The iPhone SE 2020 is a very attractive device if we consider that it is the cheapest smartphone from Apple. Among its features, the latest generation components also stand out, which makes it even more attractive. But, to what extent is this terminal worth it? We analyze it.
Brief review of its specifications
We already know all the features of the iPhone SE 2020 , however it is worth reviewing the most outstanding ones. Among them we have to highlight its brain, the A13 Bionic processor , which is also the same as in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. There is no doubt that this is a very good strength of the terminal, since it not only guarantees great performance , it is also a guarantee that you will receive software updates for years.
On the other hand, we find a design that is very reminiscent of the iPhone 8 . In fact it is identical to this except for the apple located in the center of the back and the way in which the glass materials in white, black and red have been combined. On the front, black in all its versions, we see a 4.7-inch LCD panel . Is it a bad thing to use this display technology today? Well, it depends, since it is not the best, but it still offers great results in terms of color and sharpness. Perhaps the most negative thing in this front are the bulky frames compared to more recent terminals, although this is already based on personal taste.
It does not have Face ID, but it has the always comfortable Touch ID , which is integrated into the Home button and allows you to safely unlock the device, saves you from having to type certain passwords and even allows you to make payments with Apple Pay. Again, this is in personal taste, since whoever has tried other unlocking methods may be more or less interested in this biometric function that Apple added for the first time in the popular iPhone 5s.
Of course, this iPhone SE 2020 is much more than this. The cameras and some other sections will be analyzed in later points. But at least seeing these characteristics we can already help you express a first idea of this terminal.
Compact terminal and for taking great pictures
It is clear that if you are looking for a large phone this iPhone will not be useful, unless you think you can adapt. If in your case you are already convinced that this size adapts to your needs, you should know which is one of the points where you can squeeze the most. We refer to their cameras.
Photos taken with an iPhone SE 2020.
Okay, they are not the best on the market, since they have a single 12 Mpx and f / 1.8 wide-angle lens on the back and a 7 Mpx and f / 2.2 front lens. However, they are capable of taking great pictures with the popular portrait mode , which is able to blur the background behind the person taking the picture. And luckily this is possible with both the main and front cameras, being also the only Apple phone without a ‘notch’ that is capable of taking this type of photo.
Photos taken with an iPhone SE 2020.
In video it also stands out positively. This terminal is capable of recording in 4K at 24, 30 or 60 photographers per second. It will also allow you to do it in 1080p HD at 30 or 60 frames per second and at 30 frames per second in 720p HD . Image stabilization , which is one of the strengths of the latest iPhone, is also present in this SE.
So this Apple device is ideal for you if photography and video interest you especially, but you do not need the latest advances in this field.
Access to the Apple ecosystem
You may have heard references to the Apple ecosystem on many occasions. When users or the media talk about this, we are referring to the integration of the company’s devices with each other thanks to services such as iCloud, Apple TV +, Apple Arcade or the millions of applications available on the App Store.
If this will be your first Apple device, you can already experience a pleasant feeling of knowing that your data will not only have privacy guarantees, but can also be recovered at any time thanks to cloud backups in iCloud. In addition to that you can access this data, photos and other content from other devices such as a Windows PC. If you also have an iPad or a Mac, you will notice how the synchronization between them is automatic and you can work with files on one or the other device at any time. Not to mention AirDrop , one of the great services of these devices and that allows you to send and receive files between Apple computers in seconds.
The fact of acquiring this terminal and doing it at a lower price than other devices will allow you to make an initial assessment of this entire ecosystem. Who knows? Perhaps this will help you to become a fanboy over time and have other higher-end devices, although this does not have to be your claim to enjoy a pleasant experience.
If you already have another iPhone
If you already have an iPhone under your belt, regardless of whether it is fully functional or damaged, perhaps this iPhone SE 2020 may not be the best one for you. If you have an iPhone X or later you will notice that you have an inferior iPhone. It may not be in all aspects, but this will be your feeling after your experience with an updated design terminal.
But what if you have an iPhone 8 or earlier? In these cases, the change may already be more interesting. If you come from one of the small 4.7 inches, you will notice in a way that you continue with the same iPhone, since aesthetically the SE is very similar to these. However, the change will be very noticeable in terms of performance and camera.
If you have a Plus model there is also the possibility that you will experience a strange feeling of using a worse iPhone, but it will only be by size. As for performance, you will notice that this phone is much more fluid, although in the autonomy aspect you may be able to take a hit, as we highlight in the next section.
The battery is a very weak point
Having a good autonomy with our mobile is essential today. It is true that the last iPhone 11 have experienced a considerable improvement in this regard, but in previous models this is not the most optimal. In the iPhone SE, unfortunately, we find something similar.
The battery capacity is the same as the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 , or at least that’s believed, since Apple does not provide this data. If an iPhone has a good thing compared to Android, it is that it can better manage the autonomy of the terminal even if it has lower capacity, but to a certain extent. The battery of this terminal is very fair and the A13 Bionic chip does not work miracles.
There will be no one who knows your phone use better than you, so you should consider whether the iPhone SE can help you. The battery comes barely at the end of the day with normal use, but if your idea is to use it intensively or you usually spend long hours away from home, it won’t suit you. You can always use a powerbank to accompany you as an emergency solution, but it is clearly not the most comfortable.
Price and distance with other iPhone
The economic section is one of the most controversial when it comes to mobile devices, since in the end it largely depends on the purchasing power of the consumer and on how much he is willing to invest in it. Officially, this iPhone SE starts at a price of 489 euros in the Apple Store. This in its basic version of 64 GB, since in the superior ones of 128 GB and 256 GB it can reach figures of 538 euros and 659 euros respectively.
We must say that, whether through Apple itself, telephone operators or other surfaces, the device can be paid in installments . Apple also includes a replacement program with which you can buy the device by delivering your old iPhone, being able to obtain a discount on the terminal that allows you to purchase it from 349 euros .
When comparing it with other Apple devices, it is where we can see with some perspective the range in which the iPhone SE is. We will ignore the iPhone 8 for being already discontinued and the iPhone 11 Pro for being focused on another audience and having prices above 1,000 euros. With this panorama we find the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR as the main rivals within the apple ecosystem.
The iPhone 11 starts from an official price of 809 euros in its 64 GB version of storage. It is not as expensive as the ‘Pro’ models but it is almost double that of the iPhone SE. Perhaps the only thing that both teams share is the processor and the display technology, but otherwise the iPhone 11 wins on the street thanks to its dual camera with wide angle and ultra wide angle or its spectacular treatment of night photos with night mode. Also in size and design we find very noticeable differences. Therefore, this terminal could also be out of the fight because it is aimed at an audience that, without being the most demanding, is already looking for better benefits on a mobile phone.
The iPhone XR is surely the most worthy rival to the iPhone SE 2020 for having a starting price of 709 euros . Yes, it is true that it is still a high price, but it is that we can find it in some stores for up to 100 euros less on certain occasions. This means that the difference with the XR is reduced considerably and that in certain cases it is convenient to pay a little more for a mobile with an updated design .
And we refer to a mobile with an updated design because in other specifications there is not as much difference as it might seem. In screen technology they are practically identical, just like in the field of photographs with the rear and front camera. The iPhone XR mounts an A12 Bionic processor, just before the iPhone SE, but there is also no abysmal difference between the two and this one also has excellent autonomy that once placed it above the high-end XS.
Therefore, if the design does not convince you or you think that you will be more comfortable with the size of the iPhone XR, perhaps the iPhone SE will be in the background for you. Other terminals that you can find in other stores such as the iPhone X or XS may perhaps be attractive if they are at a good price, although if it is second-hand it would be convenient to make sure that its operation is adequate, that it does not have wear features apparent or internally.
Assess your needs and ensure your decision
Having said all this, now you only have to be the one who makes a decision about whether or not the iPhone SE 2020 is worth it. Do not rush your decision and try to be clear about all the aspects that are fundamental in your use. A good way to support this decision is to make a list of what you want on a smartphone and to rate from 0 to 10 to what extent this device complies.
By following this advice you can check if the iPhone SE finally meets your expectations, and you can buy it while being sure that you will be satisfied with it. In any case, there is a return period of at least 14 days in Apple and in other stores, so you can back down on your decision after trying it if you are not convinced. For this you must keep the original box, the purchase invoice and that the phone and accessories are not damaged.