Is the 2020 iPhone SE worth it? That is the question that many are asking or will ask themselves in the coming months. Because, right now, it is true that it turns out to be the cheapest Apple phone in its entire catalog. And compared to the prices of the high ranges that other brands have recently presented it seems much more attractive still. But before answering lightly, you should ask yourself a few points.
The iPhone of the two faces
The 2020 iPhone SE is the two-sided iPhone, a device with one side that looks to the future and another anchored in the past. This is how we believe that it is more appropriate to define it and not as the “cheap iPhone”.
Because it is true that compared to the prices of the mid 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, is not.
However, the best way to put it in a situation and justify why we believe it has two faces is to review its keys. We start with the best of the iPhone SE:
- Its Apple A13 Bionic processor is its main attraction . It is, without a doubt, the most powerful smartphone chip as we already saw in our reviews of the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. But what kind of tasks are you going to perform to need so much power today? Okay, it can also be justified for a longer useful life and system updates or for improved energy management, but keep this in mind according to your needs and real 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 do not 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 5W 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 ask yourself.
- The design, however iconic they want to do it, has been with us since the iPhone 6. It has rained a lot since then, and although it continues to have its appeal, the truth is that it can get a little tiring.
- The use of the front . The frames of your 4.7-inch panel in full 2020 shouldn’t 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 is true, especially now that with masks many have problems of being recognized. But, beyond identification, what you lose when you return to it are gestures and that you should consider.
- The iPhone SE camera performs well in favorable light conditions, but it is also not the best 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 do not expect great autonomy unless you buy the case with battery or you are always charged with your power bank.
In summary, 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 excellently 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 alternatives based on Android with elements that can add more value. The most obvious: cameras. Because other aspects such as the discourse of being an aspirational product does not fit equally well with this 2020 iPhone SE.
The great alternative to the iPhone SE of 2020
We have no intention of convincing anyone about whether iPhone or Android is better. Both systems bring their advantages and disadvantages, so it is you who must decide which option may interest you the most. The idea is to see that, even with much higher aspects, the iPhone SE is not so far above other current options or, even, from previous years when it comes to evaluating together.
It is true that no one will beat the processor power and that aspects such as its camera or screen quality are at a high level, but there are models with more versatile cameras and a more attractive design with screens that occupy the entire front and a great quality too. . But hey, we propose and highlight the best and worst regarding the latest Apple iPhone from the most interesting proposals under our criteria.
| 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 |
| Drums | 1,821 mAh | 3,800 mAh | 5,260 mAh | 4,000 mAh | 3,100 mAh | 4,200 mAh |
| The best | – Processor – iOS – Screen |
– Screen – Performance – Cameras |
– Autonomy – Cameras |
– Performance and fluidity – Fast charge – Cameras |
– – Screen – Cameras |
Cameras Design screen Drums |
| Worst | – Use of the front – Drums – Camera lower 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 for us are the most interesting when it comes to competing with the new iPhone SE when we consider the price.
If you value the size and weight, proposals such as the OnePlus 7T or Realme X2 Pro would be left out, but others such as the Huawei P30 Pro or the Galaxy S10e would rival very well, winning in aspects such as the versatility of its multiple cameras. And beware, that soon we could see the new Pixel 4a and if it meets the price, it could be a tough rival with a great camera. In addition to other Android terminals that due to their usual price evolution in a few months would cost similar to what the iPhone SE is now worth.
On the contrary, if the size does not matter so much, all these options offer a much more attractive design and front with which you can enjoy much more of the multimedia content and general use of the device. Again, if iOS isn’t important to you.
If this is so, comparing or considering a possible alternative loses all meaning. But what we want to convey to you is that the iPhone SE of 2020 is a very good device , but it is not that incredible product that some could cease for the simple fact of being from Apple. So, value well what it offers you and what other options on the market could offer you. Only in this way will you know how much your purchase is worth or not.
