iPhone SE (2022) vs iPhone 13
iPhone 13 Wins OverallUpdated March 21, 2026
Category Scorecard
Quick Verdict
The iPhone 13 is the better phone by almost every objective measure: larger and sharper 6.1-inch OLED display (vs 4.7-inch LCD), ultrawide second camera (the SE has none), 12MP front camera (vs 7MP), better battery life (19 vs 15 hours), Face ID (vs the SE's home button Touch ID), and 5G capability alongside more modern connectivity. The SE (2022) wins exactly one category that matters: price. At $429 launch, it was $370 cheaper than the 13 and used the same A15 Bionic chip. The SE is the right choice for buyers who want the smallest possible iPhone body, love the home button, or have a hard budget ceiling around $300–$400 in 2026.
Physical Size Comparison
Scaled at 3px per mm. The SE is 8.3mm shorter and 4.2mm narrower — completely different size classes. Cases are not interchangeable in any way.
Full Specs
| Spec | iPhone SE (2022) | iPhone 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A15 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| Main Camera | 12 MP f/1.8 | 12 MP f/1.6 + ultrawide |
| Connector | Lightning | Lightning |
| Display | 4.7″ LCD 625 nits | 6.1″ OLED 800 nits |
| Battery Life | 15 hrs video | 19 hrs video |
Category Deep-Dives
Display — a fundamental difference
This is the most dramatic difference between the two phones, and it's not subtle. The iPhone SE uses a 4.7-inch LCD Retina HD display at 326 ppi and 625 nits maximum brightness. The iPhone 13 uses a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display at 460 ppi and 800 nits. OLED produces true blacks (each pixel turns off rather than showing black on a backlit panel), dramatically better contrast ratios, richer colors, and more efficient power use. The SE's LCD, by comparison, looks washed out next to an OLED in any side-by-side test — especially visible in photos, videos, and dark-mode interfaces. The resolution difference (326 vs 460 ppi) is also perceptible when reading fine text. If the screen is the most-used surface of your phone, this gap matters a lot.
Performance — genuinely tied
Both phones run Apple's A15 Bionic chip with a 6-core CPU. This is the one category where the SE doesn't concede ground: app launches, gaming, web rendering, and photo processing run identically on both phones. The SE's chip gives it a longer performance runway than you'd expect from its price — it will run iOS software as long as the 13 does, and neither will feel slow in 2026. This is the SE's strongest argument: you get the same chip quality as a $799 phone in a $429 body.
Camera
The iPhone 13 has a clear camera advantage. It has two rear cameras — 12MP main (f/1.6) and 12MP ultrawide — plus a 12MP front camera. The SE has a single 12MP rear camera (f/1.8, slightly narrower than the 13's f/1.6) and only a 7MP front camera. That means the SE cannot shoot wide-angle photos at all, and its selfies are noticeably lower resolution than the 13's. Main camera quality in daylight is comparable between the two thanks to the shared A15 chip doing processing work, but the 13's wider aperture (f/1.6 vs f/1.8) captures more light in low-light situations. Both shoot 4K/60fps video. For anyone who takes photos frequently, the 13's dual-camera system is significantly more capable.
Battery
The SE (2022) has Apple's weakest battery life: 15 hours of rated video playback. The iPhone 13 rates at 19 hours — 4 hours more. In real-world mixed use, the SE is a one-day phone that requires charging every night, and a heavy day of social media, GPS, and video will push it into the red by evening. The 13 handles a full demanding day more comfortably. The SE also doesn't have MagSafe wireless charging — only standard Qi charging up to 7.5W. The 13 adds 15W MagSafe. If battery anxiety is a concern, the SE is the wrong choice.
Design & Biometrics
The SE's defining design choice is the home button with Touch ID. This is the last iPhone Apple sells with a physical home button — all other current iPhones use Face ID. Touch ID works well with gloves, in situations where your face isn't aimed at the phone, and for users who find fingerprint authentication more intuitive. The SE measures 138.4×67.3mm and weighs 144g — genuinely one-handed comfortable in a way the 13 (146.7×71.5mm, 174g) is not. The SE's design is essentially unchanged from iPhone 8 (2017), giving it thick top and bottom bezels that feel dated compared to the 13's full-face design. The SE rates IP67 (1m water resistance for 30 minutes); the 13 rates IP68 (2m for 30 minutes).
Value
The SE (2022) launched at $429 versus the 13's $799 — a $370 difference that is genuinely significant. In 2026 those prices have compressed: the SE can be found used for $150–$200, while the 13 sits at $300–$400 used. At that gap, the 13 becomes a very compelling buy: you're paying $100–$200 more for OLED, ultrawide, better front camera, longer battery, and Face ID. Unless budget is a hard constraint at the $150–$200 price point, the 13 offers more phone per dollar in 2026's used market.
Who Should Buy Which
- •You specifically want a compact iPhone that fits in small pockets and is easy one-handed
- •You prefer Touch ID over Face ID for accessibility or personal preference
- •You want the lowest-cost iPhone with modern 5G and a current-generation chip
- •You're buying a starter or secondary device where display and camera aren't priorities
- •You watch videos, browse social media, or read on your phone — the OLED is transformative
- •You take photos regularly and want an ultrawide lens and a proper 12MP front camera
- •You need battery life that lasts reliably through a full day without anxiety
- •You want Face ID and MagSafe charging as part of your daily workflow
Case Compatibility
iPhone SE (2022) and iPhone 13 cases are completely incompatible. The SE is 138.4×67.3mm; the iPhone 13 is 146.7×71.5mm — 8.3mm taller and 4.2mm wider. These are different size classes entirely, not just different generations. An SE case will not fit a 13 in any way.