buying guide

iPhone SE (3rd Gen) Review: The Last Home Button iPhone, Still Worth It?

The iPhone SE 3 is the most affordable iPhone with the A15 chip. Is it still worth buying in 2026? Read our review. Available at Affordable Gadgets KE.

iPhone SE (3rd Gen) Review: The Last Home Button iPhone, Still Worth It?
## Design and Build: Familiar, Functional, Affordable ![iPhone SE(3rd Gen) - Image 1](https://res.cloudinary.com/dhgaqa2gb/image/upload/c_fill,h_800,w_800/v1/product_photos/fc37c9d98d184050b965ac5b2f91f3a7_fbt0ym) The iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is the last iPhone standing with the classic home button and Touch ID. If you've been holding onto your iPhone 8 or older because you prefer the physical home button, this is your modern upgrade. The design is pure iPhone 8 — 4.7-inch display, thick bezels, home button with Touch ID, and an aluminium and glass construction. It's IP67 rated, supports wireless charging, and fits perfectly in one hand. The weight (144g) makes it one of the lightest iPhones you can buy. ## Key Features Under the Hood Despite its dated exterior, the iPhone SE 3 packs the A15 Bionic chip — the same processor found in the iPhone 13 series. This makes it surprisingly powerful for its size and price. Here is a quick look at the standout specs: - **Performance:** A15 Bionic chip with 4-core GPU. It runs all apps smoothly and handles gaming surprisingly well for such a small device. - **Camera:** 12MP single camera with computational photography features like Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode (using software detection). - **Battery:** Up to 15 hours of video playback. The small form factor limits battery capacity, but the efficient A15 stretches it well. - **Touch ID:** Reliable fingerprint recognition — still faster and more convenient than Face ID in many situations, especially with masks. ## Who Is the iPhone SE 3 Actually For? The iPhone SE 3 is for anyone who refuses to give up Touch ID, wants the smallest and lightest iPhone possible, or needs the most affordable entry point into the Apple ecosystem. It's also an excellent work phone or first phone for a child. ## The Verdict In 2026, the iPhone SE 3 is an ultra-budget option for specific use cases. The A15 chip keeps it fast, but the 4.7-inch display and small battery are increasingly dated. If you value compact size and Touch ID above all else, this is still your iPhone. Ready for the most affordable iPhone? Check out the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) and explore colours and stock in the shop today.

Ready to upgrade?

Check out our latest deals on the iPhone SE(3rd Gen).

View iPhone SE(3rd Gen)
iPhone SE 3 Review: Budget iPhone 2026 | Affordable Gadgets | Affordable Gadgets KE