Apple iPhone SE Review | Design, Performance, Camera, Battery

After 4 years of waiting, we finally have the iPhone SE successor, which ... guess what ... is also called iPhone SE. The new is bigger, but it is not that new. Apple reused the iPhone 8 housing but upgraded the hardware to the same as the iPhone 11, all of which cost less than intermediate smartphones with Android. Of course, here in Brazil, the story is a little different since everything from Apple arrives at twice the cost, and that's when the question arises: is it worth investing in the new iPhone SE with its price being the same as the iPhone XR? You will discover this and all the details of Apple's launch in this review of Tech Reviews.

Let's get started with the iPhone SE review...

Apple iPhone SE Review:

Apple iPhone SE Review and Specifications
Image Source: wccftech.com

Accessories

Despite being the simplest iPhone recently launched, the SE brings the same accessories present in the most expensive models. Here we have:

• Simple 5W power charger.
• USB cable with Lightning connection.
• Standard brand headset.
• User's Guide.
• SIM card extractor key.
• Apple Stickers.

As expected, we no longer have the P2 adapter included in the package, which forces the user to purchase one if they do not want to use the Apple phone.

Design

As said, the design is identical to that of the iPhone 8 launched in 2017. On the front, we have very wide edges and the Touch ID that disappeared on the recent iPhones. The only difference is that the color of the frame around the screen has changed from white to black. The new iPhone comes with a body in three color options: red, black, and white.

The rear is also as before and this includes only one camera. It may seem little to the present day when even the most basic cell phones come with three or even four cameras. But what matters is the quality of the photos and videos, and we'll see that soon.

The iPhone SE features a metal body with a glass back, protection against water thanks to the IP67 certification, and even wireless charging missing on Android smartphones that cost the same outside. As it is more expensive here, it already competes with flagships of some brands that offer some of these features.

It is not as compact as its predecessor, but it is one of the smallest phones launched this year. We live in an age when flagships need to be big as if size justifies the high price. The last compact launch we had here at the top of the line segment was the Galaxy S10e. So if you missed a phone with powerful hardware that is comfortable to use with one hand, iPhone SE is for you.

And even though it is the cheapest iPhone launched in recent years, the SE does not neglect technologies present in the most expensive Android, such as sixth-generation Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and all the sensors you need for a complete experience. It also comes with the same accessories as the iPhone 11.

Screen and Sound

Its 4.7-inch screen has HD + resolution and Retina IPS LCD panel. On paper, it looks like the same display that Apple used on the iPhone 8, but we actually have a better screen. The brilliance is stronger and exceeds many more expensive rivals that we tested recently. The contrast has also been enhanced to display more colors and this matches well with HDR and Dolby Vision to deliver great image quality.

The same screen features you find on iPhone 11 are also here, such as TrueTone which adjusts color calibration according to ambient lighting or Night Shift, which reduces the emission of blue light to prevent eye strain when using your phone in the evening. Overall, the iPhone screen displays great color with very close calibration.

The iPhone SE has two speakers, the second one dedicated to calls that is above the screen. It is smaller than the main one next to the Lightning entrance, so it plays a lot less bass. The sound may come out a little unbalanced, but the sound power is equivalent in both. The volume is high and the sound quality pleases, it just doesn't get as good as last year's most expensive iPhones. The headset is the same as always.

Performance

The best thing about iPhone SE is that it comes with the same hardware as the latest Apple models. Here we have the A13 Bionic combined with 3 GB of RAM, which is enough to run any iOS app or game with impeccable fluidity. But don't expect exactly the same speed as the iPhone 11.

Apple has probably slowed down the CPU so that the cheapest model is below the most expensive. This was clear in our speed test where the iPhone SE was 10s slower than the iPhone 11, but still outperforms Samsung flagships that cost more.

We also noticed this small disadvantage in benchmarks scoring below the most expensive models. The difference is small and it is not even worth bothering with. What matters is that the SE runs any game well. All the titles we tested were on average 60 fps. Even if it's not a gamer phone, SE makes it clear that iOS is still the best mobile platform for games.

Cameras

Did we have a breakthrough in camera or does the SE have the same photographic quality as the iPhone 8? Well, the set of sensors and lenses are the same as before, but Apple has implemented the Smart HDR feature present in the most current iPhones. The A13 Bionic chip also helps in post-processing and in general we have better photos than in the iPhone 8.

The images come out naturally with good contrast and low noise. Shooting during the day results in photos with a high level of detail, being comparable to the most current iPhones. Already in closed places with weaker lighting is when we start to notice the limitation of the old hardware. The definition drops, the colors lose a life and the noises are already noticeable.

The iPhone SE is capable of taking good photos at night and it would be even better if Apple had made the night mode present on the iPhone 11 available. Even so, it manages to control noise well without destroying details, there are good colors without saturating or ending the contract. If you compare it to top-of-the-line models, like the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, you can see a good difference, but it is unfair since they are different categories.

Portrait mode

If night mode is needed, at least Apple has tried to compensate with the portrait mode that works well without needing other lenses to help the main camera. Of course, the result is far from perfect, but the separation between plans is good and we see a few flaws. For a device with only one camera, it is impressive.

The front camera is also the same as 7 MP from before and can seem outdated for the present day when we see Chinese models in the same price range offering sensors up to 32 MP. But who said that high numbers mean better selfies? iPhone SE shows that it is possible to take great photos with few pixels. There are a lot of details, good contrast, and the right dynamic range. But as we are talking about the iPhone, there is the old yellowish filter present.

It is also possible to blur the background of the photos with the front camera and here the result is also impressive. Not only for having a good effect with few flaws but for recognizing people even in masks, when the Galaxy Note 10 Plus simply fails to do so.

iPhone SE records videos up to 4K at 60 fps with the rear and Full HD at 30 fps with the front. The quality is very good during the day, whether in color or exposure control. At night, there is a lot of noise and a drop in the fluidity of the videos. There is stabilization in all recording modes and it works very well, being even more impressive with the front. The focus, however, is not very agile and gets quite slow at night. The audio capture is stereo and has great quality.

Battery

Your problem, however, is the battery. While Android middlemen offer even 5,000 mAh, the iPhone SE comes with a measly 1,821 mAh. It's a small battery that flies fast if you play or spend a lot of time on YouTube watching videos.

In moderate use, it lasts until the early evening, which will require a second charge before going to sleep. To make the iPhone SE spend the entire day away from plugs, you'll have to limit yourself to WhatsApp and Instagram, without abusing the brightness of the screen.

Another negative point is the recharge time. It comes with the same weak charger as the iPhone XR and 11 with a meager 5W of power. But as the battery is small, it spends less time in the socket, but it still takes more than 2 ½ hours to reach 100%. And with a quick charge of 15 minutes, you only get 15% back.

Software

The iPhone SE comes with iOS 13 from the factory and will receive updates for several years. This is a point that Apple simply humiliates the competition. Samsung usually updates its top-of-the-line devices for two years, while there are manufacturers that only release a new version of Android and forget about their consumers. If you plan to spend many years with the same phone, choosing an iPhone is the best option.

Unlike the latest Apple releases, the SE still comes with a home button below the screen. It is with it that you browse the system and also unlock the phone with Touch ID. Just press the button and your fingerprint is quickly recognized and the device will be free for use.

If you had an iPhone 8 or any model prior to the iPhone X, then you already know what you'll find here at SE. The system is practically the same in any device of the brand, only changes the navigation system by gestures in the most current ones. But unlike what we have in the Android universe, the cheapest does not receive fewer resources than the most expensive in relation to the system.

Rivals

As you can see, the iPhone SE is an improved version of the iPhone 8, but with its price being close to the XR, which one is more worth it? The SE performs a little better due to the latest hardware, has the same screen and sound quality, its cameras are better, but the battery lasts less.

The iPhone 11 costs an average of R $ 800 more than the SE currently. Is it worth paying more or is it better to save? The most expensive is faster, has better cameras and the battery lasts longer. Overall, he is superior in almost everything.

Are there better alternatives to Android? The Galaxy S10e is almost as compact, has better screen and sound, and its cameras are as good as those of the SE. The problem is that it is slower and the battery doesn't last long either. But you have to take into account that it is cheaper than the iPhone. The S20, on the other hand, costs an average of R $ 1,000 more and is better in almost everything ... it is only behind in speed.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strong points
• Quality screen and sound
• Good performance
• Good cameras
• Updates for several years

Weaknesses

• Old design with many edges
• Low battery life
• Long reload time
• Missing night mode

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