Apple iPhone SE 2nd Gen 2022 (256GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The 2022 iPhone SE features the same powerful A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13, offering flagship-level performance and extended software support despite its dated exterior design. The device includes pros such as 5G connectivity, strong performance for its price, and good camera quality in bright conditions with features like Smart HDR 4, while cons include the absence of Night Mode, a small and dim 4.7-inch LCD screen, and relatively limited battery life compared to other current iPhone models. The review suggests the iPhone SE is best suited for users prioritizing simplicity, familiarity, and a compact design, such as business users, seniors, or children, offering a reliable entry into the Apple ecosystem via Touch ID despite facing competition from other devices at its $429 price point.

The Sypnotix review characterizes the Apple iPhone SE (2022) as an "outdated bargain," combining a vintage design reminiscent of the iPhone 7 with modern A15 Bionic internals. Pros highlighted include the powerful chip ensuring speed and future iOS compatibility, the preferred physical Home button with Touch ID, and the compact 4.7-inch Retina display, while cons include "painfully dated" bezels and a slippery build. Significant compromises for its price point include the lack of a Night mode or optical zoom on the single rear camera, no MagSafe support, and limited battery life for heavy users.

According to Tech Advisor, the 2022 iPhone SE combines high-performance A15 Bionic chip and 5G with an aged design, including a poor 4.7-inch LCD display and a limited single rear camera. While offering flagship performance and wireless charging in a compact build, its screen size is cramped, the camera lacks modern features, and charging is slow despite improved battery life. The phone is primarily recommended for users committed to iOS or Touch ID who cannot afford newer iPhones; otherwise, comparably priced Android phones are suggested to offer better value.

The 3rd-generation iPhone SE features powerful A15 Bionic chip internals and 5G connectivity but retains an outdated design with a 4.7-inch LCD display and lacks modern features like Night Mode and MagSafe. The review suggests that while it is a solid budget option, many users might prefer the slightly more expensive iPhone 11 for its larger display and superior camera system.

The 2022 iPhone SE integrates the powerful A15 Bionic chip into an older iPhone 8 design, offering rapid performance and long-term software support. While the device includes Touch ID, 5G connectivity, and improved photo processing, its small 4.7-inch LCD screen, lack of camera Night mode, and limited battery life are noted drawbacks.

Steven Aquino's Forbes review highlights the third-generation iPhone SE as a highly accessible device, focusing on its utility for users who prefer the traditional physical Home button and Touch ID. While the phone retains an older design with thick bezels and a smaller 4.7-inch screen, it offers top-tier performance with the A15 Bionic chip and supports 5G at a lower $429 price point. Ultimately, the device is deemed an excellent, budget-friendly option for users prioritizing ease of use and a compact form factor over modern, edge-to-edge aesthetics.

According to AppleInsider, the 2022 iPhone SE 3 is primarily a performance upgrade featuring the A15 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity, which significantly enhances photo quality despite unchanged camera hardware. However, its "painfully dated" design with a 4.7-inch LCD, large bezels, physical Home button, and lack of modern features like Face ID and MagSafe are noted cons. The review concludes it's a good value at $429 for budget buyers prioritizing performance and software longevity over modern display and camera trends.

IGN describes the iPhone SE (2022) as having powerful internal components like the A15 Bionic chip and 5G support, allowing for high-end gaming and multitasking despite its outdated exterior. Key drawbacks include its aging iPhone 8-based design, a small 4.7-inch LCD screen with thick bezels and low resolution, and a single 12MP rear camera lacking Night mode or secondary lenses. While battery life is improved, it drains quickly under heavy use, leading IGN to consider it a "missed opportunity" primarily suited for users prioritizing a Home button and Touch ID over modern display and camera features found in alternatives.

The iMore review characterizes the iPhone SE (2022) as a powerful device with an "old-school" design, suitable for budget-conscious users or those preferring a classic form factor. It features the A15 Bionic chip for flagship performance and 5G connectivity, along with a 4.7-inch display and a physical Home button with Touch ID. Pros include strong performance, capable photography in good light aided by software like Deep Fusion, a compact build, and its affordability as an entry into the Apple ecosystem. Cons highlighted are the "long in the tooth" design with thick bezels, a small LCD display lacking vibrancy, merely "okay" battery life, and camera limitations including no Night mode, Ultra Wide lens, Telephoto zoom, and a low-resolution front camera.

The iPhone SE (2022) is characterized as a "bite-sized beast" by Android Central, combining a dated exterior resembling the iPhone 8 with modern internal components like the A15 Bionic chip for flagship performance and 5G connectivity. While praised for its durable build, improved camera capabilities like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion, and 4K 60fps video recording, the device faces criticism for its small 4.7-inch LCD screen lacking OLED contrast and flexibility. Additional cons include the absence of a Night Mode, limited battery life under heavy use, and a base storage of only 64GB.

Macworld describes the iPhone SE (2022) as having a "painfully dated" exterior with a "bleeding-edge" A15 Bionic chip inside, offering flagship-level speed and 5G connectivity despite its decade-old physical design. Pros include its performance-to-price ratio, portability, and improved camera processing from the A15 chip, supporting features like Photographic Styles, while cons highlight the aging 4.7-inch LCD screen, barely acceptable battery life, lack of Night Mode for the camera, and absence of features like MagSafe.

TechRadar describes the iPhone SE (2022) as having powerful internal components in an outdated physical design, sharing the A15 Bionic chip with the iPhone 13 but retaining the look of the iPhone 8 with a 4.7-inch LCD screen. Pros include 5G connectivity, enhanced camera features via computational photography, a small and light form factor, and reliable Touch ID security. However, the cons highlight a dated design with large bezels, a 60Hz LCD display lacking brightness compared to OLED competitors, the absence of Night Mode, limited 64GB base storage, and battery life that may not last a full day for heavy users.

PCMag describes the Apple iPhone SE (2022) as having powerful performance due to the A15 Bionic chip, the same as in the iPhone 13 Pro, providing flagship-level speed and 5G connectivity as pros. However, cons include a dated design based on the iPhone 8, a cramped 4.7-inch LCD screen, and the shortest battery life among current iPhones at 7 hours and 20 minutes in their test. The camera takes good daylight photos and 4K video but lacks a Night mode, making low-light performance inferior to the iPhone 13 series.

According to Tom's Guide, the iPhone SE (2022) is a powerful device that combines elite performance with a dated physical design. A major pro is its A15 Bionic chip, making it the fastest phone under $500 at launch, enabling smooth performance and advanced photography despite its single camera. Cons include its small 4.7-inch LCD screen with large bezels, lack of a Night mode for the camera, and battery life that lags behind competitors. Tom's Guide ultimately calls it the "best small phone" for budget buyers prioritizing speed and the physical Home button with Touch ID. Tom'

CNET describes the 2022 iPhone SE as a "mind-blowing value" due to its performance matching flagship models, integrating the powerful A15 Bionic chip into the compact iPhone 8 body, which enables smooth operation, 5G support, and enhanced image processing for a future-proof device without a high price. Pros include the return of the Touch ID home button, IP67 water resistance, tougher glass, and advanced camera features like Live Text and Smart HDR 4 provided by the A15 chip, resulting in high-quality photos despite having a single lens. However, cons include a dated design with large bezels, a small 4.7-inch LCD screen lacking brightness, the absence of Night Mode and an ultra-wide camera lens, battery life trailing larger iPhones, and the lack of MagSafe compatibility and an included power brick.

The Sypnotix review characterizes the iPhone SE Gen 3 as an "outdated bargain" that pairs top-tier internals with a classic, compact design. Key advantages include the A15 Bionic chip for flagship performance and excellent value at a $429 price point. Conversely, the device suffers from a dated, bezel-heavy design and a single 12MP camera that lacks night mode and struggles in low light. While battery life is considered just sufficient for daily use, the overall experience is described as smooth, making it a viable option for users prioritizing portability and the Touch ID button.