Apple’s iPhone range could cover both advanced technology and essential features. If you are choosing between iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone SE (3rd Gen), it might help to look beyond the price. These two models may offer very different experiences in design, performance, and everyday use.
The iPhone SE brings classic design with powerful internals, thanks to the A15 Bionic chip and 5G support. It’s compact, affordable, and easy to use. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max steps up with a titanium build, A17 Pro chip and other advanced features.
The best pick might depend on what you expect from your phone. This comparison looks at the key features of both to help you decide which one suits your needs more closely.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max vs SE (3rd Gen) comparison shows two very different types of phones. While the 15 Pro Max might deliver advanced performance and high-end features, the SE might stick to a simpler design with reliable everyday power. Here’s a quick look at how they compare across important specs like display, camera, and battery life:
Feature |
iPhone 15 Pro Max |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
Display |
6.7-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion, Always-On. |
4.7-inch Retina HD. |
Design |
Titanium body, Ceramic Shield, slim bezels. |
Aluminium and glass, thick bezels. |
Camera System |
Triple camera: 48MP Main, 12MP Ultra-Wide, 12MP Telephoto. |
Single 12MP Main. |
Chip |
A17 Pro (6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine). |
A15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine). |
Battery Life |
29 hours video playback. |
15 hours video playback. |
Safety Features |
Crash Detection, Emergency Satellite SOS (based on location). |
Standard Emergency SOS (no Crash Detection or Satellite SOS). |
Operating System (At launch) |
iOS 17. |
iOS 15. |
The iPhone 15 Pro Max could bring a high-end experience with its powerful camera system, smooth OLED display, and premium materials. The iPhone SE keeps things compact and familiar, with strong performance and practical value. Both iPhones might offer different features, so the choice depends on what you prefer.
Design is a key area where the iPhone 15 Pro Max vs SE may differ. The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a modern look with a titanium body and slim bezels, offering a more immersive feel. The SE stands by the classic iPhone style with a compact build that some users could find more familiar and comfortable.
Design Aspect |
iPhone 15 Pro Max |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
Frame Material |
Aerospace-grade Titanium. |
Aerospace-grade Aluminium. |
Front Protection |
Ceramic Shield. |
Toughened glass. |
Bezels and Notch |
Slim bezels, Dynamic Island. |
Thick bezels, Traditional Notch. |
Finish/Colours |
Natural, Blue, White, Black |
Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT) RED |
Water Resistance |
IP68 (up to 6m for 30 minutes) |
IP67 (up to 1m for 30 minutes) |
Weight |
221 grams |
144 grams |
The iPhone 15 Pro Max could offer a sleek, modern design with a lighter titanium frame, slim bezels, and premium finishes. It might feel more immersive and refined. The iPhone SE (3rd Gen), on the other hand, might keep the classic iPhone design with a smaller size, aluminium frame, and physical home button. Both phones could be durable and water-resistant, but their look and feel cater to different preferences.
If camera quality is high on your priority list, the iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone SE difference could be important to understand. The 15 Pro Max could offer features like Night mode, ProRAW, and macro photography. The SE sticks to a single camera suitable for casual photography.
Camera Feature |
iPhone 15 Pro Max |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
Main Camera |
48MP with ƒ/1.78 aperture |
12MP with ƒ/1.8 aperture |
Ultra Wide Camera |
12MP, ƒ/2.2 |
Not available |
Telephoto Camera |
12MP, ƒ/2.8 |
Not available |
Optical Zoom Options |
.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x zoom |
1x zoom |
Digital Zoom |
Up to 25x |
Up to 5x |
Night Mode |
Yes, with Night mode portraits |
Not available |
Macro Photography |
Yes (Ultra Wide camera) |
Not available |
Portrait Mode |
Next-generation portraits, Focus and Depth Control |
Standard Portrait mode with Depth Control |
The iPhone 15 Pro Max could offer a more advanced camera system with multiple lenses, higher zoom, and features like Night mode, macro photography, and ProRAW support. The iPhone SE (3rd Gen) might keep things simple with a single-lens setup that works well for everyday shots. If your photography needs are basic, the SE may be enough. For more creative control and flexibility,or professional needs, the 15 Pro Max could be a better fit.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone SE comparison might show certain performance differences. The Pro Max runs on the A17 Pro chip, this could offer quality gaming experience and smoother multitasking. The SE, powered by A15, is still strong for daily use but may fall short for heavy tasks.
Feature |
iPhone 15 Pro Max |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
Chipset |
A17 Pro. |
A15 Bionic. |
Capacity (Mid) |
512GB. |
128GB. |
Video Playback |
Up to 29 hours. |
Up to 15 hours. |
Streamed Video |
Up to 25 hours. |
Up to 10 hours. |
Audio Playback |
Up to 95 hours. |
Up to 50 hours. |
Fast Charging (With 20W adapter) |
50% in 35 mins. |
50% in 30 mins. |
Wireless Charging |
Supports MagSafe, Qi2 and Qi. |
Supports Qi. |
Charging Port |
USB-C. |
USB-C. |
The iPhone 15 Pro Max could deliver top-tier performance with the A17 Pro chip, making it more suitable for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. It may also offer significantly longer battery life for video and audio playback. The iPhone SE, with its A15 chip, might remain fast for daily tasks and casual use, but may not be able to handle intensive workloads. If extended usage and high performance matter to you, the 15 Pro Max could offer more value.
Both models run on iOS and could receive Apple’s security updates. But the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with its newer hardware, supports extra features like Dynamic Island and Always-On Display that the SE might not offer. These small touches could make everyday use feel a bit more modern and seamless. Here’s how the features of iPhone SE vs 15 Pro Max compare:
Feature |
iPhone 15 Pro Max |
iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
Dynamic Island |
Available. |
Not available. |
Always-On Display |
Available. |
Not available. |
Face ID / Touch ID |
Face ID. |
Touch ID. |
Crash Detection |
Available. |
Not available. |
Emergency SOS via Satellite |
Crash Detection, Emergency Satellite SOS (based on location). |
Standard Emergency SOS (no Crash Detection or Satellite SOS). |
iOS Version |
iOS 17 (upgradeable). |
iOS 15 (upgradeable). |
Software Longevity |
Likely to get more years of updates. |
May get updates for fewer years. |
The iPhone 15 Pro Max might offer more advanced software features and better performance while the iPhone SE could still handle daily tasks well. If you want modern features like Dynamic Island, Always-On Display, or satellite-based SOS, the 15 Pro Max may suit you better. For users who prefer simplicity and essential functions at a lower cost, the iPhone SE remains a capable option.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is positioned at the premium end of Apple’s lineup, with prices starting around ₹1,55,000. It reflects the cost of advanced hardware, camera systems, and display technologies. The iPhone SE (3rd Gen), starting at approximately ₹47,500, is one of the more affordable iPhones available in the market.
The price difference between the two could highlight the gap in features, design, and performance. Depending on your budget and usage needs, either model could offer value in its own way.
If you’re looking for cutting-edge technology, pro-level photography, a bigger and smoother screen, and longer battery life, the iPhone 15 Pro Max could be worth the investment.
If you’re budget-conscious and need an efficient iPhone for daily tasks, calls, and apps with the comfort of Touch ID, then the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) might suit you well. It’s affordable and offers good performance while keeping things simple.
Ultimately, your choice could depend on what you prioritise between high-end enhancements or compact, reliable value.
Once you’ve compared the iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone SE and picked the model of your choice, the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card could make your purchase smooth and budget-friendly.
Here’s how it could help:
Split the cost into easy to manage monthly instalments
No requirement to pay the entire price at once
Zero down payment might be available at select partner stores
No credit card or complex loan process required
Flexible EMI plans which could be tailored to your budget
Shop in an instant online or at stores with your pre-approved limit
Whether you choose the budget-friendly iPhone SE or the high-end iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Insta EMI Card may make your buying experience simpler and more affordable.
The main differences between iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone SE are in display size, camera quality, performance, and price. The iPhone 15 Pro Max could offer more premium features and better specs.
Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is priced higher because it offers significantly more advanced features. It comes with a powerful A17 Pro chip, a triple-camera system with pro-grade photography tools, and a premium titanium design. The price difference between iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone SE reflects the gap in performance, build, display quality, and overall user experience.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers up to 29 hours of video playback, nearly double that of the iPhone SE’s 15 hours. This could be a suitable option if you value battery longevity.
The 15 Pro Max has a larger OLED display with better colours, brightness, and up to 120Hz refresh rate. The SE has a comparatively smaller LCD screen with a standard quality display.
Yes. Features like Dynamic Island, always-on display, enhanced optical and digital zoom, and ProMotion could be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max could offer better cameras, a larger display, and longer battery life. If these features matter to you, it could be a worthwhile upgrade. Otherwise, the iPhone SE remains a solid, budget-friendly option.