It comes with an internal spec sheet to rival some of the finest phones out there, and while its design may look a touch dated, its camera is excellent and its long term support for iOS admirable. There are newer, sleeker iPhones available. But none offer as good value for money as the iPhone SE 2022.

Both have their benefits and compromises. The 11 has the dual cameras, larger display, Face ID, more modern design, and better battery. But the SE3 has the A15 chip and 5G which allows for better longevity.

Apple wanted to use that device as a sort of guinea pig - if things go wrong, at least they do on the cheapest smartphone it sells, not one of the more lucrative models. If all went well, then the chip might have found its way into the iPhone 16 series later in 2024.

Android fans were also quick to ridicule it: Still Expensive? Spares & Extras? Well, guess what folks: it's none of these versions. Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller has just confirmed that 'SE' stands for 'Special Edition'.

Cons

• Outdated body design.
• No Night mode in camera.
• Lacks support for AT&T's 3.45GHz mid-band 5G.
• Shortest battery life of any current iPhone model.

Still, on sheer ROI, the SE is hard to beat at its price. This recommendation comes with some big caveats, starting with that screen. It's small - at 4.7 inches, it's significantly smaller than the iPhone 13 Mini's display, even though the SE is slightly taller and wider than the Mini.

Design is painfully dated and color options are limited. 5G networking does not support mmWave. Relatively low quality camera compared to more expensive iPhone models. Battery life is significantly worse than physically larger iPhone models with bigger batteries.

The Apple iPhone SE 2022 and Apple iPhone 12 differ a lot. The iPhone SE 3 is more compact and has a better processor. The iPhone 12 has a better battery life, more screen space, and more camera options.

But the experience using the SE is hampered by its small display - a carryover from an old iPhone design that isn't aging well. If you can pay the extra $170 for a new iPhone 13 at $599, you should absolutely do that. Still, on sheer ROI, the SE is hard to beat at its price.

How long will my iPhone be supported?

The iPhone SE has a faster processor, but you're not likely to notice much of a difference in day-to-day use. It's also a bit smaller, if you really care about having a small phone, and has Touch ID if you just can't stand Face ID.

If you prefer the ‌iPhone‌ 12's set of features, then it is still a good option for $599, but generally most users looking for an affordable ‌iPhone‌ should opt for the ‌iPhone SE‌ since it is more future-proof and offers a similar A15 chipset as Apple's latest iPhone 14 and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus models.

The ‌iPhone SE‌ is an excellent device if your needs or budget are limited, but there is no doubt that the ‌iPhone 13‌'s larger display, more modern and durable design, brighter OLED display, better cameras, longer battery life, and ‌MagSafe‌ compatibility are universally beneficial.

The iPhone SE has a faster processor, but you're not likely to notice much of a difference in day-to-day use. It's also a bit smaller, if you really care about having a small phone, and has Touch ID if you just can't stand Face ID. It has 5G but doesn't support the mmWave bands that give you crazy-high speeds.

The iPhone SE (2022) should receive major updates for the next four or five years, which means you'll get most of the new features (but not things like the recent Always-on screen, or features that require new hardware to work), security updates, and design changes for longer than most people would even consider ...

How long will my iPhone be supported?