The iPhone SE 3 is Apple's latest entry-level device, and it has the same design as the iPhone 8. With a starting price of $429 (which is $30 higher than its predecessor), it offers flagship-level performance at an affordable price point. A significant upgrade to the chipset has also improved the camera quality and battery life compared to the previous-generation model.
The iPhone SE series is all about an older design and the latest specs. The original iPhone SE launched in 2016 resembled the iPhone 5 from the outside and had the same A9 chipset as the iPhone 6. In 2020, the second-generation iPhone SE was launched with the iPhone 8's design, and under the hood it had the iPhone 11's A13 Bionic chipset. A rumor predicted that the iPhone SE 3's design would be based on the larger iPhone XR, but that wasn't the case.
The iPhone SE 3 features an A15 Bionic 5G chipset while retaining the look and feel of the iPhone 8. Both iPhones are nearly identical in terms of design. The iPhone SE 3 has the same chassis as the iPhone 8 with dimensions of 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm. However, the SE 3 is 4 grams lighter. The frame is made of aerospace-grade aluminum and both phones are IP67-rated for water and dust resistance. The displays on the phones are also the same – a 4.7-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels and True Tone technology. The iPhone 8 was sold in Gold, Silver, Space Gray, and (PRODUCT)RED colors whereas the iPhone SE 3 comes in Starlight, Midnight, and (PRODUCT)RED options. With a 12MP rear camera capable of recording 4K at 60FPS and a 7MP front shooter, the camera hardware is also unchanged. Both phones also house a TouchID fingerprint sensor on the front.