Just a few weeks in the past, Apple revealed the model new iPhone 15 fashions. The brand new lineup introduced quite a bit to the desk and stunned us all with many new options.
As ordinary, Apple stored a few of its older non-pro iPhones available on the market, dropping the iPhone 12 off the listing and shifting the 2021 iPhone 13 into its $599 value slot. Sadly, that additionally meant the top of the iPhone 13 mini; solely the usual 6.1-inch mannequin has remained available on the market.
Whereas the $429 iPhone SE is normally thought-about the entry-level iPhone mannequin, the iPhone 13 means Apple really presents two completely different price range iPhones. With each accessible, you’re in all probability questioning which is the most effective mannequin to purchase since each supply a whole lot of related options.
In case you don’t know which is the precise iPhone for you, we’re right here to assist. Listed here are an important issues to think about earlier than shopping for the iPhone SE or the iPhone 13.
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone SE: Value
In case you’re solely in search of the most effective value accessible, the iPhone SE is the clear winner.
Whereas each iPhones are thought-about budget-friendly — at the least by Apple requirements — the iPhone SE is the most affordable choice, beginning at $429. Nevertheless, there’s a catch.
You see, the iPhone SE begins with 64GB of storage. That’s manner too low for right this moment’s requirements except you actually don’t plan to do quite a bit along with your iPhone. In order for you extra storage, you’ll have to pay at the least $479, which will get you the 128GB mannequin.
Thoughts you, that is nonetheless cheaper than the iPhone 13, which begins at $599 for the 128GB mannequin. However should you’re somebody who wants at the least 256GB of storage, then you definately’ll have to spend at the least $579 for the iPhone SE or $699 for the iPhone 13. The iPhone SE maxes out at 256GB, however you’ll be able to nonetheless go for a 512GB iPhone 13 should you’re keen to spend $899 — however at that time, you’re in iPhone 15 territory.
General, should you’re in search of the most affordable iPhone that Apple is promoting, the iPhone SE is your best option.
Winner: iPhone SE
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone SE: Efficiency
Relating to inner energy, each gadgets supply nice efficiency proper off the bat.
Each iPhone fashions characteristic the A15 Bionic chip, which is a strong processor that’s solely two years outdated. Apple doesn’t discuss RAM, however it’s been reported that each the iPhone 13 and the iPhone SE have 4GB of RAM, so efficiency ought to be very related between them.
So, the underside line is that regardless of which iPhone you select, you must expertise wonderful efficiency.
Winner: Tie
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone SE: Design
From right here on out, we begin to see the true distinction between the 2 gadgets.
For starters, we’ll check out the design of each fashions, and that is the place the iPhone 13 actually shines.
The iPhone SE appears and seems like an older iPhone — and for cause. Apple used the physique of the 2017 iPhone 8 and easily upgraded the internals.
Which means you principally have an iPhone 8 with an A15 chip inside. It nonetheless has the identical Contact ID sensor within the residence button, a comparatively small 4.7-inch LCD Retina Show, a smaller battery, and a single digicam on the again. So, not the most effective design these days.
The iPhone 13, alternatively, has a extra trendy and premium appear and feel. It’s the identical basic design Apple has used for the reason that iPhone 12, and the iPhone 14 nonetheless makes use of it, which suggests it’s manner higher than the iPhone SE.
You’ll get a 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED display on the iPhone 13, with a bigger battery and a two-camera system on the again.
Furthermore, the iPhone 13 options Face ID, which you in all probability already know should you love or hate. This implies you’ll have a giant notch on the prime, however this in all probability beats the bigger prime and backside bezels on the cheaper iPhone SE.
This is without doubt one of the greatest causes to decide on one iPhone over the opposite. In case you desire smaller gadgets, the iPhone SE might be your only option. Alternatively, should you like extra trendy, greater gadgets, the iPhone 13 ought to be a no brainer.
Winner: iPhone 13
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone SE: Cameras
That is one other huge cause to decide on the iPhone 13 over the iPhone SE. As we talked about, the iPhone SE solely encompasses a single digicam on the again.
This can be a 12-megapixel digicam with an f/1.8 aperture. It’s principally the identical digicam discovered within the 2017 iPhone 8, and whereas Apple has improved the photographs it takes thanks to higher picture processing within the A15 Bionic chip, you already know you gained’t get professional-looking photographs with this telephone.
The front-facing digicam isn’t one thing to jot down residence about both. You will have a 7-megapixel digicam that may report in 1080p HD that options Sensible HDR 4. This might be first rate for FaceTime calls, however it’s undoubtedly not the most effective.
On the opposite facet, now we have the iPhone 13 with two cameras on the again. This iPhone encompasses a 12-megapixel essential digicam with an aperture of f/1.6, plus a 12-megapixel Extremely Vast digicam with an f/2.4 aperture.
On the entrance, the iPhone 13 has a 12MP digicam with TrueDepth and help for 4K movies, Sensible HDR 4, Animoji, and Memoji.
Moreover, the iPhone 13 additionally has different helpful options like Night time mode, Cinematic mode, and HDR recording.
With all of this stated, should you don’t actually know or simply don’t care what all these options are, then you definately’re in all probability higher off with the iPhone SE. It might nonetheless take good snapshots for informal use, however should you actually need to take lovely photographs, the iPhone 13 is the most suitable choice, fingers down.
Winner: iPhone 13
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone SE: Battery Life
One other place the place the iPhone 13 actually shines, at the least in comparison with the iPhone SE, is battery life.
Apple by no means actually says the scale of the battery on any iPhone, however the firm does discuss battery life. With a single cost, the iPhone SE ought to last as long as 15 hours, whereas the iPhone 13 ought to final for round 19 hours.
Granted, these aren’t actual numbers, particularly should you’re an influence consumer. What’s true is that should you use your iPhone quite a bit, you gained’t have a lot display time with the iPhone SE.
Even when it’s model new, the iPhone SE’s battery gained’t final as lengthy, which suggests you’ll have to maintain a charger with you.
Granted, the iPhone 13’s battery isn’t as nice as more moderen fashions, however it’ll undoubtedly last more. And should you’re somebody who’s all the time on the transfer, paying for the iPhone 13 is beneficial.
Winner: iPhone 13
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone SE: Longevity
For the reason that iPhone 13 and the iPhone SE got here out in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and each have the identical A15 chip, they’ll seemingly get all the identical future software program updates.
Normally, iPhones are inclined to get 5 to 6 years of software program updates, so we should always count on help for brand spanking new updates for at the least three or 4 extra years.
With that stated, the iPhone 13 has higher possibilities of supporting future options than the iPhone SE. The reason being the {hardware}. We already know the extra restricted cameras on the iPhone SE rule out help for options like Cinematic mode, Focus & Depth Management, FaceTime gesture reactions, and mask-aware Face ID, to call just a few.
That signifies that, even when the iPhone SE helps iOS 18 or 19 after they come out, you could not be capable to use the entire new options which can be accessible.
Winner: iPhone 13
iPhone 13 vs. iPhone SE: Which One Ought to You Get?
So, which iPhone is the most suitable choice for you? The extra budget-friendly iPhone SE or the extra future-proof iPhone 13?
In order for you the most effective worth for the least amount of cash, the iPhone SE is the plain selection. That’s should you can deal with all of the “buts.”
With the iPhone SE, you get nice efficiency and help for future software program updates, however you’ll have to compromise on the subject of the cameras, show high quality, and battery life.
If none of this stuff matter to you, then you definately’ll get a greater bang on your buck with the iPhone SE.
Alternatively, should you’re in search of an amazing iPhone that provides you with a ton of additional options with out spending that a lot cash, the iPhone 13 is ideal for you.
You’ll get wonderful cameras, nice battery life, and a bigger show. In fact, meaning you’ll have to pay further for all of this stuff. If that’s not an issue for you, then you must get the iPhone 13.
General, should you’re a extra superior consumer, the iPhone 13 is healthier for you. In case you simply need an iPhone that may deal with all of the fundamentals with out breaking a sweat and final you a very long time, the iPhone SE is the higher choice.