What's good
- Compact size
- Blazing performance
- Excellent screen
- Affordable pricing
- Touch ID
- All-day battery
What's bad
- Chunky bezels
- Poor low-light camera performance
- No Face ID
- Ships with "slow" charger
- No 3.5mm headphone jack
The original iPhone SE was one of the more popular options in iPhone’s history. This year sees the relaunch of this popular compact model. But does it still hold the same appeal as iPhones have become sleeker and screen sizes continue to expand?
Design
The iPhone SE (2020) is a blast of retro Apple design, bringing back the same general design used for the iPhone 6 through iPhone 8. You’ll find rounded corners, chunky bezels, and a physical home button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner.
So, it’s different from the rest of the 2019-2020 Apple lineup. But whether that’s bad is up to you. It’s one of the most premium feeling phones at its price point though.
CNet summed up thoughts on the design well, saying, “It's not ugly, it's just dated. And that might appeal to some people, but not me.”
Display
The 4.7-inch Retina display is tiny for phones releasing in 2020, but for many reviewers that was part of the appeal. That means you can enjoy your games and shows or fire off a quick text or email while being able to effortlessly slip the iPhone SE (2020) into your pocket.
As with most Apple displays, reviewers found this once checks all the boxes in terms of color, clarity, and brightness.
Engadget says, “... This display is perfectly fine for what it is. The only real question is whether it's big enough for you.”
Performance
The iPhone SE (2020) can go toe to toe with any phone on the market right now -- and win. It includes Apple’s latest and greatest processor and more than enough memory to let you bounce between apps as you go through your day.
PC Magazine says, “The iPhone SE has, almost certainly, a longer functional life ahead of it than any other phone of its price in the US.”
Software & Storage
The iPhone SE (2020) runs the latest version of Apple’s software -- iOS 13. Storage options include 64, 128, and 256GB models. If you’re not sure how much space you need, it’s better to have a bit more than you need than too little since iPhones do not support expandable storage -- such as microSD cards.
Cameras
Unlike many recent releases, this one includes a single rear camera and a single front-facing lens. However, reviews indicate that unless you’re shooting at night, the iPhone SE (2020) produces images that rival many of the leading -- and much pricier -- phones on the market.
At night, the phone takes much darker shots. But that’s to be expected for a single lens camera with no Night mode.
Tom’s Guide says, “The iPhone SE 2020’s camera is so good that you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between it and the iPhone 11 in many cases.”
Battery Life
While the 1821mAh battery might seem tiny, the phone had no problems lasting a full day for reviewers. When it comes time to top things off, fast charging and wireless charging add convenient options as well.
Just be sure to budget for an extra charger if you plan to take advantage of either feature. The phone ships with a standard “slow” charger.
CNet says, “Anecdotally, it made it through a day and a half without a problem, and a couple times it went two days straight without a charge.”
Audio
While there’s nothing wrong with the audio experience on the iPhone SE (2020), it’s also nothing special. If you really want to enjoy your favorite movies, music, or TV shows, plan to use headphones.
Since there is no 3.5mm headphone jack, you’ll also want to be sure to budget for a USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter unless you prefer wireless headphones.
Specs at a Glance
- IP67-rated glass and aluminum chassis
- 4.7-inch Retina IPS display running at 1334-by-750 pixels
- A13 Bionic processor
- 3GB of RAM
- iOS 13
- 1821mAh battery
- 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage
- Single-lens 12MP rear camera
- 7MP front-facing camera
- All-day battery with fast charging and wireless charging support
Bottom Line
Overall, the iPhone SE (2020) is proving to be one of Apple’s most popular phones ever. It offers a compact design, top-tier performance, and that premium Apple feel at a firmly mid-tier price point.
Tom’s Guide says, “The iPhone SE 2020 is the affordable phone to beat, and the one of the best cheap phones you can get. It’s the closest thing to future-proof you’ll find [at this price]...”
iMore says, “Who would like this iPhone? Honestly, almost everyone. It's lightweight, pocket-friendly, and has the speeds you need for today, tomorrow, and next year's technology.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Nandini Yadav, FirstpostThe iPhone SE 2020 is a wonderful device that offers you a compact design, great camera and overall performance, and an improved battery life that’s been a pain point on iPhones for a while now. The size of the iPhone SE is undoubtedly a big selling point for anyone who misses being able to comforta...
- Andrew Cunningham, Nick Guy, The WirecutterThe iPhone SE has the same processor as the iPhone 11 and a camera that’s almost as good, but it costs nearly half the price. Its low price, smaller size, and Touch ID fingerprint reader make it an easy upgrade for people with older iPhones, but its battery doesn’t last as long.
- Max Parker, RecombuApple’s £419 device is a simple proposition: stuff some of the best bits from the recent flagship iPhones into the body of a smaller, older one. There isn’t much new or, dare we say, exciting here. Still, it’s a great phone that’s easy to recommend thanks to a number of highlights.
- Pratima Adhikari, GadgetbyteThe phone is durable, compact, and boasts an A-class performance that practically no other phone in this price range can offer. The single-camera setup produces good images and excellent videos too. Yet, the big-bulky bezels aren't digestible for 2020, and so isn't its small display. On top of this,...
- Matthew Bolton, T3The iPhone SE 2020 is the best cheap smartphone for most people – its camera, build quality and speed all match more expensive phones. Its smaller screen will also please those who feel left behind by ever-larger devices.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
The iPhone SE (2020) price will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. You can compare Apple iPhone SE (2020) prices from around the web here on The Informr.
Apple backs up the iPhone SE (2020) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your iPhone SE (2020) has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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