We all love the iPhone SE models but some think there’s nothing unique about it!
Well, we beg to differ and that’s exactly what we want to portray today.
The design, build quality, stable performance & regular updates now make the iPhone SE quite unique from the older iPhones.
While some might argue about a few points, we will address everything there’s to about the iPhone SE’s uniqueness in this content!
So, let’s not dwell on the past and check out the great sides of the iPhone SE series!
What Makes iPhone SE So Unique & Practical?
From build quality to pricing, the iPhone SE models were able to offer so many things for Apple enthusiasts which is still hard to comprehend!
| Features | iPhone 8 | iPhone SE (2020) | iPhone 11 | iPhone SE (2022) |
| Released in | 2017 | 2020 | 2019 | 2022 |
| Weight | 148 g (5.22 oz) | 148 g (5.22 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
| Chipset | Apple A11 Bionic (10 nm) | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| Camera | Single 12 MP | Single 12 MP | Dual Single 12 MP | Single 12 MP |
| Battery | Li-Ion 1821 mAh | Li-Ion 1821 mAh | Li-Ion 3110 mAh | Li-Ion 2018 mAh |
| Wireless Charging | Wireless (Qi) | 7.5W Wireless (Qi) | Wireless (Qi) | 7.5W Wireless (Qi) |
| Pricing |
To make all the features & comparisons fair, we are only considering iPhone SE 2nd Gen (2020) & iPhone SE 3rd Gen (2022) as the 1st Gen is too old to use in 2024. With that said, let’s start to discuss the unique factors of iPhone SE models!
Design and Build:
The main concern of most Apple lovers is that the design should be eye-catching. While the iPhone SE doesn’t involve any groundbreaking design, it is a solid piece of metal!
The build is quite sturdy with an Aluminum frame and metal back. Also, Apple is quite famous for providing good glass for display & we still see people using the iPhone SE 2nd Gen without major scratches or dents!
The weight of the iPhone SE (2020) is exactly as the iPhone 8 at 148 g (5.22 oz) which feels very comfortable to hold in hand. Furthermore, the iPhone SE (2022) is even 144 g (5.08 oz) without compromising any build quality.
In a world, where 200 g (7.05 oz)+ phones are becoming normal, using a phone with not more than 150 g weight feels like a relief!
If you’re thinking of upgrading your iPhone 8 to any of the recent iPhone SE models, then you’re in luck! Because your old iPhone 8 cases will fit iPhone SE models!
As they share the exact same main housing & build, there’s no problem with compatibility of cases or other accessories. Some might think of it as pretty cheap from Apple’s side but we don’t think of it as too cheap.
As Apple had tons of iPhone 8 main units lying around, it repurposed the main frame to launch an affordable iPhone. It decreased the barrier to entering the Apple ecosystem & we definitely appreciate that!
Raw Performance:
Compared to iPhone 8 or older models, both the iPhone SE models boost a massive performance jump with better chipsets.
iPhone 8 included Apple A11 Bionic (10 nm) SOC which was great at that time but it soon became a relic. iPhone SE (2020) & iPhone SE (2022) boast the newer Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) & Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm), respectively!
The architecture of these newer chipsets is more efficient, stable & offers impressive performance for a mobile SOC. So, why would you even want to choose an iPhone with an older chipset & slower performance?
More importantly, the iPhone SE (2022) has a better chipset than the iPhone 12 (Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm). So, if you want to get an iPhone just for the performance, then the iPhone SE offers the most versatile price-to-performance ratio!
Stable Battery Life & Wireless Charging:
We know that some might complain that the iPhone SE is not famous for its battery life or longevity. However, you need to understand that the iPhone SE is a small device and it performs as expected for a small device.
Both of the iPhone SE models have around 2000 mAh battery and they can endure moderate daily use without breaking down.
Moreover, if you’re thinking about whether the budget-friendly iPhone models support wireless charging or not, then the answer is a solid yes! While Apple definitely cut down the costs to offer a non-premium model, it definitely delivered with wireless charging.
So, with both the iPhone SE models, you’ll be able to place the phone on the charger and don’t want to struggle with cables anymore. That’s why many are still using their iPhone SE till now!
Software Updates:
If OS updates & security patches are extremely crucial to you, then we don’t see why you would even consider older models like iPhone 11 or 8.
As the iPhone SE 2nd Gen was launched in 2020 and the next version was launched in 2022, you can still expect to receive at least 2 & 4 years of OS updates, respectively.
In comparison, iPhone 8 has stopped receiving updates after iOS 15. On the other hand, both of the iPhone SE models are at iOS 18.1, and still more updates to go!
Moreover, iPhone SE models have rarely faced any major OS or software issues in the past. That builds more trust in the longevity of these devices.
Affordable Pricing:
The most stunning or un-Applelike decision was surely the pricing. At the launch of the 2nd Gen iPhone SE, it was hard to believe that Apple launched a full-fledged iPhone under $400!
In 2020, Apple introduced the iPhone SE (2020) with a price tag of $399 which was a price segment Apple left untapped. With this launch, people were excited to finally get an iPhone at an affordable price. No other phone in the market could beat such competitive pricing in the US.
Furthermore, the next device in the Apple iPhone SE series was launched in 2022, with a pricing of $429. The $30 price increase was unexpected & enthusiasts were quick to point out the unnecessary price increase.
However, people soon realized that the insides of the iPhone SE (2022) were beefed up nicely with the latest A15 bionic chipset. The SOC brought flag-ship-grade performance to the tiny body of the iPhone SE for the first time.
So, overall, we can’t really complain too much about the pricing because there’s no other iPhone that costs as low as the iPhone SE models!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Is it worth buying an iPhone SE?
If you want to use a budget phone & with a stable performance, then consider the iPhone SE model. It is a mid-range phone that offers a premium iPhone experience.
Is the iPhone SE successful?
Yes, compared to the earlier failure of the iPhone 5C, all iPhone SE devices performed well in the US & global market. People are still purchasing iPhone SE as those are the most affordable iPhones made to date.
Is the iPhone SE good for students?
As iPhone SE models are very affordable & offer good performance, we believe it’s a perfect companion for students. Moreover, Apple sometimes offers student discounts so you can get it cheaper!
Conclusion
Were you able to understand why the iPhone SE is so different from other iPhones? Definitely, you will now be able to find out which iPhone SE you’re most likely to purchase more easily!
Don’t forget to let us know if you want to know more about these budget-friendly devices by Apple!
