iPhone SE 2020 review: Nothing cheap about Apple's most affordable phone

iPhone SE 2020 review: Nothing cheap about Apple's most affordable phone

There are a lot of ways to think about Apple's new $399 iPhone SE. One is that it's a more affordable option than the iPhone 11 ($699 at Apple), with surprisingly similar camera specs, which it is. Or that it's the 2020 sequel to the original SE from 2016, which it also is. Or, at 4.7 inches, that it's the smallest and cheapest iPhone you can currently buy. Or (and this is my favorite way to think about it) that it's an iPhone 8 with the brains and power of an iPhone 11. In fact, the new iPhone SE is all these things and that's why I'm enamored with it.

The new iPhone SE has the classic design that defined the iPhone for its first 10 years. The design, the body and the camera lenses are all the same as 2017's iPhone 8. But Apple performed a clever brain transplant, replacing the nearly 3-year-old processor with the A13 Bionic processor used in the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. This goes well beyond a simple spec bump by majorly improving things like the cameras and battery life. The new processor not only runs faster, but it will likely future-proof the phone through years of iOS updates.

But a $399 (£419, AU$749) iPhone comes with compromises, which Apple chose wisely. The SE has only a single rear camera, it doesn't have Face ID and it lacks camera features like Night Mode, Slofies and Deep Fusion processing. The selfie camera is OK but not as amazing as the one found on the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.

When you look at the complete picture, the iPhone SE represents the most value for your dollar of any phone Apple sells. It has an attractive price, fantastic battery life, great rear camera, A13 processor, water resistance and support for wireless charging. The SE is not only a wonderful iPhone, but one of the best budget phones you can currently buy.

Like

Affordable price

Long battery life so far

Great rear camera

iPhone 11 Pro-level performance

Don't Like

Old iPhone design

Selfie camera is mediocre

iPhone SE (2020) specs compared to iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2016), iPhone 11 iPhone SE (2020) iPhone 8 iPhone SE (2016) iPhone 11 Display size, resolution 4.7-inch Retina HD; 1,334x750 pixels 4.7-inch Retina HD; 1,334x750 pixels 4-inch; 1,136x640 pixels 6.1-inch LCD Liquid Retina; 1,792x828 pixels Pixel density 326ppi 326ppi 326ppi 326ppi Dimensions (Inches) 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in 5.45x2.65x0.29 in 4.87x2.31x0.3 in 5.94x2.98x0.33 in Dimensions (Millimeters) 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm 138.4x67.3x7.3 mm 123x58x7.6 mm 150.9x75.7x8.3 mm Weight (Ounces, Grams) 5.22 oz; 148g 5.22 oz; 148 g 3.99 oz; 113 g 6.84 oz; 194g Mobile software iOS 13 iOS 11 (can update to iOS 13) iOS 9.3 iOS 13 Camera 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide) Front-facing camera 7-megapixel 7-megapixel 1.2-megapixel 12-megapixel Video capture 4K 4K 4K 4K Processor Apple A13 Bionic Apple A11 Bionic Apple A9 Apple A13 Bionic Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 64GB, 256GB 16GB, 64GB 64GB, 128GB, 256GB RAM Not disclosed 2GB Not disclosed Not disclosed Expandable storage No None No No Battery Not disclosed Not disclosed Not disclosed Not disclosed Fingerprint sensor Home button Home button Home button No Connector Lightning Lightning Lightning Lightning Headphone jack No No Yes No Special features Water resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging Water resistant (IP67), wireless charging Apple Pay; Haptic Touch Water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging Price off-contract (USD) $399 (64GB), $449 (128GB), $549 (256GB) $699 (64GB), $849 (256GB) $399 (16GB); $499 (64GB) $699 (64GB), $749 (128GB), $849 (256GB) Price (GBP) £419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB) £699 (64GB), £849 (256GB) £359 (16GB) £439 (64GB) £729 (64GB), £779 (128GB), £879 (256GB) Price (AUD) AU$749 (64GB), AU$829 (128GB), AU$999 (256GB) AU$1,079 (64GB), AU$1,329 (256GB) AU$679 (16GB); AU$829 (64GB) AU$1,199 (64GB), AU$1,279 (128GB), AU$1,449 (256GB) The iPhone SE's iPhone 8 design

Physically, the SE is an iPhone 8. The front and back are made of glass, the chassis and sides are aluminum. The only physical difference between the iPhone SE and iPhone 8 is that the Apple logo is now centered on the back to match current-generation iPhones.

The new phone has Apple's old-school forehead and chin bezel above and below the screen. This makes the SE look, well, old. This is the one of the few things that I'm not too thrilled about. It's not ugly, it's just dated. And that might appeal to some people, but not me.

Welcome back, large bezels.

John Kim/CNET

Having used Face ID for the past couple years, it's a strange and familiar feeling to set up and use Touch ID. It's like going from an automatic transmission back to a stick shift. But in the right car, stick shift can be a blast.

I forgot how much I missed the home button and how it makes interactions and navigation less fussy than swipes and holds. I tap and hold to pay for purchases instead of angling my phone to get Face ID verification. A speedy double-tap shows recent apps. Though Face ID has its own benefits, the home button is still as satisfying to use as it was back in the day.

For tiny phone lovers, the iPhone SE's 4.7-inch LCD display isn't as small as the original SE's 4-inch screen. But it's still smaller than most phones out right now and is enough to be portable and comfortable for most people.

The screen on the SE is similar to the one on the iPhone 11, especially in terms of quality and resolution. Text looks sharp, colors are accurate and it's bright in sunny conditions.