Launch and Availability
The iPhone SE was announced by Apple on March 21, 2016, and released on March 31 of the same year. It was eventually discontinued, but it remains a popular choice for those seeking a compact, high-performing device.
Design and Build
The iPhone SE features a classic design reminiscent of the iPhone 5s, with dimensions of 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm and a weight of 113 grams. Its sleek build includes a glass front, made with Corning-made glass, and an aluminum back and frame, delivering a robust and premium feel. The phone uses a Nano-SIM card and the compact design fits comfortably in hand for user-friendly manipulation.
Display
Sporting a 4.0-inch IPS LCD screen, the iPhone SE offers a resolution of 640 x 1136 pixels, achieving a pixel density of ~326 ppi. This display, though small compared to current standards, delivers sharp and vibrant visuals, making it ideal for users who prefer smaller screens with high picture quality.
Performance
At the heart of the iPhone SE is the Apple A9 chipset, built on a 14 nm process. It includes a dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister CPU and a PowerVR GT7600 six-core graphics GPU. This configuration enables excellent performance for daily tasks and many demanding applications, ensuring that the SE remains quick and responsive. The device's performance was benchmarked with a Basemark OS II 2.0 score of 2163.
Operating System and Software
Originally shipped with iOS 9.3.2, the iPhone SE can be upgraded to iOS 15.8.1, granting users access to the latest features and security updates from Apple. This long-term support reflects Apple's commitment to providing its users with ongoing software enhancements long after initial release.
Memory and Storage
The device comes with 2GB of RAM and offers internal storage options ranging from 16GB to 128GB. However, the iPhone SE lacks a card slot, meaning storage expansion is not possible, necessitating careful consideration of the most suitable storage size at purchase.
Camera Capabilities
Main Camera
The iPhone SE is equipped with a 12MP rear camera featuring an f/2.2 aperture, PDAF (phase detection autofocus), and a 29mm standard lens. It provides features such as a dual-LED dual-tone flash and HDR. Video recording capabilities include 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 30fps/60fps, and slow-motion video at 1080p at 120fps or 720p at 240fps.
Selfie Camera
The front camera features a 1.2MP lens with an f/2.4 aperture and is capable of 720p video at 30fps. It also supports face detection and HDR for better selfies.
Battery Life
The device is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 1624 mAh battery. Under 3G network conditions, the iPhone SE can provide up to 240 hours of standby time and up to 14 hours of talk time, granting it respectable battery longevity relative to its size.
Connectivity and Network
Supporting a wide array of network technologies, the iPhone SE includes GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE, accommodating a vast range of global carriers. It offers speeds of up to HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps for data transmission.
Communications and Sound
The device is equipped with a variety of communication features such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, LE, NFC (limited to Apple Pay), GPS and GLONASS positioning. It connects through a Lightning port with USB 2.0 functionality. As for audio, it includes a 3.5mm jack, and the loudspeaker is rated at 66dB for voice clarity.
Additional Features
The iPhone SE includes sensors such as a front-mounted fingerprint reader, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass. Its endurance rating has been tested at 73 hours, reflecting its efficient power consumption.
Color Variants
The phone is available in four color options: Space Gray, Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold, providing diverse aesthetic choices for users.
Price and Market Impact
Initially priced around 140 EUR, the iPhone SE offered a competitive and affordable entry-point into the Apple ecosystem, effectively appealing to budget-conscious consumers without compromising on performance and functionality.
Main Features of Apple iPhone SE
- Compact and lightweight design with dimensions of 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm and a weight of 113 g.
- Durable build with glass front and aluminum back and frame.
- High-performance Apple A9 chipset with Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister CPU and PowerVR GT7600 GPU.
- 4.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 640 x 1136 pixels and a pixel density of ~326 ppi.
- 12 MP main camera capable of 4K video recording at 30fps, with dual-LED dual-tone flash and HDR support.
- Supports a wide range of network technologies including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE.
- Runs on iOS, upgradable to iOS 15.8.1, ensuring compatibility with the latest apps and features.
- Multiple internal storage options up to 128GB with 2GB RAM.
- Offers a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Features a fingerprint sensor for enhanced security.
- NFC enabled for Apple Pay transactions.
- Decent battery life with a 1624 mAh non-removable battery offering up to 14 hours of talk time on 3G.
Disadvantages of Apple iPhone SE
- Discontinued status, which means potential lack of support and updates in future.
- No expansion slot for external memory cards.
- Screen size is relatively small at 4.0 inches, which may not be ideal for media consumption.
- Low screen-to-body ratio (~60.8%) compared to modern smartphone standards.
- Front camera resolution is low at 1.2 MP, which may not provide high-quality selfies.
- No FM Radio support.
- Battery capacity of 1624 mAh may not be sufficient for heavy users, considering modern standards.
- Old chipset (Apple A9) may not handle newer applications and updates effectively.
- No wireless charging support.
- Limited feature set compared to newer iPhone models.
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