Is the 2020 iPhone SE worth it? That's the question many are asking themselves or will be asking themselves in the coming months. Because, right now, it's true that it's the most "affordable" Apple phone in its entire lineup. And compared to the prices of the high-end models that other brands have recently released, it seems even more appealing. But before answering hastily, you should consider a few points.
The two-sided iPhone
The 2020 iPhone SE is the iPhone with both sides, a device with one side looking to the future and the other stuck in the past. This is how we believe it is more appropriate to define it and not as the "cheap iPhone".
Because it is true that compared to the prices of the medium or high range of Android it is more attractive, but it must be remembered that the 64 GB model costs 489 euros and the 128 GB and 256 GB models amount to 539 euros and 659 euros respectively. . So, cheap what is said cheap, it is not.
However, the best way to put it in a situation and justify why we believe it has two faces is by reviewing its keys. We start with the best of the iPhone SE:
- Your processor Apple A13 Bionic is its main attraction. It is, without a doubt, the most powerful smartphone chip as we already saw in our iPhone 11 and 11 Pro reviews. But what kind of tasks are you going to perform to need so much power today? Ok, it can also be justified in the face of a longer useful life and system upgrades or improved energy management, but keep it in mind according to your actual needs and uses.
- The other positive factor is the one that will really make you bet yes or yes for it or for any other iPhone: the operating system. If you don't want to use anything other than iOS, you can stop reading and go buy it.
- It integrates fast and wireless charging, but Apple continues with the 5 W power charger that seems ridiculous today.
Leaving these two aspects aside, there are others that are no longer so positive. It is not that they are a disaster, but we are in the middle of 2020 and there are things that you should still consider.
- The design, as iconic as they want to make it, has been with us since the iPhone 6. It has rained a lot since then, and although it still has its appeal, the truth is that it can get a little tiring.
- El use of the front. The frames of its 4,7-inch panel in the middle of 2020 should not be allowed. Is it a good screen? Yes, but with much cheaper terminals offering an all-screen front, when you turn this terminal it hurts. And no, not even its size justifies the screen diagonal. Because it is true that it is compact, but the iPhone 11 Pro is already compact enough.
- Touch ID can be an advantage, it's true, especially now that many have trouble being recognized with masks. But, beyond the identification, what is lost when returning to it are the gestures and you should consider that.
- The iPhone SE's camera performs well in favorable light conditions, but it's not the best either and due to its versatility it loses some interest.
- The battery will take advantage of the good work of the A13 Bionic chip, but it will not work miracles. So don't expect great autonomy unless you buy the battery case or always go charged with your power bank.
In short, if your idea is to use iOS and you don't want to spend what other current or previous Apple proposals like the iPhone XR are worth, go ahead. Because it is true that the device will perform in an outstanding way thanks to its processor and you will have the advantages of the Apple ecosystem.
However, if iOS isn't essential for you, stop . There are other Android-based alternatives with features that can offer more value. The most obvious: the cameras. Because other aspects, like the aspirational image of this 2020 iPhone SE, don't quite fit as well.
The great alternatives to the iPhone SE of 2020
We have no intention of convincing anyone that iPhone or Android is better. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, so it's up to you to decide which option might interest you more. The point is to show that, even with some superior aspects, the iPhone SE isn't significantly better than other current options , or even those from previous years, when it comes to overall evaluation.
It's true that no one can beat it in processing power and that aspects like its camera and screen quality are top-notch, but there are models with more versatile cameras and a more attractive design, featuring full-frontal displays and equally high quality. Anyway, we'll highlight the best and worst aspects of Apple's latest iPhone from some of the most interesting options, in our opinion.
| iPhone SE 2020 | OnePlus 7T | Xiaomi Mi Note 10 | Realme X2 Pro | Galaxy S10e | Huawei P30 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A13 Bionic | Snapdragon 855 + | Snapdragon 730G | Snapdragon 855 + | Exynos 9820 | Kirin 980 |
| Screen | 4,7 "IPS | AMOLED 6,55" | AMOLED 6,47" | AMOLED 6,5" | Dynamic AMOLED 5,8" | OLED 6,47" |
| Storage | 64 / 128 / 256 GB | 128 / 256 GB | 128 GB | 64 / 128 / 256 GB | 128 GB | 128 / 256 / 512 GB |
| Battery | 1.821 mAh | 3.800 mAh | 5.260 mAh | 4.000 mAh | 3.100 mAh | 4.200 mAh |
| Best | - processor -iOS - Screen | - Screen - Performance - Cameras | - Autonomy - Cameras | - Performance and fluidity - Fast charge - Cameras | - - Screen - Cameras | Cameras Design Screen Battery |
| Worst | - Use of the front - Battery - Lower camera than iPhone 11 | - Dimensions | - Dimensions | - Dimensions | - Autonomy | - processor |
| Price | From 489 Euros | 607 Euros approx. | 440 Euros approx. | 439 Euros approx. | 569 Euros approx. | 595 Euros approx. |
As you can see in the table, these options are just some of the ones that are the most interesting for us when it comes to competing with the new iPhone SE if we take price into account.
If size and weight are your priorities, options like the OnePlus 7T or Realme X2 Pro would be out of the running, but others like the Huawei P30 Pro or Galaxy S10e would be strong contenders, excelling in areas like the versatility of their multiple cameras. And keep an eye on the new Pixel 4a, which is just around the corner , and if it's priced right, it could be a serious rival with its excellent camera. Plus, there are other Android phones that, due to their typical price fluctuations, could cost about the same as the iPhone SE does now in a few months.
On the other hand, if size doesn't matter so much to you, all these options offer a much more attractive design and front panel with which you can enjoy much more multimedia content and general use of the device. Again, if iOS is not something important to you.
If that's the case, comparing it to other devices or considering a possible alternative becomes pointless. But what we want to convey is that the 2020 iPhone SE is a very good device , but it's not the incredible product some might think it is simply because it's from Apple. So, carefully consider what it offers and what other options on the market might offer. Only then will you know whether or not it's worth buying.