Comparison of iPhone 14 VS iPhone SE (3rd generation): what are the differences?

iPhone SE 3 VS iPhone 14 in brief

• for the photo: iPhone 14
• for the price: iPhone SE 3
• for the screen: iPhone 14
• the compact: iPhone SE 3
• performance: equality

1 – The design

Colors

To begin with, you should know thatthe iPhone SE 3 is only available in three colors(midnight, starlight and red)against five colors for the iPhone 14(blue, purple, midnight, starlight and red). However, you are free to personalize this with a protective silicone case; count on a few dozen euros for the Apple brand.

The iPhone 14 is more robust

Although the iPhone 14 and the iPhone SE 3 are both made of aluminum, there are still differences in terms of materials. Starting with the front, which is protected by reinforced glass that is more resistant on the iPhone 14 than on the third generation iPhone SE. But that's not all, since when you submerge both devices, the iPhone 14 will also hold up better in water compared to the iPhone SE 2022. Indeed, the iPhone 14 candive up to six meterscompared to only one with the third generation iPhone SE. But in any case, with both, it is better to refrain from getting them wet so as not to take any risks.

Respect for the environment

So of course, we are still far from a Fairphone, but the iPhone 14 respects the environment better compared to the promise ofthe third generation iPhone SE. Several factors can explain this, starting with100% recycled gold“in the cables of all the cameras and the plating of the various printed circuits” for the iPhone 14.

Moreover, we find many common points in terms of revaluation between iPhone 14 and iPhone SE 2022, such as the presence of recycled tungsten in both mobiles. The same goes for the cardboard packaging, which comes from sustainably managed wood and contains less plastic than before.

Format: iPhone 14 VS iPhone SE (third generation)

To finish with this first part on design, let's talk about the size of our two adversaries. If at the time of the iPhone 13 it isthe mini format which was the most compact, it no longer exists.The third generation iPhone SE therefore remains the smallestduel: it is less wide, less high and less thick than the iPhone 14. It is also lighter, with 28 g less compared to the iPhone 14. This can make the difference for the smallest jeans pockets , or for those who don't like seeing their smartphone sticking out of their pocket while cycling.

It is quite rare to still find compact mobiles in 2022, but with the iPhone SE, Apple is offering us a real opportunity. So of course,comfort will not be as optimal as with an iPhone 14for those who are now used to the phablet format, but for teenagers or nostalgic people the effect is there.

2 – Screen comparison

With its waspish waist, the iPhone SE 3 also offers a less imposing display. We are talking here about a slab of4.7 inches, which is really becoming more and more rare these days. For comparison, the iPhone 14 achieves6.1 inchesand in OLED, unlike the third generation iPhone SE which is equipped with an LCD panel. Nothing special for you and me, but quite notable for purists who love deep colors or who appreciate the work of film crews in terms of tints. But in any case, let's be clear, the iPhone SE 3 is not intended for streaming. Its screen is too small for that and we lack too many details, especially during action scenes.

Furthermore, the iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a smaller quantity of pixels, therefore losing the overall quality of the video stream. With this, you won't see much in direct sunlight. While the brightness of the iPhone 14 exceeds the1 000 nits.

3 – Fewer features with the iPhone SE 3

Accident detection

With the launch of the iPhone 14 at the end of 2022, Apple presented a new feature: accident detection. Concretely, the mobile uses different sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone, GPS, etc.) to recognize accidents that occurby car, by scooter or even by truck. It seems that the third generation iPhone SE does benefit from the technology necessary to deploy this solution, but nothing is happening: Cupertino is blocking it with the small model. Too bad, we would have appreciated comparing the results.

Face ID VS Touch ID

Another notable difference: while iPhone SE and iPhone 14 can each be unlocked with a code, only the iPhone 14 is equipped with Face ID. And only the iPhone SE 2022 is equipped withfingerprint sensorTouch ID. These are two systems with the same objective and lightning speed. But some prefer one, while some prefer the other: it will really be up to the user.

The case for MagSafe charging

Third difference on the services side, rather functional this time: MagSafe charging is only available on the iPhone 14. The third generation iPhone SE is entitled to wireless charging but you will have to go through other types of accessories, some marketed by third parties. Then favor thecertification MFito avoid unpleasant surprises.

Son

To put an end to the differences in functionality, the most finicky will also notice that the iPhone 14 is compatible with theAudio spatialwhile this is not the case for the third generation iPhone SE. Ditto for Dolby Atmos sound.

4 – Photo: Third generation iPhone SE VS iPhone 14

Front camera

The iPhone 14 takes better selfies than the iPhone SE. Indeed, we are entitled here to a twelve megapixel front camera compared to seven megapixels with the third generation iPhone SE. The opening is also different:ƒ/1.9 for iPhone 14 versus ƒ/2.2 for iPhone SE 2022. Furthermore, be aware that the Photonic Engine is also only delivered with the iPhone 14. This is a solution that improves low-light shots, created especially by Apple for its mobiles. Moreover, theNight modeis also not available on the iPhone SE, just like theCinematic mode, at the front. It's a shame, but in comparisonPortrait modeHe is indeed in the game with both devices.

Comparison of the back sensor

And at the back, then? Here, the iPhone 14 still stands out, in particular thanks to an additional sensor. This is aultra grand-angle, very practical for taking large landscape shots, with ƒ/2.4 aperture. Definition: twelve megapixels, as for the third generation iPhone SE. On the other hand, optical stabilization is carried out with the iPhone 14 by moving the sensor, which makes it more efficient than with the iPhone SE.

Beyond theNight modewhich is also available behind, we also note that the iPhone 14 is entitled to a2x optical zoomand can film in HDR. This is the last notable difference with the third generation iPhone SE, the others not being really useful for a traditional comparison in our opinion. Professionals will not turn to these ranges anyway and therefore have no need to compare the technical details of this order.

5 – Autonomy

You can last up to twenty hours of video playback with an iPhone 14, butonly up to fifteen hours with an iPhone SE2022. Of course, these are measurements carried out in Apple's laboratory, which differ from reality. But you will easily last half a day with the iPhone 14, which may not be the case with the third generation iPhone SE.

6 – iPhone 14 VS iPhone SE 3: performance

Chip and RAM

The iPhone 14 has 2 GB more RAMthan the iPhone SE, but both are powered by the same A15 Bionic chip. Or almost, because the GPU is more powerful with one more core on the iPhone 14. According to the benchmarks of the Geekbench 5 app, the iPhone 14 obtains 1,721 points compared to 1,722 points for the iPhone SE, which proves that the difference between the two is minimal.

Network of iPhone 14 and iPhone SE 3

iPhone SE (3rd generation) and iPhone 14 are both network compatible5G, but it is a little faster on iPhone 14. It is very practical for streaming, which is more suitable there anyway than with a small screen like that of the iPhone SE.

7 – Price and storage capacity

iPhone SE 3 price comparison

• 64 Go :559 euros
• 128 Go : 629 euros
• 256 Go : 759 euros

iPhone 14 price comparison

• 128 Go :1 019 euros
• 256 Go : 1 149 euros
• 512 Go : 1 409 euros

Please note that there is alsoa second version of the iPhone 14, larger. It's the iPhone 14 Plus, which is even more expensive, with a 6.7-inch screen.

8 – Our opinion: which one to choose?

Between the third generation iPhone SE and the iPhone 14, the choice is quickly made if we compare their photo technical sheets or their screen. One is onephotophone, while the other is content to take selfies and extra films. As for the display, it does not allow you to play games peacefully on iPhone SE 3 while the iPhone 14 is doing quite well, especially with its additional GB of RAM.

Nevertheless, the third generation iPhone SE remains recommendable when a user is looking for agood value for moneyat Apple. It's the most affordable gateway to iOS to date in the Apple Store, especially since the iPod touch was removed from shelves. But you shouldn't ask too much: the iPhone SE is a smartphone, not a pocket computer.

9 – FAQ

What are the advantages of the iPhone SE 3?

The main positive points of the iPhone SE 3 are of course its more advantageous price and its formatcompact, quite iconic and taking up the codes of the iPhone 6. We can also recognize other qualities such as the presence of Touch ID, of which iPhone X regulars perhaps prefer the familiarity rather than trusting the recognition of faces. For the rest, the iPhone 14 is better.

What are the advantages of the iPhone 14?

The iPhone 14 is more powerful, larger, comes in more colors and can be recharged byMagSafe. It is much more expensive, but its battery life lasts longer than that of the iPhone SE. With iOS 16 under the hood and crash detection, it's a versatile smartphone that can replace your MacBook if you're on the subway, connecting to all your favorite apps.

The iPhone 14 screen is nice and bright and thephotos are beautifulday and night. What's more, we note that Apple has made more efforts in terms of respect for the environment, which is really welcome. And for the more clumsy, the iPhone 14 is less likely to be damaged by falling or getting wet. It is therefore a high-end mobile, which the third generation iPhone SE is not really, in short.

Which one to choose for the photo?

With its dual back photo sensor, the iPhone 14 takes pretty portrait photos but also low-light shots which are excellent with theNight modeof iOS 16. There is certainly no LiDAR like with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, but their little brother remainsone of the best for photographyin its sector. A few Android smartphones do better, but they are few in number.