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iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) — A15 · iOS · 128GB · Black
Apple

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black)

A15 · iOS · 128GB · Black

78
/ 100
From $429
VS
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) wins by 18
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) — A18 Pro · iOS · 128GB · Japan
Apple

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)

A18 Pro · iOS · 128GB · Japan

96
/ 100
From $1,199
Specdex verdict

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) lands at 78 and iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) at 96. That puts iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) ahead by 18 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware

Pick iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Photography

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)

Stills and video quality across lenses

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) leads on camera (95 vs 77).

Battery life

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)

Screen-on time and charging

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) leads on battery (90 vs 72).

Performance

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)

Chipset speed for gaming and heavy apps

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) leads on cpu (96 vs 78).

Display

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)

Panel quality, brightness, refresh rate

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) leads on display (93 vs 75).

Value for money

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) more score per dollar ($429 vs $1,199).

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) 78
vs
96 iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)

Score breakdown

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black)
78
cpu 78
gpu 76
camera 77
battery 72
display 75
design 78
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)
96
cpu 96
gpu 94
camera 95
battery 90
display 93
design 96

Specs side-by-side

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) versus iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) — full spec comparison
Spec iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)
Chipset
A15
A18 Pro
Storage
128GB
128GB
OS
iOS 16
iOS 18
Release year
2022
2024

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black)

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

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)

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 (Black) vs iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)

Which is better, iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)? +

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 18. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) worth the price? +

At $429, iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in cpu.

Is iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) worth the price? +

At $1,199, iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.

Does iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) 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.

Which is better for photography, iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)? +

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) — leads on camera (95 vs 77). Stills and video quality across lenses.

Which is better for battery life, iPhone SE (3rd gen) 128GB (Black) or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan)? +

iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (Japan) — leads on battery (90 vs 72). Screen-on time and charging.