The iPhone SE 2, also known as the iPhone SE (2nd generation), was released by Apple in April 2020. It brought modern performance to a compact and affordable design, combining the power of the A13 Bionic chip with the design of the iPhone 8. This made the iPhone SE 2 a great choice for users who wanted a budget-friendly iPhone with the latest internal hardware.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the iPhone SE 2:
Design and Display
Display:
4.7-inch Retina HD display with True Tone and P3 wide color support.
Resolution: 1334 x 750 pixels, offering clear and vibrant visuals at 326 ppi.
Brightness: 625 nits max brightness, which is good for outdoor visibility.
Glass front and back with an aluminum frame, resembling the design of the iPhone 8.
Build:
Available in three colors: Black, White, and (Product) Red.
IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
Performance
Chipset: Powered by the A13 Bionic chip, which was also used in the iPhone 11 series. This chip delivers excellent performance for both everyday tasks and demanding applications, including gaming and augmented reality (AR).
RAM: 3GB of RAM, which is sufficient for smooth multitasking and running most apps without issue.
Storage Options: Available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB internal storage. No microSD card slot for storage expansion.
Camera System
Rear Camera:
12 MP wide lens (f/1.8 aperture), capable of capturing sharp and detailed images with good color accuracy.
Supports Portrait Mode with advanced bokeh and depth control, even without a secondary lens, thanks to the A13 Bionic chip’s computational photography capabilities.
Smart HDR for better dynamic range in photos.
4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, with stereo audio recording. It also supports slow-motion video at 1080p, 120 fps.
Front Camera:
7 MP FaceTime HD camera (f/2.2), great for selfies and FaceTime calls.
Supports Portrait Mode and Animoji/Memoji features, plus HDR for improved selfies in challenging lighting conditions.
Battery Life
Battery Capacity: Around 1821 mAh, providing a full day of moderate use.
Charging:
Supports 18W fast charging, which can charge the phone up to 50% in about 30 minutes.
Qi wireless charging supported, as well as traditional Lightning port charging.
Software
Operating System: Ships with iOS 13, and is eligible for future updates (currently iOS 16, and likely iOS 17 and beyond).
Updates: Like all iPhones, the SE 2 receives long-term software updates, ensuring a smooth experience with new features and security patches over the years.
Other Features
Touch ID: The iPhone SE 2 features a Touch ID fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button for security, instead of Face ID.
Audio: Single speaker, with stereo sound for video playback.
Dual SIM: Supports eSIM in addition to the standard physical SIM card.
5G: The SE 2 does not support 5G; it is limited to 4G LTE connectivity.
Pros
A13 Bionic chip provides excellent performance, making it faster than many other budget smartphones.
Affordable price point compared to other modern iPhones.
Compact design with a 4.7-inch display, ideal for users who prefer smaller phones.
Great camera for the price, with support for 4K video recording and Portrait Mode.
Long software support, as it will receive iOS updates for many years.
Cons
Older design: The iPhone SE 2 uses the same body as the iPhone 8, which means it has large bezels around the screen and doesn’t have the edge-to-edge display seen in newer models.
No 5G support, which could be a downside for those who want future-proofing.
Single speaker: While decent, it’s not as immersive as the stereo speakers found on more expensive models.
No night mode: The camera lacks a dedicated night mode, which is a disadvantage for low-light photography.
Conclusion
The iPhone SE 2 is a great option for users who want an affordable iPhone with solid performance, a good camera, and long-term software support. Its design, though a bit dated, still offers a great user experience with the power of the A13 Bionic chip. It’s an ideal choice for those who don’t need all the premium features of the more expensive iPhones but still want a fast, reliable, and long-lasting device.