iPhone SE 2022 review

Up to date September 2022 with new UK value.

The iPhone SE is a humorous outdated telephone. With a design and show that you can generously name “aged”, however the newest Apple processor and 5G connectivity, it is a very old style telephone in some respects however a supremely trendy gadget in others.

The identical inconsistencies had been there to be discovered within the (virtually an identical) 2020 iPhone SE, however whereas Apple’s finances providing has remained static, the remainder of the market has moved on.

So whereas the earlier SE was a telephone I may suggest – with some critical caveats – this 2022 version is a harder promote.

To be blunt, it serves one viewers and one viewers solely: those that completely won’t beneath any circumstances purchase an Android gadget, however can’t afford the iPhone 12 Mini or any of the opposite dearer Apple telephones.

Design and construct

• 8-year-old design
• House Button – however big black bezel
• Small – however not the smallest iPhone
• Aluminium construct and IP67 score

Let me be blunt for a second: the design of the iPhone SE dates all the way in which again to 2014. That’s when Apple launched the
iPhone 6, which seems basically the identical as this yr’s SE. That was design was tweaked barely for 2017’s
iPhone 8, however since then has been basically static by means of each the
2020 SE and the
2022 mannequin.

Meaning you continue to get the House Button beneath the display screen, and no notch above it, however it equally means you’ll must reside with an enormous black bezel above and beneath mentioned display screen. There are not any different telephones available on the market that seem like this, and
I don’t imply that as a praise.

Nonetheless, there are upsides to the design. For one, it’s small – the SE is simply 5.45in tall, and weighs a mere 144g. It’s compact, snug, and straightforward to carry and use with one hand. Nonetheless, it’s value noting that it isn’t Apple’s smallest telephone – each the
iPhone 12 Mini and
13 Mini are smaller and lighter, regardless of packing bigger shows, so these are value if measurement is your fundamental concern.

One potential purpose to desire the SE is that with its older aesthetic comes the rounded edges Apple used to desire, since changed on its different telephones by sq. edges that look slick, however are arguably rather less snug to carry. Like these different iPhones although, the SE remains to be missing a headphone jack.

Though equally priced Android telephones will are inclined to look much more trendy than the iPhone SE, it’s honest to say that Apple does have the sting in construct high quality. Accessible in black, white, or crimson the brand new SE 2022 is constructed out of aluminium and glass – no plastic right here – and boasts an IP67 score for mud and water-resistance.

Show and audio

• Tiny 4.7in show
• Low decision, LCD, and 60Hz refresh charge
• Stereo audio system

If the re-used design holds again the iPhone SE, that’s nowhere extra true than with regards to the show.

This is among the worst shows in any trendy smartphone: it’s tiny, at 4.7in, it makes use of older LCD tech, moderately than a superior OLED panel, it’s low decision – not even Full HD, it’s dim and thus arduous to make use of in vivid daylight, and it caps at a 60Hz refresh charge.

You possibly can spend half as a lot and nonetheless discover an Android telephone that beats the SE on nearly each a kind of specs.

In the end although, it’s the display screen measurement that basically holds the SE again. Sure, it’s a part of what retains the telephone so small and which may attraction to some, however because of a contemporary design Apple’s 12 Mini and 13 Mini provide far more display screen area with 5.4in panels, whereas staying smaller general.

The impact is sensible, in addition to aesthetic – the SE can barely match trendy apps on its display screen. Some Instagram posts can’t show of their entirety, cookie pop-ups block much more of internet sites than they’re designed to, and also you higher hope you don’t have to kind something – the keyboard takes up half the display screen, incessantly blocking the textual content entry fields you’re making an attempt to make use of.

The small display screen can also be a knock towards the widespread argument that the SE is a superb telephone for older customers, who could also be reluctant to be taught a brand new swipe-based interface. In any case, a small display screen means smaller textual content (and an much more cramped show in the event you choose to extend textual content measurement) making this a questionable selection for anybody with visible accessibility wants.

Not less than audio fares higher. Apple has included stereo audio system right here – a relative oddity at this value – and so they’re loud and crisp, particularly contemplating the telephone’s measurement. You in all probability gained’t purchase the SE only for its audio system, however nonetheless – they’re good.

Specs and efficiency

• Apple’s newest A15 Bionic chip
• Largely easy efficiency
• 5G connectivity

Now we’re attending to the great things. The primary manner that the iPhone SE stands out from the mid-range competitors is that it gives absolutely the quickest chip you’ll discover in any telephone proper now.

Apple has included its A15 Bionic chip right here – the identical chipset you’ll discover throughout the
iPhone 13 vary, and in accordance with hearsay, a chip it can even use once more for the
iPhone 14.

That predictably means the iPhone SE is highly effective, and genuinely approaching flagship stage – solely held again by decrease ranges of RAM included right here.

The telephone flies on benchmarks, although surprisingly I discovered it struggled often in real-world use, with apps dropping out of reminiscence before I’d count on and even some stutter and lag – extra on that once I speak about software program beneath.

I do ponder whether most individuals the SE appeals to will want this a lot energy – and extra importantly, whether or not that cash could possibly be higher spent on a contemporary design – however I can’t actually argue with the outcomes.

The most important improve right here relative to the 2020 SE is that the A15 additionally brings with it help for 5G networking, which if nothing else is essential for future-proofing the telephone – although in the event you’re within the US word that in contrast to many different 5G telephones, this doesn’t help mmWave, so gained’t hit the quickest 5G speeds.

Nonetheless, 5G help offers the SE a vital edge over the
iPhone 11, which in any other case is likely to be a tempting improve at solely $70/£70/€90 extra.

When it comes to different networking, you’ll discover Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 (neither are absolutely the newest requirements, however are shut sufficient) together with NFC for Apple Pay.

Battery life and charging

• First rate battery life
• Common wired charging (charger not included)
• Wi-fi charging help

Small telephones imply small batteries, and simply two years in the past I listed poor battery life as one in every of my chief criticisms of the 2020 iPhone SE.

To Apple’s credit score, lots appears to have modified in these two years. The corporate formally lists a two-hour enchancment in battery life for the SE, however in my expertise the improve is extra substantial. The final mannequin barely lasted a day, however this yr’s iteration will final by means of sooner or later and even make it to the top of a second in the event you’re a lightweight consumer.

That’s essential as a result of charging is much less spectacular. Apple lists help for as much as 20W charging speeds over a wired Lightning connection, however do not forget that the corporate not ships a charger with its telephones.

In my testing utilizing a third-party charger the iPhone SE was capable of cost as much as 32% in quarter-hour, and 61% in half an hour. That’s quicker than Apple’s 50% promise to be honest, however nonetheless slower than a lot of the competitors, and can in all probability lend itself to charging the telephone in a single day.

The key weapon right here is help for wi-fi charging. That continues to be virtually solely exceptional at this value, and together with the A15, that is the iPhone’s fundamental benefit over its Android rivals. There’s no
MagSafe help although, so this nonetheless isn’t up there with Apple’s newest flagship charging choices.

Cameras and video

• 12Mp rear digital camera
• 7Mp selfie digital camera
• No night time mode

There are good and dangerous components to the iPhone SE’s digital camera setup, however it all boils right down to this: in the event you’re proud of a single digital camera lens that may take good photographs in daytime, it can suffice. However if you’d like a number of lenses to select from, or dependable night time time pictures, it gained’t ship.

Apple has included solely a single rear digital camera right here, a 12Mp, f/1.8 that’s (by way of {hardware}) an identical to the 2020 mannequin. There’s no ultrawide or telephoto choice, however in equity, most mid-range telephones provide underwhelming secondary lenses, and I’ve lengthy been an advocate for reasonably priced telephones focussing their efforts on sturdy main cameras as Apple has finished right here.

The digital camera upgrades right here come courtesy of the A15 Bionic chip, with smartphone pictures now more and more reliant on computational elements. The issue is that Apple has determined to artificially restrict the A15’s performance on this telephone, most notably in solely omitting an evening mode choice, though there’s no apparent technical purpose it couldn’t be supported right here.

Nonetheless, take the iPhone SE out within the daytime and also you’re unlikely to be upset. Images are vivid, crisp, and detailed, with the extra muted and true-to-life color palette that iPhones are presently finest identified for – although admittedly the restricted dynamic vary holds it again considerably.

It’s a great digital camera, and regardless of the ageing {hardware}, it’s comfortably in step with outcomes from most different $400/£400 telephones in daylight.

Even at night time time, the SE isn’t terrible. I’ve taken a few lowlight photographs that I’m largely proud of, and it’s clearly helped by the inclusion of optical picture stabilisation, which is uncommon at this value.

Nonetheless, it’s arduous to disclaim that the majority Android rivals have surpassed this stage, particularly with regards to dynamic vary and managing mild sources, with the iPhone tending to blow out each mild in an evening time shot.

On the entrance, there’s a single selfie digital camera – a 7Mp shooter at an aperture of f/2.2. Once more, this isn’t a digital camera to depend on at night time, however there’s not a lot to complain about in selfies in any other case. There could also be no night time mode, however there’s a portrait choice, and this delivers nicely apart from a number of stray hairs tending to be blurred together with the background.

Like most iPhones that is additionally a succesful video gadget. It may report at as much as 4K@60fps, with spectacular stabilisation and powerful high quality. There may be one other omission right here although, with the Cinematic Mode that debuted on the iPhone 13 – permitting video with various depth of subject and blur results – not discovered in any respect right here.

Software program and updates

• Ships with iOS 15
• Prone to obtain years of software program help
• Some efficiency issues stutters

Software program is one other power. The iPhone SE ships with the newest model of Apple’s cellular working system, after launching with iOS 15.

It’s more likely to be supported for years to return too – even the authentic iPhone SE, which launched again in 2016, can nonetheless replace to iOS 15. If this mannequin sees comparable help, it could possibly be up to date throughout to iOS 21 six years after its launch.

No Android telephone can rival that longevity, although in equity they’re catching up – Google tends to help its mid-range
Pixel a-series telephones for a number of years, and Samsung has promised not less than 4 Android model updates for its iPhone SE competitor, the
Galaxy A53.

In any case, the software program could also be decisive for different causes – everyone knows that the majority telephone customers follow the system they know. That’s very true right here, the place a part of the attraction for some would be the inclusion of the House Button, with button-based navigation controls at a time when different iPhones are all about swiping.

The House Button additionally brings with it Contact ID, the safety technique used right here for every thing from opening your telephone to utilizing Apple Pay. That is definitely welcome and sorely missed on the dearer iPhones – although, after all, the trade-off is that there’s no Face ID choice right here in any respect.

In any other case, iOS 15 is about what you’d count on, although nothing right here has modified too considerably from older variations. Notifications nonetheless really feel clunky in comparison with Android, and the dearth of an always-on show choice disappoints, however Apple’s strengths – simplicity and a robust aesthetic – nonetheless shine by means of.

Unusually although, I’ve had software program issues with my SE. A number of apps have incessantly stuttered, frozen, or crashed in my time with the telephone, and one persistent bug sees the telephone show orient itself the other way up when the telephone unlocks – and keep that manner for a great ten seconds earlier than correcting itself.

These aren’t points I’ve discovered on my
iPhone 12, additionally up to date to iOS 15, so I can’t assist however assume they’re optimisation issues tied to the SE particularly.

Sadly, if that’s the case the issue is liable to worsen, not higher, as app builders will solely be extra inclined going ahead to optimise apps for the full-screen, notched iPhones, moderately than the smaller proportion of customers sticking with the SE.

None of those errors are dealbreakers, however they do put the deceive the concept that the iPhone software program expertise is inherently smoother, or free from gripes and frustrations.

Value and availability

The iPhone SE is out now worldwide, and you may seize it
from Apple itself, or main electronics retailers together with
Amazon.

Within the US it’s accessible on T-Cell, Verizon, and AT&T.

Within the UK it’s additionally accessible on all the main networks, together with Vodafone, O2, Three, and EE, although now prices greater than it first did at launch after having its value hiked in September 2022.

It’s accessible in three storage tiers:

• 64GB: $429/£449/€529
• 128GB: $479/£499/€579
• 256GB: $579/£609/€699

At that value the telephone’s speedy competitors is the
Samsung Galaxy A53, which is equally priced at
£399/$449/€449. Just like the SE this consists of long-term software program help, water-resistance, and 5G, however has the benefit of a way more trendy design and show – although its processor isn’t fairly as highly effective.

In the event you’re within the US then the
$449 Pixel 5a can also be a compelling rival, although this mannequin by no means went on sale worldwide. Nonetheless, anybody within the UK, Europe, Asia, or elsewhere is more likely to have an enormous number of
spectacular mid-range Android telephones to select from, most of which can finest the iPhone SE on worth – as long as you don’t thoughts Android.

Inside Apple’s providing, the $599/£649/€809 iPhone 12 is the following tier up, however anybody tempted by the SE is extra more likely to be a fan of the $599/£579/€719 iPhone 12 Mini – not accessible direct from Apple, however nonetheless in inventory elsewhere – or the $599/£649/€809 iPhone 13 Mini. That is even smaller than the SE, however boasts a a lot bigger show and higher cameras, although you’ll have to surrender the House Button alongside the way in which. In case your finances will stretch that far, both Mini is a a lot better purchase.

Verdict

The iPhone SE gives loads of energy, however I’m undecided why – it’s the principle space the final SE didn’t want an improve.

Few will wish to use all that efficiency to drive bleeding-edge cellular video games on such a dinky display screen, or use it for demanding multi-tasking. Even the digital camera can’t take full benefit, with Apple arbitrarily limiting entry to options like night time mode and cinematic mode to drive demand for its dearer choices.

However, together with wi-fi charging, the A15 chip is basically all of the iPhone SE has going for it within the bigger mid-range market – Android rivals at this value now provide comparable software program help, sustain with it on water-proofing, and surpass the SE on show high quality, design, and digital camera efficiency.

In the event you’re proud of an Android, there are numerous choices accessible that gives you considerably higher worth for cash, with out counting on ageing elements to shave a number of {dollars} off the underside line.

So then the iPhone SE actually solely is sensible for patrons who merely must have an iPhone, however can’t afford the step as much as the 12 Mini – or gained’t surrender on Contact ID simply but. If that’s you, then the iPhone SE will serve you nicely as long as you’ll be able to abdomen the dinky show, retro aesthetic and digital camera limitations – however I promise you, you don’t know what you’re lacking.