Apple iPhone SE (2020) review: Old is new, again!

One thing that I am extremely happy to see on this device is wireless charging. While it’s certainly not the 30 or 40W wireless speeds on high-end Android devices, just having wireless charging means I can set it up on my charging pad overnight and be fine in the morning.

iOS is iOS

When choosing a smartphone, you have two options when it comes to operating systems: Android and iOS. Android undoubtedly allows for more customization and a variety of hardware, while iOS has close integration with other Apple products and services and possibly better application support. Both interfaces operate mainly in the same way, with little quirks that set them apart.

For example, iOS forces you to keep all applications on your home screen. There is no app drawer. This is quite annoying for me personally as I like to keep my home screen simple and neat. Most iOS users store apps in folders, but I think the folders seem in bad taste.

iOS doesn’t group notifications well either, which can generate a messy notification shadow. You need to search and tap the settings app if you want to access the settings on iOS. On Android, there are shortcuts to just about everything. For example, you can jump to settings through an icon in the notification tone, which is available in most applications. Android also allows you to create widgets and shortcuts to your favorite applications. On iOS, it all seems like it needs a few extra touches.

If it comes from another iPhone, the SE will be extremely familiar.

That said, iOS has a lot at stake. For one thing, there is no third party bloatware on iPhones. Apple is the only phone manufacturer that sells its devices without operators and associated applications, such as MyVerizon, Netflix or Facebook. The application ecosystem is rich, although there are Some applications that are exclusive to Android. (I really miss Relay for Reddit a lot).

If you’ve ever used iOS and other Apple products, switching to Android can be difficult. iMessage and FaceTime are great messaging and video conferencing services that work seamlessly on iPhones, Macbooks, and iPads. Also, the massive popularity of accessories like Apple Watch and AirPods keep people locked up in Apple’s closed garden.

But there is one important thing that keeps people on the iPhone, and that is the fact that no matter what iPhone you are on, iOS is iOS. As long as Apple continues to support its product, it will work almost exactly the same as any other iOS device that you have used, it will save additional functions such as more cameras, bigger batteries, etc. It’s familiar, the settings are in the same place, and it works with all the other devices you already have.

That is why the iPhone SE is such an important product. While you won’t get the full-screen OLED panel, Face ID, multi-camera setup, and more that comes with the more expensive iPhones, you still get exactly the same interface, app support, and accessory ecosystem. If you’ve been using an iPhone for years and want to stay with Apple but can’t afford an 11 Pro, the $ 399 iPhone SE offers you exactly the same ecosystem as the 11 Pro.

What’s more, iPhone SE takes familiarity to the next level for people who are comfortable with the iPhone 8 form factor. People like my own mother have expressed dismay at the thought of being forced to adapt to the gestures of the series. iPhone 11. This gives users an option to update their existing iPhones and keeps the user interface on their device truly consistent.

A surprisingly good camera

Cell phones have been indisputably the single biggest driving force behind the democratization of photography. The cameras in our phones become more advanced from generation to generation, and the quality of the camera has become a major factor in choosing a smartphone.

Because the iPhone 8 came out three years ago, some were concerned that the SE was three years behind on camera technology. After all, it has the same 12MP sensor and lens setup as the iPhone 8. Fortunately, software and image signal processors (ISP) play a huge role in camera quality and can make even a sensor. mediocre works well. This is most notably shown with Google’s Pixel phones, which use the same sensors as everyone else, but offer superior results.

IPhone SE takes advantage of the A13’s ISP to capture great photos. Dynamic range seems to be very good on this device, although it can sometimes crush blacks a bit. Color and white balance were very accurate. Overall, the white balance shifted farther to magenta, while the iPhone 11 Pro produced more of a green color. The iPhone SE doesn’t over-saturate colors like many phones we’ve tested, and nothing feels too sharp. That being said, you may notice that it’s a bit lower resolution once you start zooming.

Una de las actualizaciones más notables de la cámara es la adición del modo retrato. El SE puede tomar retratos con desenfoque artificial gracias a los núcleos neuronales en el A13, que han sido entrenados para interpretar la profundidad en imágenes 2D. Si bien esto es similar a cómo Google logra el modo vertical en sus teléfonos Pixel, todavía es ligeramente diferente. El iPhone SE no tiene enfoque automático de doble píxel, algo que permite que el Pixel 1-3 vea en estéreo sin dos cámaras. Esto significa que toda la segmentación se basa puramente en IA. Esta función solo funciona en humanos en la aplicación de cámara predeterminada.

Sin embargo, si tiene una aplicación de terceros, puede usar los núcleos neuronales para simular la profundidad en cualquier imagen 2D. This doesn’t work as well on things like animals since the phone hasn’t been trained on them, but the tech is cool nevertheless. Because this is mostly software, it works with the 7MP front-facing camera as well. Selfies looked well-balanced in terms of color, albeit a bit soft when it comes to focus.

The one glaring issue with the iPhone SE’s photo capabilities is the lack of night mode. On the iPhone 11 series, night mode is built-in, bringing out detail in low light scenes. But with the SE, you’re stuck using the flash if you need to illuminate a scene.

The reason behind dropping night mode is a questionable one, since this is mainly dictated by the A13’a ISP. The SE even has optical image stabilization, so that shouldn’t be a reason to not include the feature. Regardless, you’ll have to upgrade if you want to see in the dark with your iPhone.

iPhones have always had some of the best video capabilities in any smartphone, and that remains true, even in the iPhone SE (2020). The A13 Bionic enables up to 4K 60fps capture to the phone. Alongside its great stabilization, the footage looks consistently great. I’m impressed.

What are you missing?

One of the most common questions I’ve been asked about the new iPhone SE is what you’re missing by buying a $400 iPhone. The most obvious answer would be multiple cameras, Face ID, a bigger battery, and an OLED display if you’re comparing it to more expensive iPhones.

Put it up against modern Android flagships, and there are a few more differences. You won’t get super high-res cameras, you won’t get fast wired or fast wireless charging, you’re stuck with a 60Hz display, and you won’t get tight integration with Google Assistant.

iPhone owners can download Google Assistant from the iTunes App Store, but you have to activate Siri and then say “OK Google” to get it working. This is an awkward workaround. Given how much better Google Assistant is than Siri, it’s nice to have Assistant baked into the platform. Further, some smart home systems (including mine) are based on Google Assistant, which makes it hard to switch.

If you’re into customization, you’ll also be robbed of launchers and icon packs. Android is just more customizable in general, where iOS only really allows you to change your wallpaper.

In terms of power and performance, though, you’re not missing a lot. Sure, the iPhone SE doesn’t have as much RAM as a lot of Android phones, but it is much better at RAM management than Android is. Where Android needs about 6GB to skirt by without issue, the iPhone SE gets along fine with 3GB. And the iPhone 11 series gets much better battery life than the iPhone SE, primarily due to the larger, physically more massive batteries.

iPhone SE (2020) specs

Apple iPhone SE review (2020): Should you buy it?

For $399, it’s hard not to recommend the iPhone SE. It has fantastic build quality, great cameras, and one of the fastest processors currently available. But this all comes with the caveat that you like iOS, and don’t mind the restrictions that come with it. If you do buy this device, I would suggest spending the extra $50 to upgrade to the 128GB storage option, as 64GB is a bit low, especially for a phone slated to last you three to five years.

While I would absolutely recommend this phone to iOS fans, it’s no secret that the Google Pixel 4a is expected to release soon. Considering the Pixel 3a launched with the same $399 price tag, the 4a will likely be a competitive option for those who want the best of Android for cheap. The $399 Galaxy A51 from Samsung is another great alternative that gives you a nicer screen and better battery.

If you’re willing to spend a little more, the OnePlus 7T is only $500 and offers a variety of cameras, great UI, and a fast 90Hz display. Or you can pick up a Google Pixel 4, which has just dropped to the same $500 price tag.

Spend a bit more, and you can pick up the OnePlus 8 for $700, which adds 5G connectivity and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. A bit more still, and you could get the LG V60 for $800. And if you want to ball out, there are a plethora of great phones in the $900 plus range, like the Samsung Galaxy S20, OnePlus 8 Pro, and more.

You can buy the iPhone SE at major retailers and carriers, such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.