Weight: 18 Pro 7.44 ounces, SE (3rd gen) 5.08 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 18 Pro | SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 150.0 millimetres5.91 inches | 138.4 millimetres, 11.6 millimetres less5.45 inches, 0.46 inches less |
| Width | 71.9 millimetres2.83 inches | 67.3 millimetres, 4.6 millimetres less2.65 inches, 0.18 inches less |
| Depth | 8.75 millimetres0.34 inches | 7.30 millimetres, 1.45 millimetres less0.29 inches, 0.06 inches less |
| Weight | 211 grams7.44 ounces | 144 grams, 67 grams less5.08 ounces, 2.36 ounces less |
| Volume | 94.4 cubic centimetres5.76 cubic inches | 68.0 cubic centimetres, 26.4 cubic centimetres less4.15 cubic inches, 1.61 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 89 percent | 65 percent, 24 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.3 inches | 4.7 inches, 1.6 inches less |
| Resolution | 1206 × 2622 | 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. | 36 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. | 1,199 dollars | 429 dollars, 770 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2026 | Mar 2022 |
| Status | Current | Discontinued |
Dimensions
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 11.6 mm (0.46 in) shorter, 4.6 mm (0.18 in) narrower, 1.45 mm (0.06 in) thinner and 67 g (2.36 oz) lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro. The iPhone 18 Pro measures 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm (5.91 × 2.83 × 0.34 in) and weighs 211 g (7.44 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).
Also compared with iPhone 18 Pro
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- iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 16 Plus
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- iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
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Questions about these phones
How much bigger is iPhone 18 Pro than iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
iPhone 18 Pro is 11.6 mm taller and 4.6 mm wider than iPhone SE (3rd gen). It also has a 1.6 inch larger display.
Which phone is heavier?
iPhone 18 Pro weighs 211 grams while iPhone SE (3rd gen) weighs 144 grams. The 67 gram difference is noticeable.
What is the screen size difference?
iPhone 18 Pro has a 6.3 inch display compared to the 4.7 inch screen on iPhone SE (3rd gen).
Which phone is better for one-handed use?
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is easier for one-handed use and better for small hands than iPhone 18 Pro.
Is iPhone 18 Pro more pocketable than iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is more pocketable than iPhone 18 Pro. Both fit in a typical men's jeans pocket but neither fits in a median women's jeans pocket.
Is a size only upgrade worth it?
Whether a size only upgrade is worth it depends on your preference for screen real estate versus compactness.