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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerOnePlus 12R vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Key specs: Display: 6.78" vs 4.7" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz. If you're looking to save money, the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is the most affordable way into the iPhone ecosystem. With a compact 4.7" display and an A15 Bionic chip, it still offers solid performance,.
📱 Display: 6.78" vs 4.7"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz🔋 Battery: 5500 mAh vs 2018 mAh
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OnePlus 12R
★4.3
(23)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 major Android OS upgrades; 4 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
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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 12R
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
OnePlus 12R
6.78" (measured diagonally from corner to corner)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
4.7"
Refresh Rate
OnePlus 12R
1–120Hz (Dynamic)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
60Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
OnePlus 12R
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
RAMKey
OnePlus 12R
8GB / 16GB LPDDR5XWinner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
4GB
Storage
OnePlus 12R
128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
OnePlus 12R
50MP Wide (Sony IMX890, f/1.8, 24mm equiv), PDAF, OISWinner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x
Ultra-Wide Camera
OnePlus 12R
8MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX355, f/2.2, 112° FOV)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
No (Not supported)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
OnePlus 12R
5,500 mAh (Dual-cell 2,750 mAh, non-removable)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
2,018mAh (Approximate)
Wireless Charging
OnePlus 12R
N/A (Not supported)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment)
Design2 specs
Weight
OnePlus 12R
7.30 oz (207 g)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5.09 oz (144 g)Winner
Dimensions
OnePlus 12R
6.43" x 2.96" x 0.35" (163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 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 12R
Android
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
iOS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
OnePlus 12R
5G (Sub6); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; 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 12R vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
OnePlus 12R
★4.3(23)Amazon
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
★4.5(225)Best Buy
| Criterion | OnePlus 12R | Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.3(23)Amazon | ★4.5(225)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 3 major Android OS upgrades; 4 years of security updates | Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 740 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
RAM | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR5X | 4GB |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1) | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe |
Display Size | 6.78" (measured diagonally from corner to corner) | 4.7" |
Screen Type | AMOLED ProXDR Display with LTPO 4.0 | Retina HD LCD (IPS) |
Resolution | 2780 x 1264 pixels (1.5K), 450 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 IMX890, f/1.8, 24mm equiv), PDAF, OIS | 12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 8MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX355, f/2.2, 112° FOV) | No (Not supported) |
Telephoto Camera | N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens) | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | N/A (Digital zoom only) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 20x | Up to 5x |
Video Recording | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K @ 60fps; 1080p @ 60fps; Slo-mo 1080p @ 240fps |
Front Camera | 16MP Front (f/2.4, 24mm equiv), Fixed Focus | 7MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2, 1080p @ 30fps |
Battery | 5,500 mAh (Dual-cell 2,750 mAh, non-removable) | 2,018mAh (Approximate) |
Wired Charging | 80W SUPERVOOC (US 110V limitation); supports 100W in 220V regions | 20W Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning |
Wireless Charging | N/A (Not supported) | 7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; IR Blaster | 5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) |
Durability | IP64 (Dust tight; Water splash resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front) | IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Ion-strengthened glass |
Dimensions | 6.43" x 2.96" x 0.35" (163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm) | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm) |
Weight | 7.30 oz (207 g) | 5.09 oz (144 g) |
Biometrics | Optical In-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock | Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor in Home button) |
Extras | Alert Slider; Dual Stereo Speakers; Dolby Atmos; HyperTouch; Aqua Touch | Stereo speakers, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Dual eSIM support |
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OnePlus 12R
Rating:★4.3(23)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 major Android OS upgrades; 4 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
RAM:8GB / 16GB LPDDR5X
Storage:128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
Display Size:6.78" (measured diagonally from corner to corner)
Screen Type:AMOLED ProXDR Display with LTPO 4.0
Resolution:2780 x 1264 pixels (1.5K), 450 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Dynamic)
Peak Brightness:4,500 nits (Peak) / 1,600 nits (HBM)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (Sony IMX890, f/1.8, 24mm equiv), PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:8MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX355, f/2.2, 112° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens)
Optical Zoom:N/A (Digital zoom only)
Digital Zoom:Up to 20x
Video Recording:4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Front Camera:16MP Front (f/2.4, 24mm equiv), Fixed Focus
Battery:5,500 mAh (Dual-cell 2,750 mAh, non-removable)
Wired Charging:80W SUPERVOOC (US 110V limitation); supports 100W in 220V regions
Wireless Charging:N/A (Not supported)
Connectivity:5G (Sub6); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; IR Blaster
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:IP64 (Dust tight; Water splash resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front)
Dimensions:6.43" x 2.96" x 0.35" (163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm)
Weight:7.30 oz (207 g)
Biometrics:Optical In-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock
Extras:Alert Slider; Dual Stereo Speakers; Dolby Atmos; HyperTouch; Aqua Touch
✓ Pros:
- • Exceptional battery life (5,500mAh) with very fast 80W charging (US)
- • Flagship-grade 120Hz LTPO 4.0 display with extreme peak brightness
- • Strong performance from Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset at a lower price point
- • Includes IR Blaster and the signature OnePlus Alert Slider
- • Comes with a fast charger in the box
✗ Cons:
- • No wireless charging capabilities
- • Rated IP64 is lower than the standard IP68 found in most flagships
- • USB-C port is limited to slow USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- • No telephoto lens; relies on digital crop for zoom
- • Software support period (3 years OS) is shorter than top-tier competitors
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: 6.78" vs 4.7" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the OnePlus 12R if: you need long battery life for all-day use, enjoy gaming with a smooth 120Hz display, or want flagship performance at a mid-range price.
Choose the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) if: you prefer a compact and lightweight design, want an affordable entry to the iPhone ecosystem, or value having a phone with Touch ID. (4.7" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
OnePlus 12R excels if you value exceptional battery life (5,500mah) with very fast 80w charging (us). 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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