iPhone SE (2022) Review, After Using My Opinion for iPhone SE (2022)

iPhone SE (2022) Review, Let's take a look at the iPhone SE (2022) specifications, features, and other information.

iPhone SE (2022) Review, After Using My Opinion for iPhone SE (2022)
iPhone SE (2022)

REASONS TO BUY

 +  Very fast processor

 +  5G connectivity

 +  Tough, premium glass design

 +  Very strong camera

REASONS TO AVOID

 -  Single rear camera & no Night mode

 -  Older design still clinging on

 -  Unimpressive battery life

In this iPhone SE (2022) review, we'll look at the most recent versions of Apple's low-cost iPhone – but, as with all previous versions, low-cost does not imply a lack of quality components.

The iPhone SE (2022) is similar to old-school cars that have been converted to electric and can suddenly accelerate like a rocket sled. The chassis is the same as the iPhone 8, but with the addition of the A15 processor and 5G support from the iPhone 13, this phone goes. More importantly, it's extremely future-proof, which means you're not paying a lower price for something you'll need to replace soon – the new iPhone SE is built to last, making it one of the best cheap phones for those who don't like to update frequently.

Yes, there are many elements that are much less advanced than the other iPhones – it has to be cheaper somehow – and in the case of the camera features and battery life, in particular, that may push you to a more expensive iPhone model.

The iPhone SE (2022) is a strong pick as an overall package for the price – a reliable phone that should last you a long time and can take stunning photos with its single camera lens. Everything you need to know is right here.

IPHONE SE (2022) REVIEW: PRICE & RELEASE DATE

The iPhone SE (2022) was launched on March 18th, 2022. The SIM-free price starts at £419/$429/AU$719 for the 64GB model. That capacity should be sufficient for most light users, but anyone who plans to download a lot of games or take a lot of photos should consider the 128GB model, which costs £469/$479/AU$799. It's a small upgrade fee, and if you want the phone to last for years, it's another good way to ensure it's future-proof. If you require even more storage, the 256GB model costs £569/$579/AU$969.

IPHONE SE (2022) REVIEW: FEATURES & WHAT'S NEW

The new iPhone SE differs from the previous model in five important ways: the Apple A15 processor, 5G support, haptic touch on the screen, stronger glass, and improved battery life.

We'll go over all of them as we go through this review, but they're a good indication of what to expect from this new version: refinement rather than revolution.

The point of the latest iPhone SE, as usual, is to bring the full iPhone experience at a lower price – it doesn't have as many hardware features as the more expensive models, but you get full iOS capabilities.

You get a good-quality 4.7-inch screen, front and rear cameras with 4K video support, Touch ID fingerprint security, wireless charging, and a premium-feeling glass and aluminium design carried over from the previous model.

IPHONE SE (2022) REVIEW: SCREEN & SPEAKERS

The 4.7-inch screen on the iPhone SE (2022) is tiny by the standards of almost any other phone on the market today. Even teeny-weeny. (Though I've been reviewing iPhones long enough to remember when the iPhone 5's four-inch screen was considered a comically large travesty...)

As someone who is accustomed to the 6.1-inch screen of the iPhone 13, it does feel small at times. The main culprit is the keyboard – the Home screen and most other standard uses are perfectly tappable, but the keyboard kept tripping me up. I'd pressed the Return key instead of the space bar, and a lot of words that autocorrect couldn't correct turned out to be nonsense.

But that's because I'm used to seeing things on a larger screen. It will be completely natural for those coming from the original iPhone SE, or even those who have held onto an iPhone 5S, 6, 7, or similar.

Aside from the size, it's a decent screen. The resolution of 1334x750 is 326 pixels per inch, making it sharp and detailed. The 625 nits of brightness ensures that it is visible in daylight, and the P3 wide colour support ensures that it is vibrant and accurate. It also supports Apple's True Tone technology, which is great for keeping your eyes comfortable in the evenings.

When compared to the previous model, there is a subtle – but significant – improvement to the screen in this version: support for Haptic Touch. This means that you can see more useful features by hard pressing on notifications on the Lock Screen. It was truly bizarre that the previous model lacked this feature, and it's fantastic that Apple has addressed it here.

When it comes to speakers, you get an adequate package – they sound clear enough for listening to music or podcasts around the house. It's not difficult for a cheap Bluetooth speaker to outperform them, but they'll do the job without a doubt.

IPHONE SE (2022) REVIEW

The Apple A15 chip that powers the iPhone SE, like the iPhone 13, is a pocket rocket. It's amusing to have such power in a device with such a small screen – the screen is a narrower window than almost any other phone, but you've got the power to create advanced 4K video edits here.

In general use, I couldn't even get the processor to stutter. Everything happens quickly and without a hiccup. This is also true of Apple's other recent chips, but the big advantage here is the future-proofing. The A15's six-core chip can handle not only everything you could want it to do now, but also everything Apple will ask of it with software updates in the coming years.

Already, Apple is promoting smart features such as Live Text, which allows the iPhone to detect words in anything you point the camera at or any images you view on the phone, whether photos or web images. There will undoubtedly be more of this in the future, and the new iPhone SE will be up to the task.

On the iPhone SE, I got 670Mbps download speed and 76Mbps upload speed. When I switched to my iPhone 13 Pro with the same SIM card and in the same location, I got 898Mbps download and 82Mbps upload.

So, while the iPhone SE lagged behind its fancier sibling in terms of peak internet speeds, I'm not sure anyone should be disappointed with nearly 700Mbps.

When it comes to battery life, the iPhone SE (2022) outlasts its predecessor thanks to advancements in the A15 chip, iOS, and battery technology... However, it is still a small phone with a small battery, which shows.

According to Apple's figures, the iPhone 13 has a 30% to 50% longer battery life than the iPhone SE (depending on type of use). That was mirrored in my own experience. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro have effectively ended the issue of iPhones failing to last a full day of intensive use, but I've had to top up near the end of the day, which I believe will be common among more ardent users. However, the iPhone SE is unlikely to be purchased by die-hard Apple fans.

When it comes to charging, you can use the Lightning connector (it comes with a USB-C to Lightning cable, but no plug adapter, as is common these days) or Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W. Apple's MagSafe technology for faster wireless charging isn't supported.

IPHONE SE (2022) REVIEW: CAMERAS

Let's get the big issue with the iPhone SE's camera out of the way first: it only has a single wide-angle rear camera, with no ultra-wide or telephoto (or both) secondary lens.

This means you don't have the flexibility of different zoom/length options when taking photos, but it also means Night mode, which requires two lenses, is inoperable.

I think the iPhone SE just about gets away with it because the camera quality is overall excellent, but I really hope Apple addresses it in the next version because other cheap phones now come with a suite of camera lenses.

And if it makes you want to get another phone instead, because the camera is such an important feature for so many people, that's fine.

But, let's be clear, you're still getting a camera capable of some stunning shots, especially in good light. Apple hasn't made any significant changes to the camera hardware in this version, but the A15 chip delivers Apple's latest and greatest image processing, so the phone is making even more of what the sensor can do.

When I say the results are good, I don't just mean "for a low-cost phone." In good light, they compete well with even the iPhone 13 Pro. So well, in fact, that this is the comparison I'm using for the shots below, despite the fact that it's the cheapest iPhone versus the most expensive.

What you'll notice in this shot, and it's a theme in the images that follow, is that the iPhone 13 Pro's superior hardware allows it to capture a wider dynamic range. As a result, the shadows are richer, and the contrast between the darkest and lightest parts of the image is greater. Both phones use Apple's Smart HDR 4 contrast enhancement technology, so it's all about what the hardware can pick up well. The colours on the iPhone SE are also a little washed out, which is likely due to its inability to capture as much light.

The iPhone SE effectively captures just as much detail in the flowers in this shot as the iPhone 13 Pro – the iPhone 13 Pro delivers deeper colours and more dramatic shadows, giving the impression of more definition. Because of the larger sensor, the iPhone 13 Pro also has better bokeh (these aren't Portrait mode shots – that's just a natural depth of field). In this image, I believe some people might prefer the lighter presentation of the iPhone SE.

IPHONE SE (2022) REVIEW: DESIGN

The only visual distinction between the new iPhone SE and the previous model is the colour scheme. The new Midnight shade features a dark aluminium frame with a slightly blue tint to its blackness, as well as a glossy black glass rear. The Starlight aluminium frame (which I tested) has a gold tinge to its silver and a glossy white back. Naturally, the (PRODUCT)RED has a red frame and a glossy red back.

All have a black glass front, and while the design has the appearance of being five years old (especially when the screen is on and you can see the big chin and forehead), it's finished so tastefully and with such premium build quality that it doesn't matter much.

Despite the fact that it appears to be the same as the previous model, the glass is new. It's the same glass that's on the back of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, and Apple claims it's the toughest yet for drop protection... except that it isn't as durable as the Ceramic Shield material used on the front of the iPhone 13 models.

While the iPhone SE should withstand drops better than the previous model, a case is still recommended.

Fingerprints also stand out on the glass far more than on my iPhone 13, and I found myself jumping far more than on the 13. Fortunately, this works very well.

The most important aspect of the design, however. With dimensions of 67.3x138.4x7.3mm (2.65x5.45x0.29 inches), it is narrower, taller, and thinner than the iPhone 13. None of these are significant size reductions on their own, but when combined, they create something that is a million times easier to manipulate and type on with one hand.

IPHONE SE (2022) REVIEW: VERDICT

The new iPhone SE is a phone that excels in every area in which Apple has invested, but when you reach its limits, you hit them hard. The screen has accurate colours and good visibility, but because it is small, there is nowhere to go if you start using a more complex app that feels cramped. The camera performs admirably in all of the conditions we tested it in, but it lacks features that could assist you in capturing a shot in less-than-ideal conditions. The battery life is adequate for light use, but as you become more intensive, it will be unable to keep up.

However, if you're confident that you won't go over these limits, it's a fantastic choice, especially with the A15 chip ensuring that you'll have enough power for any new iOS feature Apple decides to add in the future. It's a full-fledged iPhone experience at a lower cost.