Apple iPhone SE2 (2020) review

The next smartphone model in the Apple family has all the indications to become one of the most sought-after devices in the next few months and even years. The iPhone SE 2020 offers a well-thought-out combination of benefits. It is these that we will look at in the lines that follow. Prepare for cons, too, because a budget device, even from Cupertino, harbors moments of weakness. 

Apple iPhone SE2 (2020) Specifications

• Release date: 2020, April 15
• Colors: Black, White, Red
• Dimensions: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm.
• Weight: 148 g.
• Screen: 4.7" in, 750 x 1334, Retina IPS LCD
• Camera : Single, 12MP
• Chipset: Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)
• CPU: Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
• Memory: 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM
• Battery: 1821, Non-removable Li-Ion
• Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
• Operating system: iOS 13
• Sensors: Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer

If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Apple iPhone SE2 (2020) Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.

Design

When the iPhone SE came out, consumers split into two camps. One described it as outdated and blamed the designers for that. The second whispered with delight - "classic". They see in the new model the ghost of iPhone 6 - the device that millions of users continue to use now. 

The iPhone SE 2020 bears the imprint of the iPhone 8. Its exterior has been redesigned. White is brighter, grey has turned to black. Since the case dimensions have not changed, you can save on buying a new case. Just use the old one. 

For owners of the first iPhone SE, the design of the 2020 version will be a pleasant discovery. And iPhone 6 and 6s owners will swap metal for glass. There's no criticism of the build quality. The iPhone SE 2020 is a robust, monolithic and thin smartphone. 

What you need to know is that its bezels are huge given the current trends in the smartphone market. That's not a definite downside, though, is it? With the iPhone SE 2020 in hand, you'll enjoy a lightweight device and one whose screen you can walk around with one finger. 

Among the pros of this Apple model, we must point out the IP67 protection - the iPhone is at least protected against damage after flooding with water. Maximum can survive immersion up to half an hour at a depth of 1 meter. 

Display

The high-quality and small iPhone SE 2020 features a 4.7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels (326 ppi). Its brightness is 625 nits. Colours are pleasing to the eye. The matrix has proven its qualities over time. Of course, it is not the best solution to date, but it will fully satisfy the requirements of most users. 

Among the features, the True Tone technology stands out. It changes the color rendering depending on the light level in the environment. This feature is not found in all flagships on the market. 

This year, the developers of the iPhone SE 2020 have abandoned the controversial 3D Touch pressure force recognition technology. Now available is Haptic Touch, which recognizes the duration of pressure. This technology is familiar to us from iPhone 11. 

The abandonment of 3D Touch has reduced the cost of replacing the display on the iPhone SE 2020. It will now cost less to repair. 

Performance

In the iPhone SE 2020, we see the new A13 Bionic, which comes in place of last year's A12 solution. Apple's A13 is more powerful and uses less power. We have a last-generation neuroprocessor. Tests show an increase in autonomous performance over the iPhone 8, which has an A11 chip. The power of the neuromodule is noticeable in photo processing and facial recognition. The performance gain is most noticeable under heavier load on the device.

For many, the question arises why Apple has not saved money by putting an older solution. The company could have done it, but the newer the "iron", the longer it will serve the user and be up to date. As an iPhone owner, you'll feel confident that the company has taken good care of your investment. You'll have a long-lasting, stable and fast device in your hands. In terms of performance, the iPhone SE 2020 will be up to date for a minimum of 3 years, and in terms of software for no less than 4 years. 

The new iPhone SE runs iOS 13 at the factory, but the update to iOS 13.4.1 arrives immediately after you turn it on. The device comes with 3 GB of RAM. The system runs absolutely smoothly. The internal memory varies - 64, 128 and 256 GB. 

Since the iPhone 8, the company's models feature Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC. Unexpectedly, we see support for Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit LTE technologies. The former offers internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps and the latter up to 1 GB/s. 

And this Apple model doesn't offer 2 physical SIM card handling. The user can only use one Nano SIM, the second one must be an eSIM. 

Cameras 

The main camera on the iPhone SE 2020 is a single module. It is 12-megapixel with 6-lens optics and f/1.8 brightness and optical stabilization. The specs match those of the iPhone 11 Pro, but the iPhone SE uses an old sensor with tiny 1.22 micron pixels. In the new iPhones, the pixels are larger - 1.4 µm each. The difference is most noticeable when shooting at night. 

The iPhone SE 2020 will delight all fans of shooting video with a phone. Videos are super smooth even at maximum 4K quality at 60 frames per second. 

It's impossible to imagine a modern smartphone without an ultra-wide angle camera or zoom. Apple knows this too.

The front camera can darken the mood with 7 MP resolution. Older iPhones now use 12-megapixel sensors. Positive news is the appearance of portraits with blurred backgrounds. In good lighting, the iPhone SE 2020 takes gorgeous selfies. In the dark, the front-facing camera fares better than the XR, but it can't top the Honor 20's performance. 

Autonomous operation 

The iPhone SE 2020's battery has a capacity of 1821 mAh. This could be one of the main reasons why brand fans put the iPhone XR as their first choice. There, the capacity is 2942 mAh. It is this smartphone that is defined as the most balanced model when it comes to price to autonomy ratio. 

With the iPhone SE 2020 in hand under moderate workload, you can rely on the battery until late at night. Video, gaming, social networking, and maximum screen brightness draw from the battery by the handful.

The iPhone SE's charging speed is at last year's level, similar to the design. A 5W adapter is included. It provides recharging to 100% in 2.5 hours. 

Conclusion 

The iPhone SE 2020 is a modern device that does not provoke serious excitement, but offers solid performance and relevance for years. 

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight;
• IP67 water protection;
• Quick fingerprint scanner; 
• Photo quality on par with a modern flagship priced up to £1500;
• Powerful processor.

Cons: 

• High price;
• Huge bezels;
• Small display; 
• Old design;
• Unsatisfactory autonomous operation.

Apple iPhone SE2 (2020) video review

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Apple iPhone SE2 (2020) and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Apple.