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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 14, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Time to compare Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) with Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 4.5★ vs 4.7★
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Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
★4.5
(225)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022)
Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
★4.7
(348)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
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Comparison: Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
★4.5(225)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
★4.7(348)Best Buy
| Criterion | Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(225)Best Buy | ★4.7(348)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | iOS |
Software Support | Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022) | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) | Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro) |
RAM | 4GB | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 4.7" | 6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Retina HD LCD (IPS) | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 1334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi) | 2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display |
Peak Brightness | 625 nits (Typical) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x | 48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | No (Not supported) | 48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography |
Telephoto Camera | No (Not supported) | 12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus, 100% Focus Pixels |
Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) | 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range |
Digital Zoom | Up to 5x | Up to 25x |
Video Recording | 4K @ 60fps; 1080p @ 60fps; Slo-mo 1080p @ 240fps | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes up to 4K 120 fps with external recording |
Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2, 1080p @ 30fps | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 2,018mAh (Approximate) | 4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed) |
Wired Charging | 20W Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported |
Wireless Charging | 7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment) | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode |
USB | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Ion-strengthened glass | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield (latest generation) front; Titanium design (Grade 5); Textured matte glass back |
Dimensions | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm) | 6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm) |
Weight | 5.09 oz (144 g) | 7.99 oz (227 g) |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor in Home button) | Face ID |
Extras | Stereo speakers, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Dual eSIM support | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
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Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Rating:★4.5(225)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022)
Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
RAM:4GB
Storage:64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe
Display Size:4.7"
Screen Type:Retina HD LCD (IPS)
Resolution:1334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60Hz
Peak Brightness:625 nits (Typical)
Main Camera:12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x
Ultra-Wide Camera:No (Not supported)
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 5x
Video Recording:4K @ 60fps; 1080p @ 60fps; Slo-mo 1080p @ 240fps
Front Camera:7MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2, 1080p @ 30fps
Battery:2,018mAh (Approximate)
Wired Charging:20W Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning
Wireless Charging:7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
USB:Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds)
Durability:IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Ion-strengthened glass
Dimensions:5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm)
Weight:5.09 oz (144 g)
Biometrics:Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor in Home button)
Extras:Stereo speakers, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Dual eSIM support
✓ Pros:
- • Most affordable entry point into the new iPhone ecosystem
- • Compact and lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
- • A15 Bionic chip provides flagship-level performance for the price
- • Retains the classic Touch ID Home button (preferred by some users)
- • IP67 water resistance rating is rare in the budget category
✗ Cons:
- • Dated design with thick top and bottom bezels
- • Small 4.7-inch LCD screen lacks the vibrancy of OLED competitors
- • Base storage starts at a low 64GB
- • No Night Mode for the camera (struggles in low light)
- • Lacks 5G mmWave support (Sub-6 GHz only) unlike main iPhone models
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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Rating:★4.7(348)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Telephoto Camera:12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus, 100% Focus Pixels
Optical Zoom:5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range
Digital Zoom:Up to 25x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes up to 4K 120 fps with external recording
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield (latest generation) front; Titanium design (Grade 5); Textured matte glass back
Dimensions:6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm)
Weight:7.99 oz (227 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders
- • 48MP Ultra Wide camera improves macro and wide-angle detail significantly
- • Excellent battery life (4685 mAh), among the best in class
- • Dedicated Camera Control button mimics a DSLR shutter
- • Support for 4K 120fps Dolby Vision recording for professional slow-motion
✗ Cons:
- • Large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users
- • Fastest charging speeds (MagSafe 25W) require purchasing a new puck and adapter
- • US models lack a physical SIM tray (eSIM only)
- • Base storage starts at 256GB, raising the entry price
- • USB-C cable included in the box is limited to USB 2 speeds (pro transfer speeds require separate cable)
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Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4.5★ vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen): 4.7★), Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) suits buyers who need Most affordable entry point into the new iPhone ecosystem, Compact and lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max suits buyers who want Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders, 48MP Ultra Wide camera improves macro and wide-angle detail significantly
Conclusion
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) excels if you value most affordable entry point into the new iphone ecosystem. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is better if you prioritize largest iphone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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