Apple iPhone SE 2022 (4GB + 256GB) Review | 197 Data compared

Wired reviewed the iPhone SE (2022), rating it 7/10 and describing it as a powerful but dated device. Pros include the A15 Bionic chip for performance and longevity, 5G connectivity, and the familiar Home button and Touch ID, while cons highlight the cramped 4.7-inch LCD screen lacking OLED vibrancy, the absence of Night mode for the camera leading to poor low-light photos, and only "just OK" battery life. WIRED

Engadget reviewed the 2022 iPhone SE, describing it as a powerful device with an A15 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity, but criticized its dated design borrowed from the iPhone 8. Pros include its flagship performance, Touch ID, and premium build quality, while cons include a small 4.7-inch LCD screen, lack of Night Mode and additional camera lenses, and limited base storage. Battery life is noted as a weak point, barely lasting a full day, leading Engadget to recommend the phone as a "safe choice" for those prioritizing Apple's ecosystem entry or a home button, but not for users seeking modern display or camera features.

Consumer Reports describes the Apple iPhone SE 2022 as a mid-range phone offering a budget entry into the Apple ecosystem, highlighted by its powerful A15 Bionic chip for flagship speed and 5G connectivity. Pros include excellent durability, good outdoor screen readability, a capable 12MP camera with OIS, and a compact design, while cons include average battery life, a dated design lacking modern features like Face ID, the absence of Night mode for the camera, and insufficient base storage. The 4.7-inch LCD display received "very good" marks but lacks the contrast of OLED panels, and while camera quality is "Very Good," it is limited in low light conditions.

The iPhone SE (2022) blends the classic iPhone 8 design—featuring large bezels, a physical Home button, and a 4.7-inch screen—with the modern A15 Bionic chip, providing top-tier, future-proof performance for years to come. While its compact, durable build is ideal for one-handed use, the 60Hz LCD screen feels dated compared to high-refresh-rate competitors. Key drawbacks include a weak battery that struggled in tests, lasting only 12 hours and 3 minutes, alongside a lack of modern camera features like Night mode and an ultra-wide lens.

According to a Sypnotix review, the iPhone SE ( ) offers flagship-level performance due Bionic chip but comes with significant design and feature compromises at its $ price point. While praised for its value and the inclusion of Touch ID, the phone retains design with large bezels and a small LCD screen, MP camera struggles in low light conditions.

According to a Forbes review by Steven Aquino, the third-generation iPhone SE, priced at $429, offers essential accessibility features and performance (including the A15 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity) without the high cost of flagship models. Pros highlighted include Touch ID and a physical Home button, which are beneficial for users with visual or motor impairments, and a compact 4.7-inch size that is easier for individuals with physical motor disabilities to hold. Cons mention the aging design with thick bezels and a dated LCD screen, lacking features like MagSafe charging or advanced multi-camera systems, though the review notes its "simpler nature" is ideal for those prioritizing reliable, accessible technology over modern aesthetics.

The 2022 iPhone SE integrates the advanced A15 Bionic chip into an older design featuring a 4.7-inch LCD screen and Touch ID, offering high performance but feeling visually dated. While it supports 5G and uses the A15 chip to enhance its 12MP camera with features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion, it lacks a dedicated Night mode, limiting its low-light capability. The phone's compact size is convenient, but its battery struggles with heavy 5G use, requiring frequent recharging despite a $579 CAD starting price that is considered high for its dated aesthetics.

According to Tech Advisor, the iPhone SE (2022) combines an outdated design with powerful modern internals, making it a complex proposition. The device benefits from the A15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity, wireless charging, and IP67 water resistance, but its ancient 4.7-inch LCD screen, thick bezels, and lack of features like Night mode make it a challenging sell for most users. The review suggests the phone primarily appeals to a niche audience of budget-conscious Apple enthusiasts or those specifically wanting Touch ID, recommending Android alternatives or other compact iPhones for better overall value.

According to Business Insider, the iPhone SE (2022) is essentially an iPhone 13 processor housed within an iPhone 8 body, offering high-end performance at a budget price. Key advantages noted include its powerful A15 Bionic chip enabling flagship-level speed, 5G connectivity, and the familiar Touch ID home button. Computational photography features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion improve its camera performance in daylight, and its compact design allows for easy one-handed use. However, the review highlights several drawbacks, primarily its outdated design with large bezels and a small 4.7-inch LCD screen lacking modern vibrancy. Battery life, while better than its predecessor, remains limited compared to other iPhones and competitors. The camera also lacks Night Mode, and the device does not support MagSafe charging. Read more at Business Insider.

T3 describes the iPhone SE (2022) as a powerful budget smartphone with flagship internals but an aging exterior. Its A15 Bionic chip provides top-tier performance and longevity, supporting features like fast app launching and 5G connectivity. However, the review notes significant drawbacks, including a cramped 4.7-inch LCD screen with large bezels, lacking modern display features for immersive media. The single 12MP camera excels in daylight photos and 4K video but lacks a Night mode and secondary lenses, while battery life, though improved by the A15 chip, is limited by its small size, potentially requiring charges during heavy use.

According to a PCMag review, the 2022 Apple iPhone SE offers flagship-level performance with its A15 Bionic chip and retains a physical Touch ID home button, but is held back by an outdated design featuring a low-resolution LCD screen with large bezels and a single 12MP camera lacking Night mode. While battery life improved to over 7 hours, it remains the shortest among current iPhones, and its 5G implementation is slower than the iPhone 13 mini due to a 2x2 MIMO antenna setup. PCMag suggests it is best suited for users upgrading from older iPhones or those preferring a small device with Touch ID, but recommends other models for most buyers.

Trusted Reviews describes the iPhone SE (2022) as having a powerful A15 Bionic chipset and 5G connectivity, providing strong performance and long-term software support at its price point. However, the device utilizes a dated iPhone 8 chassis with large bezels and a 4.7-inch LCD screen, and its single 12MP camera lacks Night Mode while battery life is only adequate.

The TechRadar review describes the iPhone SE (2022) as offering "mind-blowing value" by combining powerful flagship components like the A15 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity with a "painfully dated" design. While providing "super zippy" performance, its cons include thick bezels, a small 4.7-inch LCD screen lacking modern vibrancy, and a single 12MP camera without Night Mode. The device is seen as suitable for users who prefer the Home button and Touch ID, offering guaranteed software updates and water resistance, but has only average battery life.

According to Android Authority, the iPhone SE (2022) offers flagship performance and long-term software support thanks to its A15 Bionic chip, making it a powerful entry point into the Apple ecosystem for those prioritizing speed and longevity. However, the device utilizes a dated iPhone 8 chassis with thick bezels, a small 4.7-inch LCD screen lacking modern features like high refresh rates or OLED technology, and a "stingy" 64GB base storage. While its single 12MP camera performs well in good lighting, it lacks Night Mode, and the battery life, though improved, may not last a full day for heavy users.

CNET describes the Apple iPhone SE (2022) as a "mind-blowing value" at $429, combining a retro design with flagship-level power from the A15 Bionic chip, positioning it as an affordable entry into the Apple ecosystem. Key advantages highlighted include its fast performance, 5G connectivity, the return of the Home button with Touch ID, IP67 water resistance, wireless charging, and a 12-megapixel camera capable of excellent photos and 4K video in good light with computational features like Deep Fusion. However, the review notes significant drawbacks such as its aging 4.7-inch LCD screen with large bezels, lack of Night mode or ultrawide/zoom lenses on the camera, a mediocre selfie camera, and battery life that trails modern iPhones, in addition to the absence of an included fast-charging power brick.

Tom's Guide describes the iPhone SE (2022) as a powerful phone under $500 that combines flagship performance from the A15 Bionic chip with an outdated design featuring a small 4.7-inch LCD screen and thick bezels. Pros include its speed, 5G connectivity, and durable glass, while cons highlight the lack of a Night mode for its single camera and relatively short battery life, especially on 5G. Ultimately, the review concludes it offers excellent value for those prioritizing performance and a compact size with Touch ID over modern aesthetics or an edge-to-edge display. Tom'