Apple launched the new iPhone SE 2020 online a few days, is it just a refreshed iPhone 8?
Apple iPhone SE 2020 was released by Apple online, here is what we think of the device. It was launched online through a video. The new iPhone SE bring the Touch ID back as well after Apple ditched it since the launch of iPhone X
Here’s the launch video posted by Apple on it’s Youtube channel
Apple launched the iPhone SE 2020 with a starting price of $399, which brings Apple into budget price segment similar to what Google did with the Pixel 3a in 2019. But does the phone stands up against the vast majority options available in the price range. Let’s look at what the iPhone SE 2020 has to offer,
Design – Refreshed iPhone 8
The design of iPhone SE 2020 is where Apple did not put much effort. The device basically looks like a iPhone 8 which bezels which were a standard in 2017. The front of the phone is nowhere in terms of what the screen or the screen to body ratio are in 2020. But with those huge bezels, Apple brought back the home button and Touch ID.
The display is a 4.7 inch Retina HD display with a resolution of 1334×750 pixels at 336 ppi. The display supports HDR10 and Dolby vision. The home button is said to be covered with sapphire crystal and it used for fingerprint detection for Touch ID. At the front of the phone, there is a single front camera of 7MP at f/2.2 aperture with support for Portrait mode and portrait lighting and video at 1080p 30 fps.
The back of the phone is made of glass with a single rear camera of 12MP wide angle lens at f/1.8 with video recording at 4k 60fps. The Apple logo at the back of the phone is now at centre. The only way one can tell the difference between iPhone 8 and iPhone SE 2020.
The phone is IP67 certified for water and dust resistance. iPhone SE 2020 comes in 3 colours, Black, white and Red though the front is all black for all 3 colours.
Performance – iPhone 11 on the inside
Apple didn’t cut corners in terms of performance for the iPhone SE 2020. The phone comes with the same A13 Bionic processor which is in company’s flagship iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models. So it will be as fast as the iPhone 11 series and would perform most of the tasks quicker. This was a good step by Apple to put in the flagship CPU unlike what Google did last year with Pixel 3a. The phone has the iOS 13 built-in, so it will have all the latest features like the Dark Mode etc.
The phone’s camera performance will also be good since it uses the A13 bionic chip to process all the photos taken from the 12MP Rear Camera, which Apple has not stated if it is the same wide angle lens used in iPhone 11 or 11 Pro.
The battery life as Apple states would be similar to the iPhone 8, it should easily last the whole day with an average usage.
The phone does support fast charging with a 18W charger but it is not included with the device and also has support for wireless charging.
Price – Budget iPhone?
Apple iPhone SE 2020 is available from $399/£419 for 64GB , $449/£499 for 128GB , $549/£569 256GB storage options. Apple gave a good price in US and UK but if you compare to say the India, the price is at around Rs 42500 which roughly converts to around $520 and many potential Indian buyers would turn away due to this price. OnePlus 8 starts fro Rs 44,999 just Rs 2k-2.5K more than iPhone SE 2020 or the still solid OnePlus 7T is better priced than this phone.
Who is the Apple iPhone SE 2020 for? – People who really the brand Apple should get this phone since it is cheapest of iPhone available right now or Apple users who are still holding on the iPhone 8 but now want better performance for a lower price. But if you are looking for flagship level phone with minimal bezels and top notch (oops) design with high quality performance and better camera then you should give this a pass.
Apple iPhone SE 2020 is available to buy on Amazon UK, click here to buy
Also Read: OnePlus 8 vs 8 Pro which one should you buy
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