Apple
iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White)
A15 · iOS · 128GB · White
78
/ 100
From $429
VS
Apple
iPhone XS Max 128GB
A12 · iOS · 128GB
78
/ 100
From $1,099
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White) lands at 78 and iPhone XS Max 128GB at 78. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White) if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Pick iPhone XS Max 128GB if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White) 78
vs 78 iPhone XS Max 128GB
Score breakdown
iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White)
78 cpu 78
gpu 76
camera 77
battery 72
display 75
design 78
iPhone XS Max 128GB
78 cpu 78
gpu 76
camera 77
battery 72
display 75
design 78
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White) | iPhone XS Max 128GB |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A15 | A12 |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB |
| OS | iOS 16 | iOS 12 |
| Release year | 2022 | 2018 |
iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White)
Pros
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
Cons
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
iPhone XS Max 128GB
Pros
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
Cons
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
FAQ: iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White) vs iPhone XS Max 128GB
Which is better, iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White) or iPhone XS Max 128GB? +
Both score 78 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White) worth the price? +
At $429, iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White) delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPhone XS Max 128GB worth the price? +
At $1,099, iPhone XS Max 128GB delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in cpu.
Does iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (White) or iPhone XS Max 128GB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.