iPhone 13, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and iPhone SE comparison

iPhone models and sizes.

Size comparisons focus mainly on the diagonal display size of a phone. Remember to also think about its height, width and weight to find the mix that’s right for you.

iPhone 13: iPhone 13 comes in a traditional size, along with a mini, Pro, and Pro Max size options, all featuring a brighter, Super Retina XDR display. The traditional iPhone 13 features a 5.4-inch display, with iPhone 13 mini also offering a 5.4-inch display. iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max, however, feature larger displays, with iPhone 13 Pro coming in at 6.1-inches and iPhone 13 Pro Max featuring an impressive 6.7-inch display. But that’s not all — iPhone 13 has more of your favorite colors, with color options like Pink, Gold, Sierra Blue, Midnight, (PRODUCT)Red, and Green.

iPhone SE (3rd generation): Similar structurally to iPhone SE 2020 (2nd generation), iPhone SE (3rd Gen) of 2022 gives you similar portability. However, iPhone SE got a major upgrade this year with the inclusion of a lightning-fast A15 Bionic chip and super-fast 5G capability. iPhone SE (3rd Gen) also features big-time battery life and a superstar camera, plus, the toughest glass in a smartphone and a Home button with secure Touch ID. This device supports 5G UW mid-band (C-band) only, 5G Nationwide and 4G LTE.

iPhone 12: When it comes to iPhone 12 family, you also have 3 size options — all with edge-to-edge OLED screens. The thin and light iPhone 12 mini features a 5.4-inch display. The flagship iPhone 12 and step-up iPhone 12 Pro have 6.1-inch displays, while the robust iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display. 

iPhone 11: With 3 distinct sizes to choose from, iPhone 11 series offers great variety. iPhone 11 Pro display measures 5.8 inches, iPhone 11 display comes in at 6.1 inches and iPhone 11 Pro Max has the largest display of the lineup at 6.5 inches. Both Pro models feature an OLED screen for deep contrast, while the iPhone 11 display uses LCD, which allows for a lower price point.

iPhone camera features.

Camera specs vary by model and within each model series. But what’s one thing all of them have in common? Creative-boosting settings that help you produce pro-level photos. 

iPhone 13: All iPhone 13 series phones feature a camera upgrade, this time featuring a Dual MP Camera system on all 13 series models with both Wide and Ultra-Wide cameras. iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini feature these impressive camera specs, while iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max also boast a Telephoto camera, perfect for capturing more cinematic video shots in Cinematic Mode. 

iPhone SE: This smaller model has fewer camera features than the iPhone 11,12, or 13 series, but you can still count on it to produce brilliant photos. Portrait mode and Depth control let you adjust blur for studio-quality images, while second-generation smart HDR naturally contours faces and evenly balances highlight and shadow details in the background. Set a look you love, like Warm or Cool, and get it every time with Photographic Styles, and see your shots on a brilliant 4.7-inch display.

iPhone 12: Apple’s iPhone 12 family got a major camera upgrade. The ultra-wide and front-facing cameras now join the wide lens to feature Night mode. Other updates across the range include Deep Fusion, which enhances details in mid- to low-light settings, smart HDR 3 to better capture high-contrast scenes and Dolby Vision HDR recording. iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max also have the LiDAR Scanner, which improves Night mode portraits, brings faster low-light autofocus and enables next-level virtual experiences.

iPhone 11: After its release in September 2019, iPhone 11 was praised — and proved to be — one of the best smartphone cameras on the market at the time. Key features include Night mode, next-generation smart HDR, 4K video and a wide and ultra-wide lens, plus the addition of a telephoto lens for iPhone 11 Pro models.  

iPhone performance and battery life. 

Perhaps one of the most important features in a phone? Performance. This affects speed for download times, image processing, battery life and more. 

iPhone 13: All phones in iPhone 13 series feature a lightning-fasting A15 Bionic chip, a lightning-fast chip that leaves competition behind, meaning it operates at a power even more impressive than its predecessors. That said, iPhone 13 lets you do more faster (think downloading video, gaming and more) while also using less power and battery life. 

iPhone SE: Smaller in size but still mighty, iPhone SE 2022 was also built with Apple’s A15 chip, meaning it operates with the same power as the iPhone 13. You’ll experience quick, fluid function, whether you’re toggling between tasks or experimenting with AR.

iPhone 12: With the release of iPhone 12 came a faster chip: the A14 Bionic processor. Harnessing the power of this 5-nanometer chip (an industry first) iPhone 12 was faster and featured longer battery life than its predecessors. 

iPhone 11: Equipped with the A13 Bionic processor, which is around 30 percent more efficient than the older A12 chip,¹ iPhone 11 features improved battery life (with up to 17–20  hours of video playback) and upped performance compared to previous models. According to tests, all 3 iPhone 11 models have anywhere from 10–12 hours of usage time.²

iPhone connectivity and lifespan. 

With technology advancing quickly, the lifespan of a phone means more than whether it was built to last. (Impressively, the average iPhone user holds on to their device for around 4 years.³) Another key consideration is network compatibility. 

iPhone 13: Like their predecessors, iPhone 12 series, all iPhone models in iPhone 13 series are 5G compatible, making them a great choice for those looking to get 5G-connected. iPhone 13 series devices also feature a big leap in battery life, with the standard iPhone 13 model clocking in at 17 hours of video playback (or 13 hours when streamed), and iPhone 13 Pro Max model clocking in at up to 28 hours of video playback, the best battery life ever on an iPhone.

iPhone SE: iPhone SE now comes with 5G capability. From FaceTime calls in HD to multiplayer gaming, 5G makes everything feel fast and seamless when you're on the go, and is now compatible with iPhone SE (3rd Gen).  

iPhone 12: If you’re ready to make the jump to 5G, choose an iPhone 12 model or later. 

iPhone 11: If you’re happy with 4G LTE, any model in the iPhone 11 series is a solid choice, but bear in mind that the iPhone 11 series is not 5G compatible.

The verdict: iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 12 vs. iPhone SE vs iPhone 11.

The decision to purchase a new iPhone 13, or perhaps a new-to-you older model, depends on your personal preferences, must-haves and budget. And don’t forget to calculate the trade-in value of your current phone. Compare the latest Apple iPhone models and shop the new iPhone 13 and others in iPhone 13 series today.