14 DAY TRIAL // Apple released the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus last year, bringing some very obvious improvements to the predecessors announced in 2016.
iPhone SE was launched in March 2016, as a phone for boosting sales and convincing users of iPhone 5 models to upgrade to a new device, without risking losing them to Android competitors. iPhone SE can be compared with the iPhone 5 in many ways, but it does share some specs with the iPhone 6s.
We’re offering you seven reasons the iPhone SE is still a solid choice and why perhaps Apple should release a successor, although recent indications have pointed to the fact that the iPhone SE won’t see a continuation.
#1 If you’re looking for a cheap Apple phone, iPhone SE is the answer
Let’s face it, iPhones aren’t exactly cheap and if you’re looking to upgrade your iPhone and, at the same time, don’t break the bank, the iPhone SE could be a good choice. It’s also an option for users of Android mid-rangers who might consider jumping ship and switching to an iOS-running phone.
The iPhone SE with 16GB of internal memory currently sells for $399 unlocked, while the 64GB variant carries a price tag of $449. By comparison, the iPhone 6s sells for $549 the 32GB variant, while for 128GB of storage on the iPhone 6s Plus, you would have to pay $749. Sure, the storage is double and the phone has some powerful specs, but the price is considerably higher than on the iPhone SE. In addition, you can find lots of deals for the iPhone SE on Amazon or at your local carrier.
#2 Small phone that fits in any pocket
Smartphones are getting bigger and bigger, but there’s still a segment of consumers who prefer their phones to have displays of around 4 inches. Needless to say, such devices fit in virtually any pocket, are easy to use with one hand, and don’t take too much space in your purse.
Of course, iPhone SE’s screen does have a disadvantage, its 640 x 1136 pixel resolution may seem insufficient to some. However, the resolution isn’t much different from the iPhone 6s, while the pixel density is the same, making it quite difficult to spot a difference without putting the two phones side by side.
#3 Classic design resembling the iPhone 5
If you’re looking for an iPhone with a classic design, than the SE could be the answer. iPhone Special Edition strongly resembles the iPhone 5, but has a rounded look that gives it a more modern feel. The phone has a metallic ring around the home button and an aluminum and glass back.
Moreover, cases for iPhone 5 fit on the SE, considering that the two phones have the same size. Slightly sharp edges on the iPhone SE make it easy to get a better grip of the phone, compared to the somewhat “slippery” design of the iPhone 6s.
#4 3.5mm headphone jack and Lightning port
Apple hasn’t made any changes to the Lightning port in the past iPhone models, but not the same can be said about the 3.5mm headphone jack. Some Android smartphone makers have decided to ditch the standard audio jack and Apple followed suit.
It removed the 3.5mm jack on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, but launched AirPods only a few months later. The wireless headphones cost $159 and are quite easy to lose, but tests revealed that they are indeed durable and can play even under water, even though they weren’t designed to. You won’t have to deal with wireless headphones, as the SE features a 3.5mm headphone jack.
#5 Same CPU, GPU and RAM as on the iPhone 6s
iPhone SE runs a 1.84GHz Apple A9 chipset, coupled with PowerVR GT7600 graphics processing unit (six-core graphics) and 2GB of RAM, the same as on the iPhone 6s. The phone doesn’t experience any slowdowns and it manages to run smoothly, even with the iOS 10.2 update.
#6 Battery almost the same size as on the iPhone 6s
When it comes to battery capacity, the SE packs a 1,624mAh non-removable battery, while the iPhone 6s has a 1,715mAh juicer. The difference is quite small and is noticeable only upon heavy usage. The phone can easily last for a full day, but that also depends on what applications you actually use.
In addition, the smaller the display and lower the pixel resolution, the less battery it will take up, which means that you should encounter fewer occasions when your phone completely discharges before you manage to connect it to a power outlet.
#7 Satisfactory rear camera, boring front selfie snapper
The back camera on the iPhone SE has a 12MP capacity, with f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus and dual-LED flash. It’s exactly the same camera as on the iPhone 6s, but the selfie snapper is almost identical to the one found on the iPhone 5. It has a 1.2MP capacity, f/2.4 aperture, face detection and FaceTime feature. It doesn’t impress, that’s for sure.
In conclusion, iPhone SE is certainly an option for fans of smartphones with smaller displays and a compact size. Its affordable price compared to other iPhones makes it a really good option for those who don’t want to break the bank just to get a phone. In terms of battery life, CPU, RAM and rear camera, the phone offers quite satisfactory performances, while also including Apple Pay and Siri features.
