Tech
iPhone SE And iPhone 13 Mini Are Very Similar, But Here's What Sets Them Apart

The price difference is big.

by Jillian Giandurco

Apple's new 2022 iPhone SE 3 launched March 18, and here's how it compares with the iPhone 13 mini, aka the second most affordable 5G-capable Apple phone.

Looking at iPhone SE 3 versus iPhone 13 mini, both have an A15 Bionic chip and similar cameras, but the newest iPhone is missing a few features.

NurPhoto/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Display & Specs

Both phones contain an A15 Bionic chip for faster speeds, a new 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core neural engine, and 5G cellular.

The SE 3 has a 4.7-inch widescreen Retina display, while the 13 mini comes with a 5.4-inch all-screen Super Retina XDR display.

Touch ID Vs. Face ID

The iPhone SE 3 is unlocked with Touch ID. It includes a Home Button and its design is similar to iPhone 8.

The iPhone 13 mini uses Face ID. Its design follows that of the iPhone X, with a notch at the top of the screen.

Price

iPhone SE 3 starts at $429.

iPhone 13 mini starts at $699.

Camera Features

iPhone SE 3 and iPhone 13 mini come with Night mode Time-lapse, Photographic Styles, and Smart HDR 4 for more detailed photos.

They also have Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control, and Portrait Lighting in six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, and more).

Camera Differences

The SE 3 has a single Wide 12 MP camera with ƒ/1.8 aperture.

The 13 mini comes with a dual 12MP camera system, with a Wide ƒ/1.6 aperture and Ultra Wide ƒ/2.4 aperture. It also comes with Cinematic mode for videos with shallow depth of field, HDR video recording, and more.

Size

The third-generation SE is 5.45 inches high and 2.65 inches wide.

The 13 mini is a little smaller at 5.18 inches high, and 2.53 inches wide.

Storage

Both the iPhone SE 3 and iPhone 13 mini are available in 128 GB and 256 GB.

The SE 3 also comes in 64 GB, and the 13 mini also has a 512 GB model.

Battery

The iPhone SE 3 and 13 mini have a built-in lithium ion-battery and come with Qi wireless charging and MagSafe capabilities.

Both phones are also fast-charge capable with a Lightning cable (up to 50% charge in 30 minutes). The 13 mini also has wireless MagSafe fast-charging capabilities.

Colors

iPhone SE 3 comes in three shades: starlight, midnight, and Product Red.

iPhone 13 mini offers twice the color options: starlight, midnight, Product Red, pink, blue, and the new green.

Overall

Both 5G capable phones have many similarities, but if you’re looking for a more affordable option, the iPhone SE 3 is your pick.

If you want the sleeker design and a few extra perks (like more color options), the iPhone 13 mini is worth taking a look at.