Apple iPhone SE Review: Ideal Small and iOS Starter Smartphone
iPhone SE
On seeing Apple iPhone SE for the first time I really doubted whether this 4-inched smartphone is going to attract people. But after the launch, the tremendous reaction from the folks around the world proved that whatever matters Apple iPhone will be loved by all. Unlike other flagships, iPhone SE has squeezed its size.
The company officials made it clear that iPhone SE is targeted at small hand users and those who use iOS smartphones for the first time. Even though iPhone SE lacks certain premium features but it is the best compact smartphone ever launched by Apple.
Design
iPhone SE is well-packed in the carton box and comes with fully charged battery from the factory itself. On the first look itself we can understand that iPhone SE is a smartphone with iPhone 6S’s looks in the body of iPhone 5S. When checked, the outer case is made of Aluminium. The earlier iPhone 4-series was made of steel. But it was slightly heavy to hold.
So inorder to reduce the weight, from iPhone 5, the company used Aluminium for outer case. The matt-finished look gives it an elegant feel and this will help it to survive the drops and knocks. With iPhone SE Apple brought back its angular design.
This light weighted smartphone from apple has its logo to the back and the matte chamfers adds to the beauty to its sides.
Display
iPhone SE resembles the display of iPhone 5S. The resolution comes to be as low as 640*1136. But it is just OK for a 4-inched handset. The viewing angles also have issues and can’t compete the perfection of newer counterparts.
Unlike other iPhones, SE doesn’t have 3D Touch. But Apple has done everything to balance this absence. Below the screen you can find the fingerprint sensor which is integrated in the usual circular iPhone Home Button. The sensor is similar to that which is placed in iPhone 5S. In a smaller handset like iPhone SE, this may be placed inorder to save the space. When it comes to fingerprint recognition I must say that it is not as quick as iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, but still unlocks the handset under a second.
Audio
iPhone SE comes with a single speaker to its bottom with larger grille covering. Some of the users always wanted to have a pair of speakers inorder to support long lasting audio experience especially while playing YouTube videos and your favourite albums.But after considering the mini size of new iPhone SE, this can’t be fulfilled. But the single speaker can deliver a better sound just like its competitors. The audio jack as usual placed to the bottom.
Processor
When the hardware specifics are checked, it can be clearly concluded that iPhone SE is an iPhone 6S in iPhone 5S’s body. When I look into the processor I felt that iPhone 6S has been squeezed to form iPhone SE. The performance seems to be extra-ordinary with its A9 chipset along with M9 motion tracking processor.
Together this could compete with other flagships from the tech giant. When the processor is combined with a RAM of 2GB, you could grab a right smartphone in your hands and definitely say this is the right smartphone both compact and powerful.The processing speed is clocked at 1.84GHz.
You could get a better internal storage capacity that extends upto 64GB. After the space consumed by certain in-built applications can have the luxury of 55.7GB of usable storage. But the entry-level iPhone SE will have an internal storage of just 16GB. The officials have made it clear that new iPhone SE is meant for those users who just started using Apple iPhones. This is intended to make them familiar with Apple iPhones. But by paying a sum of $399 (entry-level) or $499 (64GB version) for getting acquainted with Apple iPhones is another question.
Software
iPhone SE is loaded with iOS 9.3 as its operating system. It’s an operating system available since the introduction of Apple iPhone 4S. Due to its compactness, it can be controlled with single hand. This comes handy when you are driving or shopping.
The UI makes your work easier with iPhone SE. But the question is whether this 4-inched screen can hold the keyboard. The small keys that appear on the screen make the typing quite uneasy.Also due to the small some of your favourite games will be shrinked. Thus the small size of iPhone SE can be a boon as well as bane.
But the combination of extensive processor coupled with 2GB RAM, low resolution display can enhance the horsepower of new iPhone SE for sure.
Performance and Benchmark
| iPhone 6S | iPhone SE | iPhone 6 Plus | iPhone 6 | |
| 3D Mark Unlimited IS | 24601 | 27729 | 27542 | 16689 |
| Geekbench 3 (Multi-Thread) | 4427 | 4440 | 4289 | 2885 |
| Basemark OS II | 2354 | 2378 | 2428 | 1441 |
| SunSpider 1.0.2 (lower is better) | 230 | 227 | 220 | 351 |
As I mentioned earlier the A9 chipset along with 2GB RAM makes iPhone SE more powerful than imagined. Users are allowed to switch between highly graphics supported games and other applications without any lag. When compared to other flagships from Apple, iPhone SE delivers much better performance when the cost factor is considered side-by-side.iPhone SE is being compared with high-end phones from Apple, yet it tend to deliver an equivalent performance with them.
Camera
Like iPhone 5S, SE sports a 1.2MP front cam. So you cannot use this for having selfies with your loved ones. This could be a drawback when current trend ic considered. But for the rear camera, the equipped it with 12MP lens. It is having an aperture of f/2.2. This rear camera aesthetically placed to the rear panel along with microphone and dual-tone LED flash.
When checked with images captured using iPhone SE camera, you can experience high level white balancing and sharpening, which can be considered as trademark of Apple. The colours are being used to make each image look original as we see them with our own eyes. Even with absence of OIS, iPhone SE can manage low light imaging quite incredibly.
The snappers are supported by FaceTime with the help of either WiFi or Cellular. The most innovative feature introduced by Apple in iPhone SE camera is the Live Photo. This allows you have a motion image when capture images.
Battery
When I saw Apple iPhone SE for the first time, I was worried about its battery. I was also worried whether 2GB RAM would consume most of the battery charge. But when checked I was relieved.iPhone SE comes with a battery capacity of 1642mAh which when combined with A9 processor will deliver better efficiency. When tested with the primary SIM card along with usual PIM, email and social networking usage, iPhone SE utilized only about 70% battery from the beginning of day till night. This may be possible with the help of low resolution and small size of the display.
Specification Summary
| Dimension | 123.8*58.6*7.6mm |
| Weight | 113 grams |
| Display | 4.0 inchesLED Backlit IPS LCD640*1136 pixels |
| OS | iOS 9.3 |
| Processor | Apple A9Dual Core with 1.84GHz speed |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Storage | 16GB or 64GB |
| Camera | Front with 1.2MPRear with 12MP |
| Connectivity | WiFi – 802.11a/b/g/n/acBluetooth – v4.2GPS with A-GPS, GLONASSNFCUSB port of v2.0 Reversible Connector |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass |
| Battery | Non-Removable Li-Po with 1642mAhStand-by – Upto 240 hoursTalk-time – Upto 14 hours (3G) |
| Available colours | Space Grey, Silver, Gold and Rose Gold |
| Pricing | $399 for 16GB$499 for 64GB |
| Availability | Launched on March 2016 |
Pros
- Extensive Performance.
- Extended Battery Life along with intelligent processor.
- Hand-sized design makes it easy to hold.
- Features like Apple Pay and Siri.
Cons
- Smaller display makes apps crowdy.
- Low resolution front cam.
- Base version is limited to 16GB storage.
- Absence of 3D touch.
