The announcement of the iPhone SE 3 2022 by Apple earlier in March means that iPhone 13 mini now has a worthy competitor in the affordable and latest iPhones niche. Both phones operate with the same A15 Bionic Processor adjudged to be ultra-fast and share other similar features. However, iPhone SE 2022 is at least $300 cheaper than iPhone 13 mini, although it also does not pack as many features as the latter.
We understand you might be confused if you are budget-constrained but still want to get the best from the iPhone ecosystem. Should you settle for the less feature SE 2022, or buy the more features but $300 more expensive iPhone 13 mini? This puzzle cannot be resolved by mere surface advice; it’s good to look at what both phones have to offer objectively.
To start, let’s see the specifications of both iPhones at a glance
iPhone SE 2022 & iPhone 13 mini Specs Compared
| FEATURES | iPhone SE 3 2022 | iPhone 13 mini |
| Starting Price | $429 | $729 |
| Battery Capacity | Not yet announced | 2438mAh |
| Processor | A15 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| Weight | 5 oz. | 4.97 oz. |
| Internal Memory | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Main Camera | 12 MP with f/2.2 | Main 12 MP (f/1.6); Ultra-Wide 12MP (f/2.4) |
| Selfie Camera | 7 MP (f/2.2) | 12 MP (f/2.2) |
| Dimension | 5.18inche x 2.53 inches x 0.30 inches | 5.8inch x 2.53inch x 0.30 inches |
| Colors | Red, Starlight, and Midnight | Green, Starlight, Red, Blue, and Pink |
| MagSafe | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Yes (IP67) | Yes (IP68) |
| Face ID | No | Yes |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
iPhone SE 2022 vs iPhone 13 mini: Design
iPhone SE 2022 is more like an old-school design with thick bezels that take after the much older iPhone 8. You can only see a camera lens from the rear instead of two, which now come with recent iPhones. The touch ID, which Apple has long replaced with Face ID in modern designs, still appears in this 2022 release. So, unless someone is well-versed in Apple products, it’s possible to mistake iPhone SE 2022 for an old generational iPhone from afar.
iPhone 13 mini, on its part, carries all the designs of iPhone 13, although in a lighter form. The sides are aluminum-made, while the edges are flat. You cannot easily distinguish the mini from others in the iPhone 13 series with its square-off appearance. That aside, the 0.03oz weight difference between the two phones appears to be evident as iPhone 13 mini is a bit lighter than iPhone SE 2022.
iPhone SE 2022 vs. iPhone 13 mini: Battery Capacity
It’s difficult to judge which of the two phones performs better now in this department, and that’s because the battery capacity of the iPhone SE 3 2022 is still speculative. However, it’s looking like iPhone SE may beat iPhone 13 mini hands down from what Apple said on its release date.
For a phone that would be used for 5G connectivity, continuous browsing, and maybe music and video, the less than 2500mAh battery capacity of the iPhone 13 mini is small. It only lasts for 8 hours of continuous web surfing. iPhone SE 2022 may not be significantly different in battery strength, but it is pretty better.
iPhone SE 2022 vs. iPhone 13 Mini: Camera
No doubt, camera capacity is one consideration that many phone buyers take seriously. Compared to the iPhone 13 mini camera, the iPhone SE 3 2022 is less attractive on paper. There is no ultra-wide lens, and the selfie camera only has 7MP sensors compared to the 12 MP of 13 mini.
However, the ultra-fast and latest Apple chipset – A15 Bionic of iPhone SE means you can still get a sound camera output with this phone. While the iPhone 13 mini camera beats SE 2022 in detail, the actual output difference is insignificant.
iPhone SE 2022 vs. iPhone 13 mini: Display
Let’s give it to iPhone 13 mini again on this one. The large bezel of SE 2022 is a turn-off to many of us, and you cannot escape it when watching your favorite movie on this phone. That aside, the SE iPhone’s 1344 by 750 pixels resolution falls short of a Full HD display. So, you cannot expect the same clarity and color as 1080 by 2340 pixels that iPhone 13 mini-packs.
Let’s leave the screen size and resolution and focus on the panels. iPhone 13 mini operates with an OLED panel against the LCD panel in SE 2022, and the implication is that the latter will display poorer contrast than the former. So, iPhone 13 mini is the winner in this wise, too.
What About The Price?
Here is where the difference is quite apparent. For the compromises made by Apple in making iPhone SE 2022, they accommodated it in the price. iPhone SE 2022 is the cheapest iPhone with an A15 Bionic chipset below $500. With a starting price of $429 for its 64GB variant, you’ll be saving at least $300 if you choose it over iPhone 13 mini, which costs $729 for its 128GB variant.
This price difference is quite significant as $300 can do a lot, like getting you any excellent iPhone SE 3 2022 screen protectors from ESR or a protective case. These essential accessories will ensure that you enjoy your iPhone device for an extended period.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
No doubt, iPhone 13 mini beats iPhone SE 3 2022 in almost every department. However, the price difference is noteworthy. While you will be missing a bit of the modern touches that iPhone 13 mini parades that SE 3 2022 does not have, the similar chipset, refresh rate, water resistance that both offers ensure that you don’t miss much.
Even if you buy iPhone 13 mini, you still have to budget for iPhone 13 mini screen protectors and iPhone 13 mini protective cases, which will add to your overall budget. So, with less than $500 as your budget, iPhone SE 3 2022 is not the wrong choice.
