iPhone SE (2022): Light and powerful, but very small

First, a clarification. I’m a frequent user of both Android devices but also generally quite bulky screens. I have big hands, and like TVs, I like having a screen that’s rich and generous in size and viewing. There is a limit, by the way, and anything over 7 inches is already a lot, another type of device just because of its size. But out of habit my view has been optimized for large information display spaces.

That being the case, finding an iPhone SE to test was a very interesting change, which made me value smartphones that were much smaller and more compact than usual. The truth is that the change is dramatic, for better and for worse.

The iPhone SE is part of the 15th generation of Apple mobile phones and is not only the model with the smallest screen in the family (the smallest in size is still the iPhone 13 Mini, with only 131.5 mm long), it is also cheaper than the Offers of the company led by Tim Cook. This is its third iteration (after the 2016 and 2020 versions) and it brings interesting internal novelties that make it a unique device in its particular range and entry price. Let’s see this in detail.

• Filter : 4.7″ Retina HD IPS-LCD
• Resolution : 750 x 1334 at 326ppi
• Dimensions : 138.4mm x 67.3mm x 7.3mm
• lester : 144 grams
• Processor : Bionic chip A15 (5nm)
• Storage : 64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB
• Memory : 4 GB RAM
• Camera : 12 MP, f/1.8, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4 Front camera 7 MP, f/2.2 4K video recording at 60 fps
• Drums : 2018mAH
• Operating system :iOS 15.4
• connectivity : 5G / WiFi 6 / Bluetooth 5.0 / NFC

Apple products have always had that premium shopping feel and this one is no exception. From the moment the box is opened and its contents are explored, until the phone screen greets you with a “Hello”, the experience is extremely pleasant, fast and simple. Even though there was no charger. It’s not something we didn’t know or in my case was so essential, but it’s still missing.

In terms of size and design, the SE doesn’t change much from previous versions. The mobile phone is small in the screen standard offered by the current market. Its classic shape with rounded edges is retained, as always with an aluminum frame and a glass body on both sides. It’s also dustproof, splashproof, and waterproof, with an IP67 certification to back it up. According to her, it is capable of lasting up to 30 minutes at a maximum depth of 1 meter.

In the same way, the famous position of the buttons is also preserved: at the top left we find the switch to mute the sound of the device and just below, separated, the buttons to decrease or increase the volume. On the right we have the power button and the SIM card port, while below, as always, two stereo speakers with an entry in the middle for the power connector. flash. An already historic format, one could say that even tend at this point.

The semi-novelty was to find the physical central button, on the lower edge of the screen. It’s been a while since I’ve encountered one; at least in the Android universe they have almost completely disappeared (in the iPhone you have to go back to the SE of 2020). In fact, from afar, it’s almost identical to the iPhone 7, released in 2016.

Its presence allows for feedback when unlocking the phone, which is refreshing, since the Touch ID or button biometric reader remains intact. In turn, yes, there’s no face ID or facial recognition here.

Logically, it is light. It is very, very light (only 144 grams), comfortable to wear and comes in three colors: silver light (silver), midnight (ash black) and, for my taste, the best color of all: an intense red, which is the model that we were able to test. It looks attractive, stylish and pop. The classic red silicone case provided by the company goes very well with the device, although the color is a bit lighter than the device. Minor details, because just putting it in your trouser pocket, given its compact size, is something that is greatly appreciated, since you don’t even feel it.

It’s in its speed that the iPhone SE shines: it’s a bullet in any operation that is performed. Everything flies, and its performance is smooth and fast thanks to the A15 Bionic, the new generation of native processors, the same that runs in the iPhone 13 and perhaps the most powerful and fastest mobile chip on the market.

The sacrifice, at least in my experience, was to trade levity for resolve. Although the screen is small, it still feels cramped with the thick, vintage black bezels surrounding it. The vast majority of day-to-day activities on a cell phone can be performed without issue, but after a while the limited visual space begins to take its toll. It’s probably something that happens to those of us who are very used to larger smartphones, but depending on the hand, the thickness of the fingers and the style of the user, its small dimensions can be a fundamental factor in experience.

Although the screen meets all the conditions to be qualified as good – it is Retina HD and a resolution of 326 ppi, in any case lower than the average of 408 that most Android models have -, it suffers from its size. Everything looks rather cramped. And if there’s the ability to zoom, that’s not the idea, especially for users with wide fingers, where pressing tiny crosses to close the ad or pointing to a specific letter on the keyboard can become a real Odyssey.

And let’s be honest: it’s not the same to watch a video on a screen smaller than 5 inches, where only 65.4% of the front is used, than on a standard Android mobile phone, in which it is generally used almost. 80% of the device. To enjoy video games, this model would not be the most recommended either.

However, the mobile phone comes with the latest version of its iOS operating system —15—, so its use is not very different from that of its big brothers of the iPhone 13, Apple’s top of the range. . By the way, this will allow updating to iOS 16, so all the “factory” features of the family are included.

Unfortunately, and like its size, the battery capacity isn’t exactly large and it doesn’t deliver lasting experiences. Although Apple does not give exact data on its milliamperage, according to the site GSM Sand that of the iPhone SE would have 2,018 mAh. For a light or casual outfit, without too much diffusion and connected to a Wi-Fi network – is able to last a whole day and more. But by demanding more intensity, with more demanding applications, such as video games or video calls, the battery suffers noticeably.

Charging via Lightning cable takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes from scratch, and wirelessly this process takes up to 3.5 hours.

Likewise, the camera lenses included in the SE are decent, but nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, there are only two: one at the front, for selfies, with 7 megapixels and an aperture of f/2.2, and the main one at the back, with 12 MP and f/1.8.

Fortunately, the Software for photos that include iOS is extremely efficient (especially in low light conditions), so results can also be easily enhanced with the included editing tools, which also allow 4K video recording up to 60 frames per second.

Of course, unlike other iPhones, here we won’t have night mode, macro mode, “medium” manual control of HDR or more personalized settings. Portrait mode, for example, focuses only on people and cannot be used on animals or objects.

The iPhone SE continues to be a great entry phone for those who want to learn or stick with the iOS experience without having to shell out big bucks. The guarantee is that they will have a great and very comfortable user experience, especially with one hand, with great internal power and great connectivity. For those who don’t care too much about screen size or the presence of big innovations, here is a solid model.

It’s true: this version does not bring many innovations, beyond its new processor, the update of the operating system and the possibility of connecting to 5G networks. In fact, the design looks all too familiar at hand, for better but for worse. Either way, it’s still the most affordable iPhone out there.

Note: ⭐⭐⭐⭐★

*The prices of the products in this article are updated as of June 22, 2022. The values ​​and their availability may change,