iPhone SE Specs
Worth: $399/£419
CPU: A13 Bionic
Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Show: Four.7 inches (1334 x 750)
Rear digicam: 12MP (f/1.Eight)
Entrance digicam: 7MP (f/2.2)
Video recording: 4K video as much as 60 fps
Water resistance: IP67
Battery life: As much as 13 hours video playback
Wi-fi charging: Sure (Qi)
Quick charging: Sure through elective 18W adapter
Dimension: 5.45 x 2.65 x zero.29 inches
Weight: 5.22 ounces
The iPhone SE 2020 is among the finest telephones for these on a finances, particularly when you like the concept of proudly owning a smaller handset. For lower than $400, you get Apple’s A13 Bionic processor, delivering not simply the quickest efficiency round but additionally digicam capabilities you’d anticipate from a pricier telephone. And it is all wrapped in a compact design.
The brand new iPhone SE additionally options quite a lot of premium options you received’t discover on Android telephones in its value vary — together with its metal-and-glass design and wi-fi charging to water resistance. Some old-school options are alongside for the rider right here, too, similar to Contact ID for unlocking the machine.
As I wrote this iPhone SE 2020 evaluation, I needed Apple trimmed the bezels on its new telephone and added an evening mode for the digicam. The iPhone SE additionally gives significantly much less battery life than the fuller dimension iPhone 12.
Some could favor the pricier iPhone 12 mini, which delivers a much bigger 5.Four-inch show and 5G in a compact design, nevertheless it additionally prices $699. The iPhone XR is one other good various, because it has now dropped to $499. However general, iPhone SE 2020 stays one of many finest telephones you should buy for the cash.
iPhone SE 2020 value and launch date
The iPhone SE prices $399/£419 and had a launch date of April 24. The iPhone SE begins with 64GB of storage for $399, however you’ll be able to improve to 128GB of storage for $449/£469 and to 256GB for $549/£569.
Clients may get iPhone SE for $9.54 a month or $229 with trade-in from Apple.com. The iPhone SE is offered by means of all the main carriers, together with AT&T, Dash, T-Cellular and Verizon, in addition to different carriers together with Xfinity Cellular and Seen.
That can assist you get the bottom value potential, we have rounded up all the finest iPhone SE offers in a single place.
iPhone SE 2020 evaluation: Design and colours
I typically just like the iPhone SE’s design — with one exception. On the plus aspect, it’s a really properly made handset with the identical sturdy glass-and-aluminum design of the iPhone Eight. There are three coloration choices for the iPhone SE: black, white and (Product)Purple. I like how the aluminum band is coloration matched with the again of the machine.
I attempted out the black mannequin, which appears to be like and feels glossy however did choose up smudges regardless of the oleophobic coating. You’ll most likely need to go for white if you wish to conceal fingerprints.
One other plus to the iPhone SE: The entire design is nearly comically compact in comparison with the iPhone 11 Professional Max or the brand new iPhone 12 Professional Max. It’s the distinction between barely noticing a telephone is in your entrance pocket and having it bulge out. I additionally didn’t really feel any discomfort when gaming for over 30 minutes at a time; I can’t say that about my iPhone 11 Professional Max.
The iPhone SE measures 5.45 x 2.65 x zero.29 inches and weighs 5.22 ounces, which is smaller and narrower than the Google Pixel 4a however about the identical weight. The Pixel 3a has a a lot greater 5.81-inch edge-to-edge show with a gap punch cutout. Nonetheless, not like Google’s finances telephone, the iPhone SE 2020 has IP67 water resistance. Meaning it may be submerged in 1 meter of climate for as much as 30 minutes. You additionally shouldn’t have to fret about espresso or soda spills with this telephone.
Sadly, the bezels across the iPhone SE’s display screen look large and dated for a 2020 smartphone. I stored making an attempt to zoom in on movies to no avail. I might have favored Apple to suit a bigger show in the identical dimension chassis.
One other situation is that Haptic contact doesn’t work on the lock display screen of the iPhone SE for some motive. In contrast to different iPhones, you’ll be able to’t lengthy press on notifications to increase them on the lock display screen.
iPhone SE 2020 evaluation: Contact ID
Though Apple has supplied Face ID on all of its newer telephones for the previous couple of years, the brand new iPhone SE 2020 makes use of a Contact ID sensor beneath the show for unlocking the machine. This similar sensor can be utilized for authorizing App Retailer downloads, Apple Pay and coming into passwords.
Similar to I remembered, the combo Contact ID/dwelling button labored properly, and you’ll select the quantity of haptic suggestions you favor if you press down. The Contact ID button has an important — and sudden — profit proper now as many are being ordered to put on face masks in public. You may nonetheless simply unlock your iPhone SE with out having to take off your masks. Face ID received’t work with masks.
iPhone SE 2020 evaluation: Show
A Four.7-inch display screen on a modern-day telephone could appear antiquated, however these searching for one of many finest small telephones received’t be disillusioned on this panel.
I loved testing the Surprise Girl 1984 trailer on YouTube on the iPhone SE 2020’s Retina Show. The superhero’s gleaming pink, blue and gold go well with popped as she deflected bullets together with her silver bracelet. The iPhone SE’s display screen additionally did job rendering finer particulars in a Tiger King scene: I may make out particular person whiskers on the majestic animal’s face.
Simply don’t anticipate a full HD image. The iPhone SE’s show decision is simply 1334 x 750 pixels. We would like to see a 1080p show nevertheless it’s not too dangerous of a trade-off.
The iPhone SE’s display screen is brilliant, because it’s rated for 625 nits and scored an excellent greater 653 nits in our testing. It’s only a bit dimmer than the Pixel 4a’s 681 nits.
I didn’t have any points viewing the display screen open air when browsing the online or taking images. The panel additionally helps True Tone, which implies it might probably robotically modify the display screen’s coloration temperature primarily based on the ambient lighting situations.
Primarily based on our exams, the iPhone SE’s show reproduces 111.2% of the sRGB coloration gamut, which simply barely beats the 105.Eight% from the Pixel 4a’s OLED panel. The iPhone SE delivers correct colours, too, attaining a Delta-E rating of zero.2; a rating of zero is ideal. The Pixel 4a’s display screen scored zero.29.
iPhone SE 2020 evaluation: Cameras
The iPhone SE 2020’s digicam is so good that you just’d be laborious pressed to inform the distinction between it and the iPhone 11 in lots of circumstances. The one exception is Evening mode, which the iPhone SE merely doesn’t have.
Just like the iPhone Eight, the iPhone SE includes a single 12-megapixel rear digicam and a 7MP entrance digicam. You don’t get a ultra-wide angle lens just like the iPhone 11 or a telephoto lens with optical zoom just like the iPhone 11 Professional. However the A13 Bionic chip boosts the digicam efficiency of the iPhone SE in a number of methods.
As an illustration, you’ll be able to take portraits utilizing each the front and back digicam on the iPhone SE, full with Portrait Lighting results and the power to regulate the depth of discipline. The iPhone SE additionally advantages from Good HDR for bringing out the highlights in faces.
I used to be pleasantly stunned by the extent of element on this iPhone SE photograph of a man-made pond. You can also make out the drops of water within the waterfall within the distance, and the greenery pops across the rock formations. The iPhone SE additionally did an ideal job capturing the black-and-white and orange-and-white fish in that pond, in addition to the blue-green water.
The iPhone SE held its personal towards the Pixel 3a on this photograph of sunshine pink cherry blossom flowers. The iPhone SE’s shot is hotter and brighter, however the Pixel 3a’s picture is a little more detailed and has extra distinction.
I additionally give the nod to the iPhone SE right here with this portrait. My pores and skin tone appears to be like extra pure and the bokeh impact appears to be like very convincing. The Pixel’s manages to take a bit out of the precise aspect of my head. There may be one small downside to the iPhone SE when taking portraits, although; it’s important to get significantly nearer to your topic than you do with the iPhone 11 Professional as a result of the iPhone SE doesn’t have a telephoto lens. (You can be inside 6 ft, which isn’t social-distancing pleasant.)
The iPhone SE pulled forward on this photograph of an Aperol Sprtiz cocktail. The general picture simply appears to be like brighter and extra appetizing. I additionally like how the iPhone SE blurs out the background. The one strike towards the iPhone right here is that the tile appears to be like extra yellow than white; the Pixel 3a obtained that proper.
The one digicam weak spot for the iPhone SE is the shortage of a Evening Mode. On this photograph taken exterior at evening, the Pixel 3a is ready to render the bushes within the foreground, the automotive on the street and the home within the background. You may barely make out something within the iPhone SE’s shot. I don’t know if the iPhone SE may pull off a Evening mode with a software program improve, however it might be nice to see Apple add the characteristic.
The iPhone SE can also be able to recording 4K video at as much as 60 fps, and you’ll take pleasure in prolonged dynamic vary when you drop down the body charge to 30 fps. This brings out extra particulars within the shadows together with higher highlights.
iPhone SE 2020 evaluation: Efficiency
Whereas Android telephone makers outfit their finances telephones with weaker processors, the iPhone SE packs the identical A13 Bionic chip because the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Professional. This implies you’ll take pleasure in the identical quick and responsive efficiency.
For instance, the iPhone SE delivered silky clean gameplay whereas I sped alongside in Sayonara Wild Hearts and tried to remain on the observe in Tremendous Unattainable Highway. The graphics weren’t as crisp because of the iPhone SE’s lower-res show, however the general motion was simply as swift and satisfying. Loading apps and switching between apps was additionally lag-free.
Scrolling on the iPhone SE feels slower than on telephones with a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh charge, however I don’t anticipate that perk on a sub-$400 telephone.
On Geekbench 5, which measures general efficiency, the iPhone SE scored three,226 on the multi-core check and 1,337 on the single-core portion. These numbers are similar to what the iPhone 11 (three,251 and 1,331) turned in. Additionally they beat the Galaxy S20, which scored three,147 and 867 and prices $600 extra.
The iPhone SE carried out very properly on real-world efficiency exams, too. It took the telephone simply 43 seconds to transcode a 4K video to 1080p after making use of just a few edits within the Adobe Premiere Rush app. That outcome truly beats the pricier Samsung Galaxy S20, which took 1 minute and 15 seconds.
iPhone SE 2020 evaluation: Battery life and charging
The iPhone SE is rated for much less battery life than the the iPhone 11, so that you should not anticipate the longest endurance. As an illustration, Apple says that the iPhone SE delivers 13 hours of video playback, versus 17 hours for the iPhone 11.
On the Tom’s Information Battery Take a look at, which entails steady net browsing over 4G LTE, the iPhone SE 2020 averaged 9 hours and 18 minutes. That is properly beneath the endurance of the iPhone 11 (11:16), iPhone 11 Professional (10:24) and iPhone 11 Professional Max (11:54). The iPhone SE did, nevertheless, finest the Pixel 4a, which scored a mere Eight:55.
In my anecdotal testing, I discovered that the iPhone SE does have much less endurance than my iPhone 11 Professional Max, because it has a smaller battery. For instance, after unplugging the iPhone SE at 7 am and utilizing it for net browsing, enjoying video games, taking images and extra all through the day, I had 20% juice left at Eight pm. That is not dangerous, however my iPhone 11 Professional Max nonetheless had near 40% energy.
Sadly, the iPhone SE comes with Apple’s commonplace 5-watt Lightning charger. And with that you may anticipate to get to only 29% energy in 30 minutes, primarily based on our testing. If you would like to have the ability to juice this telephone to 50% in 30 minutes, you’re going to need to pay additional for an 18W charger from Apple. It’s $29 for the ability brick and one other $19 for the USB C to Lightning cable.
If you wish to go wi-fi, the iPhone SE helps 7.5W wi-fi charging and helps the Qi commonplace. Take a look at all of the finest wi-fi chargers to pair with this telephone.
iPhone SE vs Google Pixel 4a
The brand new Google Pixel 4a is an excellent various to the iPhone SE. At $349, it prices $50 lower than Apple’s machine. And for that value you get a much bigger 5.Eight-inch OLED show, a lot slimmer bezels and a Evening mode for the digicam, which the iPhone SE lacks. The Pixel 4a additionally gives double the storage at 128GB vs 64GB for the iPhone.
However, the Snapdragon 730 processor contained in the Pixel 4a is slower than Apple’s A13 Bionic chip. Plus, the iPhone SE has a waterproof design, in addition to wi-fi charging. So it actually comes down as to if you favor iOS or Android.
iPhone SE 2020 evaluation: Verdict
The iPhone SE 2020 is the reasonably priced iPhone to beat, and the one of many finest low cost telephones you will get. It’s the closest factor to future-proof you’ll discover underneath $400 providing the quickest efficiency round, excellent cameras, wi-fi charging and a premium design that outclasses low cost Android telephones.
Sure, I want the bezels had been smaller and that Apple included Evening mode for the digicam — and also you don’t get 5G connectivity — however general it’s laborious to complain an excessive amount of at this value.
The iPhone XR is a tempting various to the iPhone SE because it now prices simply $499. For that cash you wager a much bigger show and larger battery however a slower CPU and fewer superior cameras. Nonetheless, when you favor a smaller telephone this handset is not going to disappoint. General, the iPhone SE is the the most effective telephones for anybody on a finances.
iPhone SE evaluation cheat sheet: Causes to purchase and skip
- A13 Bionic processor: The A13 chip is the quickest in a telephone and gives clean efficiency, whether or not you are juggling a number of apps, enjoying video games or utilizing AR apps.
- Strong cameras: That A13 chip additionally boosts the images powers of the iPhone SE, as you get Portrait mode for the entrance and rear shooters, Good HDR for higher highlights and prolonged dynamic vary in 4K video.
- Premium design: Whereas quite a lot of premium telephones have plastic designs, the iPhone SE is manufactured from glass and metallic and can also be IP67 waterproof.
- Vivid and colourful show: It isn’t full HD, however the Four.7-inch Retina Show on the iPhone SE is straightforward to see open air and gives a vibrant image.
- Straightforward to make use of with one hand: Followers of small telephones will recognize how compact the iPhone SE is. And the Contact ID button helps you to simply unlock the machine.
Causes to skip the iPhone SE 2020
- Massive bezels: The iPhone SE can be much more engaging if Apple had been in a position to ship one thing nearer to a full-screen design.
- No Evening mode for the digicam: The iPhone SE lacks the Evening Mode digicam characteristic on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Professional. So you may need to depend on the flash in actually dim situations.
