Apple iPhone SE (2022) vs. iPhone 12: Which low-cost iPhone should you buy. iPhone se 2022 128gb
iPhone SE (2022) Review: Mind-Blowing Value
With its iPhone 13 processing power and iPhone 8 design, the third-gen SE is your cheapest ticket to everything Apple.
Patrick Holland has been a phone reviewer for CNET since 2016. He is a former theater director who occasionally makes short films. Patrick has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing, fast-paced world of phones, especially the iPhone and iOS. He used to co-host CNET’s I’m So Obsessed podcast and interviewed guests like Jeff Goldblum, Alfre Woodard, Stephen Merchant, Sam Jay, Edgar Wright and Roy Wood Jr.
Expertise Apple, iPhone, iOS, Android, Samsung, Sony, Google, Motorola, interviews, coffee equipment, cats Credentials Patrick’s play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.
At 429 (£419, AU719), the iPhone SE (2022) is filled with an old-meets-new appeal. It’s a low-cost way for people to upgrade from an iPhone 8 (or older) who want to keep a familiar design. The new SE blends the body of an iPhone 8 with the tougher glass and processor from the iPhone 13. but it’s for those who don’t care about Face ID or MagSafe. Apple’s mix-and-match approach gives this iPhone newer features like 5G support, a longer battery life and iPhone 13-levels of performance, all while retaining the home button and the classic, user-friendly design. The iPhone SE is an extremely capable phone with a great camera and all the goodies like iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Music and access to the App Store.
The way Apple approached the SE reminds me of the car company Zelectric Motors, which takes vintage Volkswagen Beetles and replaces the old gas-powered engine with an electric motor. The VW bug becomes an entirely different car but at the same time retains the vintage appeal that people love. That’s exactly what’s going on with the SE. At 429, it has the design and body people are fond of, but in terms of apps and iOS features, it’s on par with iPhones that are nearly twice the price.
iPhone SE (2022)
Like
- Affordable price
- Home button and Touch ID FTW
- Good battery life so far
- Camera takes good photos and videos
Don’t Like
- Lacks night mode for photos
- Screen could be brighter
- Bezels above and below screen look dated
- Selfie camera not on par with rear camera
- 20-watt USB-C charger not included
No other phone-maker takes this approach for a low-cost device. It would be like Samsung using the body of its Galaxy S8. putting the Galaxy S22’s processing power inside and charging people 400. The real question, however, is does this approach work? Hell yes, it does. I played graphic-heavy Apple Arcade games on the SE, filmed 4K videos and was able to use iOS 15 tools like Live Text capture with translation.
The iPhone SE is an incredible value for the price, especially compared to similarly priced Android phones like the Moto G Stylus 5G. Samsung Galaxy A42 5G and Google Pixel 5A with 5G. Any new phone under 500 is going to make compromises, and the SE demonstrates how savvy Apple was at omitting some things in order to keep others.
If you’re considering an iPhone SE, the 429 model comes with 64GB of storage. If you can stretch your budget 50 more, it’s worth upgrading to the 128GB version, especially if you plan to keep the SE for more than a couple years.
If you just want a small phone and are trying to choose between the iPhone SE and an iPhone 12 Mini. know that the Mini will cost 170 more. But for that extra money you get a larger and better screen, Face ID, two rear cameras, a contemporary design and a body that is smaller and lighter than the SE. Interestingly, the iPhone SE has a newer and faster processor, which could mean it gets iOS updates longer than the 12 Mini.
The iPhone SE’s home button delights
You’d be forgiven for mistaking the new SE with the previous one from 2020: They look identical. And while the letters SE stand for “Special Edition,” they could easily mean the “Same Edition.” That’s not a dig at either phone.- the classic iPhone look is beloved by many. But keep in mind that in 2022, the SE’s design traces back to 2014’s iPhone 6 and is far from cutting-edge. Anyone looking for multiple rear cameras or minimal bezels won’t find them here.
The SE has large bezels above and below the screen and a home button with Touch ID instead of Face ID. If you are upgrading from an iPhone 6S, 7 or 8, this phone will seem nearly identical in terms of design and build. But it’s not. The SE has the same body as an iPhone 8, but the glass on the front and back is more durable. In fact, it’s the same glass used on the back of the iPhone 13. The finish on the review unit I tested is called midnight. In some lighting it looks jet black, and in other lighting it has an indigo hue.
The new SE remains one of the smallest phones (Apple or Android) that you can buy. The glossy glass back and curved sides make the phone feel slippery. The body is rated IP67 for water and dust resistance, which means it can survive being submerged under a meter of water for 30 minutes. When filming the review video, I ran it under the faucet a couple of times to remove dust, and the SE still worked without a hitch.
After using Face ID-enabled iPhone models over the last several years, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed using Touch ID again. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it. It’s a joy to use Apple Pay by merely laying my thumb on my home button, compared to holding up a Face ID-enabled phone to my face to authenticate before paying with a card. At times, double-tapping the home button felt like a superior way to get into the app switcher. There are rumors that Apple might eventually bring back Touch ID with an under-display sensor like Samsung’s Galaxy phones and the Pixel 6 line, but until then the iPhone SE’s home button is the only iPhone still including it.
The iPhone SE’s 4.7-inch LCD could be brighter
At 4.7 inches, the SE has the smallest display on any iPhone. The screens on the 12 Mini and 13 Mini look big in comparison, even though the Mini phones are physically smaller than the SE overall. The SE’s screen feels cramped with the large forehead and chin space above and below the display. And for all intents and purposes, the SE has the same LCD that was on the 2020 iPhone SE and 2017 iPhone 8.
The SE’s screen has True Tone to adjust the color temperature of the screen depending on the lighting conditions. And colors look good on the SE. The amount of detail and contrast Apple is able to get out of this screen is impressive. Yet for a 429 phone, I wished the display would get brighter, especially in sunlight.
If you’re coming from an older iPhone like a 7 or an 8, I don’t think these issues will be very noticeable. But switching between my iPhone 12 Mini to the SE, I missed having the Mini’s OLED screen. Keep in mind that the 12 Mini cost me 300 more than the SE when it was new (that was before discounts).
For a little bit more money, Android phones like the Google Pixel 5A with 5G or Samsung Galaxy A52 5G come with higher-resolution screens. But those phones sacrifice other features that the SE has, and don’t have access to most of Apple’s services. Again, making a phone affordable is all about making Smart compromises.
The iPhone SE has a great camera and an average selfie camera
One of my biggest pet peeves for low-cost phones are the cameras. Many Android budget phones are notorious for including two or three cameras on the back of their phones even if they aren’t great. is better right? Well, as I have said in previous reviews, I’d much rather have one good rear camera, or in the case of the iPhone SE, one great camera, rather than a bunch of mediocre ones.
The camera on the back of the SE has a 12-megapixel sensor and a wide angle lens with an aperture of f/1.8. These specs are identical to the camera on the iPhone 8 and 2020 SE. But that A15 Bionic chip changes how this phone captures photos and videos. It adds features like Smart HDR4 processing and Deep Fusion processing for medium-to-low light photos.- plus, you can record 4K resolution, 60 fps (frames per second) video. on an iPhone SE! Just don’t expect Cinematic Mode from the iPhone 13 line or ProRes video from the 13 Pro to be here, because it’s not.
Below are some photos I took with the SE, as well as ones I took with my iPhone 12 Mini and a Google Pixel 5A with 5G. The Mini and 5A both have an additional rear camera for ultrawide photos, which the SE lacks.
Aside from color temperature, I was surprised how the SE had levels of contrast similar to the Pixel. In the photos above, the Pixel handles the highlights better (like in the sign).
The SE’s white balance was less consistent than the iPhone 12 Mini. I noticed the SE tends to keep shadows in its pictures darker than the 12 Mini. Take a look at the palm trees in the photos above. The 12 Mini’s photo is a little bit sharper, too.
On the front of the SE is a 7-megapixel selfie camera. It gets a boost from the A15 chip, too, but I can definitely see the limits. The dynamic range isn’t great.
The iPhone SE and its A15 Bionic Chip outperform the Galaxy S22 Ultra
Apple’s A15 Bionic chip is perhaps the biggest addition to the iPhone SE. It’s the same one in the iPhone 13 that outperforms any other phone currently sold. It’s also powering most of the software enhancements this phone has over the 2020 iPhone SE.
In use, the SE flies and iOS animations look smooth. The only times the phone got warm was when I played games for more than 20 minutes. But I never noticed the SE getting hot, not even when recording 4K 60fps videos.
In benchmark tests, the iPhone SE’s scores were right in line with those from the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro. The SE had better scores than any other phone we’ve tested, including the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. The SE’s performance is even more impressive because only the most expensive Android phones have the best processors. Most low-cost Android phones have less powerful processors to help keep the costs down.
On the inside, the SE has a larger battery, which.- when combined with the new design, iOS 15 and the A15 Bionic chip.- gives the phone a longer battery life than the previous iPhone SE. Over the four days I had the SE, it had no trouble making it through a day on a single charge. I often ended the day with the battery between 20% and 30%. The one day I shot a bunch of videos and took lots of photos, the SE’s battery ended up at 19%. My screen time has averaged five and a half hours a day.
Overall, while battery life seems improved, it is also somewhat average when compared to Android phones at the same price, which have batteries that can last two or three days on a single charge. I still have more battery tests to run and I’ll update my review with those results soon.
The iPhone SE supports Qi-wireless charging, but it doesn’t have MagSafe charging nor compatibility with MagSafe accessories. It also supports 20-watt wired fast charging but doesn’t come with the required power brick to take advantage of it.
For people upgrading to the SE from an iPhone 6S, 7 or 8, the lack of a charger is perplexing. People with older iPhone models likely have the old Apple 5-watt USB charger. The new SE comes with a Lightning to USB-C cable for fast charging but doesn’t come with a USB-C power brick.- meaning a lot of people are probably never going to fast charge their new phone. Instead, they will likely continue using their old charger and cable to charge the new SE unless they pay 19 more to buy Apple’s 20-watt USB-C power brick. There are other USB-C power bricks that work with the iPhone SE, but it’s an extra expense to consider for anyone that doesn’t have one and would like faster charging speeds.
The iPhone SE is the affordable way to get into Apple
As was the case in 2016 and 2020, the iPhone SE is your cheapest admission ticket to Apple’s ecosystem: iCloud, iMessage, App Store, Apple TV Plus, Apple Music, FaceTime. At 429, I think it’s worth the price and is an incredible value for what you get.
I wish that Apple had kept the 2020 iPhone SE in its roster as an even cheaper way to get an iPhone, but this new iPhone SE still packs lots of modern features and will likely get more from iOS updates in years to come.
Apple iPhone SE (2022) specs vs. Apple iPhone 12 Mini, Google Pixel 5A with 5G, Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
| 5.4-inch OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels | 6.34-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels | 6.8-inch LCD; 2,400×1,080 pixels |
| 476ppi | 413ppi | 386ppi |
| 5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29 in | 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3 in | 6.67 x 3.05 x 0.39 in |
| 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm | 169.54 x 77.48 x 9.35 mm |
| 4.76 oz; 135 g | 6.45 oz; 183 g | 7.67 oz; 217.5 g |
| iOS 14 | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 16-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (wide) | 48-megapixel (wide-angle), 5-megapixel (macro), 8-megapixel (ultrawide angle), 2-megapixel (depth sensor) |
| 12-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 16-megapixel |
| 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G |
| 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB | 256GB |
| Undisclosed | 6GB | 6GB |
| No | No | Up to 1TB |
| Undisclosed; Apple lists 15 hours of video playback | 4,680 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| No (FaceID) | Back | Back |
| Lightning | USB-C | USB-C |
| No | Yes | Yes |
| 5G; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) | 5G; Titan M chipset (security chip); dual-pixel main camera; IP67 water rating; dual SIM; stereo speakers; 18W fast charging | 5G; Stylus, 10W charging; Thinkshield Mobile security; spot color selection for photos and videos; dual-capture video simultaneously with front and rear cameras |
| 729 (64GB), 779 (128GB), 879 (256GB) | 449 | 400 |
| £699 (64GB), £749 (128GB), £849 (256GB) | N/A, but converts to £345 | N/A, but converts to £285 |
| AU1,199 (64GB), AU1,279 (128GB), AU1,449 (256GB) | N/A, but converts to AU620 | N/A, but converts to AU515 |
Apple iPhone SE (2022) vs. iPhone 12: Which low-cost iPhone should you buy?
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- The iPhone SE (2022) and iPhone 12 are the cheapest iPhones you can buy.
- The iPhone SE is the least expensive iPhone and it uses the same processor as the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14.
- But the iPhone 12 is the better phone overall, thanks to its design, screen size, battery life, and cameras.
If you’re one to turn your nose at premium flagship phones, you’ve got options. When it comes to iPhones, wallet-conscious shoppers have not one, but two choices: the 2022 iPhone SE and the 2020 iPhone 12.
Starting at 429, the latest iPhone SE is the least expensive phone in Apple’s current lineup. The iPhone SE is classified as a mid-range phone, yet there’s nothing mid-range about its performance. It uses the same A15 Bionic processor as the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, and packs all that power in a compact design. What holds it back is its older design (it’s the only new iPhone that still uses Touch ID), small screen size, and short battery life.
The next budget option is the 2020 iPhone 12 (starting at 599). It’s 170 more than the iPhone SE, but it has better cameras and more modern design. Plus, it has a larger screen size, which is more suitable for multitasking and streaming.
The iPhone 12’s downside is that it uses an older A14 Bionic processor, but it is the low-cost model we would recommend because it offers a better features and user experience. The iPhone SE is great for those who is most concerned about price or actually want a physically smaller device.
If you’re stumped on which low-cost iPhone to buy, here’s our comparison between the 2022 iPhone SE and the 2020 iPhone 12.
iPhone SE (2022) vs. iPhone 12: Specs at a glance
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 12: Screen size and quality
The iPhone SE’s 4.7-inch screen is tiny by today’s standards. Some people opt for smaller screens because they prefer smaller phones, so this is a choice only you can make.
The iPhone 12 has a 6.1-inch screen, but it’s also higher-quality: It uses OLED technology to deliver deeper colors and contrast that makes apps and content pop, compared to the iPhone SE’s older LCD display.
The OLED screen’s resolution is also higher (2,532 x 1,170) than the iPhone SE’s (1,334 x 750), which makes things look sharper. However, since the iPhone SE’s screen is smaller, it looks just as sharp.
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 12: Design
The iPhone SE has a classic iPhone design that traces back to the iPhone 6 from 2014, with large spaces above and below the screen. It takes up room, so it makes the screen size even smaller than the iPhone SE’s overall dimensions.
In comparison, more current iPhones, like the iPhone 12, have narrower screen borders that make the device look sleeker and the screen larger, while keeping the physical size compact. This makes the phone comfortable to use while maintaining a screen size that’s just right.
The iPhone 12’s design includes the notch, which houses Apple’s Face ID sensor for unlocking the phone. The iPhone SE uses the old-but-reliable Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the bottom, which doubles as the Home button.
Many actually prefer Touch ID over Face ID, but whether it’s worth it to stick with an older iPhone design and a tiny screen for the sake of Touch ID is up to you.
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 12: Battery life and charging
One of the main complaints about the iPhone SE is its short battery life, and while Apple improved it for the 2022 model, it still doesn’t last as long as the iPhone 12.
The iPhone SE and iPhone 12 both support wireless charging at 7.5 watts, but the iPhone 12 is also compatible with Apple‘s optional MagSafe wireless chargers. MagSafe magnetically snaps the charger to the iPhone 12’s back, and it charges faster at 15 watts.
And, the iPhone 12 also supports MagSafe accessories, including charging hubs, wallets, PopSockets, and more.
For wired charging, the iPhone SE and iPhone 12 support Apple’s fast charging with a 20-watt or higher charger. Fast-charging means the iPhones can charge from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes.
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 12: Cameras
The iPhone SE supports Apple‘s Smart HDR 4, which captures improved color, contrast, and lighting compared to the iPhone 12’s Smart HDR 3.
Overall, the iPhone SE and iPhone 12 take photos in comparable quality with their 12-megapixel cameras, but the iPhone 12 offers extra versatility with its additional 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. Not only is the ultra-wide camera ideal for capturing vast landscapes, it can be useful for capturing subjects up close.
As for the front camera, the iPhone 12’s 12-megapixel camera takes sharper selfies compared to the iPhone SE’s 7-megapixel camera.
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 12: Performance and support
The iPhone SE runs on Apple’s newer A15 Bionic processor while the iPhone 12 runs on the A14 Bionic. Essentially, the iPhone SE runs on the same processor as the iPhone 14, which is to say it’s quick and powerful.
Still, the A14 Bionic in the iPhone 12 is no slouch, and it’s only one generation older than the iPhone SE and iPhone 14’s processors.
The third-generation iPhone SE is a newer phone released in 2022 compared to the 2020 iPhone 12, which means it could get an extra two years of support for iOS updates, which include important security patches.
With that said, Apple has the best support out of any other phone maker. With iOS 16, Apple is continuing to support 2017’s iPhone 8 — a five-year-old iPhone.
If you plan on keeping your iPhone for longer than five years, you might have longer support with the iPhone SE. But if you upgrade before five years, the iPhone 12 is a better choice.
iPhone SE vs iPhone 12: Which should you buy?
We recommend the iPhone 12 as the better option, even though it runs on an older processor. The design, screen size, battery life, and cameras offer a significantly better experience.
The iPhone SE 2022 should appeal to those who want to spend as little as possible on an iPhone, and isn’t concerned about features like Face ID and MagSafe charging. It’s also the best option for people who what a physically smaller phone.
Under-the-hood upgrades give Apple’s classic design yet another lease of life
TechRadar Verdict
The iPhone SE (2022) is faster and better-connected than its predecessor, and at the most attractive price currently possible for a new 5G iPhone. However if you’re looking for a better iPhone deal with bigger screens, better cameras, and a bigger list of modern specs, the new SE might not be for you.
Pros
- Powerful for the cost
- A 5G iPhone that’s still affordable
- Thin and lightweight design
Cons
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Two-minute review
If you like your iPhone affordable and retro, Apple’s iPhone SE 2022 edition might be the best iPhone for you.
It keeps the SE series design language firmly rooted in 2017 – that was the year Apple launched the iPhone 8, the design of which Apple employed for 2020’s SE 2, and has stuck with for this new phone.
In 2020, Apple took that chassis and upgraded the CPU to an A13 Bionic, the rear camera to a 12MP wide, and introduced ‘monocular depth estimation,’ which improved Portrait Mode photography for the front and rear cameras. It was a nifty AI-infused trick that worked like a charm on faces, but nothing else.
All those things you loved from the iPhone SE (2020) remain in the iPhone SE (2022). There’s been no change to the thin and light body, no reintroduction of the 3.5mm headphone jack, no removal of the Touch ID. The Liquid Retina display is untouched. The cameras. a 12MP rear and 7MP front. are the same, too.
The difference, and it is bigger than you think, is the new A15 Bionic, the very same Apple Silicon you’ll find in Apple’s iPhone 13 line. It’s a powerful mobile CPU that. to date. beats even Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU (in Geekbench scores).
It’s a lot of power and headroom for a tiny, 4.7-inch screen smartphone that doesn’t even have a depth sensor on the front. Still, the A15 Bionic is up for anything, from shooting and editing 4K videos to playing intense action games like Call of Duty and PUBG.
The A15 is a system on a chip, which means the graphics processing is integrated, and that in turn means better image processing. Even though it still has the same camera as its predecessor, the iPhone SE (2022) is capable of timelapse night photography (though you’ll need a tripod).
Inevitably though, there are limits to what’s on offer here compared with Apple’s flagship phones. All the A15 Bionic-sporting iPhone 13 phones support the new Cinematic mode video (bokeh-effect), but there’s no such video control on the new iPhone SE.
Speaking of things missing from this new phone. The iPhone SE (2022) follows Apple’s new packing strategy: No more power adapter or wired earbuds in the box.
From an environmental perspective, this makes a lot of sense. It is unfortunate, though, that the price rose 30 to 429 at the same time Apple pulled these accessories. Accounting for inflation, however, the price might be considered roughly the same as it was two years ago. I don’t expect that argument to fly everywhere.
Battery life is 12 hours, which is notable considering the more powerful CPU and eye-brow singeing 5G connectivity, but it’s not in the same league as the handsets in the iPhone 13 family.
It’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend the iPhone SE 2022, when you can spend a little more for the iPhone 13 mini, which has a bigger, brighter, and shaper Super Retina XDR OLED screen, another camera, Face ID, and a fresher design (and you can pick up some of the lower-end iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 options for a similar premium).
Even so, there is still something charming about the look and feel of Apple’s aging iPhone design. And getting all that performance and 5G for under 500 is nothing to sneeze at either.
For Apple devotees, the brand can set the pricing and options agenda for its iPhones, safe in the knowledge that it doesn’t have to engage in a race to the bottom against lower-end Androids.
The iPhone SE (2022) carries on that tradition in mostly fine form. However, it changes nothing aesthetically about the last model but builds on it with Apple’s latest chip and mobile connectivity technology. whether that’s enough for you is a personal decision.
However if you’re looking for a new iPhone that offers and costs more, allow us to point you to the iPhone 13 series, which comprises the iPhone 13 itself, the iPhone 13 mini (the iPhone SE consistently outsells the mini line), the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
iPhone SE price and availability
The iPhone SE (2022) has gotten a price hike over its predecessor to 429 / £419 / AU719, but it still qualifies as Apple’s cheapest 5G phone. The iPhone 13 mini starts at 699 / £679 / AU1,199 and the iPhone 12 mini starts at 599.
However, it is more than a little frustrating that Apple insists on offering a phone with just 64GB of storage to start. The phone shoots up to 4K, 60fps video. Where are all those files supposed to go? Apple’s iPhone 13 line now starts at 128GB across the board. That’s the standard Apple should’ve followed here. The issue is compounded because the iPhone SE (2022) tops out at 256 GB of storage (579 / £569 / AU969), though there’s also a 128GB option for 479 / £469 / AU799.
If you’re considering a 256GB iPhone SE at that price, then you really should start thinking about one of the iPhone 13 models.
The previous iPhone SE started at 399 / £389 / AU679, and while asking for a little more for a 5G phone with the newest processor is not a big ask, consumers will notice the packaging is a bit smaller and lighter. The environment will thank Apple, but some consumers might be miffed that there are no longer wired earbuds and power adapters included with the device. That’s the same for the iPhone 13 series, but the omission still might sting for budget-conscious iPhone consumers who now have to buy the accessories separately.
It’s worth noting that you have just three color choices for the retro-looking device: Midnight, Starlight, and Product RED. Our test unit is a lovely and very deep blue Midnight.
Pre-orders for the phone started on March 11 and the device is now on sale (as of on March 18).
Design
There is familiar and then there is familiar. Apple’s iPhone SE (2022) is such a well-worn look that I instinctually took to it, even though I know it’s not a look that’s ‘in’ right now.
The aluminum enclosure is smooth, clean, and, in our test model, gleaming Midnight. It looks black indoors, but the blue shines through in the sunlight.
The glass back and front are perfectly smooth, and it’s almost quaint to see a single relatively tiny, 12MP wide-angle camera on the back in this age of ever-expanding camera blocks. The sapphire glass lens cover’s distance from the backplane can be measured in a millimeter (maybe two).
There are almost no edges on the whole 5.44-in. by 2.65-in. by 0.29-in. 144g frame; know some people still complain about the sharp edges on the iPhone 13 and the new Samsung Galaxy S22 line; you’ll have no such issues here. Along the left edge are the volume buttons and a sleep/silent switch, while on the right are the power button and the SIM slot (which also supports eSIM). The bottom edge features the speaker grilles, microphone, and Lightning port.
The front features the aging 1344 x 750 pixel Liquid Retina Display, which looks great on its own, but literally pales in comparison to, for instance, the iPhone 13 mini’s 5.4-inch edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR display OLED screen.
Above the screen is the 7MP FaceTime and selfie camera, which sits next to a wide, shallow speaker grille.
Below all that is our old friend, the Touch ID home button. We’ve been living with Face ID, home-button-free iPhones for so long, that our reintroduction was a bit bumpy. I literally forgot how to use an iPhone with a home button to start with, although, it was a little like riding a bike, and I soon got back in the Touch ID groove. I remembered how much I liked the way the button felt as it read my fingerprint or faked a physical button press with expert haptics. It’s time for the Touch ID button die, but it serves its purpose well here on the iPhone SE.
For what it’s worth, Apple’s Touch ID remains one of the most effective biometric authorization technologies I’ve ever used. Register a finger once and the reader will see it every time, in virtually any position.
The iPhone SE (2022) is also water and dust resistant, with IP67 certification. I (accidentally) dropped the entire handset in water and it survived.
There is no 3.5mm headphone jack on the phone, but it does have a Lightning charging port, which could accommodate a pair of Lightning of earbuds. Those aren’t included, sadly, but the phone does work perfectly with wireless Airpods if you have them. There’s also a USB-C to Lightning port charging cable in the box.
Display
If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 5S the iPhone SE’s 4.7-inch screen might feel like an upgrade, but in a world of monster-sized displays, 2,000,000:1 contrast ratios, and adaptive refresh rates, its 60Hz LCD luster might feel out of step.
Comparing the SE’s display to the best screens out there seemed pointless, though. if you want more, you will pay more (on any platform and from any handset manufacturer). In isolation though, the display looks good. across a wide variety of tasks from photography and videography, to web browsing, gameplay, and video, it looked good.
The screen can struggle in direct sunlight, but indoors, it’s still a winner.
I’ve seen iPhone 8 handsets drop to the floor and crack faster than you can say “screen protector,” and while you might assume that the iPhone SE, which shares much of the 8’s DNA, would be similarly inclined, but might be wrong.
Both the front and back of the iPhone SE (2022) are built from the same glass that’s on the back of all iPhone 13 phones. Sadly though, the SE doesn’t get Apple’s Ceramic Shield technology, so if you buy this phone, it still makes sense to spring for that silicone case.
Cameras
Our phones are increasingly also our cameras these days, and any handset that skimps in this area is asking for trouble. Even though the iPhone SE (2022) is graced with just two lenses that are the same as those on the SE 2020, it manages to take photos that are pleasing to the eye, color-accurate, and often beautiful.
The rear 12MP, f/1/8 wide lens is now backed by the A15 Bionic’s image processing and supported by Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion (introduced with the A13 Bionic and present in the last iPhone SE).
I took the phone out to test the cameras, and was pleased not only by the image quality they delivered but with the speed. There’s optical image stabilization which meant I didn’t always have to plant my feet and stand perfectly still to grab a good-looking shot (video is supported by optical image stabilization, as well).
In Portrait mode you can adjust a faux-aperture setting to control the depth of field effect, throwing more of less of the background behind your subject out of FOCUS. I was a bit frustrated, however, that the iPhone SE Portrait Mode photography is still limited to people. you can’t shoot bokeh shots of dogs, plants, or anything else without a face.
iPhone SE 2022 review
The iPhone SE only makes sense for buyers who simply have to have an iPhone, but can’t afford the step up to the 12 Mini – or won’t give up on Touch ID just yet. If that’s you, then the iPhone SE will serve you well so long as you can stomach the dinky display and retro aesthetic – but equivalent Androids are far, far better.
Updated September 2022 with new UK price.
The iPhone SE is a funny old phone. With a design and display that you could generously call “aged”, but the latest Apple processor and 5G connectivity, this is a very old-fashioned phone in some respects but a supremely modern device in others.
The same inconsistencies were there to be found in the (almost identical) 2020 iPhone SE, but while Apple’s budget offering has remained static, the rest of the market has moved on.
So while the previous SE was a phone I could recommend – with some serious caveats – this 2022 edition is a tougher sell.
To be blunt, it serves one audience and one audience only: those who absolutely will not under any circumstances buy an Android device, but can’t afford the iPhone 12 Mini or any of the other more expensive Apple phones.
Design and build
Let me be blunt for a second: the design of the iPhone SE dates all the way back to 2014. That’s when Apple released the iPhone 6, which looks fundamentally the same as this year’s SE. That was design was tweaked slightly for 2017’s iPhone 8, but since then has been essentially static through both the 2020 SE and the 2022 model.
That means you still get the Home Button below the screen, and no notch above it, but it equally means you’ll have to live with a huge black bezel above and below said screen. There are no other phones on the market that look like this, and I don’t mean that as a compliment.
Still, there are upsides to the design. For one, it’s small – the SE is just 5.45in tall, and weighs a mere 144g. It’s compact, comfortable, and easy to hold and use with one hand. Still, it’s worth noting that it isn’t Apple’s smallest phone – both the iPhone 12 Mini and 13 Mini are smaller and lighter, despite packing larger displays, so those are worth looking at if size is your main concern.
One possible reason to prefer the SE is that with its older aesthetic comes the rounded edges Apple used to prefer, since replaced on its other phones by square edges that look slick, but are arguably a little less comfortable to hold. Like those other iPhones though, the SE is still lacking a headphone jack.
Although similarly priced Android phones will tend to look a lot more modern than the iPhone SE, it’s fair to say that Apple does have the edge in build quality. Available in black, white, or red the new SE 2022 is built out of aluminium and glass – no plastic here – and boasts an IP67 rating for dust and water-resistance.
Display and audio
If the re-used design holds back the iPhone SE, that’s nowhere more true than when it comes to the display.
This is one of the worst displays in any modern smartphone: it’s tiny, at 4.7in, it uses older LCD tech, rather than a superior OLED panel, it’s low resolution – not even Full HD, it’s dim and thus hard to use in bright sunlight, and it caps at a 60Hz refresh rate.
You could spend half as much and still find an Android phone that beats the SE on just about every one of those specs.
Ultimately though, it’s the screen size that really holds the SE back. Yes, it’s part of what keeps the phone so small and that might appeal to some, but thanks to a modern design Apple’s 12 Mini and 13 Mini offer much more screen space with 5.4in panels, while staying smaller overall.
The effect is practical, as well as aesthetic – the SE can barely fit modern apps on its screen. Some Instagram posts can’t display in their entirety, cookie pop-ups block even more of websites than they’re designed to, and you better hope you don’t need to type anything – the keyboard takes up half the screen, frequently blocking the text entry fields you’re trying to use.
The small screen is also a knock against the common argument that the SE is a great phone for older users, who may be reluctant to learn a new swipe-based interface. After all, a small screen means smaller text (and an even more cramped display if you opt to increase text size) making this a questionable choice for anyone with visual accessibility needs.
At least audio fares better. Apple has included stereo speakers here – a relative oddity at this price – and they’re loud and crisp, especially considering the phone’s size. You probably won’t buy the SE just for its speakers, but still – they are good.
Specs and performance
Now we’re getting to the good stuff. The main way that the iPhone SE stands out from the mid-range competition is that it offers the absolute fastest chip you’ll find in any phone right now.
Apple has included its A15 Bionic chip here – the same chipset you’ll find across the iPhone 13 range, and according to rumour, a chip it will even use again for the iPhone 14.
That predictably means the iPhone SE is powerful, and genuinely approaching flagship level – only held back by lower levels of RAM included here.
The phone flies on benchmarks, though surprisingly I found it struggled occasionally in real-world use, with apps dropping out of memory sooner than I’d expect and even some stutter and lag – more on that when I talk about software below.
I do wonder whether most people the SE appeals to will need this much power – and more importantly, whether that money could be better spent on a modern design – but I can’t really argue with the results.
The biggest upgrade here relative to the 2020 SE is that the A15 also brings with it support for 5G networking, which if nothing else is important for future-proofing the phone – though if you’re in the US note that unlike many other 5G phones, this doesn’t support mmWave, so won’t hit the fastest 5G speeds.
Still, 5G support gives the SE a crucial edge over the iPhone 11, which otherwise might be a tempting upgrade at only 70/£70/€90 more.
In terms of other networking, you’ll find Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 (neither are the absolute latest standards, but are close enough) along with NFC for Apple Pay.
Battery life and charging
Small phones mean small batteries, and just two years ago I listed poor battery life as one of my chief criticisms of the 2020 iPhone SE.
To Apple’s credit, a lot seems to have changed in those two years. The company officially lists a two-hour improvement in battery life for the SE, but in my experience the upgrade is more substantial. The last model barely lasted a day, but this year’s iteration will last through one day and even make it to the end of a second if you’re a light user.
That’s important because charging is less impressive. Apple lists support for up to 20W charging speeds over a wired Lightning connection, but remember that the company no longer ships a charger with its phones.
In my testing using a third-party charger the iPhone SE was able to charge up to 32% in 15 minutes, and 61% in half an hour. That’s faster than Apple’s 50% promise to be fair, but still slower than most of the competition, and will probably lend itself to charging the phone overnight.
The secret weapon here is support for wireless charging. That remains almost entirely unheard of at this price, and along with the A15, this is the iPhone’s main advantage over its Android rivals. There’s no MagSafe support though, so this still isn’t up there with Apple’s latest flagship charging options.
Cameras and video
There are good and bad elements to the iPhone SE’s camera setup, but it all boils down to this: if you’re happy with a single camera lens that can take good shots in daytime, it will suffice. But if you want multiple lenses to choose from, or reliable night time photography, it won’t deliver.
Apple has included only a single rear camera here, a 12Mp, f/1.8 that is (in terms of hardware) identical to the 2020 model. There’s no ultrawide or telephoto option, but in fairness, most mid-range phones offer underwhelming secondary lenses, and I’ve long been an advocate for affordable phones focussing their efforts on strong primary cameras as Apple has done here.
The camera upgrades here come courtesy of the A15 Bionic chip, with smartphone photography now increasingly reliant on computational factors. The problem is that Apple has decided to artificially limit the A15’s functionality in this phone, most notably in entirely omitting a night mode option, even though there’s no obvious technical reason it couldn’t be supported here.
Still, take the iPhone SE out in the daytime and you’re unlikely to be disappointed. Photos are bright, crisp, and detailed, with the more muted and true-to-life colour palette that iPhones are currently best known for – though admittedly the limited dynamic range holds it back somewhat.
It’s a good camera, and despite the ageing hardware, it’s comfortably in line with results from most other 400/£400 phones in daylight.
iPhone SE 2022 Release Date and Price – Every New Feature Revealed!
Even at night time, the SE isn’t awful. I’ve taken a couple of lowlight shots that I’m mostly happy with, and it’s clearly helped by the inclusion of optical image stabilisation, which is rare at this price.
Still, it’s hard to deny that most Android rivals have surpassed this level, especially when it comes to dynamic range and managing light sources, with the iPhone tending to blow out every light in a night time shot.
On the front, there’s a single selfie camera – a 7Mp shooter at an aperture of f/2.2. Again, this isn’t a camera to rely on at night, but there’s not much to complain about in selfies otherwise. There may be no night mode, but there is a portrait option, and this delivers well with the exception of a few stray hairs tending to be blurred along with the background.
Like most iPhones this is also a capable video device. It can record at up to 4K@60fps, with impressive stabilisation and strong quality. There is another omission here though, with the Cinematic Mode that debuted on the iPhone 13 – allowing video with varying depth of field and blur effects – not found at all here.
Software and updates
Software is another strength. The iPhone SE ships with the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, after launching with iOS 15.
It’s likely to be supported for years to come too – even the original iPhone SE, which launched back in 2016, can still update to iOS 15. If this model sees similar support, it could be updated all the way through to iOS 21 six years after its launch.
No Android phone can rival that longevity, though in fairness they’re catching up – Google tends to support its mid-range Pixel a-series phones for several years, and Samsung has promised at least four Android version updates for its iPhone SE competitor, the Galaxy A53.
In any case, the software may be decisive for other reasons – we all know that most phone users stick to the system they know. That’s especially true here, where part of the appeal for some will be the inclusion of the Home Button, with button-based navigation controls at a time when other iPhones are all about swiping.
The Home Button also brings with it Touch ID, the security method used here for everything from opening your phone to using Apple Pay. This is certainly welcome and sorely missed on the more expensive iPhones – though, of course, the trade-off is that there’s no Face ID option here at all.
Otherwise, iOS 15 is about what you’d expect, though nothing here has changed too significantly from older versions. Notifications still feel clunky compared to Android, and the lack of an always-on display option disappoints, but Apple’s strengths – simplicity and a strong aesthetic – still shine through.
Strangely though, I have had software problems with my SE. Several apps have frequently stuttered, frozen, or crashed in my time with the phone, and one persistent bug sees the phone display orient itself upside down when the phone unlocks – and stay that way for a good ten seconds before correcting itself.
These aren’t issues I’ve found on my iPhone 12, also updated to iOS 15, so I can’t help but assume they’re optimisation problems tied to the SE specifically.
Unfortunately, if that’s the case the problem is liable to get worse, not better, as app developers will only be more inclined going forward to optimise apps for the full-screen, notched iPhones, rather than the smaller proportion of users sticking with the SE.
None of these errors are dealbreakers, but they do put the lie to the idea that the iPhone software experience is inherently smoother, or free from gripes and frustrations.
Price and availability
The iPhone SE is out now worldwide, and you can grab it from Apple itself, or major electronics retailers including Amazon.
In the US it’s available on T-Mobile, Verizon, and ATT.
In the UK it’s also available on all the major networks, including Vodafone, O2, Three, and EE, though now costs more than it first did at launch after having its price hiked in September 2022.
It’s available in three storage tiers:
At that price the phone’s immediate competition is the Samsung Galaxy A53, which is similarly priced at £399/449/€449. Like the SE this includes long-term software support, water-resistance, and 5G, but has the advantage of a much more modern design and display – though its processor isn’t quite as powerful.
If you’re in the US then the 449 Pixel 5a is also a compelling rival, though this model never went on sale worldwide. Still, anyone in the UK, Europe, Asia, or elsewhere is likely to have a huge variety of impressive mid-range Android phones to choose from, most of which will best the iPhone SE on value – so long as you don’t mind Android.
Within Apple’s offering, the 599/£649/€809 iPhone 12 is the next tier up, but anyone tempted by the SE is more likely to be a fan of the 599/£579/€719 iPhone 12 Mini – no longer available direct from Apple, but still in stock elsewhere – or the 599/£649/€809 iPhone 13 Mini. This is even smaller than the SE, but boasts a much larger display and better cameras, though you’ll have to give up the Home Button along the way. If your budget will stretch that far, either Mini is a much better buy.
Verdict
The iPhone SE offers plenty of power, but I’m not sure why – it’s the main area the last SE didn’t need an upgrade.
Few will want to use all that performance to drive bleeding-edge mobile games on such a dinky screen, or use it for demanding multi-tasking. Even the camera can’t take full advantage, with Apple arbitrarily restricting access to features like night mode and cinematic mode to drive demand for its more expensive options.
But, along with wireless charging, the A15 chip is really all the iPhone SE has going for it in the larger mid-range market – Android rivals at this price now offer similar software support, keep up with it on water-proofing, and surpass the SE on display quality, design, and camera performance.
iPhone SE (2022) Vs iPhone 11! (Comparison) (Review)
If you’re happy with an Android, there are countless options available that will give you significantly better value for money, without relying on ageing parts to shave a few dollars off the bottom line.
So then the iPhone SE really only makes sense for buyers who simply have to have an iPhone, but can’t afford the step up to the 12 Mini – or won’t give up on Touch ID just yet. If that’s you, then the iPhone SE will serve you well so long as you can stomach the dinky display, retro aesthetic and camera limitations – but I promise you, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Specs
Apple iPhone SE (2022): Specs
- 4.7in, 60Hz LCD IPS display (1334×750)
- A15 Bionic
- 64/128/256GB storage
- 12Mp, f/1.8 rear camera with OIS
- 7Mp, f/2.2 selfie camera
- 4K video recording at up to 60 fps
- Touch ID
- Wi-Fi 6
- 5G
- Wireless charging
- Bluetooth 5.0
- GPS
- IP67
- Dual SIM (nano and eSIM)
- 138.4mm x 67.3mm x 7.3mm
- 148g
