iPhone SE 2022 vs iPhone 13

Are you still not sure whether you should buy the latest iPhone SE 2022? Are you still in doubt about a – slightly less new, but more modern-looking – iPhone 13? In this comparator, we compare these two Apple models especially for you.

iPhone 13 vs iPhone SE 2022

It was big news: Apple announced its latest budget model, the iPhone SE 2022. Are you the type of user who is satisfied with a few important functions, but does not need the best of the best? Then the iPhone SE 2022 with its attractive price may be something for you. But the September 2021 flagship iPhone 13 might also be an interesting choice. On this page we compare the two smartphones from Apple on various aspects.

The design: ‘vintage’ vs modern

There’s no getting around it: the iPhone SE 3 has an outdated design. Although the phone came out at the beginning of 2022, the phone is still in a jacket of the iPhone 8. This came out in 2017. The design of telephones changes very quickly. You can see this in the iPhone 13. This sleek phone doesn’t look like it’s from 2021, but lives ten years in the future.

The iPhone 13 also comes in more colors than the iPhone SE 2022: Pink, Blue, Black, White and Red. Apple recently added a nice dark green color to it. The iPhone SE 2022 is only available in Midnight Blue (Black), Starlight (White) and PRODUCT(Red) (Red).

Then there is another big important difference; the iPhone 13 no longer has a home button. You go back to the home screen on this phone via swipe gestures. As a result, the iPhone SE 2022 with its home button is perhaps slightly more organized. Plus, you don’t have to get used to anything if you always had a home button. This home button also contains Touch ID (fingerprint scanner). The iPhone 13 has the slightly faster and more secure Face ID as a lock option.

In terms of materials, the back of the iPhone SE 3 and the iPhone 13 is made of the same glass, in addition, both have an aluminum frame. As for the front, the iPhone 13 has slightly harder glass with a ‘Ceramic Shield’. Both phones do not have a headphone jack. The iPhone 13 is in all respects slightly larger and heavier compared to the iPhone SE 2022. The former is waterproof up to 2 meters with IP68, while the SE 3 (with IP67) only lasts 1 meter.

Winner: The iPhone 13 if you like a modern sleek design.

Compare: the screen of the iPhone SE 2022 and the iPhone 13

Mainly in terms of the display, the iPhone SE 2022 differs enormously from the iPhone 13. Apple has ‘only’ a screen of 4.7 inches with the former, while the screen diagonal of the 2021 flagship is no less than 6.1 inches. The screen-to-body ratio, or screen ratio, is therefore one of the most notable drawbacks of the iPhone SE 3. The display only covers about 65% of the front. This is nothing compared to the 87% of the iPhone 13.

However, these are not the only differences. In the resolution and the screen type, we also see two completely different phones. The iPhone SE 2022 has an (obsolete) LCD screen with a resolution of 1334 by 750. The iPhone 13 offers much more contrast; with an OLED display and 2532 x 1170, this difference is very noticeable.

Also, the display of the iPhone 13 can be twice as bright as the new budget phone from Apple. This is especially useful if you use the phone outside a lot. Both screens have a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The movements, scrolling and animations will therefore feel smooth with both smartphones. On the iPhone 13 Pro you have ProMotion with a 120 Hz screen.

Winner: obviously the iPhone 13.

Compare Processors: iPhone SE 2022 vs iPhone 13

This is an interesting comparison. The iPhone SE 3 and the iPhone 13 have exactly the same internal chip: the A15 Bionic. Apple designed this chip all by itself. Both phones can perform powerful calculations with ease. When Apple releases a new SE (Special Edition) model, we usually see the same chipset as in the flagship phones from the year before. So this is not a big surprise. With both phones you can connect to 5G.

If you buy the iPhone 13, however, you get more memory storage as standard: 128 GB. The budget phone, the iPhone SE 2022, starts at slightly less (64 GB), but can be upgraded for an additional cost. We often notice that 64 GB is more than enough for many (budget) telephone users. Both phones can easily handle a whole day of normal use in terms of battery life, but the iPhone 13 often makes it to the second day.

Winner: Draw, they have the same chip.

Cameras and other specifications

When it comes to photos, the phones differ greatly. The iPhone SE 3 has only one camera on the back, while the iPhone 13 has no less than two cameras: a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle lens. This is not a big problem for the regular user, however, professionals will appreciate the possibilities of the 13. Both phones have a single front camera for selfies. However, that of the SE is only 7 megapixels (enough for social media), while the selfie camera of the iPhone 13 is 12 megapixels.

The phones are also comparable in terms of camera software, but not quite. The iPhone SE lacks an important function: the night mode. Android phones in the same price range do offer this; the iPhone 13 of course. If you like to take photos in low light, the iPhone SE 2022 is not the best choice.

The budget phone and the iPhone 13 do support other smart photo functions such as Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion. Photographic styles, sort of real time filters, can be found on both the iPhone 13 and the SE 3. Both phones film in 4K.

Winner: The iPhone 13 for the (professional) photographer.

Price comparison: iPhone SE 2022 vs iPhone 13

Now the most important thing: the price. After all, we don’t call the iPhone SE 2022 a budget phone for nothing in this article. You can already pick up the iPhone SE 2022 with 64GB storage memory for 529 euros† This is in stark contrast to Apple’s flagship. The iPhone 13 costs with 128 GB storage 815 euros† If you want the iPhone SE 3 with 128 GB internal memory, you pay 50 euros more than the bottom price: 579 euros†

Winner: The iPhone SE 2022.

Are you out? Do you still want to buy the iPhone SE 2022 now that you know how it does in a competition with the iPhone 13? Check out our price comparison below for the best current deal. You can buy it as a separate device or as a subscription.

Has this article convinced you to go for the iPhone 13 after all? We have also made a handy price comparison tool for that. You can see this below. Do you want it as a separate device or with a subscription?