The iPhone SE is the top budget device from Apple. It offers access to some of Apple's biggest features at a fraction of the price of competing flagship models.
We were impressed with the performance of the device and how many features Apple included despite its low price point. The phone has a basic camera that works well in most situations, though low-light photography is a struggle. The iPhone SE seems like it was built to last and most customers can expect to get many years of use out of it. Though it struggles to compete with flagship models like the iPhone 14, this phone is perfect for anyone looking to hook up to the Apple ecosystem on the cheap.
Read on to learn our full review of the iPhone SE and whether this is the right device for you.
Apple iPhone SE (2022) review: the verdict
The new iPhone SE is a contradictory mix of best-in-class performance and a dated design. It's an unusual combination that makes the iPhone SE a 5G device that will last for years.
What we love
- Excellent performance
- Great price
- Years of software updates
What could be improved
- Only 64GB of storage in base model
- Poor low-light photography
- Shortish battery
The essentials
- Performance: Excellent, as fast as an iPhone 13.
- Battery: On the shorter side. Expect 3-4 hours of screen time per charge, which could leave some struggling to hit a full day per charge.
- Screen: A lovely but small display.
- Camera: Just okay. Can take good photos in a lot of situations, but low light performance is lacking.
80/100
The Apple iPhone SE design may firmly be rooted in the past, but the latest iteration of Apple's budget phone is all about future-proofing. It's the kind of phone that should easily last you half a decade, if not more, which isn't exactly something you can say about most budget devices. Check out some of the top unlimited plans for the iPhone SE below. Since it's a budget device, carriers often offer a free iPhone SE when you switch. If you pick the right plan and find a good deal, your new iPhone SE could be absolutely free!
iPhone SE (2022) 64GB Plans
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#1
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Twigby Mobile
Unlimited Talk, Text and Data
$25.00/mo
for the first 3 months then $35.00/month
+ $196 Upfront
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#2
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Simple Mobile
Unlimited World+ Plan
$57.00/mo
with AutoPay
+ $183.99 Upfront
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#3
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Verizon
Unlimited Welcome
$55.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $469.99 Upfront
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iPhone SE design: dead ringer
If you've used any modern handset from the last couple of years, the new iPhone SE will feel like a step back in some regards. It's a dead ringer for the 2020 iPhone SE, which itself was all but identical to 2017's iPhone 8. The design itself harkens back to 2014's iPhone 6. Given the speed of the tech world, the new iPhone SE is decidedly vintage.
You get a comparatively tiny 4.7-inch display paired with a physical home button, all wrapped between two chunky bezels. It's a far cry from the all-screen aesthetic that has dominated the industry across supersized devices. The new iPhone SE is the last remaining bastion of the first decade of smartphones.
A big part of the buying decision comes down to whether the 4.7-inch screen is right for you. It's great for one-handed usage, but using two hands to bang out a message faster doesn't feel cramped. It also makes the iPhone SE more pocketable than the majority of modern devices, although the iPhone 13 mini is actually just a little smaller. If you're looking for a more compact device, the iPhone SE could be it.
A small screen does come with trade-offs, however. It's not exactly comfortable using the iPhone SE to read long-form articles or watch video. Sure, a short clip looks just fine, but watching anything over a few minutes in length just made me want a larger screen. I had a similar experience looking up restaurants on Google Maps, where I ended up moving to a laptop just so I could see more.
For the most part, the iPhone SE's smaller display is fine. If you're using your phone as more of a communication device rather than a consumption device, it will more than do the trick.
iPhone SE (2022) vs. iPhone 13
With the release of the iPhone 14 in late 2022, the iPhone 13 immediately got a major discount, especially if you're purchasing it renewed. While these devices both use the A15 Bionic processor, the iPhone 13 offers better camera features, a slightly larger size, and better overall performance because it was originally a flagship device. If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, you can get more bang for your buck if you snag the iPhone 13 instead of the iPhone SE. While the iPhone SE is the cheapest option in most cases, a new or renewed iPhone 13 is typically not priced much higher.
Check out our iPhone 13 review and find out if it's the budget device you need!
iPhone SE performance: pint-sized powerhouse
The secret to the iPhone SE's longevity is its A15 processor. That's the same chip you'll find inside the iPhone 13 Pro Max and base model iPhone 14. The iPhone SE is faster than the Galaxy S22. That's to say the day-to-day experience is excellent; the pint-sized powerhouse will handle anything you can throw at it as well as any other phone.
Zippy performance is only part of the equation, however. The real benefit of the latest and greatest processor is the aforementioned future-proofing. It's hard to tell exactly how long Apple will support a phone, but even 2015's iPhone 6S was upgraded to iOS 15 last year. Based on that math, we are expecting the new iPhone SE to get at least six major operating system updates, which would take it all the way to iOS 21.
This kind of lifespan is unheard of when it comes to more affordable phones. With some cheaper devices, there's very little clarity as to how long the manufacturer will support it. You're lucky to even get two operating system upgrades with Android phones. Samsung has however recently changed its support policy, and many of its phones will now get four major operating system upgrades, and five years of security—not to mention 5G readiness.
iPhone SE camera: vintage photography
The new iPhone SE's camera is a little more underwhelming, but that makes sense as this is a budget device. It's fine, and can take a good photo in many circumstances, but isn't much of an update over the 2020 iPhone SE. It has a slower lens than every other recent iPhone, and is the only handset Apple currently sells that's missing night mode.
The slower lens means you may need a few takes when shooting moving objects. I found it very hard to get a sharp shot of Billie, even with good lighting. She's a very animated dog, so most photos I took had at least some motion blur.
The iPhone SE can also struggle in even somewhat dim lightning. This chicken parm photo looks just a little too dark:
You also miss out on a dedicated night mode, which is a fairly big omission for any phone in 2022. Here's a shot from the iPhone SE, taken in a completely dark room, with some light in the hallway behind me:
Here's the same image from the standard iPhone 13, without night mode. It's still too dark, but the color is more natural, the image is sharper, and there's less visible noise.
And here's the same shot from the iPhone 13 with night mode on. It's a touch soft due to the long exposure time—especially when it comes to the carpet in the bottom right-hand corner—but the iPhone SE simply isn't capable of taking these kinds of photos.
It's also worth noting that the iPhone SE has just one rear-facing 12MP camera; many Android phones have multiple lenses at this price point. These lenses do, however, tend to represent a not-insignificant drop-off in quality when compared to the primary lens. Of course, some still may like the versatility of a secondary lens even if the pictures aren't quite as good.
All in all, the iPhone SE camera isn't bad. It's just not the reason you should buy the phone, and the biggest compromise it makes when compared to its flagship brethren. Even 2019's iPhone 11 represents a step up in camera quality.
iPhone SE battery: low power Mode
Battery was a weak spot on the 2020 iPhone SE, and isn't exactly a strength for the new iPhone SE. It's possible to get a full day per charge with the iPhone SE, but only with lighter usage. I was getting prompted to turn on low power mode every single night of my testing. This translates to about 3-4 hours of screen time per charge. For many, this means the iPhone SE is the kind of device you'll need to top up during the day if you're planning on being out during the night. This is especially true if you do power-intensive tasks like mobile gaming.
Admittedly, the new iPhone SE lasts longer than the previous generation and still represents an upgrade for anyone upgrading from an iPhone 8 or older, especially when considering batteries degrade over time.
The new iPhone SE also features wireless charging, which is a premium trimming you don't see on too many mid-tier phones. You'll also get IP67 water resistance and a glass back, neither of which are given when it comes to devices in this price range. The $699 Samsung Galaxy A53 5G also has IP67 water resistance, for example, but has a plastic back.
Apple iPhone SE (2022) recap: final thoughts
The new iPhone SE is a pocket powerhouse firmly rooted in the past. It's clearly designed for those still on an iPhone 8 or older, who aren't quite ready to give up a home button. And by that metric, the iPhone SE is a success. It's a solid phone for upgraders, and it's going to over huge improvements over any other iPhone with a home button. Best of all, you can hang on to it for years if you want to.
For anyone else, the iPhone SE is a bit of an oddity. It's not the kind of device that will appeal to the mass market in the same way a shiny new iPhone 13 does. The price tag is great, as is the promise of future upgrades, but in 2023, the iPhone SE is a relic. Even if it will still happily chug along for many years, there's every chance the majority of app and web designers will stop optimizing for small displays.
If you really love the classic iPhone design, the iPhone SE will satisfy you. If the smaller form factor is the key drawcard, I'd consider spending a little extra and going for an iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 13 mini if you can find one. That said, not every phone carrier or retailer offers the mini models anymore. The iPhone 12 mini has been completely discontinued and the iPhone 14 series didn't include a mini model at all.
The new iPhone SE still has a certain charm, but throwback tech ultimately needs to make way for newer innovations. Time's unrelenting march can be cruel like that.
iPhone SE (2022) review: FAQs
Is the iPhone SE still worth buying?
Yes, the iPhone SE is still worth buying. It is one of the cheapest devices that Apple offers and should last through years of iOS updates. That said, the iPhone SE is a budget-model phone and doesn't offer the camera and processing capabilities of the newest Apple devices. A potential budget compromise is the iPhone 13.
What's better about the iPhone SE?
The iPhone SE is better than some other budget devices because it offers 5G connectivity and it runs on the same A15 Bionic processor that powers the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14.
What are the disadvantages of the iPhone SE?
The iPhone SE has several disadvantages when compared to other Apple phones. This includes problems with low-light photography and a smaller screen.
Why is my iPhone SE 2022 so slow?
Your iPhone SE may be running slow because the processor is overworked or there is an issue in the device's files. Consider closing all running apps or ending background tasks to see if speed improves. If it does not, restart the device to perform a soft reset and reestablish your files. If your iPhone SE is still running slow, consider taking it to your carrier or an Apple store for repairs.
Apple iPhone SE (2022) camera samples
Alex Choros
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