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Apple · Released Sep 2022

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB Review

A15 · iOS · 128GB

Specdex verdict The iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB is a competent mid-range pick when the price is right — see our cheaper-and-better alternatives below for context.

The iPhone SE (3rd gen) (128GB) — Apple's 2022 flagship generation with the A15 chipset.

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iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB — A15 · iOS · 128GB
Specdex verdict
Solid

Specdex doesn't run benchmarks in-house. The verdict is an editorial assessment based on manufacturer specs and public reviewer consensus. See methodology.

Editorial · Specdex take
Pros
  • +iOS ecosystem
  • +Long update support
  • +Polished hardware
Cons
  • Premium pricing
  • Limited customization
  • Lightning/USB-C split across generations

Who's the iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB for?

Quick verdicts for the most common buyer profiles, derived from the sub-scores above.

Power users and creators Skip

Compute scores trail current top-tier — look at our step-up alternatives below if performance is the priority.

Battery-life shoppers Skip

Battery sub-score of 72 trails category leaders by a meaningful margin — see the “Best for Battery” lists.

Photography enthusiasts Skip

Camera sub-score of 77 is below the photography-flagship tier — better picks live in our "best for photography" list.

Budget-conscious buyers Consider

Mid-tier pricing at $429 — review whether the score-per-dollar lines up against the cheaper alternatives we recommend.

In the box

What you get when you unbox the iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB.

  • Device
  • USB-C cable
  • SIM ejector tool
  • Quick-start guide
  • Brand sticker

Standard contents — region/SKU may vary; confirm at retailer.

Sources & benchmarks

Cited, not generated

Specdex does not run benchmarks in-house. We're rolling out cited public benchmark data category by category — PassMark for CPUs and GPUs is wired today; DXOMark, RTINGS, Geekbench, and NotebookCheck will follow.

Sources we use when available: PassMark for CPU/GPU, Geekbench Browser for synthetic, DXOMark for camera scores, RTINGS for TVs, monitors, and headphones. See methodology.

Specifications

Editorial · awaiting verification
Performance
iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB performance specs
Specification Value
Chipset A15
Storage
iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB storage specs
Specification Value
Storage 128GB
Software & support
iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB software & support specs
Specification Value
OS iOS 16
Other
iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB other specs
Specification Value
Release year 2022

Cheaper alternatives to the iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB

Same category, at least 20% cheaper, best-scoring picks from our catalog.

Step up from the iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB

Higher-scoring smartphones if you've got more to spend.

More from Apple

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Also consider

See every head-to-head matchup for the iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB →

Where the iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB appears on Specdex

Curated lists, spec rankings, and buying guides where this product is mentioned or ranked.