Apple

Apple iPhone SE (2016) review

iOS 9
Apple A9
PowerVR GT7600
2 GB / 16 GB
4 inch (640 x 1136 px)
12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus

Apple announced the launch of the iPhone SE smartphone in 2016. The manufacturer is offering the Apple iPhone SE phone with 4 inch display, Apple A9 chipset, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage.

The Apple iPhone SE smartphone runs on the iOS 9 operating system. This phone uses a high resolution 640 x 1136 px, 4 inch IPS display. This screen can produce vibrant and accurate colors, providing an enjoyable viewing experience for multimedia content, gaming, and general usage. This phone has only one rear-camera (12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Some smartphones with multi-camera setups offer specialized features like macro photography, low-light capabilities, or advanced image stabilization. The selfie camera of iPhone SE allows you to capture self-portraits or group photos without needing someone else to take the picture for you.

Add Apple iPhone SE to your comparison

Apple iPhone SE specifications

BrandApple
NameiPhone SE
ModelIPSE
Release date2016

Body

Weight3.99 oz
Dimensions4.87 x 2.31 x 0.3 inch
Colorsgold, gray, rose-gold, silver
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Apple iPhone SE is 3.99 oz. It is still considered to be relatively lightweight and portable. The dimensions of this Apple smartphone are average (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.3 inch). For some people, larger smartphones are more comfortable to hold and easier to use, as they provide a larger display for watching videos, browsing the web, and using apps. A Nano SIM is a chipcard that is used in smartphones as a subscriber identity module (SIM). Nano SIM is the smallest SIM card size available and is currently the most widely used SIM card size in newer devices.

System

OS versioniOS 9
SoCApple A9
CPUApple Twister, Dual-core 1.84 GHz
GPUPowerVR GT7600

The Apple iPhone SE comes with iOS 9 out of the box, but it is upgradable to the next OS. iOS includes a range of proprietary features and apps, such as Siri (a voice-activated virtual assistant), FaceTime (a video calling app), and iMessage (an instant messaging app), which are only available on Apple devices. The Apple iPhone SE has Apple A9 chipset. This CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations.

The Apple iPhone SE comes with PowerVR GT7600 Graphics Processing Unit. The GPU is optimized for parallel processing and complex mathematical operations required for rendering and manipulating graphics. PowerVR GPUs are considered to be highly competitive with other leading mobile GPUs, such as ARM Mali and Adreno.

Display

Display typeIPS
Screen size4 inch
Resolution640 x 1136 px
Multitouch supportyes

This smartphone comes with an IPS display. IPS is known for its ability to provide wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction. IPS panels have become more energy-efficient over time, allowing for longer battery life in portable devices. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The display size represents the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. Text will be easier to read, and videos will be more immersive on a larger display. This smartphone is multitouch capable. Multitouch is a feature in smartphones that allows for the detection and tracking of multiple touch points on the screen simultaneously. It enables users to interact with the device using more than one finger or touch input at the same time.

Memory

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotno

With 2 GB of RAM, a smartphone can run multiple apps simultaneously without experiencing any significant lag or slow performance. Having more RAM alone does not necessarily guarantee better performance, and other factors such as the processor and storage speed can also impact overall performance. If you primarily use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. The iPhone SE has only 16 GB of internal storage. The memory and the internal storage of the Apple iPhone SE (2 GB) cannot be expanded.

Camera

Main camera12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera1.2 MP

This smartphone has only one camera on its back. If you have budget limitations or prioritize other features over a multi-camera system, this single camera setup can be a suitable choice. The autofocus is an important feature in this smartphone. Autofocus helps the camera to focus on a subject automatically, which ensures that the resulting photo or video is clear and sharp. The iPhone SE does not have optical image stabilization (OIS). OIS technology is more commonly found in higher-end smartphones and is designed to reduce camera shake and blur, resulting in sharper and clearer images and videos.

Connectivity

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBLightning
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Apple iPhone SE supports 4G/LTE networks. 4G stands for fourth-generation mobile networks, which are wireless networks that provide faster data transfer speeds and greater network capacity than previous 3G networks. The Apple iPhone SE supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. Wi-Fi is now a ubiquitous technology that is widely used in homes, businesses, public spaces, and other environments around the world.

With Bluetooth connectivity, you can connect your iPhone SE smartphone to a wide range of Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as headphones, speakers, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and more. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite-based navigation system that allows you to determine your location and get directions to your desired destination. The iPhone SE is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC stands for Near Field Communication, and it is a wireless communication technology that allows two devices to exchange information when they are brought close together.

The iPhone SE phone doesn't have built-in FM radio receiver. The iPhone SE smartphone has a 3.5 mm headphone jack. A 3.5 mm headphone jack is a small round port, that allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery

TypeLi-Po 1642 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 1642 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a thin, light-weight, rechargeable battery. No periodic discharge is needed and charging can be done at random. The iPhone SE does not have a removable battery. The battery is integrated into the phone's design and is not intended to be removed or replaced by the user.

Features

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity

Smartphones today come with a wealth of sensors to facilitate a better user experience. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes: X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in iPhone SE smartphones. When an object, such as your hand or face, comes close to the sensor of iPhone SE, it triggers a response that can be used for specific functions or features.

The iPhone SE phone comes with a compass sensor. A compass sensor is a device that provides accurate directions in relation to the earth's North and South magnetic poles. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone that enables it to measure the intensity of light around the device.

The specifications above are based on the official data published by the manufacturer, but we also take user reviews into consideration. If you found an error or something lacking in the specifications above for the Apple iPhone SE, then don’t hesitate and signal the problem to us.

Apple iPhone SE pictures

Apple iPhone SE photo
Apple iPhone SE photo
Apple iPhone SE photo
Apple iPhone SE / IPSE

Latest Apple smartphones

Please take a look at the following compilation of the most recent Apple phones. This list showcases the latest offerings from Apple in the realm of mobile devices. Feel free to explore and check out these cutting-edge smartphones.

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working, or if you have a suggestion for improvement. Our e-mail address is webmaster@phone42.com.

Phone42.com / Smartphones / Apple / Apple iPhone SE