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iPhone SE

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Design
Camera
Display
Performance
Battery Life
Speakers
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48 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [48]

83
Total expert reviews: 48
  • with a score: 27
  • without a score: 21
Highest score by Phone Arena
140
Average score based on 48 reviews
83
Lowest score by Android Authority
60

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
90
Classic iPhone design, but with 2020 processing power
The new iPhone SE combines the classic design of the iPhone 8 with the powerful A13 Bionic processor of the iPhone 11, making it a great value for its price with fantastic battery life, water resistance, and wireless charging. While it does come with some compromises, such as a single rear camera and lack of Face ID, it is still one of the best budget phones currently available.
+ pros
  • Affordable option with similar camera specs to iPhone 11.
  • Classic design with updated A13 Bionic processor for improved performance and future-proofing.
  • Great battery life, water resistance, and wireless charging support.
  • Consistent performance in performance tests and ability to handle graphics-heavy AR apps.
  • Impressive rear camera features, including Smart HDR, Quick Take filming, and Portrait Mode.
- cons
  • Only has a single rear camera and lacks Face ID and camera features like Night Mode and Slofies.
  • Design looks dated with old-school forehead and chin bezel.
  • Selfie camera is not as impressive as the one found on the iPhone 11.
  • Comes with a slower 5-watt charger instead of the necessary 18-watt charger for fast-charging.
  • Limited portrait mode capabilities for pets and less natural falloff from in-focus to out-of-focus areas compared to iPhone 11.
90
The 2020 iPhone SE is lightweight, affordable and future-proofed
The iPhone SE 2020 is a budget-friendly option for those who want a new iPhone without breaking the bank. It has a powerful engine and decent camera, but lacks some of the latest features and has a battery life that may not last a full day for heavy users.
+ pros
  • Budget-friendly option for those who want a new iPhone without breaking the bank.
  • Upgraded A13 Bionic chipset that allows it to rival the iPhone 11 range in terms of speed.
  • Water-resistant design.
  • Available in black, white, and red, with 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options.
- cons
  • Camera lacks the same color reproduction and clarity as more premium devices.
  • Battery life may not last a full day for heavy users.
  • Display technology is slightly dated and can suffer in bright light.
  • Lacks a headphone jack.
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Expert consensus

The iPhone SE (2020) is a compact and well-designed smartphone that offers excellent performance and functionality, making it a suitable choice for users who prefer a smaller device.

The iPhone SE (2020) has received positive reviews for its design, with praise for its compact and pocketable form factor. It is constructed using premium materials, with an aluminum frame and durable glass on the front and back. The phone retains the traditional design elements of Touch ID and a physical Home button, which are praised for their speed and reliability.

The camera performance is good in well-lit conditions, but struggles in low light. The display is considered small compared to other iPhones, but offers sharp and vibrant visuals. The performance is impressive, with the A13 Bionic chip providing excellent speed and multitasking capabilities. The battery life is generally good, lasting a full day with moderate usage.

The speakers offer a surprisingly loud and clear audio experience. Overall, the iPhone SE is a well-designed smartphone that is suitable for users who prefer a smaller and lighter device without compromising on performance and functionality. It is ideal for everyday tasks, such as browsing the internet, watching videos, and using social media apps.

Design

The iPhone SE (2020) has received positive reviews for its compact and pocketable design, premium materials, and convenient features such as Touch ID, making it a well-designed smartphone for users who prefer a smaller and lighter device.

The iPhone SE (2020) has received positive reviews for its design. It is praised for its compact and pocketable form factor, making it one of the smaller and lighter smartphones available. The phone is constructed using premium materials, with an aluminum frame that gives it a sturdy and sleek feel, and glass on the front and back for a more premium look.

The glass used is said to be durable and resistant to scratches and drops. The iPhone SE is available in three colors: black, white, and red, all with black front panels.

In terms of camera placement and overall design, the iPhone SE is similar to the iPhone 8. It features a 4. 7-inch Retina HD LCD display and a single-lens 12-megapixel camera on the back. The front-facing camera is a 7-megapixel lens located in the top bezel above the display. The iPhone SE retains the traditional design elements of Touch ID for biometric authentication and has a physical Home button.

The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the Home button and is praised for its speed, accuracy, and reliability.

Overall, the iPhone SE is considered a well-designed smartphone that offers a compact size, premium materials, and convenient features such as Touch ID. It is suitable for users who prefer a smaller and lighter device without compromising on performance and functionality.

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Camera

The iPhone SE's camera performs well in well-lit conditions but struggles in low light, lacks a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, and may produce slightly less detailed images compared to newer iPhone models.

The iPhone SE has a 12-megapixel main camera that performs well in well-lit conditions, capturing good detail, color accuracy, and balance. However, it struggles in low light conditions due to the lack of Apple's Night Mode and advanced low-light shooting abilities. Images taken in the evening or dimly lit environments can appear dark, grainy, and blurry.

The front-facing camera is a 7MP FaceTime HD camera that supports 1080p video recording and has Portrait mode and Portrait Lighting features. However, it may produce slightly less detailed images compared to newer iPhone models. The iPhone SE does not have a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and relies on digital zoom, which results in a significant loss of detail in zoomed-in images.

The zoom performance is best when used with a small amount of pinch zoom in outdoor or bright light conditions, but there is a significant loss of detail in low-light situations. If zoom capabilities and high-quality zoomed-in images are a priority, other smartphones with dedicated telephoto lenses or better zoom performance may be more suitable.

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Display

The iPhone SE's display is small compared to other iPhones, but it offers sharp and vibrant visuals, making it suitable for everyday use and those who prefer a compact device.

According to expert reviews from various sources, the iPhone SE's display is considered to be small compared to other iPhones, with a screen size of 4. 7 inches. It features a Retina HD LCD display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels and a pixel density of 326ppi. The display technology used is not the more advanced OLED found on other iPhones, but rather the same Retina HD LCD technology used since the iPhone 8.

The display of the iPhone SE is made of glass, similar to the front and back of the iPhone 13. However, it does not feature Apple's Ceramic Shield technology that is used on the iPhone 13's screen. Overall, the display of the iPhone SE is considered to be good, offering sharp and vibrant visuals. It may not have the same level of brightness and contrast as OLED displays, but it still provides a satisfactory viewing experience for everyday use.

In terms of specific use cases, the iPhone SE's display is suitable for those who prefer a smaller and more compact device. It is ideal for one-handed use and fits comfortably in pockets or small bags. The display resolution is sufficient for tasks such as browsing the internet, watching videos, and using social media apps.

However, it may not be the best choice for users who prioritize larger screens for gaming, multimedia consumption, or productivity tasks that require more screen real estate.

Overall, the display of the iPhone SE is considered to be a good option for those who value portability and prefer a smaller form factor. It offers a decent viewing experience for everyday tasks and is well-suited for users who prioritize convenience and ease of use.

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Performance

The iPhone SE, whether it's the 2020 or 2022 version, offers impressive performance capabilities with its powerful chips, efficient RAM management, and storage options.

The iPhone SE offers impressive performance capabilities, whether you choose the 2020 or 2022 version. The 2020 model features the Apple A13 Bionic chip, which is 75 percent faster than the iPhone 5s. It provides excellent performance for daily tasks, multitasking, and demanding apps and games.

The 2022 model, on the other hand, is equipped with the Apple A15 Bionic chip, the same chip found in the iPhone 13 lineup. It offers flagship-level performance and performs on par with the iPhone 13 Pro in benchmark tests.

In terms of RAM, the iPhone SE (2020) has 3GB, while the 2022 model has 4GB. Despite having less RAM than some higher-end iPhones and Android phones, the iPhone SE's efficient RAM management ensures smooth operation and performance. The additional 1GB of RAM in the 2022 model further enhances its capabilities.

The iPhone SE comes with different storage capacity options, including 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. Experts recommend getting at least the 128GB model if you plan to store a lot of photos, videos, or apps. The higher storage capacity options provide more space for media files and apps.

When it comes to running demanding applications or multitasking, the iPhone SE excels. It handles graphically intensive games without any performance issues and can handle multiple tasks simultaneously without lag. Users have reported a smooth and responsive experience, making iOS feel fast and seamless.

Overall, the iPhone SE offers powerful performance for a range of tasks, making it a suitable choice for users who require a high-performing smartphone. Whether you choose the 2020 or 2022 model, you can expect smooth operation, fast multitasking, and the ability to run demanding apps and games effectively.

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Battery Life

The iPhone SE has received positive reviews for its battery life, with the 2022 model offering improved performance and lasting for an extended period of heavy usage.

The iPhone SE has received positive reviews regarding its battery life. The 2020 model is equipped with a 1,821mAh battery, while the 2022 model has a slightly larger capacity of 2,018mAh. Reviewers have reported mixed results, with some stating that the iPhone SE (2020) can last a full day with moderate usage, while others mention that heavy usage may require a mid-day recharge.

Apple claims that the iPhone SE (2022) can last up to 13 hours for local video playback, eight hours for streaming video, and 40 hours for audio playback. Real-world usage may result in shorter battery life.

During heavy usage or while using certain features/apps, the iPhone SE has shown impressive battery performance. It has been reported to last for 13 hours of solid use, including gaming, taking pictures, surfing the web, and making phone calls, before needing a recharge. The A15 chip in the iPhone SE has improved its battery performance compared to the previous model, allowing it to last for 15 hours of video playback, 10 hours of streaming video, and 50 hours of audio playback.

Apple claims to have added about two hours of use to the iPhone SE's battery compared to the second-generation model. In testing, the iPhone SE lasted 15 hours and 45 minutes when playing a looped video on Airplane mode at 50% brightness. It has been able to handle heavy usage such as shooting videos and taking photos without any trouble, lasting through a full day on a single charge.

Overall, the iPhone SE offers a strong battery performance for various use cases, including gaming, video streaming, web browsing, and photography. While individual experiences may vary, the iPhone SE has proven to be capable of lasting for an extended period before requiring a recharge.

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Speakers

The speakers on the iPhone SE are generally considered to be good, offering a loud and clear audio experience, although they may lack separation and depth compared to higher-end iPhone models.

Based on expert reviews, the speakers on the iPhone SE are generally considered to be good, offering a surprisingly loud and clear audio experience. The stereo speakers are praised for their crispness and lack of distortion, even at higher volumes. They provide a relatively enjoyable listening experience for videos, music, and other multimedia content.

The speakers are described as being of good quality, especially considering the phone's size and price range. However, some reviews mention that the speakers lack separation and depth, and may not be as impressive as those on higher-end iPhone models. Overall, the speakers on the iPhone SE offer a decent audio experience for a smartphone in its price range.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all smartphones.

Rank Change Price Smartphone
Laptop Mag
The Verge
TechRadar
T3
Pocket-lint
Tom's Guide
IGN
Creative Bloq
Digital Trends
ZD Net
1
- $929
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
-
3
4
2
2
2
-
1
-
1
2
+1 Check price
iPhone 16 Pro Max
-
-
1
-
-
1
-
-
2
2
3
+1 $799
Google Pixel 9 Pro
-
-
2
-
-
3
2
5
4
-
4
+9 $0
iPhone 16
-
1
-
-
-
5
-
-
1
-
Show all rows
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