Apple has announced the iPhone SE (2022) at its Peek Performance 2022 spring event. The new smartphone is the latest entry in the brand’s budget range, which began with the iPhone SE in 2016 and continued with the iPhone SE (2020). For the new iPhone SE (2022), Apple has altered the design, added the A15 Bionic processor, and given the phone 5G.
Specifications and design
The iPhone SE (2022) uses Apple’s A15 Bionic processor, which is the same one used inside the iPhone 13 series, and that makes the new SE seriously powerful. Apple sang its praises (as expected) during the event, saying the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is 1.8x faster than that of the iPhone 8, and the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is 2.2x faster. It means the iOS 15 software and your favorite games will all be faster and smoother. Machine learning has also been given a boost over the old iPhone 8, with calculations happening 26x faster.
Why all these comparisons to the iPhone 8? It’s because the design is lifted from Apple’s smallest 2017 flagship phone. This means it has a 4.7-inch screen, larger than the iPhone SE (2020)’s 4-inch screen. It’s a Retina HD screen, but not a Super Retina or Super Retina XDR OLED screen like the one fitted to the more expensive iPhone 13 series. The case is made from glass, which Apple says is its toughest yet, for improved durability, plus the phone has an IP67 water-resistance rating.
By reusing the iPhone 8’s design, it does mean the new SE still has a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a very popular feature for iPhone SE buyers, and this remains the only way you can get Touch ID on a brand-new iPhone. On the back of the iPhone SE (2022) is a single 12-megapixel camera, but it has been overhauled with Apple’s Deep Fusion technology, Smart
Software and connectivity
The iPhone SE (2022) runs Apple’s iOS 15 software. This means it has all the same features you’ll find on more expensive iPhone models, including Apple Pay, FaceTime, SharePlay, Apple Maps, and the helpful Focus mode. It’s also the first SE model to get 5G connectivity, meaning it falls into line with the other iPhone models and is better positioned to compete with the many cheap 5G Android phones already available.
There are three colors to choose from, a black model, a white model, and a red version. This hasn’t changed from the 2020 model. Apple offers three different configurations for storage space, starting at 64GB, increasing to 128GB, and topping out at 256GB.
Price and availability
But how cheap is the SE (2022)? The price has increased over the old model, and it now starts at $429, up from $399 for the iPhone SE (2020). In the U.K., the phone starts at 419 British pounds. You’ll be able to pre-order it on March 11, and it will be ready for release on March 18 in the U.S., the U.K., Japan, India, Germany, France, China, Canada, and Australia.
Why is the iPhone SE such a big deal?
Despite it not being a member of the iPhone 13 family, the iPhone SE is an important phone in Apple’s range. It has cost $399 for the basic version since it first arrived in 2016 and the low price is a major attraction. Even with the price increase here, it still represents good value in Apple’s range considering the tech enhancements. It’s also the smallest model in Apple’s range, and it has kept the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a consequence of Apple reusing the iPhone 5S or the iPhone 8’s design.
The iPhone 8 (2022) isn’t the only new product announced at Apple’s spring event. Take a look at our roundup here for all the news.
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