Which is better iPhone or iPhone SE?
If you do a lot of reading and TV watching on your phone, the iPhone 11 might be the better choice. The camera is another major consideration. While the iPhone SE gains some benefits from the A15 Bionic processor, the iPhone 11's dual-lens camera has more flexibility when it comes to shooting modes.
iPhone SE 2 Cons: Design is dated and color options are limited. Relatively low quality camera compared to more expensive iPhone models, particularly in low light. Battery life is significantly worse than physically larger iPhone models with bigger batteries.
The iPhone SE (2022) handles iOS 16.2 without a problem, and it operates just how you expect an iPhone to be: smooth, fast, and reliable. The camera is good, and it performed very well in a test against the iPhone 14 Plus, where I preferred the tone of its photos.
The iPhone SE (2022) and iPhone 12 are the cheapest iPhones you can buy. The iPhone SE is the least expensive iPhone and it uses the same processor as the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. But the iPhone 12 is the better phone overall, thanks to its design, screen size, battery life, and cameras.
Conclusion. The iPhone SE is worth it despite having a few minor issues. Most importantly, it's even more valid in 2022 given its 5G capabilities, and becomes a good pick for someone who doesn't have a big budget but wants to get into the Apple ecosystem.
Kuo thinks the reason the phone is getting axed could be that Apple's lower-end phones were selling worse than the company hoped (in September, Bloomberg reported that there was more demand for iPhone 14 Pros than regular iPhone 14s) and due to concerns that another price increase for the lineup could make it less ...
iPhone SE features an all-new camera system powered by A15 Bionic, with a 12-megapixel ƒ/1.8 aperture Wide camera that offers incredible computational photography benefits, including Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode.
The new iPhone SE gives you: The A15 Bionic chip for up to 1.2x faster graphics than A13 Bionic. A battery that delivers up to 2 more hours video playback. 5G for faster streaming, multiplayer gaming, and downloads with less lag.
You want a newer iPhone design
But unlike the SE, the iPhone 11 has a much more screen-dominant appearance, with a notch at the center for Face ID (face unlock) instead of the old Touch ID fingerprint sensor. It's also significantly larger than the SE, with a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display.
The iPhone SE is the absolutely cheapest iPhone you can buy new at $429. Despite rocking an old design that's been around since the iPhone 6, this handset features Apple's latest A15 Bionic chip. That means this phone is lightning-fast, can play every Apple Arcade game with ease, and will connect to 5G networks.
How old is an iPhone SE?
iPhone SE (1st generation), released in 2016. iPhone SE (2nd generation), released in 2020. iPhone SE (3rd generation), released in 2022.
Release | Released | Supported |
---|---|---|
iPhone SE (2nd generation) | 2 years and 9 months ago (24 Apr 2020) | Yes |
iPhone 11 | 3 years and 4 months ago (20 Sep 2019) | Yes |
iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | 3 years and 4 months ago (20 Sep 2019) | Yes |
iPhone XR | 4 years ago (26 Oct 2018) | Yes |

The iPhone SE is Apple's lowest-priced iPhone, meant to be an affordable alternative to the flagship devices. It has been around since 2016, and in 2022, Apple introduced the third-generation version, with an updated $429 price point, improved A-series chip, and 5G connectivity.
Still, the iPhone 13 is a bit more fully featured than the iPhone SE (2022). That higher price tag buys you an additional rear camera, a bigger and better display and MagSafe compatibility, among other features.
What is the best iPhone? After weighing all the available models and options, the iPhone 14 Pro Max stands tall as the best iPhone overall. It features the latest A16 Bionic processor, the best iPhone camera system to date, and a dynamic design that laps even last year's lineup.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
It comes with every feature Apple offers, including the most capable cameras; the largest, brightest screen; and the biggest, longest-lasting battery. We gave the iPhone 14 Pro Max the highest review of any recent model. It's our Editors' Choice for 2022 iPhones.
According to sources, Ming-Chi Kuo , a well-known Apple iPhone analyst, has indicated that the Cupertino-based tech giant plans to release two new iPhone SE models in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
iPhone SE vs iPhone 11: Processor and specs
The iPhone SE has a better processor, hands-down. The A15 is extremely fast… faster than you'll need for almost anything. The A13 found in the iPhone 11 is still very good…as good, in fact, as the processor found in most premium Android phones.
The iPhone SE 2022 is the fastest phone you can buy under $500 and it delivers great photos from its single rear camera. It's also the best small phone, but there are better affordable options if you want a bigger screen and longer battery life.
For most users, this represents approximately two years of use, which is why most people believe that the lifespan of a phone is two years. However when it comes to iPhones, you can expect between three to five years (maybe more) with proper care.
Will iPhone SE work on 5G?
Apart from Apple's A15 Bionic chip, one of the main selling points of the iPhone SE 3 is 5G support. Indeed, this affordable phone can take advantage of 5G networks if you live in a supported region.
Performance, storage, and battery
The SE has Apple's A13 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 8 is powered by the A11 Bionic chip. That means the SE will be faster and smarter, thanks to its third-generation Neural Engine.
Video: Watch Everything Announced at Apple's WWDC 2022 Event
This means any phones introduced in 2016 or earlier, including the iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and iPhone 7, won't be getting Apple software updates anymore. It's not an unexpected move, given that the company regularly retires software support on older devices.
- iPhone 7.
- iPhone 7 Plus.
- iPhone 6s.
- iPhone 6s Plus.
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPod touch (7th generation)
The First-Gen iPhone SE Is Dead
Unfortunately, this is the end of the road. While the original tiny iPhone SE was able to hold on for iOS 15, the upcoming iOS 16 will drop the 2016 iPhone SE from support along with any other device sporting a chip older than Apple's A10.
The Apple iPhone SE 2022 and Apple iPhone 12 differ a lot. The iPhone SE 3 is more compact and has a better processor. The iPhone 12 has a better battery life, more screen space, and more camera options.
iPhone SE (1st generation), released in 2016. iPhone SE (2nd generation), released in 2020. iPhone SE (3rd generation), released in 2022.
You want a faster processor
From a real-world perspective, that basically means the iPhone SE can run apps and games, and multitask with little to no stutter. While the iPhone 11's A13 Bionic Chip treads closely behind, it's still two generations older than the snappier SE at the end of the day.
There isn't a huge amount of difference in terms of connectivity, as both device come with support for 5G networks. The iPhone 13 does have double the MIMO capacity of the iPhone SE, so transfer speeds will be faster on the former, but both should be pretty quick.
Still, the iPhone 13 is a bit more fully featured than the iPhone SE (2022). That higher price tag buys you an additional rear camera, a bigger and better display and MagSafe compatibility, among other features.
Why is it called iPhone SE?
The first-generation iPhone SE (also known as iPhone SE 1 or iPhone SE 2016; SE is an initialism of Special Edition) is a smartphone that was designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It is part of the 9th generation of the iPhone alongside the higher-end iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
Overview. As with any iPhone, the iPhone SE offers a stellar combination of intuitive design and high-end features. With this phone, you'll have access to useful iPhone apps for seniors, in addition to the music, video, and gaming capabilities Apple is known for.
Video: Watch Everything Announced at Apple's WWDC 2022 Event
But all these goodies will only be available to people with the iPhone 8 and later models. This means any phones introduced in 2016 or earlier, including the iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and iPhone 7, won't be getting Apple software updates anymore.