It’s been just over four years since Apple introduced the first iPhone SE, a model that offered a return to the small-screen format at a time when the brand’s display size was continuously growing. This week, the second generation Apple iPhone SE was unveiled, and it offers an even better performance-to-price ratio than its predecessor. Let’s take a look at what the compact new iPhone brings to the table.
With a 4.7 inch display, the new iPhone SE is still the smallest phone currently available from Apple. And though compact, it still packs in a Retina HD display (326 ppi) with a 1400:1 contrast ratio and both True Tone and Wide Color display technology. Expect it to look as good as any other iPhone display. The body construction is similar to the iPhone 8, with a seamless aluminum body, and it offers IP67 dust and water resistance. That’s not quite as robust as the IP68 rating of the iPhone 11, but still a valuable feature—especially on a “budget” model.
While the first iPhone SE was positioned as sort of an entry-level device—its processing power was at least a generation behind the flagship iPhone at the time—this new iPhone SE is much better equipped relative to the rest of the lineup. Inside the svelte body is an A13 Bionic chip, the same CPU that powers all three variations of the iPhone 11. It runs iOS 13 and has much of the current generation tech you’d want, like Wi-Fi 6 and compatibility with AirPods or other wireless headphones. And this new model starts at just $399 (64 GB model), meaning you’ll get top-tier processing power for nearly half the cost of the cheapest iPhone 11.
So what’s the catch? There are a few, though none of them are critical if you don’t care about having the latest bells and whistles. The new iPhone SE does not have Face ID, though it does feature Touch ID. It only has one rear camera, but it looks to be the same lens and sensor as the iPhone 11’s main camera, and it offers some of the key features of the latter model, like Portrait Lighting and Depth Control. The front camera is also a lower megapixel model with capabilities for both stills and video. Battery life is promised to be on par with the iPhone 8.
All in all, it appears to be a great value for an Apple product. If you’ve been waiting to get into the iOS ecosystem but have been turned off by the brand’s high prices, and if you’re okay with some tech that’s a generation old, the new iPhone SE is a good option for you. Preorders for the iPhone SE start April 17, and the phone should be on store shelves exactly one week later.
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