iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,299,090 | 1,299,090 | — |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic | — |
| Display | 6.1" 120 Hz | 4.7" 60 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 3,095 | 2,018 | +53.4% |
| Rear cameras | 12+12+12+LiDAR MP | 12 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 7 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 6 GB / 128 GB | 4 GB / 64 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 6 GB / 1024 GB | 4 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 204 | 144 | +41.7% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · Front-mounted | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $999–$1,499 | $429–$579 | +132.9% |
- iPhone 13 Pro leads on raw performance by about 0% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple A15 Bionic).
- iPhone SE (3rd gen) is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Verdict: iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
iPhone 13 Pro advantages
- Battery capacity (+35%)
- Display smoothness (+50%)
- Memory (+33%)
iPhone SE (3rd gen) advantages
- Lightness (+29%)
- Affordability (+57%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 13 Pro if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
- Choose the iPhone SE (3rd gen) if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
- Choose the iPhone 13 Pro if you want the smoothest scrolling and gaming.
Value for money
iPhone SE (3rd gen) delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone SE (3rd gen): which should you choose?
iPhone 13 Pro — Apple iOS 15 smartphone (2021) with a 6.1-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A15 Bionic, 3095 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 1,299,090 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $999.
iPhone SE (3rd gen) — Apple iOS 15.4 smartphone (2022) with a 4.7-inch 60 Hz Retina IPS LCD, Apple A15 Bionic, 2018 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 1,299,090 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $429.
iPhone 13 Pro vs iPhone SE (3rd gen): iPhone 13 Pro is the faster phone. iPhone 13 Pro leads on raw performance by about 0% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple A15 Bionic). iPhone SE (3rd gen) is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 13 Pro is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,299,090 vs 1,299,090 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A15 Bionic against the Apple A15 Bionic. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone 13 Pro carries a 6.1-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 4.7-inch 60 Hz Retina IPS LCD on the iPhone SE (3rd gen). Batteries are 3,095 and 2,018 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 12+12+12+LiDAR MP versus 12 MP, with 12 MP and 7 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 6 GB / 128 GB and 4 GB / 64 GB. The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is the more affordable at about $429 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 13 Pro better than the iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay. iPhone 13 Pro leads on raw performance by about 0% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple A15 Bionic).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
iPhone 13 Pro leads on raw performance by about 0% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple A15 Bionic). iPhone SE (3rd gen) is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Which is better value?
iPhone SE (3rd gen) delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 13 Pro if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life. Choose the iPhone SE (3rd gen) if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.