The iPhone SE 3 is visually identical to the five-year-old iPhone 8 and carries forward many of the same specs. So what are the differences?

The iPhone SE 3 is Apple's latest entry-level device, and it has the same design as the iPhone 8. With a starting price of $429 (which is $30 higher than its predecessor), it offers flagship-level performance at an affordable price point. A significant upgrade to the chipset has also improved the camera quality and battery life compared to the previous-generation model.

The iPhone SE series is all about an older design and the latest specs. The original iPhone SE launched in 2016 resembled the iPhone 5 from the outside and had the same A9 chipset as the iPhone 6. In 2020, the second-generation iPhone SE was launched with the iPhone 8's design, and under the hood it had the iPhone 11's A13 Bionic chipset. A rumor predicted that the iPhone SE 3's design would be based on the larger iPhone XR, but that wasn't the case. 

The iPhone SE 3 features an A15 Bionic 5G chipset while retaining the look and feel of the iPhone 8. Both iPhones are nearly identical in terms of design. The iPhone SE 3 has the same chassis as the iPhone 8 with dimensions of 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm. However, the SE 3 is 4 grams lighter. The frame is made of aerospace-grade aluminum and both phones are IP67-rated for water and dust resistance. The displays on the phones are also the same – a 4.7-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels and True Tone technology. The iPhone 8 was sold in Gold, Silver, Space Gray, and (PRODUCT)RED colors whereas the iPhone SE 3 comes in Starlight, Midnight, and (PRODUCT)RED options. With a 12MP rear camera capable of recording 4K at 60FPS and a 7MP front shooter, the camera hardware is also unchanged. Both phones also house a TouchID fingerprint sensor on the front.

iPhone SE 3 & iPhone 8 Differences

The major difference between the two phones is in the performance. iPhone SE 3 is powered by the A15 Bionic chip which is the same one used in the iPhone 13 Series, making it one of the fastest chips currently available. In terms of numbers, the iPhone SE 3 is more than twice as fast as iPhone 8, so users upgrading are sure to appreciate the increased speed. It also has 5G capabilities which the iPhone 8 lacks. Due to a much more powerful chipset, Apple has also introduced new camera features like Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and Photographic Styles that improve the image quality by a good margin. While the battery capacity is unknown, Apple claims 15 hours of video playback and 50 hours of audio playback on the iPhone SE, compared to 13 hours and 40 hours respectively on the iPhone 8. The new internal design of the battery and an energy-efficient chip help to improve the battery life. 

Those thinking of upgrading from the iPhone 8 will get a much faster chipset, 5G, improved camera performance, and better battery life. Everything else, including the design, display, and sound quality is nearly the same. Buyers looking for a good deal can consider trading in their older devices to significantly reduce the price of the iPhone SE 3. 

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Source: Apple