Apple has announced its latest version of the iPhone SE, the third generation that is surprising in that it has many aspects that are familiar to us with respect to past editions of great success.
It may look the same, but there are some significant differences between the two models. In this quick guide we are going to compare both models in order to clarify all the news that the recently presented one brings.
Design and build quality
As you may have seen in the images, Apple has continued to use the same design in the new model as with the iPhone SE 2 (2020). In fact, aside from a few minor tweaks, this is basically the same aesthetic introduced way back in 2014 with the iPhone 6.
Even so, Apple returns to pull the old saying of “if it works, why change”. Yes, the top and bottom bezels on the front panel look dated by modern standards, but if you want a phone with Touch ID, then it’s still a tried-and-true design.
Apple has included improved glass on the front and back, which Apple claims is the “toughest glass in a smartphone” so it should survive an occasional drop or two, with the IP67 waterproof rating ensuring resistance to shocks. water by immersion.
Aesthetically, both iPhone SE models are the same, even the color options have not changed between generations, although the traditional white, black and (PRODUCT) Red, available in the previous version, have been replaced by midnight white. star and (PRODUCT) RED.
Specs and Features
Although the two devices share a similar look and feel, under the hood, you’ll find that the new model is blessed with some more premium features and upgraded components, as we’ll see below.
Processor
When the iPhone SE 2 (2020) arrived, it was powered by the same A13 Bionic chip as the iPhone 11 range. This made the device a kind of pocket rocket due to its smaller size.
Now, Apple has upgraded the brains of its latest iPhone SE to the top-of-the-line A15 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 13 range of phones. With this new version, it should make the iPhone SE 3 (2022) even faster than the model it replaces, as well as more efficient.
Those who enjoy gaming will love the extra power offered by the A15 Bionic, which comes with a 6-core CPU to handle multitasking. This extra power also unlocks features associated with photography management.
cameras
The iPhone SE 2 (2020) offers decent photographic capabilities, albeit restricted to a single 12 MP f/1.8 aperture camera. This has optical image stabilization, Smart HDR and video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with OIS.
The fact of adding the A15 Bionic to the iPhone SE 3 (2022), increases the additional functions. While the hardware appears to be the same as the previous model (a 12 MP sensor and wide f/1.8 camera lens), Apple refers to it as an “entirely new camera system.”
This seems to bear out with the new capabilities, including Smart HDR 4 which offers better colours, contrast and skin tones. The Photo Styles feature we saw on iPhone 13 is now available on iPhone SE 3 as well.
This provides the opportunity to set preferences for live filters, so you can adjust photos to look the way you prefer. Deep Fusion is another plus for enhancing textures, reducing noise, and generally sprinkling optical dust on images.
Finally, there’s also the Live Text feature, which lets you point the camera at signs, menus, and other things that include text, so that the iPhone translates or converts them into usable data. Not a bad update.
connectivity
One of the most obvious novelties of the iPhone SE 3 (2022) is the inclusion of 5G capabilities. While it remains questionable how much of an improvement is tangible given the slow rollout of 5G networks, it is something that can help prepare for the more immediate future.
In all other aspects of connectivity, the new iPhone SE is similar to the old one, with Wi-Fi-6, Bluetooth 5.0 as well as NFC. Next, we show a breakdown of the technical sheet of each model:
| iPhone SE (2022) | iPhone SE (2020) | |
| Screen | 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD, 1334 x 750, 326 ppi, True Tone, Wide Color (P3), 625 nits | 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD, 1334 x 750, 326 ppi, True Tone, Wide Color (P3), 625 nits |
| Processor | A15 Bionic | A13 Bionic |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB |
| Rear camera | 12 MP (f/1.8), portrait mode, 4K video, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, photo modes | 12 MP (f/1.8), portrait mode, 4K video |
| Frontal camera | 7 MP (f/2.2), portrait mode, 1080p video | 7 MP (f/2.2), portrait mode, 1080p video |
| Video recording | 4K video recording at 24fps, 30fps or 60fps, OIS, cinematic video stabilization | 4K video recording at 24fps, 30fps or 60fps, OIS, cinematic video stabilization |
| biometric security | Touch ID | Touch ID |
| Wifi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 |
| LTE | 5G | Gigabit-LTE (4G) |
| wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5 | 5 |
| mobile payments | Yes | Yes |
| waterproofing | IP67 | IP67 |
| SIM slot | Dual (nano and eSIM) | Dual (nano and eSim) |
| Dimensions | 138.4mm x 67.3mm x 7.3mm | 138.4mm x 67.3mm x 7.3mm |
| Weight | 148 grams | 148 grams |
| Price | €529 (64GB) €579 (128GB) €699 (256GB) | €476 (64GB) €526 (128GB) |
Price and availability
The new iPhone SE 3 (2022) can be reserved from Friday, March 11, so it will go on sale with final availability on March 18. You can find it in three different variants depending on the configuration:
- iPhone SE 3 (2022) with 64GB: €529
- iPhone SE 3 (2022) with 128 GB: €579
- iPhone SE 3 (2022) with 256 GB: €699
Previously, the iPhone SE2 (2020) was available with these configurations and prices:
- iPhone SE 2 (2020) with 64 GB: €476
- iPhone SE 2 (2020) with 128 GB: €526
Although Apple has withdrawn the old one from its stores, you can still find it in some official stores and retailers, such as Amazon, with possible substantial reductions in its purchase price.
final verdict
The new iPhone SE 3 (2022) captures everything people loved about its predecessor and adds some cool features. Upgrading to an A15 Bionic chip not only makes the new version a faster device, it brings with it additional camera capabilities and better battery life.
Add to all this the support of 5G connectivity, in view of the massive deployment of networks in the coming years. Its price is slightly increased compared to the previous version (€40 more), but it is still the cheapest iPhone that Apple has for sale, guaranteeing the iOS update for at least 5 years.
