Apple

Apple iPhone SE 2020: Pros and Cons

iOS 13
Apple A13 Bionic
Apple A13
3 GB / 64 GB
4.7 inch (750 x 1334 px)
12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Apple announced the launch of the iPhone SE 2020 smartphone in 2020. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.7 inch IPS display, Apple A13 Bionic SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the iOS 13 operating system. This phone uses a high resolution 750 x 1334 px, 4.7 inch IPS display. This phone has only one rear-camera (12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization) on its back for photos and videos. Will it prove its worth? I aim to reveal that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Apple iPhone SE 2020 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Apple iPhone SE 2020 / 1

Apple iPhone SE 2020 specifications

BrandApple
NameiPhone SE 2020
ModelA2296
Release date2020

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.22 oz
Dimensions5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inch
Colorsblack, red, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Apple iPhone SE 2020 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

Apple iPhone SE 2020 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versioniOS 13
SoCApple A13 Bionic
CPUHexa-core Apple A13
GPUApple A13

The Apple iPhone SE 2020 comes with iOS 13 out of the box. iOS includes a range of proprietary features and apps, such as Siri, FaceTime, and iMessage. The hexa-core Apple A13 Bionic CPU ensures high performance at all times.

Apple iPhone SE 2020 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size4.7 inch
Resolution750 x 1334 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Apple iPhone SE 2020 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotno

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. The internal storage of the Apple iPhone SE 2020 (3 GB) cannot be expanded.

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashQuad LED
Selfie camera7 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The iPhone SE 2020 offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for their rear camera systems.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv5.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBLightning
Headphoneno

The Apple iPhone SE 2020 supports 4G/LTE networks. This Apple phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your iPhone SE 2020 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The iPhone SE 2020 smartphone does not have 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 1821 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 1821 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The iPhone SE 2020 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsCertified IP67 dustproof and waterproof, Fast charging, Wireless charging

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in iPhone SE 2020 smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device.

The 6 in the IP67 rating means the smartphone has strong protection. It is against dust. With fast charging, you can get a significant amount of battery life in a few minutes of charging. The wireless charging is a convenient feature for smartphones.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Apple phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • IP67 certified protection
  • wireless charging

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • non-expandable storage
  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • no headphone jack
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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