Review of the smartphone Apple iPhone SE: bigger is not better. Review of the smartphone Apple iPhone SE: bigger is not better iPhone 5 se year of release

Apple finally released a new scaled-down iPhone that doesn't seem to be as compromised as the iPhone 5c. Prices for the iPhone SE start at 37,990 rubles. (and it's inexpensive compared to other iPhones), the phone feels like the 5s, and the hardware is pretty much the same as the 6s. Everything seems to be simple. However, when it comes to choosing and buying a phone, you need to take into account a bunch of parameters, characteristics and features in order to understand whether this or that model actually meets your expectations. Let's see what the iPhone SE is.

1. The most powerful smartphone with a diagonal of 4 inches

Over the past couple of years, we have probably not seen any truly interesting compact smartphones. Sony released several models, but they weren't good enough - they were always compromise.

SE doesn't seem like a compromise solution. It inherited almost all of its components from the current flagship, the iPhone 6s: a9 processor, 2 GB RAM, Apple Pay, awesome 12MP camera, 4K video, live photos, and more. The hardware performance of the iPhone SE shouldn't be in doubt.

For the first time in these two years, a four-inch phone does not leave the impression of being missing something. After all, SE is a Special Edition!

2. This is the beloved iPhone 5s

Compared to the curved and flowing shapes of the iPhone 6 and 6s, the design of the iPhone 5s was sharper, more square, and angular. And even after two and a half years, it does not seem outdated. Fans of this model would even call it classic. Plus, you can easily put this phone in your pocket or hold it with one hand!

SE looks almost like 5s. The only difference is the phone's edge is matte, not shiny. In addition, the Apple logo on the back is designed to match the color of the phone. Ah, and the color scheme is also available. Rose gold.

3. Small differences

Everyone tends to compare the iPhone SE with the 6s rather than the 5s, due to the similar configuration. But this is not exactly a 6s in a smaller case, there are some minor differences.

For example, the SE sensor First generation Touch ID, just like the iPhone 5s. The difference seems to be small, but only until you try the iPhone 6s. Touch ID 2 is insanely fast, too fast. After the release of 6s, people complained that they could not unlock the phone by pressing the Home button: the phone detected their fingers before they had time to press it.

SE has no 3D Touch. It's a pity, of course, but you shouldn't grieve too much about it. I think most of us can get along without 3D Touch.

What's really unfortunate is that the front camera only has a 1.2 megapixels, while on 6s - all 5 MP. The difference is understandably sensitive. You can take very high-quality pictures with the 6s front camera, but hardly with the SE front camera. On the other hand, there is technology Retina Flash, which is nice.

In addition, there are many more pleasant things in SE.

4. All modern buns

People did not appreciate the hardware on the 6s because of its performance, but because it was used to implement features that greatly improved the interaction with the iPhone. At first, Apple Pay. Second, the “eternal” function “Hey Siri”. Finally, co-processor M9 in the background it keeps track of a bunch of different information: how many steps you walked, how many flights of stairs you covered, and so on. All this is in the iPhone SE.

5. Lasts longer than 5s

Good news for those looking to upgrade from 5s or earlier: the SE battery lasts a long time. On paper, the iPhone SE is 50% faster than the 5s.

The following table lists the battery life for the latest iPhone models.

The Wall Street Journal's stress test shows that things are even better:

“In a lab stress test of consistent web browsing at the same brightness level, the SE lasted 10 hours - more than two hours better than the iPhone 6s and 5s and about three hours better than the Galaxy S7.”

It will take you about two weeks to figure out the actual battery life. However, early reviews show such excellent results. I think that under moderate load the phone should work quietly all day.

6. Amount of memory

SE starts at RUB 37,900 for the 16GB model. The amount of memory is not the most impressive, but quite reasonable for the money. If you need more, a model with 64 GB of memory costs ten thousand rubles more.

7. Top smartphone for reasonable money

This phone may not be for you. It's hard to imagine any flagship and phablet fanatic going from an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus to a 4-inch smartphone. It just isn't right. The keyboard will be terribly inconvenient for him, he will have to scroll much more often, he will need to view different media content in a completely different way.

But the price of 38 thousand, which in a couple of months will also drop to 30 thousand, makes this phone affordable for a large number of people. With this pricing policy, Apple is expanding the market for top-end smartphones and lowering its price bar a little lower.

This is done mainly for markets such as China and India. This is where Apple plans to use this model to expand its presence and lure people from Android to iPhone.

8. Reviews from critics

Lauren Goode of The Verge writes: “For people looking for a small or inexpensive iPhone, the iPhone SE will fit perfectly.”

Nicole Nguyen, a BuzzFeed columnist, puts it in a similar way: “This is great fast smartphone for those who believe that bigger is not always cooler. ”

That's what. If you want a compact smartphone, go for the SE. For an inexpensive iPhone, go for the SE. He is the best at what he is for.

We present to your attention a detailed review of the iPhone SE (Special Edition) - the first smartphone from Apple, which belongs to the line of budget devices.

The model was first presented to the public in March 2016.

Apple developers decided not to follow the generally accepted trend of constantly increasing the screen or improving performance, which is why the iPhone SE is also called a mixture of and.

This model created for those who prefer to use a compact smartphone and see no reason to spend a lot of money to buy a device. At the same time, the SE model has good functionality, and its design repeats the iconic look of the iPhone 5s, which has become the most successful among all Apple phone models.

The table shows the main technical iPhone specifications SE and comparison of the gadget with the parameters of the iPhone 6s, 7s, 8s.

As you can see, the gadget is really a kind of amalgamation of several versions of iPhones.

A powerful processor is built into the smartphone, good battery, the main camera is 12 MP. The front-facing camera is inferior in quality to newer iPhones, as 1.2 MP is a quality taken from the 5th generation iPhones.

Unpacking and packaging

Despite the fact that the iPhone SE is very similar to the 5th generation iPhone, the packaging and packaging are still close to the 6s.

The smartphone box is decorated in gentle colors. The image of the phone is located at the top, and the company logo and the model of the device are indicated on the side faces.

• Lightning cord;
• Charging plug;
• Branded headset EarPods;
• A clip for a SIM card;
• Earbuds with detailed description functionality and instructions for the first phone setup.

In general, everything looks very neat and high quality, which matches the style of Apple.

Build and design

The appearance of the iPhone SE corresponds to the concept of a classic iPhone - a 4-inch display and a fairly massive body.

Such a smartphone, according to Steve Jobs, is the ideal mobile device.

Also, the appearance, build quality and all the smallest details of the case are fully consistent with the iPhone 5S.

Today, everyone is used to the thinnest smartphones with large screens. Apple also prefers to adhere to the general trend of development of mobile devices, so all new generations have standard models with a large screen.

The decision to release the iPhone SE is explained by the fact that Apple has taken into account the wishes of users who prefer to work with standard smartphones with good filling and inexpensive cost.

Of course, for those who are used to using thin smartphonesThe iPhone SE may seem a little too rough at first.

But after a while, you can quickly get used to this shape, and you will realize that the phone is very comfortable in the hand, and the display size is sufficient for everyday use.

The iPhone SE is one of Apple's most popular device models in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

This suggests that users still prefer compactness and classics.

Also, the IPhone SE has a few design differences from the classic IPhone 5S:

• More colors. Now the smartphone is available not only in gray, gold and silver, but also in Rose Gold;
• Company logo... The now famous apple is crafted from glossy metal. The logo is inserted into the body as a completely independent component, therefore it gives the impression of a more accurate application. Recall that in previous generations IPhones apple was pressed into the material back cover;
• In addition to the standard inscription, the SE model identifier is also engraved on the body of the device, which makes it possible not to confuse the gadget with the 5S.

The front of the smartphone is also made in the best traditions of Apple.

The scanner is located in the lower area.

Note that the fifth version of the smartphone uses more old version scanner.

For unknown reasons, the Apple developers have not announced which version of Touch ID is installed in the iPhone SE.

By simply testing both the 6 Plus (which uses newer scanner versions) and the IPhone SE, you can determine the quality of the feature.

If you take all three smartphones and simultaneously press the Touch ID key, the result will be controversial. You can immediately see that the scanner is a little slower in the iPhone SE. With a high probability, we can say that the SE has the same fingerprint scanner as in the fifth generation of the device.

Overall, the look of the iPhone SE is a good example of a classic smartphone.

The quality of all details is top notch. Although Apple has managed to use not the latest hardware components, they work well and do not cause doubts among the user.

The presence of new body colors draws attention to the device.

Screen

The screen of the iPhone SE is pretty standard for an Apple smartphone:

• Diagonal - 4 inches;
• Resolution 1136x640 (IPS matrix);
• No 3D Touch support.

As you can see, the characteristics are quite modest.

Today, even most budget smartphones have a larger display diagonal and a resolution of at least 720p.

As for the material of the screen, it consists of a one-piece glass plate that is firmly attached to the body.

The build quality is excellent - there are no squeaks or crackles of the gadget at the junction of the display module and the back cover.

Also, the screen supports technology, so the number of scratches will be minimal.

In the backlit mode, the smartphone has good viewing angles, and the display itself does not glare in the sun.

Performance

Traditionally, we will conduct a smartphone performance test using a well-known utility.

It shows the real parameters of the device and its performance in various modes.

The test result was a pleasant surprise. It turns out that the performance of the iPhone SE is better than the 6s model.

Most likely, this figure was achieved thanks to a simpler OS and a powerful A9 processor.

The AnTu Tu Benchmark program itself in the model database identifies the phone as iPhone 5SE with the codename iPhone 8.4

Memory size

Immediately after the start of sales, the iPhone SE could be purchased in one of two configurations - 16 GB or 64 GB.

Apple today revised its policy of working with built-in memory on all gadgets. The solution was to increase the existing storage capacities, so now new copies of the iPhone SE can only be purchased in 32GB and 128GB.

Average cost of iPhone SE in Russia (as of 2018):

• iPhone SE 128 GB - 26 thousand rubles;
• iPhone SE 64 GB - 24 thousand rubles.

Also, in the Russian Federation, you can still buy 16 GB and 32 GB models. Their price is 19,000 and 23,000 rubles, respectively.

Battery

the iPhone SE uses a 1624 mAh battery.

Quite a small figure when compared with modern smartphones with 4000 mAh and more.

Apple, as always, has managed to make a device with modest battery, which keeps charging long enough.

This is achieved through perfect compatibility of hardware components and functionality of the native operating system.

According to the manufacturer, the battery allows the smartphone to:

Note that the above parameters do not mean that you can use your gadget for so long. We regularly work with the phone for more than making calls or keeping it locked, so battery life depends on what you do on your iPhone SE.

Below is a quick chart that will help you understand how long the phone will last for you personally.

Choose what you do most often and see the average battery life:

The information given in the table is taken from the materials of the official presentation of the smartphone at the Apple conference. The actual parameters correspond to those stated by Apple.

In comparison, the iPhone 5s has a 1560mAh battery, so a Special Edition phone will definitely last longer than its predecessor. In standard operating mode (listening to music, using the Internet, several calls per day), the gadget will work without any problems all day without the need for recharging. The small size allows you to consume fewer resources.

Camera

The iPhone SE's camera is good. The declared 12 MP is quite enough for shooting high-quality videos in Full HD.

Also, you will be provided with excellent pictures, regardless of the lighting and weather outside.

For Apple, 12MP is a great figure.

If other phones with such an indicator of the main camera cannot always produce high-quality images, this problem does not exist.

The company's engineers are great at connecting hardware and software components, so the camera in the iPhone SE largely depends on the iOS firmware.

The standard camera software supports all necessary functions - flash control, adjust the sharpness, color gamut, coolness or warmth of colors.

Examples of photos from the iPhone SE camera:

The factory configuration of the smartphone is preinstalled with iOS 9.3. Today this version of the mobile OS is considered obsolete.

The reason why the developers decided to install it as native firmware is that newer builds cannot fully work on a 4-inch screen.

iOS 9.3 Is an ideal OS in terms of performance and compatibility with hardware components. Of course, if you want, you can always update by air or using the desktop.

When it comes to installing software, there are no restrictions for iOS 9.3.

Tens of thousands of games and applications that you can install on your iPhone SE.

The only thing is that all UI functions do not work on a 4-inch display. For example, there is no 3D Touch technology, three-finger control at once (required for some games), rather limited space on the desktop.

Only 4 rows of icons can be placed on the home screen. By comparison, Apple's 4.7-inch display already has 5 rows of icons. It will not always be convenient for the user to organize his desktop in the iPhone SE, unless you create 2-3 home screens and add only the most necessary components to them.

The appearance of iOS 9.3 is practically the same as in previous builds.

The only thing is that the programmers have improved the convenient interaction with the desktop.

Moving between screens is now even smoother and faster when compared to iOS 8.

Also, in 9.3, the Night Shift mode first appeared, with which you can adjust a convenient color gamut and mode for using the display at night.

The color scheme of the main menu icons has also changed. They have become brighter and more saturated. In general, iOS 9, although not comparable with, is quite a good and functional system for working with the budget iPhone SE. Many users prefer to keep their native firmware rather than upgrade to new Apple designs.

Pros and cons

Summing up the review, we can highlight the main pros and consiPhone SE.

• Compact size. If for the majority of modern users such a characteristic can come as a minus, for true connoisseurs of classic smartphones, a small screen diagonal will appeal to their liking;
• Familiar design. It is the look from the beloved iPhone 5 that is used in the new iPhone SE. The manufacturer made only minor cosmetic changes to the case, which only emphasized the classic look of the smartphone;
• Budgetary cost. The SE is the cheapest of all Apple phones. Note that in 2018 it is planned to release another component of the iPhone SE 2 budget line;
• All covers and other accessories from iPhone 5 s suitable for SE ;
• Fast work ... The A9 processor allows you to perform any task without lags and freezes of the operating system. Performance problems can only arise if you;
• The main camera is built into the body ... In SE, the camera does not stick out of the back cover, which allows the lens to be less scratched when in contact with other surfaces;
• The 12 MP camera shoots 4K video quite well, even up to 240 frames per second ... A very good indicator for a budget smartphone.

• Various articles are also inconvenient on the small screen. Also, there may be difficulties in using the full versions of the sites;
• Small battery capacity. Although it is slightly larger than the 5s, I would still like a more powerful battery, since the smartphone is the main gadget that users use most often;
• Front-camera. It is impossible to take a normal selfie on it, because 1.2 MP is essentially nothing. Such a camera is only suitable for FaceTime conversations.

A detailed review of the iPhone CE in 2019 - how does it work on iOS 13?

the iPhone SE is Apple's current compact smartphone, which risks remaining the last small iPhone, despite the abundance of rumors about. Should you buy an iPhone SE in 2019? Or should attention be completely shifted to newer models? In this detailed review, we talked about all the pros and cons of the iPhone SE, taking into account modern realities.

Where to Buy iPhone SE Best (September 2019):

We are constantly monitoring the lowest prices for iPhone SE in Russia, updating this section with the latest information. As of September 2019, you can buy the iPhone SE best at the following prices:

• Temporarily out of stock.

Packaging and equipment

the iPhone SE is referred to as a highly improved version of the iPhone 5s - smartphones are outwardly indistinguishable. However, the packaging of the iPhone SE is more similar to the iPhone 6s. The box of the iPhone SE is made in light colors, on the screen shown on the packaging of the smartphone branded wallpaper, and not the main screen. The packaging definitely looks more modern.

In the configuration, however, without a single surprise. iPhone SE comes with a standard and proven kit, which includes:

• power adapter (5 V / 1 A),
• lightning to USB cable
• earPods headphones,
• a paper clip to remove the SIM card tray,
• stickers,
• leaflets with user manual.

The general design of the iPhone SE box is at the “Apple” level. Unpacking your smartphone leaves an extremely pleasant feeling - each accessory is taken out with ease.

Design

IPhone SE is made from a rugged aluminum alloy. This is not the 7000 series aluminum used in the aviation industry, which is used in the iPhone 6s / 6s Plus and iPhone 7/7 Plus cases. Bending the body of an iPhone SE isn't an easy task, though.

On the back of the case, at the top and bottom, there are glass inserts, the main purpose of which is to provide signal transmission. However, they look great outwardly, adding a pleasant contrast to the cover of the smartphone.

The top glass insert in the corner houses the main camera with a dual LED flash. The fact that the smartphone is exactly the iPhone SE, and not the iPhone 5s, is indicated by the signature “SE”, as well as the Apple logo. It is in the iPhone SE not part of the body, as in the iPhone 5s, but separate element... This is visible, and the tactile sensations from the apple are different.

On the front side, in the upper part, there are: a front camera, a mesh of the earpiece, and proximity and lighting sensors. At the bottom there is only one Home button, the most traditional one being mechanical. The button has a built-in Touch ID fingerprint scanner.

On the right side there is a tray for a nanoSIM SIM card.

On the left is a sound mode switch and separate volume buttons. Over time, the buttons do not become tight, they are pressed clearly with a characteristic click, and after a year and a half of active use of the device.

At the top, only the power button is presented. The button can slightly dangle to the sides even on a new smartphone - this is the only major flaw in the iPhone SE assembly.

At the bottom is a speaker, 3.5 mm audio output and a Lightning connector between them.

IPhone SE has matte edges that are more scratch resistant. This element is truly unique. The almost identical design of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s had glossy edges, which made them scratch too willingly. The iPhone SE has solved this problem in a simple and elegant way.

What colors is the iPhone SE available in and which one to choose?

iPhone SE is available in four colors: gray, silver, gold, and rose gold. All of the colors are familiar to fans of Apple smartphones - the company has used them in various iPhone models, both old and new.

A unique color for the iPhone SE, like for Apple's 4-inch smartphone, is pink. Previous compact iPhones, including the iPhone SE's “little brother,” the iPhone 5s, were not available in soft pink color... Therefore, the color “rose gold” can be recommended for those who want to clearly distinguish their iPhone SE and exclude the possibility that the smartphone will be confused with the “old” iPhone 5s.

However, most of all the pink model, which is quite obvious, will suit girls and women. The same applies to the gold version, which is very soft and discreet in color.

iPhone SE Silver - Unisex The color is neutral and very discreet, will look great on both men and women. The front surface of the silver model is white, which is also important to consider.

The gray color of the iPhone SE is darker than the silver, but the difference isn't huge. A much more obvious difference between the silver and gray models is that the latter has a black front surface. This is the only iPhone SE with a black front, which is why it is very popular. The gray version of the iPhone SE is most often bought by men, yet it is the most “brutal”.

As of the beginning of 2019, there are iPhone SEs on sale in Russia in all possible colors. There will definitely not be any problems in choosing the right color for yourself.

Ergonomics of iPhone SE - is it convenient to use?

Dimensions iPhone SE - 58.6 × 123.8 × 7.6 mm, weight only 113 g. The smartphone is very light and compact, which is its key advantage over any newer models of Apple smartphones. No other iPhone older than 2015 is as comfortable to use as the iPhone SE.

The smartphone fits easily into almost any pocket, where, due to its size and weight, it is hardly felt. This allows, in principle, not to worry about its transportation, for example, in the summer, when pockets are at a minimum. Most pleasant emotions from small iPhone sizes You get SE after using larger smartphones for a long time.

One-handed use of iPhone SE is a pleasure. You can easily reach any place on the screen, type text with one hand when the other is busy - no problem. The form factor of the device for one-handed use is almost ideal.

However, the compactness of the case also has a downside. The 4-inch display only contains tiny interface elements that are sometimes difficult to hit. The greatest inconvenience occurs when working with the keyboard - you often miss the right keys.

Display

iPhone SE features a 4-inch, 1136-by-640-pixel IPS display. The aspect ratio of the display is 1.775: 1 - the display is far from full-format fashion in 2019. On the one hand, this makes the iPhone SE's screen look somewhat backward. On the other hand, any videos are played in the entire display, without any border bars or unpleasant forced zooming.

The pixel density of the iPhone SE display is 326 ppi. It is far from a record, but it is not possible to distinguish pixels on the screen with the naked eye, which is certainly the main thing. The maximum display brightness is 500 cd / m². It is more than enough for comfortable use of the smartphone on a bright sunny day. Note the traditionally high-quality work of the light sensor for Apple smartphones. When Auto Brightness is on (since iOS 11 Apple hid her) the brightness of the display is adjusted as quickly as possible, but without sudden changes. Contrast iPhone screen SE is 800: 1.

The color rendition of the display fully corresponds to the coverage of sRGB, the viewing angles are wide. Glare does not show up even in a dark room when watching any video - LED backlighting is very uniform.

The stock iPhone SE protective glass also has scratch protection. The glass that covers the screen does its job properly. It is quite possible to leave micro-scratches on it, but it will definitely not be covered with them at the first contact.

The iPhone SE display does not support 3D Touch, a unique Apple technology that monitors pressure applied to the display. In technical terms, the iPhone SE is almost identical to the iPhone 6s, but the smartphone, unfortunately, did not adopt this important feature.

Performance and applications

At the heart of the iPhone SE is Apple's A9 dual-core 64-bit processor and M9 coprocessor, the same as those found in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The clock speed of each processor core is 1.84 GHz. The six-core PowerVR GT7600 video chip is responsible for graphics processing. Volume random access memory LPDDR4 type is 2 GB.

On paper, the characteristics of the iPhone SE look weak for 2019, in which even the most budgetary Android smartphones are equipped with 6-8-core processors. But Apple has never sought to outstrip competitors in bare numbers, focusing on optimization. How is the iPhone SE doing in 2019 in terms of performance?

Let's start with synthetic tests. In the Geekbench 4 benchmark, the smartphone scored 2383 points in single-core and 4116 points in multi-core. Let's make comparisons with other smartphones. The iPhone 6s, which is based on a similar system based on the Apple A9 chip, is left behind by a decent margin. But the newer iPhone 7 (A10 Fusion processor) is noticeably ahead, the quad-core chip does its job.

The position of the iPhone SE is much better compared to Android smartphones. Apple's latest compact smartphone outperforms many current devices in single-core tests. In multi-core mode, the iPhone SE does not have to compete with new smartphones running Android, since the latter have more cores.

The iPhone SE scored 10,275 points in Geekbench 4 graphics benchmarking. Excellent performance, again higher than the iPhone 6s (9931), but less than the iPhone 7 (12693).

Separately, consider the difference between the iPhone SE and its predecessor compact model, the iPhone 5s. In terms of performance, the iPhone SE is far ahead. In the Geekbench 4 benchmark, the iPhone 5s scored only 1265 points in single-core mode, 2143 points in multi-core mode, and only 569 points in graphics testing.

For the sake of completeness, let's compare the performance of the iPhone SE with two current Android smartphones from the same price category (up to 19,000 rubles). Ambitious Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018), powered by an eight-core Exynos 7870 processor, frankly lost. In single-core mode, it earned only 726 points, in multi-core - 3650.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, which is very popular in Russia, showed itself a little better. He has 1325 points in single-core and 4814 in multi-core. Thus, the real competitors of the iPhone SE in its same price range generally show similar or worse results. Considering that the iPhone SE is two years older than new products, Apple's compact smartphone should be given its due.

Synthetic testing shows that the iPhone SE remains relevant in 2019. But what in practice? iPhone SE perfectly copes with running any applications and games, including "heavy" ones. Downloading applications takes a few seconds, the same applies to games, including the latest. For example, one of the most popular and demanding games World of Tanks Blitz runs on iPhone SE at maximum settings. The game runs stably, without drops in frame rate, even in intense battles.

Another thing is that it is not very convenient to play multiplayer games like World of Tanks Blitz on the 4-inch display of the iPhone SE. The iPhone SE is definitely not the best smartphone for gaming, but much depends on habit. The main thing is that the performance of the smartphone is fully sufficient to support such resource-intensive games without much difficulty.

It's important to note that after the release of iOS 11, the iPhone SE began to feel much slower, just like all other Apple smartphones. Because of this, a huge amount of criticism fell on the American company, which prompted Apple to finally take action. As a result, iOS 12, the final version of which will be released in September 2019, significantly accelerates all mobile apple devicesincluding iPhone SE.

How iPhone SE works on iOS 13

We are currently testing the iPhone SE on iOS 13 and will update this section after the test results.

How does iPhone SE run on iOS 12?

The topic of the iPhone SE running iOS 12 needs more attention. After switching to iOS 12, the smartphone seems to be transformed and becomes rapidly fast against the backdrop of the unsuccessful iOS 11. All basic actions on the iPhone SE are performed in a split second. Most of all, the flawlessly smooth animation and the speed of opening the keyboard are surprising. iOS 11 taught iPhone SE users that animation should be slow and the keyboard should open within two seconds. iOS 12 retrains back.

Side-by-side comparison iOS work 12 and iOS 11.4 on iPhone SE available on this link .

iOS 12 sped up all iPhones and iPads, but on newer devices, the speed gains are less visible. But on the iPhone SE, the increase in performance is noticeable from the very first unlock. And this cannot but rejoice, since such a fast iPhone SE at such a low price, which is gradually continuing to fall, is a very good deal.

At the same time, iOS 12 brings a lot of innovations to the iPhone SE. The full changelog for iOS 12 is available in our.

Memory size. Which iPhone SE should you buy - 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB?

iPhone SE comes in four different storage options: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB. However, by the beginning of 2019, only three configurations remained on sale: with 16, 32 and 128 GB. Which one is the most profitable to buy?

In the case of the iPhone SE in early 2019, a unique situation developed. The smartphone has become much cheaper in the last year and a half, its price has almost halved (just compare it with the official one from Apple). Moreover, all models of the iPhone SE fell in price from the base, then the most advanced with 128 GB of memory.

Smartphones have been falling in price unevenly, as a result of which the difference in their cost has decreased compared to the original. iPhone SE with 16GB of storage (only the refurbished version remains on sale) sells for just 16 990 rubles , but by adding 1,500 rubles, you can already take a model with 32 GB of memory for 18 490 rubles ... Throwing in another 4,000 rubles, you can take a top model with 128 GB of memory for 22,990 rubles .

The choice should be based on financial capabilities. The model with 16 GB of memory will hit the wallet least of all, but it will not work to roam the storage. This version of the smartphone can be advised for those who do not mind from time to time to drop all photos and videos from a mobile device to a computer, thereby freeing up space. But to whom it definitely cannot be recommended is those who want to install the entire set of important applications and several large modern games. The latter will occupy the lion's share of the storage and it will become uncomfortable to use the smartphone.

The best option is an iPhone SE with 32GB of storage. Compared to the 16 GB model, you only need to pay 1,500 rubles, and the difference in memory capacity is twofold. The 32 GB of memory can easily accommodate all the applications and games you need, plus there will be plenty of space for photos and videos. At one "perfect" moment, the memory is likely to fill up, especially if you are an active user. But after uploading the captured photos and videos to the computer, the problem will be removed again.

And finally, the 128GB version of the iPhone SE. The choice for those who just don't want to think about the state of iPhone storage. Buying this model at the beginning of 2019 became really profitable. More recently, the difference in price between the iPhone SE 32 GB and the iPhone SE 128 GB was 8-10 thousand rubles. Now only 4,000 rubles.

The big advantage of iOS is that the system requires a minimum of memory

Even an iPhone SE with 16GB of storage will be relatively comfortable to use due to an important feature of the iOS operating system. Unlike Android, iPhone firmware takes up little memory space. On the iPhone SE, it sits at 4-6 GB depending on the version and no longer expands in a way that is invisible to the user, as is the case with other smartphones.

For a 16GB iPhone SE, this really matters. Out of the box, about 10-12 "clean" gigabytes will be available on it. On Android smartphones with the same amount of memory, the user sometimes only has 5-6 GB. You have to buy microSD cards that are neither fast nor easy to use.

Refurbished iPhone SE - is it worth buying?

Should you buy a refurbished iPhone SE? Yes. Especially given that at the beginning of 2019, this is the only opportunity to get the most affordable iPhone SE with 16GB of storage. No other versions of the restored iPhone SE have been delivered to Russia yet. It is assumed that this is due to the presence in stores of large stocks of new iPhone SEs, which are actively sold.

IPhone SE protection system

the iPhone SE takes over many of the features from the iPhone 6s, but unfortunately not a fingerprint scanner. The iPhone SE comes with a first-generation Touch ID fingerprint module, just like the iPhone 5s / 6.

Despite this, Touch ID in the iPhone SE is not at all as slow as in the same iPhone 6. The scanner “pulls out” the powerful Apple A9 processor. And he does it with great diligence - the speed of fingerprint recognition on the iPhone SE feels like one and a half higher than that of the iPhone 6/6 Plus. The fingerprint scanner in the iPhone SE can be called Touch ID 1.5. It is noticeably faster than that in the iPhone 5s / 6, but still slower than the fully updated model in the iPhone 6s / 7/8.

iPhone SE - Easy to Break or Not? Maintainability assessment

The small size makes the iPhone SE feel very durable. Alas, this feeling is in many ways deceiving. Dozens of different tests, including those carried out in professional laboratories, have proven that the iPhone SE is best not dropped.

The aluminum back of the iPhone SE does not suffer when dropped, but the protective glass on the front surface breaks too easily. In addition, in case of more or less strong falls, the iPhone SE case "unsticks" - the front part moves away from the back, most often at the corners. The fact that the iPhone SE does not like falls is a must before buying a smartphone. For example, in order to buy a good protective case or glass on the front surface even before purchasing (more about accessories in the next section).

It is not very difficult to repair an iPhone SE, which is a big plus. Also on the plus side is that many iPhone 5s components are compatible with the iPhone SE. Finding the right component to replace is easy.

If you have the right tools (the main thing is a five-sided screwdriver and a suction cup), you can repair the iPhone SE at home. Below are detailed instructions for disassembling and replacing the main components of a smartphone:

• How to change the display on iPhone 5s
• How to replace battery on iPhone 5s(the instructions are identical for the iPhone SE).

How to protect iPhone SE?

iPhone SE has the same dimensions as iPhone 5s. The location of the camera peephole is also the same, so all iPhone 5s accessories fit the iPhone SE as well. This means that tens of thousands of different covers, clip cases, screen protectors, glasses and other goodies are available for the iPhone SE for every taste. And this is really great, since not the most durable iPhone SE needs protection like no other Apple smartphone, perhaps, except for glass iPhone 8 , iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X .

The weakest part of the iPhone SE is the glass that covers the display. Protective films and tempered glasses, which are sold in huge quantities on AliExpress at the most pleasant prices, will help to strengthen it. On this page We've handpicked the best iPhone SE films and glasses that are time-tested.

If there is no desire to wait for delivery from AliExpress, then you can buy high-quality protective glasses in large Russian stores. We have studied the offers of retailers and identified the following options: Red Line glass ( 390 rubles), Luxcase glossy glass ( 1,499 rubles), frosted glass Luxcase ( 699 rubles).

The selection of cases for iPhone SE is incredible. On the same AliExpress, there are thousands of different covers, bumpers and clip-cases from simple ones with a funny design to seriously reinforced ones. On this page We've handpicked the best regular iPhone SE cases and this link - Proven protective covers, including those with all-round protection.

In Russian stores, where delivery is not required, there are also many cases for iPhone SE. First of all, let's highlight the official leather clip case for iPhone SE from Apple. Yes, it is more expensive than conventional models, but its durability fully justifies the price. Among the more affordable models, we note world championship case on football in Russia and useful battery cover doubling the battery life of the iPhone SE.

How long will the iPhone SE last? What firmware will it support?

iPhone SE is expected to receive support for iOS 12, and this will not be the last update for the smartphone. The device will be able to update to all new firmware until at least 2021, when it turns five years old. This means that the following updates will arrive on the iPhone SE: iOS 13, iOS 14 and iOS 15.

Moreover, in recent years, Apple has begun to change its strategy for releasing updates for old iPhones and iPad. Previously, the company stopped supporting devices in the year when they turned five. Now Apple provides latest updates on iPhone and iPad for six years. If Apple continues to adhere to the updated strategy, then the iPhone SE will be able to update to iOS 16 in 2022 (!).

Sound

The iPhone SE only has one speaker, but it sounds great. The sound is loud and clear, without unpleasant distortion. The speaker will allow you to have high-quality hands-free communication, and watch a clip, and simply listen to music in the absence of a wireless speaker.

The iPhone SE sounds decent in headphones. Even the included standard EarPods headphones will allow you to evaluate the sound of your smartphone. The sound, of course, will not be phenomenal, but you will be able to enjoy your favorite tracks.

The secret to the great sound of the iPhone SE lies in the use of two DACs in a smartphone at once. These are the flagship audio chip Cirrus Logic 338S00105 and the audio codec Cirrus Logic 338S1285 at the time of the release of the iPhone SE. It should be emphasized that Apple did not stint and equipped the iPhone SE with an audio chip similar to the one installed in the iPhone 6s, although it could save money and take the chip from the same iPhone 5s.

Battery and run time

Capacity lithium polymer battery iPhone SE is 1642 mAh. The indicator sounds, to put it mildly, weak, but not for this compact smartphone. In our testing, the iPhone SE lasted over 11 hours of YouTube video playback at medium display brightness and 10 hours of Wi-Fi surfing. In normal use, the smartphone lives freely from early morning until late at night.

But that impressive battery life, longer than the iPhone 6s, won't always be there. The iPhone SE's battery capacity is low, so it loses its original capacity relatively quickly. On our working iPhone SE, after a year and a half, the remaining battery capacity was 92%.

What is the threat of a decrease in the residual battery capacity? Firstly, the smartphone starts to discharge faster. And secondly, when the threshold of 80% of the residual capacity is reached on the iPhone SE, sensational feature , which automatically limits the maximum performance of the device.

The existence of such a feature does not mean that the iPhone SE is not worth buying. The critical threshold of 80% residual capacity is only reached after three to four years of misuse of the smartphone. You can learn how to use your iPhone properly so that the battery lasts as long as possible. of this article .

As for the charging time of the iPhone SE battery, it is 1 hour 40 minutes using the standard charger.

How to Charge iPhone SE Faster?

iPhone SE charges from 0 to 100% in 100 minutes with a standard power adapter. But if you take charger with increased power, the charging process of the smartphone can be accelerated immediately by 40-50 minutes. Best for faster charging iPhone SE 12W iPad charger .

We emphasize that there is no threat to the iPhone or its battery due to charging with a more powerful adapter. This is stated by Apple itself on its official website.

Is it profitable to take the iPhone SE - will there be problems with the subsequent sale?

Experts russian market smartphones ranked the iPhone SE as one of the best smartphones to buy in 2019 when it comes to resale. For the last two iPhone years SE fell a lot. To such an extent that analysts do not expect a similar large price reduction, rather the stocks of the iPhone SE in stores will completely run out.

Since the iPhone SE will not actively fall in price in retail, its price will be fixed in the secondary market. Thanks to this, a smartphone purchased in 2019 will be able to be resold without any problems in a year or two at a minimally reduced price. Of course, if the state of the smartphone is excellent.

Cameras, examples of photos and videos

The main camera of the iPhone SE - Sony IMX315 Exmor RS module - is single, completely recessed into the body. The camera's resolution is 12 megapixels, the pixel size is 1.19 microns, the aperture is f / 2.2. The camera can take photos with a resolution of 4032 × 3024 pixels and videos with a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels.

The five-element camera lens has a sapphire coating, which reliably protects it from external factors. Scratching the lens to such an extent that it negatively affects the shooting is almost impossible. Also, the camera is equipped with support for digital image stabilization, HDR mode and face recognition in photos.

Day Shooting

In good natural light, the iPhone SE's camera captures great shots with high levels of detail, even in distant shots.

The iPhone SE's camera is color-accurate - traditional distinctive feature cameras of Apple smartphones. Colors are rendered exactly as they are in real life, without embellishment.

When shooting very distant objects, a drop in detail begins to be noticed.

The camera tries hard when working in the shadows, but in some cases it fails.

It should be noted the excellent color reproduction and the absence of any distortion in the corners of the frame.

Evening shooting

When there is less natural light, the camera has its first serious problems. The work of the noise reduction tool becomes visible at the edges of the frame, but the color rendition remains excellent (pay attention to the woman and man in the lower right corner).

With iPhone SE, you can shoot great shots in the evening or on cloudy weather.

Lack of light affects detail when photographing people, so it is advisable to monitor the location of the light source.

In the image above, you can see how detail gradually decreases as it moves away from the center of the image.

Night shooting

At night, the iPhone SE's camera starts to fail. On the smartphone screen, the resulting pictures look good, but on the monitor it is easy to see both low details and the work of the noise reduction.

The search for a good angle helps. The example above shows that you can take a high-quality photo on the iPhone SE at night. Of course, provided there is sufficient artificial lighting.

Sample Videos on iPhone SE

iPhones are considered one of the best smartphones for video shooting. The iPhone SE is no exception in this regard. “Kid” allows you to shoot great videos in almost any light. Digital image stabilization eliminates any shaking, there are no jerks when moving the smartphone, the detail is at a decent level.

The front camera of the iPhone SE OmniVision OV2E0BNN received a resolution of only 1.2 megapixels. Aperture size - f / 2.4. Frontalka is downright weak place iPhone SE, since really high-quality selfies on it can only be taken in excellent lighting conditions, and even those pictures will not be without flaws.

Specifications Apple iPhone SE

• Display - 4-inch Retina HD. Resolution 1136x640 pixels (326 ppi).
• Camera - 12 megapixels, photo resolution 4032 x 3024 pixels, digital image stabilization, video shooting with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.
• Front-camera - 1.2 Mp.
• CPU - 64-bit dual-core Apple A9 @ 1.84 GHz, M9 motion coprocessor.
• Memory - 2 GB of RAM (LPDDR4), 16/32/64/128 GB of internal memory.
• Sensors - barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, first generation Touch ID fingerprint scanner.
• Communication - LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41), Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi (802.11), NFC, Apple Pay.
• Battery - lithium polymer with a capacity of 1642 mAh, non-removable.
• Dimensions - 58.6 x 123.8 x 7.6 mm.
• Weight - 113 g.

Thanks to numerous reviews from iPhone SE owners, we were able to highlight the main advantages and disadvantages of Apple's 4-inch smartphone released in 2016.

Benefits of iPhone SE

Good old 4-inch form factor

Millions of graceful female palms yearn for the small, convenient contours of old gadgets. The same can be said for the large army of Asian buyers, teenagers and children. The return to a 4-inch display diagonal and proportional body dimensions is a clear plus. Not degradation, but a creative quality, rethinking the concept of a smart phone for all occasions.

A9 processor

Small but smart - the iPhone SE is somewhat inferior to the flagship models, but this does not apply to performance. For those who haven't changed their old iPhone 5 yet, there will be a pleasant surprise. It looks like the same device, but the filling in it is the most advanced, take at least the full version of the A9 processor, no modifications with reduced functionality. The latter factor will become one of the most important marketing advantages of a newcomer over competitors.

M9 and Siri always active

The gadget, among others, got the function that was first demonstrated six months ago. The power of the M9 coprocessor has finally become enough to play the role of a full-fledged substitute for the main chip in case it is turned off to save energy or the smartphone is simply locked. In situations like this, you can still shout "Hey Siri" and she will respond. Convenient, whatever you say.

Color "rose gold"

the iPhone SE can still be considered the successor to the iPhone 6s. This is indicated, for example, by the characteristic family trait - the rose gold color of the case, which was first implemented in 2015. God knows how rare, but this color is still not available to many devices from the Apple product range. But the iPhone SE smartphone received it - to the delight of those who like to splurge at no extra cost.

Presentable look of the Apple logo

Not metal stamping, but a separate piece of stainless steel, artfully placed in its rightful place. The logo serves as a kind of inlay, decoration for the body of the smartphone, although this is not entirely logical from the point of view of minimizing the cost of the product. Or vice versa - it is just not worth saving on such low-cost, but catchy details for the sake of attracting buyers.

Correct face silhouette

The iPhone 5s model was distinguished by excellent ergonomics, but with the transition to the phablet format, Cupertin's engineers had to significantly adjust the bevels of the edges - they became more rounded. iPhone SE has got its own design of side edges. Comfortable to grip and protected from scratches and chips.

2 GB of RAM

A small bow towards Apple, which not only deigned to satisfy one of the key requests of users, but also did not skimp on a solution for a budget model. We are talking about the long-awaited transition from a single gigabyte of RAM constant for years to a double amount of a valuable resource. Albeit without official confirmation, the iPhone SE still received the coveted 2 GB of RAM - goodbye to the brakes when running Safari, unmotivated iOS freezes and other unpleasant factors.

12MP iSight camera

Another example of the fact that users of the novelty will not feel too disadvantaged compared to the owners of flagship devices. Their main cameras of the iSight series are identical - the same matrix resolution, the same f2.2 aperture, almost the same set of additional modules. Whether filming a video or taking a selfie, everything will turn out at about the same level and depend on the skill of the operator, but not the capabilities of the equipment.

Thick body, but no protruding camera lens ring

Indeed, no, and that says it all.

4K video format support

iPhone SE doesn't just know how to shoot high definition, but also implements almost all aspects of working with the most popular format. For example, the ability to merge multiple streams into a single video using iMovie. Or digital zoom and virtual panning for those who are not going to play 4K, but will not refuse to increase their comfort when creating video at 1080p resolution.

Slow-mo shooting at 240 fps

Copied from iPhone 6s - The new smartphone supports both slow motion video recording modes. And playback is the same, both at a frequency of 240 fps, 720p quality level, and at 120 fps, but in a resolution similar to 1080p. The predecessor, an old 4-inch gadget, was also familiar with slow-mo, but was much less skilled.

Retina Flash

The technology, first introduced in the iPhone 6s, allows you to neutralize the lack of light when working with the front camera of your smartphone. An additional light source is the display itself, which in the latest version is capable of producing a flash three times brighter than the standard screen backlight. More importantly, the concept of "threefold" is conditional and in fact the required brightness is calculated very accurately based on the sensors in the latest generation of FaceTime cameras. Alas, the iPhone SE smartphone inherited the old front module, and therefore, although it can illuminate itself when taking a selfie, it does it quite awkwardly against the background of a really smart flagship camera.

Live Photos support

One of the cosmetic features of the latest generation of apple gadgets is theoretically supported on older models as well. But only in playback format - iPhone SE is different in that it can also create "live photos". Nothing fundamentally new, the same automatic video capture and adding short animated inserts before and after a static image. But at least no lagging behind fashion.

Apple Pay compatible

This service was originally developed for broad compatibility with the iPhone lineup, and its only bottleneck was the need for mobile device NFC chip and secury enclave key storage. Both are included by default on iPhone SE - you don't need to use the Companion Gadget Apple Watch for shopping with a smartphone.

High-speed communication

More than the iPhone 5s, but less than the current flagship - the result is a good average result. IPhone SE comes with wireless bluetooth modules 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11ac and 19-band LTE with peak throughput up to 150Mbps.

Optimized power system

Less free space inside the case, but modern compact batteries. An advanced and energy-intensive display, but due to the 4-inch diagonal, it is not as power hungry as similar phablets. Combined, these two factors gave the iPhone SE better battery life than the iPhone 5s.

IN lineup iOS devices include the iPhone SE, a compact smartphone with impressive performance and a great camera.

Externally, the iPhone SE is very similar to the 2013 model, the iPhone 5s. However, they have significant differences inside.

External differences

iPhone SE is available in four color options: Space Gray, Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold. The rose gold iPhone 5s doesn't exist.

iPhone SE has improved matte edges. Therefore, even with careless use, the iPhone SE is less prone to minor scratches.

The iPhone SE has an Apple logo made of polished metal and also has the SE branding on the back bottom of the smartphone.

Internal differences

Battery

Thanks to the updated "filling" and an increased battery (1624 mAh versus 1560 mAh in the iPhone 5s), the autonomy of the iPhone SE allows you to use your smartphone for 2-3 hours longer than 5s.

iPhone SE will withstand 13 hours of active use on 4G LTE networks, Wi-Fi or watching videos, and up to 50 hours of non-stop music playback. For comparison, the iPhone 5s could work up to 10 hours of talk time, 10 hours of video playback, or 40 hours of music playback.

RAM

The iPhone SE has 2GB of RAM, while the iPhone 5s has 1GB less.

Therefore, the performance of the iPhone SE is much higher - now you can open a dozen pages in Safari, minimize the browser, launch a resource-intensive game or another application, then open the browser again and not worry that the pages will reload again, wasting traffic and time.

CPU

Inside the iPhone SE is the latest proprietary A9 chip, similar to the iPhone 6s.

In performance tests, the SE scores 4421 points. For comparison, the iPhone 5s, which has an A7 processor, scores 2,555 points.

The A9 processor keeps your iPhone SE fast. Even when running resource-intensive applications and games, the system will not slow down.

Coprocessor М9

In addition to the main A9 processor, the iPhone SE has the M9 coprocessor, which directly interacts with the compass, gyroscope and accelerometer.

Therefore, the smartphone more accurately collects and analyzes statistics about physical activity, and also allows you to use the "Hey Siri" function, even if the iPhone SE is not connected to the network.

The iPhone SE also supports the Raise to Wake feature in iOS 10, when in order to see notifications on the locked screen, you just need to lift the smartphone off the table.

Camera

The iPhone SE has one of the best cameras in smartphones, with a resolution of 12 megapixels.

When photographing with the front camera, the new function Retina Flash for Selfie: The screen brightness is increased several times compared to normal. At the beginning of the process, the screen lights up with a cold white color, after which it changes its tint to a warm amber.

The result is a photo with realistic colors and natural skin tones.

The video function is also pleasantly surprised by the quality: unlike the iPhone 5s, where the video resolution is 1920x1080 pixels, and slow motion is possible at 120 fps, the iPhone SE records video at 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels) at 30 fps and slow motion at 240 frames / s.

If the iPhone 5s shoots well with an 8 megapixel camera, the iPhone SE shoots just fine.

Live Photos

Like iPhone 6s and newer, iPhone SE supports Live Photos when taking photos.

If you press your finger on a photo taken on the iPhone SE, the picture literally "comes to life". You will see a few seconds before the snapshot is taken and a few seconds after.

This feature in iPhone SE expands the perception of photos and allows you to experience unforgettable moments of nostalgia when looking at photos come to life under your fingers. iPhone 5s lacks this feature.

Conclusion

iPhone SE will appeal to those who want to get a modern smartphone, but in a compact body.

And while the iPhone SE and iPhone 5s are similar in appearance, the SE has many undeniable advantages that will make you enjoy using Apple products.