Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 11, What’s the difference?
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 11, What’s the difference?
(Pocket-lint) Apple announced the iPhone SE (3rd generation) on March 8, 2022, and it went on sale on March 18, 2022. The device is positioned beneath the iPhone 13 lineup and replaces the older iPhone SE (2nd generation), but it inherits a number of features from the iPhone 13 models.
In a separate feature, we compared the latest iPhone SE to its predecessor, but here we look at how the iPhone SE (3rd generation) compares to the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 11.
Design
- iPhone SE (3rd generation) dimensions are 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm and weigh 144g.
- iPhone 13 mini: 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65mm, 141g
- iPhone 11 dimensions are 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm and weigh 194g.
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 11
The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) has a glass and metal body, and while it’s an older design, it’s still lovely to hold, being small and light. On the back is a single-lens rear camera, while the front has bezels at the top and bottom of the display, with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor Home Button – which still works flawlessly – at the bottom.
It is water and dust resistant to IP67 standards and is available in Midnight, Starlight, and Product (RED) colors. The frame is curved, rather than squared off, like the iPhone 13 mini, though the iPhone SE (3rd generation) has the same tougher glass protection as the iPhone 13 range.
Despite having a larger display, the iPhone 13 mini is smaller than the iPhone SE (3rd generation), and it’s IP68 water and dust resistant, which is a step up from the iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the iPhone 11 is larger than the iPhone SE (3rd generation), but it, too, is IP67 water and dust resistant. On the front and back, it lacks the tough glass found on the iPhone SE and iPhone 13 mini.
Both the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 11 use Face ID, which provides a full-screen experience with a notch at the top of the display and provides a better overall experience than the iPhone SE. The iPhone 13 mini has a smaller notch than the iPhone 11, and it also has a slightly different camera layout, though both the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 11 have dual setups as opposed to the iPhone SE 3’s single-lens offering.
The iPhone 11 is available in Purple, Yellow, Green, Black, White, and Product (RED), while the iPhone 13 mini is available in Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product (RED) (RED). The iPhone 13 mini now comes in a new Green color option.
Display
- iPhone SE (3rd generation): 4.7-inch, LCD, 1334 x 750 pixels, 326ppi
- iPhone 13 mini: 5.4-inch, OLED, 1792 x 828 pixels, 476ppi
- iPhone 11: 6.1-inch LCD with a resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels and a pixel density of 326ppi.
The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) has a 4.7-inch Liquid Retina HD display, the same as the iPhone 11, but a step down from the Super Retina XDR display found on the iPhone 13 mini. It has a good display, with bright and punchy colors and decent brightness, though it feels a little squashed in comparison to the iPhone 13 mini.
The iPhone 13 mini has a 5.4-inch display, while the iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch display, so the iPhone SE has the smallest screen real estate but a footprint that falls somewhere between the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 11.
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) has a 1334 x 750 pixel resolution with a pixel density of 326ppi, which is the same as the iPhone 11, which has a resolution of 1792 x 828 pixels. The iPhone 13 mini has a higher resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 476ppi and a sharper display.
All three models include Apple’s True Tone technology, as well as Haptic Touch and a P3 color gamut. The iPhone 13 mini, on the other hand, has an OLED display with a higher maximum brightness, whereas the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (3rd generation) both have LCD panels. Despite the fact that they are LCD, both the iPhone SE and iPhone 11 have excellent displays.
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 11
Hardware and specs
- iPhone SE (3rd generation): A15 Bionic, 64/128/256GB storage, 5G
- iPhone 13 mini: A15 Bionic processor, 128/256/512GB storage, 5G connectivity
- iPhone 11: A13 Bionic, 64/128GB storage, 4G
The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) is fast and runs on the same chipset as the iPhone 13 mini – the A15 Bionic. That means the latest iPhone SE not only has the same processing power as the iPhone 13 mini, but it also supports 5G. Meanwhile, the iPhone 11 is only 4G capable and runs on the A13 Bionic processor.
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) has storage capacities of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The iPhone 11 is only available in 64GB and 128GB capacities, whereas the iPhone 13 mini starts at 128GB and is also available in 256GB and 512GB capacities.
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) battery life is claimed to be 15 hours – we found it to be between 13 and 15 hours, while the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 11 are both claimed to be 17 hours. In our experience, the iPhone 13 mini has a poor battery life, whereas the iPhone 11 is a solid performer. Wireless charging is supported by all devices, with the exception of the iPhone 13 mini, which only supports MagSafe charging.
Camera
- iPhone SE (3rd gen): 12MP rear, 7MP front
- iPhone 13 mini: Dual rear (12MP+12MP), 12MP front
- iPhone 11: Dual rear (12MP+12MP), 12MP front
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 11
The Apple iPhone SE features a single-lens camera with a 12-megapixel main lens, an f/1.8 aperture, and optical image stabilisation.
On the iPhone SE (3rd generation), you’ll find Deep Fusion, Portrait mode, and Portrait Lighting, as well as Photographic Styles and Smart HDR 4 for photos, taking some features from the iPhone 13 mini. It takes good photos in good lighting conditions, but not so well in low light.
Despite having an extra lens on the back, with a 12-megapixel wide lens with f/1.8 aperture and a 12-megapixel ultra wide lens with f/2.4 aperture, the iPhone 11 lacks Photographic Styles, though it does have Night mode, which the iPhone SE lacks and is critical in low-light situations.
The iPhone 13 mini has a dual camera on the back, but it’s not the same as the iPhone 11. A 12-megapixel wide lens with an f/1.6 aperture is available, as is a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens with an f/2.4 aperture. On top of what the other devices offer, it has sensor-shift image optimization and Smart HDR 4 for photos, and it produces the best results overall.
The front camera on the iPhone SE is 7 megapixels, while the front camera on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 13 mini is 12 megapixels. The iPhone SE and iPhone 13 mini have features like Photographic Styles on both the front and rear cameras, whereas the iPhone 11 does not. The iPhone 13 mini, on the other hand, adds a few extra features, such as Cinematic mode.
Conclusion | Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 11
The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) is less expensive than the iPhone 13 mini and slightly less expensive than the iPhone 11, though the iPhone 13 mini has a larger display in a smaller footprint, an OLED panel instead of LCD, Face ID over Touch ID, and a more capable camera with better results.
The iPhone SE has a faster processor than the iPhone 11, as well as a number of other advantages, such as some of the iPhone 13 mini camera features and 5G connectivity, which is important for future-proofing. However, in terms of performance, it is excellent.
The choice between these devices will most likely be influenced by your budget as well as the features that are most important to you. If you want 5G at the lowest price for an iPhone, the iPhone SE is the way to go. The iPhone 13 mini is an absolute powerhouse and cracker of a phone if you want the biggest screen in the smallest footprint and the most capable camera. If you want a large screen but don’t mind foregoing the latest features and extra power, the iPhone 11 is probably the best option.