AI comparison report

Apple iPhone 11 vs se 3rd gen

By CompareAI Editorial Team · Published 2026-09-07 · How we compare

Choose the Apple iPhone 11 for a larger display, versatile dual cameras with Night mode, and longer battery life, or select the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation…

Who wins: Apple iPhone 11 or se 3rd gen?

Choose the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) first if your priority is future-proof performance with the A15 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity in a compact design; otherwise, choose the Apple iPhone 11 if you prioritize a larger modern screen, dual cameras with Night mode, and longer battery life.

Based on our analysis across 5 dimensions with 20 sources, Apple iPhone 11 scores 7.8/10 overall while se 3rd gen scores 6.9/10 overall.

DimensionApple iPhone 11se 3rd gen
Processing Power and Network Support6/109/10
Display Size and Form Factor8.5/106.5/10
Camera System and Capabilities8.5/106.5/10
Biometric Authentication and UI Navigation8.5/107/10
Battery Life and Endurance7.5/105.5/10
Overall7.8/106.9/10

Should I choose Apple iPhone 11 or se 3rd gen?

Verdict: Choose the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) first if your priority is future-proof performance with the A15 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity in a compact design; otherwise, choose the Apple iPhone 11 if you prioritize a larger modern screen, dual cameras with Night mode, and longer battery life.

Choose the Apple iPhone 11 for a larger display, versatile dual cameras with Night mode, and longer battery life, or select the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) for superior A15 Bionic performance, 5G connectivity, and a lightweight, compact design with Touch ID.

The Apple iPhone 11 is the superior choice for multimedia, photography, and endurance thanks to its 6.1-inch 1792x828 display, dual 12MP camera setup with a 120-degree ultra-wide lens and Night mode, Face ID, and a 3,110 mAh battery rated for up to 17 hours of video playback. Conversely, the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) is tailored for users prioritizing processing power, longevity, and portability, featuring the newer A15 Bionic chip with a 16-core Neural Engine, 5G cellular support, and a pocket-friendly 144-gram body with a 4.7-inch display, though it settles for a smaller 2,018 mAh battery (up to 15 hours of video playback) and a single 12MP rear camera lacking Night mode.

Best for Apple iPhone 11

  • Users who want a larger 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display for immersive media viewing
  • Photographers needing a versatile dual 12MP camera system with an ultra-wide lens and dedicated Night mode
  • Those who prefer modern Face ID biometric authentication and gesture navigation
  • Users demanding longer battery life backed by a 3,110 mAh capacity offering up to 17 hours of video playback

Best for se 3rd gen

  • Users seeking faster processing performance and longer software longevity with the A15 Bionic chip
  • Individuals requiring high-speed 5G cellular network connectivity
  • Fans of compact, lightweight phones offering effortless one-handed use at just 144 grams
  • Users who prefer a physical Home button with integrated Touch ID fingerprint authentication

When not to compare directly

Do not compare them directly if you strictly require a compact, single-handed form factor with a physical Touch ID button, or conversely, if you strictly require a multi-camera setup with an ultra-wide lens and Night mode on a full-screen display.

What are the key differences between Apple iPhone 11 and se 3rd gen?

  • Processing Power and Network Support

    The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) provides superior processing performance and faster data speeds with its A15 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity compared to the Apple iPhone 11 with its older A13 Bionic chip and 4G LTE.

    Apple iPhone 11: The Apple iPhone 11 is powered by the 6-core A13 Bionic chip with a 4-core GPU and an 8-core Neural Engine, limited to Gigabit-class 4G LTE cellular connectivity.

    se 3rd gen: The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) features the newer 6-core A15 Bionic chip with a 16-core Neural Engine and adds 5G cellular network support for faster mobile data.

    Scores — Apple iPhone 11: 6/10, se 3rd gen: 9/10

    Determines long-term software support, app loading speed, and mobile data performance.

    Sources: iPhone 11 - Technical Specifications, iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

  • Display Size and Form Factor

    The Apple iPhone 11 features a larger 6.1-inch full-screen display with a 1792x828 resolution, whereas the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) uses a compact 4.7-inch display with classic bezels and a 1334x750 resolution.

    Apple iPhone 11: The Apple iPhone 11 features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD all-screen LCD display with a resolution of 1792x828 pixels, offering an immersive media experience in a 194-gram form factor.

    se 3rd gen: The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) features a compact 4.7-inch Retina HD widescreen LCD display with a 1334x750 resolution and classic bezels, weighing just 144 grams for enhanced one-handed usability.

    Scores — Apple iPhone 11: 8.5/10, se 3rd gen: 6.5/10

    Affects media viewing experience, portability, and one-handed usability.

    Sources: iPhone 11 - Technical Specifications, iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

  • Camera System and Capabilities

    The Apple iPhone 11 provides a versatile dual-camera system featuring a 12MP ultra-wide lens and Night mode, whereas the iPhone SE (3rd generation) relies on a single 12MP wide camera without an ultra-wide lens or Night mode support.

    Apple iPhone 11: The Apple iPhone 11 features a dual 12MP camera setup comprising a Main (f/1.8) and an Ultra Wide (f/2.4) lens with a 120-degree field of view, supporting Night mode, 2x optical zoom out, and 4K video recording up to 60 fps.

    se 3rd gen: The iPhone SE (3rd generation) features a single 12MP Main (f/1.8) rear camera powered by Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and Photographic Styles, but lacks an ultra-wide sensor and dedicated Night mode.

    Scores — Apple iPhone 11: 8.5/10, se 3rd gen: 6.5/10

    Dictates photographic versatility across different lighting conditions and focal lengths.

    Sources: iPhone 11 - Technical Specifications, iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

  • Biometric Authentication and UI Navigation

    While the Apple iPhone 11 relies on Face ID facial recognition and modern swipe gesture navigation across its 6.1-inch display, the iPhone SE (3rd generation) employs a physical Home button with an integrated Touch ID fingerprint sensor below its 4.7-inch screen.

    Apple iPhone 11: The Apple iPhone 11 utilizes Face ID facial recognition enabled by its 12MP TrueDepth camera system and relies entirely on full-screen swipe gesture navigation across its 6.1-inch display.

    se 3rd gen: The iPhone SE (3rd generation) uses a built-in Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into its physical Home button, which also drives classic button-based UI navigation beneath its 4.7-inch display.

    Scores — Apple iPhone 11: 8.5/10, se 3rd gen: 7/10

    Shapes the day-to-day unlocking speed, convenience, and interaction model.

    Sources: iPhone 11 - Technical Specifications, iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

  • Battery Life and Endurance

    The Apple iPhone 11 delivers significantly longer endurance than the iPhone SE (3rd generation) thanks to its substantially larger 3,110 mAh battery compared to the SE's 2,018 mAh capacity.

    Apple iPhone 11: The Apple iPhone 11 features a 3,110 mAh battery that delivers up to 17 hours of video playback and 65 hours of audio playback.

    se 3rd gen: The iPhone SE (3rd generation) is equipped with a 2,018 mAh battery that provides up to 15 hours of video playback and 50 hours of audio playback.

    Scores — Apple iPhone 11: 7.5/10, se 3rd gen: 5.5/10

    Determines how long the smartphone lasts through a standard day of mixed usage.

    Sources: iPhone 11 - Technical Specifications, iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

What are the pros and cons of Apple iPhone 11 vs se 3rd gen?

Apple iPhone 11

Strengths

  • The Apple iPhone 11 features a larger 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD all-screen LCD display with a resolution of 1792x828 pixels.
  • The Apple iPhone 11 provides a versatile dual 12MP camera system including an Ultra Wide lens with a 120-degree field of view, 2x optical zoom out, and dedicated Night mode support.
  • The Apple iPhone 11 includes a larger 3,110 mAh battery that delivers up to 17 hours of video playback and 65 hours of audio playback.
  • The Apple iPhone 11 offers modern Face ID facial recognition enabled by its 12MP TrueDepth camera system and full-screen swipe gesture navigation.

Weaknesses

  • The Apple iPhone 11 is powered by the older A13 Bionic chip featuring an 8-core Neural Engine and a 4-core GPU.
  • The Apple iPhone 11 is limited to Gigabit-class 4G LTE cellular connectivity rather than 5G.
  • The Apple iPhone 11 has a heavier 194-gram form factor compared to the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation).

se 3rd gen

Strengths

  • The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) is powered by the newer 6-core A15 Bionic chip with a 16-core Neural Engine for superior processing performance.
  • The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) includes 5G cellular network support for faster mobile data speeds.
  • The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) features a lightweight 144-gram body with a compact 4.7-inch Retina HD widescreen LCD display for enhanced one-handed usability.
  • The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) camera system includes Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and Photographic Styles.
  • The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) provides a built-in Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into its physical Home button.

Weaknesses

  • The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) has a smaller 2,018 mAh battery providing lower endurance with up to 15 hours of video playback and 50 hours of audio playback.
  • The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) lacks an ultra-wide camera lens and does not support dedicated Night mode.
  • The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) features a smaller 4.7-inch display with classic bezels and a lower 1334x750 resolution.

Where does this data come from?

  1. iPhone 11 - Technical Specifications
  2. iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Wikipedia
  3. Apple iPhone 11 - Full phone specifications
  4. iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Tech Specs - Apple Support
  5. iPhone 11
  6. Apple iPhone SE (2022) - Full phone specifications - GSMArena.com
  7. Apple iPhone 11 Full Specifications
  8. iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Apple Wiki - Fandom
  9. Apple iPhone 11 Specs, Features (Phone Scoop)
  10. iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Tech Specs – Apple Support (UK)
  11. Apple iPhone 11 Specs
  12. iPhone SE 3rd Generation | Complete Guide with Specs
  13. iPhone 11 Tech Specs & Feature Overview — Everything You ...
  14. All Apple iPhone SE Specs (2016-2025) - EveryMac.com
  15. iPhone 11 Review 2025: iOS 18, Battery, Camera & Performance Test!
  16. iPhone SE (3e generatie) - Technische specificaties - Apple Support
  17. Apple iPhone 11 Review - Imaging Resource
  18. Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) | Support
  19. iPhone 11 Review Roundup: Improved Camera, Battery Life, and ...
  20. iPhone SE (3. generations)

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