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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerOnePlus 12 vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
If you're torn between the OnePlus 12 and the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen), the OnePlus 12 is the better buy for most people. In real-world testing, the OnePlus 12's 80W wired charging means you can get back to full power in no time, compared to the iPhone's 20W, which is far slower. The OnePlus 12 also features a stunning 6.82" display, making it a no-brainer for those who love watching videos or gaming on the go in 2026.
📱 Display: 6.82" vs 4.7"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz🔋 Battery: 5400 mAh vs 2018 mAh
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OnePlus 12
★4.6
(78)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of Android OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750
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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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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
OnePlus 12
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
OnePlus 12
6.82" (measured diagonally from corner to corner)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
4.7"
Refresh Rate
OnePlus 12
1–120Hz (Dynamic)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
60Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
OnePlus 12
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
RAMKey
OnePlus 12
12GB / 16GB LPDDR5XWinner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
4GB
Storage
OnePlus 12
256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
OnePlus 12
50MP Wide (Sony LYT-808, f/1.6, 23mm equiv), PDAF, OISWinner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x
Ultra-Wide Camera
OnePlus 12
48MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX581, f/2.2, 114° FOV)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
No (Not supported)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
OnePlus 12
5,400 mAh (Dual-cell 2,700 mAh, non-removable)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
2,018mAh (Approximate)
Wireless Charging
OnePlus 12
50W AIRVOOC; 10W Reverse Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment)
Design2 specs
Weight
OnePlus 12
7.76 oz (220 g)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5.09 oz (144 g)Winner
Dimensions
OnePlus 12
6.47" x 2.98" x 0.36" (164.3 x 75.8 x 9.15 mm)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
OnePlus 12
Android
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
iOS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
OnePlus 12
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.4; NFC; IR Blaster
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: OnePlus 12 vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
OnePlus 12
★4.6(78)Amazon
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
★4.5(225)Best Buy
| Criterion | OnePlus 12 | Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(78)Amazon | ★4.5(225)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 4 generations of Android OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates | Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 750 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
RAM | 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X | 4GB |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0) | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe |
Display Size | 6.82" (measured diagonally from corner to corner) | 4.7" |
Screen Type | LTPO AMOLED ProXDR Display | Retina HD LCD (IPS) |
Resolution | 3168 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 510 ppi | 1334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 1–120Hz (Dynamic) | 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 4,500 nits (Peak) / 1,600 nits (HBM) | 625 nits (Typical) |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (Sony LYT-808, f/1.6, 23mm equiv), PDAF, OIS | 12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX581, f/2.2, 114° FOV) | No (Not supported) |
Telephoto Camera | 64MP Periscope Telephoto (OmniVision OV64B, 3x optical, f/2.6); OIS | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 3x Optical Zoom; 6x In-Sensor Zoom | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 120x Ultra Res Zoom | Up to 5x |
Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps | 4K @ 60fps; 1080p @ 60fps; Slo-mo 1080p @ 240fps |
Front Camera | 32MP Front (Sony IMX615, f/2.4, 21mm equiv) | 7MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2, 1080p @ 30fps |
Battery | 5,400 mAh (Dual-cell 2,700 mAh, non-removable) | 2,018mAh (Approximate) |
Wired Charging | 80W SUPERVOOC (US 110V limitation); 100W in 220V regions; Charger included | 20W Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning |
Wireless Charging | 50W AIRVOOC; 10W Reverse Wireless Charging | 7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.4; NFC; IR Blaster | 5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) |
Durability | IP65 (Dust tight; Water jet resistant - not submersion proof); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front) | IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Ion-strengthened glass |
Dimensions | 6.47" x 2.98" x 0.36" (164.3 x 75.8 x 9.15 mm) | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm) |
Weight | 7.76 oz (220 g) | 5.09 oz (144 g) |
Biometrics | Optical In-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock | Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor in Home button) |
Extras | Hasselblad Camera for Mobile; Alert Slider; Aqua Touch; Trinity Engine | Stereo speakers, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Dual eSIM support |
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OnePlus 12
Rating:★4.6(78)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of Android OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750
RAM:12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.82" (measured diagonally from corner to corner)
Screen Type:LTPO AMOLED ProXDR Display
Resolution:3168 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 510 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Dynamic)
Peak Brightness:4,500 nits (Peak) / 1,600 nits (HBM)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (Sony LYT-808, f/1.6, 23mm equiv), PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX581, f/2.2, 114° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:64MP Periscope Telephoto (OmniVision OV64B, 3x optical, f/2.6); OIS
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom; 6x In-Sensor Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 120x Ultra Res Zoom
Video Recording:8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps
Front Camera:32MP Front (Sony IMX615, f/2.4, 21mm equiv)
Battery:5,400 mAh (Dual-cell 2,700 mAh, non-removable)
Wired Charging:80W SUPERVOOC (US 110V limitation); 100W in 220V regions; Charger included
Wireless Charging:50W AIRVOOC; 10W Reverse Wireless Charging
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.4; NFC; IR Blaster
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP65 (Dust tight; Water jet resistant - not submersion proof); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front)
Dimensions:6.47" x 2.98" x 0.36" (164.3 x 75.8 x 9.15 mm)
Weight:7.76 oz (220 g)
Biometrics:Optical In-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock
Extras:Hasselblad Camera for Mobile; Alert Slider; Aqua Touch; Trinity Engine
✓ Pros:
- • Excellent value proposition with top-tier specs at a competitive price
- • Massive 5,400mAh battery paired with very fast 80W wired and 50W wireless charging
- • High-quality Hasselblad camera system with a versatile 3x periscope zoom
- • Extremely bright QHD+ LTPO display (4,500 nits peak)
- • Includes useful enthusiast features like an IR blaster and the Alert Slider
✗ Cons:
- • IP65 rating is inferior to the industry-standard IP68 (not rated for submersion)
- • Curved screen edges can be prone to accidental touches despite rejection algorithms
- • US wired charging is capped at 80W (vs 100W global) due to voltage differences
- • OxygenOS has moved visually closer to ColorOS, which may deter purists
- • Large and heavy device (220g) can be cumbersome
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
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
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
Key specs: Display: 6.82" vs 4.7" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the OnePlus 12 if: you need a powerful battery that lasts all day, you enjoy gaming with a high refresh rate display, or you want a top-tier camera for photography. (6.82" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) if: you want an affordable entry into the iPhone ecosystem, you prefer a similar-weight and compact design, or you plan to use it for basic tasks without similar-weight apps. (4.7" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
OnePlus 12 excels if you value excellent value proposition with top-tier specs at a competitive price. Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is better if you prioritize most affordable entry point into the new iphone ecosystem. 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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