If you’re looking to upgrade or trade in your iPhone for a new iPhone SE 2020, you might want to read ahead first. The new iPhone may have a couple of new features, but is it worth the price when compared to something like the iPhone 8? We’ll take a look at the features of the iPhone SE 2020, and compare its specs to those of previous versions so you can have a better understanding of the new iPhone.
Features
The iPhone SE 2020 comes in three colors: white, black, and red. Apple states that its tech specs include:
- A13 Bionic processor
- 3GB RAM
- Retina HD display, with 1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi, and true tone display
- 12MP rear-facing camera, with f/1.8 aperture
- 7MP front-facing camera, with f/2.2 aperture
- 4k video recording
- IP67 Splash, water, and dust resistance
- Touch ID
Since it may be hard to distinguish what is important on that list, let’s go through some of these items one by one so you can consider each one carefully against other iPhone versions.
Camera
| iPhone SE (2nd Gen) | iPhone 11 | iPhone XR | iPhone 8 | iPhone SE | |
| Resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixels Dual | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Optical zoom | No | Yes x0.5 / x2 | Yes x0.5 / x2 | No | No |
| Max. video resolution | 4K @60fps | 4K @60fps | 4K @60fps | 4K @60fps | 4K @30fps |
The cameras on the new iPhone have been slightly updated when compared to the previous iPhone SE (2016), but these cameras have the same megapixels as the ones featured on the iPhone XR. The iPhone SE 2020 also has a panorama mode on its camera now, and includes a portrait mode.
Processor
| iPhone SE (2nd Gen) | iPhone 11 | iPhone XR | iPhone 8 | iPhone SE | |
| Processor | A13 Bionic | Apple A13 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A11 Bionic | Apple A9, 64bit |
| RAM | 3 GB | 4 GB | 3 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| SIM card format | (Dual) Nano-SIM, eSIM | Nano-SIM, eSIM | Nano-SIM, eSIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Connector | Lightning connector | Lightning connector | Lightning connector | Lightning connector | Lightning connector |
The A13 processor on the iPhone SE 2020 is just about the only substantial new addition to the newest iPhone. Also featured in the iPhone 11, this new processor is the fastest Apple has made so far. Yet, with the RAM that is offered on the iPhone SE 2020, having a fast processor may not matter too much.
RAM/Memory
While a processor allows your phone to run processes at a fast speed, a phone’s RAM, or random access memory, can provide a quicker, smoother mobile phone experience. 3 GB of ram is not a lot — consider that the Samsung Galaxy S10 has 8 GB of RAM. Since the new iPhone SE 2020 doesn’t have a large amount of RAM, it isn’t going to be able to run quickly if you are trying to do a lot at one time.
Historically, Apple has packed phones with 3-4 GB of RAM. The iPhone 11, for example, comes with 4 GB of RAM, whereas the iPhone XR comes with 3 GB of RAM. While Apple’s proprietary iOS and applications likely don’t consume as much RAM as say, Google Chrome (a known RAM hog) may, it is interesting to see Apple’s newest offerings with less memory than in previous versions.
Battery and Charging
| iPhone SE 2020 | iPhone 11 | iPhone XR | iPhone 8 | iPhone SE | |
| Wireless charging | Yes Qi-compatible | Yes Qi-compatible | Yes Qi-compatible | Yes Qi-compatible | No |
| Battery capacity | 1.821 mAh | 3,110 mAh | 2,942 mAh | 1,821 mAh | 1,624 mAh |
The new iPhone SE 2020 comes with a standard 5W charger, but it does support fast charging as well as Qi-compatible wireless charging. These charging options have been available in all iPhones since the iPhone 8, which makes sense because the iPhone SE 2020’s battery is very similar to the iPhone 8 battery.
Like in previous versions, the wireless and fast chargers are not included with the phone. However, it is notable that the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max do include the 18W fast charger when you purchase either of them. This fast charger is said to charge your phone battery from 0% up to 50% within thirty minutes, unlike the standard 5W charger. So, although the iPhone SE 2020 is capable of charging at that rate, you’ll have to bear an extra expense if you’d like to have that option.
Size
| iPhone SE 2020 | iPhone 11 | iPhone XR | iPhone 8 | iPhone SE | |
| Height | 5.44 in (138.4 mm) | 5.94 in (150.9 mm) | 5.94 in (150.9 mm) | 5.44 in (138.4 mm) | 4.87 in (123.8 mm) |
| Width | 2.64 in (67.3 mm) | 2.98 in (75.7 mm) | 2.98 in (75.7 mm) | 2.64 in (67.3 mm) | 2.30 in (58.6 mm) |
| Depth | 0.29 in (7.3 mm) | 0.33 in (8.3 mm) | 0.33 in (8.3 mm) | 0.29 in (7.3 mm) | 0.30 in (7.6 mm) |
| Weight | 5.22 oz (148 g) | 6.84 oz (194 g) | 6.84 oz (194 g) | 5.22 oz (148 g) | 3.98 oz (113 g) |
| Screen size | 4.7 in | 6.1 in | 6.1 in | 4.7 in | 4 in |
The size difference between the iPhone SE 2020 and other models is also a notable feature. As you can see, the iPhone SE 2020 is considerably smaller when compared to the iPhone 11. It is currently the smallest iPhone that Apple offers, but is the same size as the iPhone 8 and is notably larger than the previous version of the iPhone SE. Since the iPhone 8 is the same size, it might be possible to use your old phone case in a pinch, but the iPhone SE 2020 doesn’t have bezels like the 8 does (it just has top and bottom margins), so we’d advise you to purchase a new phone case as well.
Price
The iPhone SE 2020 is Apple’s answer to the constant question of why their products are so pricey, especially in recent years. At $399, it is one of the least expensive iPhones Apple has offered in years. Interestingly enough, Apple also more or less repurposed the iPhone 8’s design and many of its internal parts and features, allowing for repair centers like NH iPhone Repair to offer repairs immediately. This is likely another reason why the brand new price point for the iPhone SE 2020 is so low.
Yet, is this budget-friendly iPhone even worth the price? In short, if you already have a recent version, like the iPhone X, 8, or even 7, then it may not be a substantial enough upgrade.
The iPhone SE 2020 may be more intended for users who are far behind and no longer supported by important iOS updates, such as the iPhone 6 and older. Apple may also be trying to capture new “upgrades” for people who only upgrade their phone once every five years, and refuse to spend thousands of dollars on the latest and greatest.
The iPhone SE could be a good option if you are in need of a new phone and the low price is an important factor for you.
If your old phone just needs a few repairs, such as it no longer holds a charge or it has a crack in the screen, we would suggest holding on to it and having us take a look at it. Repairing your phone will give it a considerably longer life, and will definitely cost less than buying a new one, as well as the additional benefit of not adding to environmental clutter in our landfills by simply “tossing” your old one.
When it comes down to it, the new iPhone SE is so similar to previous versions that Apple has released, that they are discontinuing the iPhone 8.
Options
The iPhone 8 is extremely similar to the iPhone SE. Essentially, the only major spec difference between the iPhone 8 and the iPhone SE 2020 is its processor. The iPhone 8 runs on an A11 processor. This processor is undoubtedly not as fast as the A13 that the new iPhone runs on, yet RAM once again becomes an issue here. A faster processor doesn’t really do much if you don’t have the RAM to back it up.
The bright side of the iPhone SE 2020 being almost identical to the iPhone 8 is that it’ll probably fit in the same phone case and that the iPhone SE 2020 can be fixed at NH iPhone Repair right away if you need repairs.
All things considered, if you’re thinking about upgrading to the new iPhone SE 2020, you may want to consider waiting. When compared with its predecessors, it just doesn’t stack up. If it were up to us, we’d stick with the older versions that Apple has offered, and repair them as needed.
If you need your phone repaired, please schedule an appointment with us. Also, as we are all concerned about keeping our customers as safe as possible, please know that we disinfect all phones that are sent in for repairs. We also offer services to keep you as safe as we can, like our come to you service or our free mail-in option, where no person to person contact is needed.
We hope all our customers are staying safe during this time in the world. Since we know that working phones are an integral part of staying in touch with your loved ones, we’re always here to keep you connected.