When does the iPhone 5 SE come out? IPhone SE - what is it? Is it worth buying an iPhone SE? Refurbished iPhone SE - is it worth buying?

We present to your attention a detailed review of the iPhone SE (Special Edition) - the first smartphone from Apple, which belongs to the line of budget devices.

The model was first presented to the public in March 2016.

Apple developers decided not to follow the generally accepted trend of constantly increasing the screen or improving characteristics, which is why the iPhone SE is also called a mixture of and.

This model is created for those who prefer to use a compact smartphone and do not see the point of spending a lot of money on purchasing a device. At the same time, the SE model has good functionality, and its design repeats the iconic look of the iPhone 5s, which has become the most successful among all Apple phone models.

The table shows the main technical characteristics of the iPhone SE and a comparison of the gadget with the parameters of the iPhone 6s, 7s, 8s.

As you can see, the gadget is really a kind of combination of several versions of iPhones.

The smartphone has a powerful processor, a good battery, and a 12 MP main camera. The front camera is inferior in quality to newer iPhone models, since 1.2 MP is a quality taken from the 5th generation iPhones.

	iPhone SE	iPhone 6s	iPhone 7	iPhone 8s
Display:	4”	4.7”	4.7”	4.7”
Main camera:	12 MP	12 MP	12 MP	12 MP
Front-camera:	1.2 MP FaceTime camera	5 MP	5 MP	7 MP
Touch ID:	+	+	+	+
CPU:	A9 (64 bit)	A9 (64 bit)	A10 Fusion (64 bit)	A11 Bionic (64 bit)
Screen resolution:	1136×640 px	1334×750 px	1334×750 px	1334×750 px
Water and dust protection:	-	-	+	+
NFC chip:	Eat	Eat	Eat	Eat
Battery capacity:	1624 mAh	1715 mAh	1960 mAh	1821 mAh

Unpacking and packaging

Despite the fact that the iPhone SE is very similar to the 5th generation iPhone, the packaging and equipment is still close to the 6s.

The smartphone box is decorated in soft colors. At the top there is an image of the phone, and on the side faces the company logo and device model are indicated.

• Lightning cord;
• Charging plug;
• Branded headset EarPods;
• SIM card clip;
• Inserts with a detailed description of the functionality and instructions for setting up the phone for the first time.

Overall, everything looks very neat and high quality, which matches the Apple style.

Assembly and design

The appearance of the iPhone SE corresponds to the concept of a classic iPhone - a 4-inch display and a fairly massive body.

This is the kind of smartphone, according to Steve Jobs, that is the ideal mobile device.

Also, the appearance, build quality and all the smallest details of the case are fully consistent with the iPhone 5S.

Today everyone is accustomed to the thinnest smartphones with large screens. Apple also prefers to adhere to the general trend in the development of mobile devices, so all new generations have standard models with a large screen.

The decision to release the iPhone SE is explained by the fact that Apple took into account the wishes of users who prefer to work with standard smartphones with good hardware and low cost.

Of course, for those who are used to using thin smartphones, the iPhone SE may seem too rugged at first.

But after a while you can quickly get used to this shape, and you will realize that the phone fits very comfortably in your hand, and the display size is sufficient for everyday use.

IPhone SE is one of the most popular device models from Apple in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

This suggests that users still prefer compactness and classics.

Also, the iPhone SE has Several design differences from the classic iPhone 5S:

• More flowers. Now the smartphone is available not only in grey, gold and silver, but also in Rose Gold;
• Company logo. The now famous apple is made of glossy metal. The logo is inserted into the body as a completely independent component, so it gives the impression of a more accurate application. Let us remember that in previous generations of iPhones the apple was pressed into the material of the back cover;
• In addition to the standard inscription, the SE model identifier is also engraved on the device’s body, which makes it possible not to confuse the gadget with the 5S.

The front part of the smartphone is also made in the best Apple traditions.

The scanner is located in the lower area.

Note that the fifth version of the smartphone uses an older version of the scanner.

For unknown reasons, Apple developers have not reported which version of Touch ID is installed in the iPhone SE.

By simply testing both the 6 Plus (they use new versions of the scanner) and the iPhone SE, you can determine the quality of the function.

If you take all three smartphones and press the Touch ID key at the same time, the result will be controversial. It's immediately clear that the scanner is a little slower on the iPhone SE. It is highly likely that the SE has the same fingerprint scanner as the fifth generation device.

Overall, the appearance of the iPhone SE is a good example of a classic smartphone.

The quality of all parts is at the highest level. Although Apple managed to use not the latest hardware components, they work well and do not raise doubts among the user.

The presence of new body colors attracts attention to the device.

Screen

The screen of the iPhone SE is quite standard for an Apple smartphone:

• Diagonal – 4 inches;
• Resolution 1136x640 (IPS matrix);
• No 3D Touch support.

As you can see, the characteristics are quite modest.

Today, even most budget smartphones have a larger display diagonal and a resolution of at least 720p.

As for the screen material, it consists of a solid glass plate, which is firmly connected to the body.

The build quality is excellent - there are no creaks or crackles of the gadget at the junction of the display module and the back cover.

Also, the screen supports technology, so the number of scratches will be minimal.

In backlit mode, the smartphone has good viewing angles, and the display itself does not glare in the sun.

Performance

By tradition, we will test the performance of the smartphone using the well-known utility.

It shows the real operating parameters of the device and its performance in various modes.

The test result was pleasantly surprising. It turns out that the iPhone SE performs better than the 6s model.

Most likely, this figure was achieved thanks to a simpler OS and a powerful A9 processor.

The AnTu Tu Benchmark program itself identifies the phone in the model database as iPhone 5SE, codenamed iPhone 8.4

Memory

Immediately after the start of sales, the iPhone SE could be purchased in one of two configurations: for 16 GB or 64 GB.

Today Apple has revised its policy for working with built-in memory on all gadgets. The solution was to increase the existing storage capacities, so now new copies of the iPhone SE can only be bought in 32 GB and 128 GB.

Average cost of iPhone SE in Russia (as of 2018):

• iPhone SE 128 GB – 26 thousand rubles;
• iPhone SE 64 GB – 24 thousand rubles.

Also, in the Russian Federation you can still purchase 16 GB and 32 GB models. Their price is 19,000 and 23,000 rubles, respectively.

Battery

iPhone SE works with a battery with a capacity of 1624 mAh.

Quite a small figure when compared with modern smartphones with 4000 mAh or more.

Apple, as always, managed to make a device with a modest battery that holds a charge for quite a long time.

This is achieved through perfect compatibility of hardware components and functionality of the native operating system.

According to the manufacturer, the battery allows the smartphone to:

Please note that the above parameters do not mean that you will be able to use your gadget for that long. We regularly use our phone for more than just making calls or keeping it locked, so battery life depends on what you do on your iPhone SE.

Below is a short table that will help you understand how long the phone will last for you personally.

Select the activities you do most often and find out your average battery life:

The information indicated in the table is taken from the materials of the official presentation of the smartphone at the Apple conference. The actual parameters correspond to those declared by Apple.

By comparison, the iPhone 5s has a 1,560 mAh battery, so a Special Edition phone will definitely outlast its predecessor. In standard operating mode (listening to music, using the Internet, making several calls a day), the gadget will easily work all day without the need for recharging. Small size allows you to consume fewer resources.

Camera

The iPhone SE has a good camera. The declared 12 MP is quite enough for shooting high-quality videos in Full HD.

Also, you will be provided with excellent pictures, regardless of the lighting and weather outside.

For Apple, 12 MP is an excellent indicator.

If other phones with the same main camera performance cannot always produce high-quality images, this is not a problem.

The company's engineers are excellent at combining hardware and software components, so the camera in the iPhone SE largely depends on the iOS firmware.

The standard camera program supports all the necessary functions– flash control, adjusting sharpness, color range, coldness or warmth of shades.

Examples of photos from the iPhone SE camera:

The smartphone comes pre-installed with iOS 9.3. Today, this version of the mobile OS is considered outdated.

The reason why the developers decided to install it as native firmware is that newer builds cannot fully work on a 4-inch screen.

iOS 9.3 is an ideal OS in terms of performance and compatibility with hardware components. Of course, if you wish, you can always update over the air or using the desktop.

As for installing programs, there are no restrictions for iOS 9.3.

There are tens of thousands of games and applications that you can install on your iPhone SE.

The only thing is that all UI functions do not work on a 4-inch display. For example, there is no 3D Touch technology, three-finger control at once (required for some games), and rather limited space on the desktop.

You can only place 4 rows of icons on the home screen. For comparison, Apple's 4.7-inch display already holds 5 rows of icons. It will not always be convenient for a user to organize his desktop in the iPhone SE, unless you create 2-3 home screens and add only the most necessary components to them.

The appearance of iOS 9.3 is practically no different from previous builds.

The only thing is that the programmers have improved the convenient interaction with the desktop.

Now moving between screens has become even smoother and faster when compared to iOS 8.

Also, in 9.3, the Night Shift mode appeared for the first time, with which you can configure a convenient color scheme and mode for using the display in the dark.

The color scheme of the main menu icons has also changed. They became brighter and more saturated. In general, iOS 9, although not comparable to, is quite a good and functional system for working with the budget iPhone SE. Many users prefer to leave their native firmware rather than switch to new Apple developments.

Advantages and disadvantages

To summarize the review, we can highlight the main pros and consiPhone S.E..

• Compact size. While for most modern users this characteristic may be considered a minus, true connoisseurs of classic smartphones will like the small screen diagonal;
• Familiar design. It is the look from the beloved iPhone 5 that is used in the new iPhone SE. The manufacturer made only minor cosmetic changes to the case, which only emphasized the classic look of the smartphone;
• Budget cost. The SE model is the cheapest among all Apple phones. Note that in 2018 it is planned to release another component of the budget iPhone SE 2 line;
• All cases and other accessories from iPhone 5 s also suitable for S.E. ;
• Fast work . The A9 processor allows you to perform any task without slowdowns or freezing of the operating system. Performance problems can only arise if you ;
• The main camera is built into the body . In the SE, the camera does not protrude from the back cover, which allows the lens to be less scratched when it comes into contact with other surfaces;
• The 12 MP camera shoots 4K video quite well, even up to 240 frames per second. . A very good indicator for a budget smartphone.

• Various articles are also inconvenient on a small screen. Also, difficulties may arise in using full versions of sites;
• Small battery capacity. Although it is slightly larger than in the 5s, I would still like a more powerful battery, since the smartphone is the main gadget that users use most often;
• Front-camera. It is impossible to take a normal selfie on it, because 1.2 MP is essentially nothing. This camera is only suitable for FaceTime conversations.

4 inches, YEAH! What could be better?

Why I wanted an iPhone SE

Arthur: When I sold the iPhone 5s in 2014 and bought an iPhone 6, I realized that I had made a big mistake by switching from a 4 to 4.7 inch display. I don't strive for large diagonals; I like compact gadgets.

I still didn’t get used to the huge “six”, so I didn’t upgrade to the next S-generation.

Apple then announced iPhone SE with the filling from the iPhone 6s, but in the 5s body. And my joy knew no bounds. I decided to buy one for myself no matter what.

I went to France. But you can also get it in Moscow

I figured that if I buy the phone at the start of sales in France, I save 7,000 rubles. after the return Tax Free. At that time, no one in Moscow was offering pre-order of the iPhone SE, so I had nothing to lose.

But in fact there was a second reason to take a plane ticket: I had never been to Paris.

That's what was needed right away two SE.

And finally, our daughters study French at school, so speaking practice will only benefit them. It was decided to go with the whole family, renting an apartment through Airbnb near the Apple Store.

While I was in Paris and waiting for the start of sales, Nikita Goryainov also took SE - but in Moscow.

The most noticeable thing: they improved the camera

For those who don’t believe, I made a direct comparison - below.

I activated the iPhone right in the store so that on the way home I could take photos with a 12 megapixel camera and compare it with the iPhone 6, which has only 8 megapixels. See the results below.

The sliders on the pictures can be moved. Rotate your iPhone horizontally.

It's hard to notice the difference on the web, although it exists. Definitely in favor of SE.

Both smartphones take excellent photos, but the SE has five advantages.

Firstly, the SE has a Retina Flash for selfies when the face is backlit by the screen: the controller increases the screen brightness to three times the normal state. At the beginning of the process, the screen lights up bright white, after which it changes its hue to amber.

As a result, you get a beautiful photo with realistic color rendering and natural skin tone.

Secondly, high-speed focusing system (Focus Pixels) made easy megathing! Focuses five times faster than the iPhone 6. The difference is colossal.

Third, the SE camera produces less noise. Visible in direct comparison, as below.

Fourth, the SE camera does not stick out!!! YAHOO! Down with the humps.

What was in the box: charger, lightning cable, paper clip, headphones with 3.5 plug. Standard set.

What's in terms of performance: I see the difference with the iPhone 6, it cannot be denied. It’s no wonder that the iPhone SE beat even the iPhone 6s in tests.

With the same hardware, the smaller SE diagonal eats up fewer processor resources. This means that everything works a little faster than on Apple’s flagship smartphone.

My only nitpick: It's a pity that Apple did not provide a 128 GB version. I had to take it to 64. The maximum memory size is only available on board the 6s/Plus flagships. Market laws!

Love is when 5s + 6s

How I missed a 4-inch phone! It's hard to understand until you can compare it. And it’s one thing when you compare it with an old pipe. And it’s completely different when both work at the flagship level.

This is my new iPhone, and now I say goodbye to the six.

In my opinion, SE is the ideal phone with . If I want something more, I take out the iPad mini 2.

There seems to be no excitement, but in reality everything is much more interesting. The first people to buy a new iPhone are real Apple fans, not random passers-by. There are fewer of us, but we know what's what.

iPhone SE in Moscow. Five impressions

Nikita: I take the French speaker from Arthur as I unpack my own iPhone SE.

He came to me literally 10 minutes ago, so I quickly finish writing these lines and go to test. The guys from Onlyphones brought it - mega respect.

I want to say right away that this phone is not intended for those who fall for gold 12-inch MacBooks, buy 100,500 dull Apple Watch straps and generally buy Apple just because it’s fashionable.

This smart is for those who remember what Apple was like under Jobs. No shovels, Samsung killers. Only really convenient smartphone, which can absolutely All.

1. It is very small. Whoa.

As a 6s Plus owner, I'm shocked. What a miniature keyboard, it's so easy kick-ass. How to print on it? Although…

You can’t fool muscle memory; in the end, I never missed a beat while I was entering personal data with the initial settings. The screen, by the way, due to its size seems clearer than that on the sixes.

I've been using it for about 20 minutes at the time of writing these lines. So I pick up Plus and think. Still, it was good when there were no shovels. But for two years now we have no choice; if you want a “top” smart, you have to take a huge one.

Thank you, Apple - now you have a choice There is.

2. He flies. Because inside there is a “flagship”

I have an iPhone 5s next to me for comparison. So, the difference is cosmic. My colleague Mikk described it best:

After the iPhone SE, the “old” iPhone 5s seems like a Chinese fake on crooked Android.

It turns out that desktop animation, including the search bar, may not slow down. All menus open without a single hint of lag. Applications are flying no"thoughtful" screens.

The difference is obvious. You don’t need to look at the back panel to see which of the “fives” is new: you just take it, unlock it and understand everything without unnecessary movements.

2 gigabytes of RAM do the job. I predict the iPhone SE will have a life cycle of 3-5 years without any major problems for the owner. Give this deadline to current iPhone 6 users and you will hear sobbing and crunching in response.

3. One hand is enough.

First world problems, right? It’s funny how it happened: first Apple taught us to love shovels, and now it reminded us that life before was no worse.

When you can do absolutely everything on a smart phone without “throwing” it in your palm, without moving it, without stretching your fingers to the far corner - you understand why Jobs fought so hard for small screens and did not let Apple release Plus during his lifetime. This is great, and there is nothing to add here.

I don’t pretend to be true, but it seems to me that SE is doomed to become a hit not only among Apple technology connoisseurs, but also among practical girls. A small smartphone is damn convenient. And if also pink... well, you understand.

Unlike Arthur, I have not yet decided to make the SE my main phone. The screen is half the size, it will take some getting used to. It would be a different matter if I hadn’t initially taken Plus, I would have stayed on the once beloved “five”. Then, sorry, now there would be pure ecstasy.

4. He seems weightless.

I usually carry the 6s Plus with the branded silicone case. So, I now picked up SE and realized how much The shovel is heavy compared to the new one.

How to compare fluff and a kilogram of potatoes. Yes, you can carry a potato all day without problems, but if it weighed like a feather, no one would be upset.

The difference between the iPhone SE and 6s Plus (in the case) is exactly twofold. But at the same time, the SE can do everything the 6s can. As they said in a famous advertisement, if the result is the same, why carry more?

5. The design is not outdated. I missed.

All iPhones in the “five” case look like jewelry. Jonathan Ive spoke directly about this at one time: they say, we made this case, trying to give it the features of precious jewelry.

Gold does not age, just like silver. This aluminum brick doesn't feel thick or uncomfortable. It just digs into your hand a little - an unusual feeling after 2 years of owning a “six”.

But when you put both on the table, you instinctively think: after all SE looks more expensive. Not more expensive than gadget, like a “sophisticated thing” - but more expensive, like a good one thing.

It is clear that all these are purely visual moments, and the design of the “six” is still awesome. But there is no jewelry magic in it. It's a matter of SE.

My final opinion

This is the number one smartphone for those who stopped believing in Apple and stayed at the “A” level. Others will start thinking the same way when they hold it in their hands - and with nostalgia they will remember how it was comfortable just recently.

You can take the iPhone SE simply for what it is represents the best what the Cupertino team has achieved over the years. Breakthroughs in hardware, metal in the body, stylish and slightly “elite” design.

Yes, lovers of fashionable new spillikins will not fall for him. They won't be able to show off for another social media celebrity. You won’t flaunt them at every turn, showing that you are “a fashionable person with a new Apple product.”

Because this smart for those in the know. He wiped away a tear and went to use it. Good luck to all.

P.S.: how Arthur “stood in line” in Paris

Remembering my time in line in Munich, I decided to spend the night at home and in the morning go to the very opening of the store.

Having passed the security of the Carrousel shopping center, turning out all my pockets, showing that I had no belts, grenades, or RPGs, promising not to put hats, hoods, bandanas, scarves on my head, I stood on the escalator - and became sad.

A line of several hundred people snaked around the hall between the columns, heading towards the Apple Store. Well, I think we've arrived. Okay, at least I’ll write a report, talk to sellers, and take photos of the happy owners of the iPhone SE.

And suddenly it turns out that this line is at one of the entrances of the Louvre.

At the Apple Store no one. Maybe I got the date wrong?

I go inside and ask, do you sell new iPhones? Yes, yes, they answer me, how old are you?

The purchase took me exactly 5 minutes. They brought me receipts for Tax Free and told me where the nearest return point was.

Sellers have payment terminals on their belts with iPhones as a computer. You can insert a card into this thing, it is also a barcode and QR code scanner, and special software allows the seller to quickly enter the data of the new owner, passport and send the information for printing.

And where queue, I ask? They answer me: it won’t happen, because the iPhone SE supposedly “ not big launch" Indeed, there is not a single poster depicting the new product hanging either in the windows or on the walls.

Apple, what are you doing? Doesn't look like you.

By releasing the iPhone SE, Apple played into the hands of 5/s accessory manufacturers. It’s hard to imagine how many previously unsold goods immediately ended up on the shelves, including cases, bumpers, and batteries.

Accessories for "fives" cost much cheaper than for subsequent generations of iPhones - what a benefit for everyone!

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Apple developers did not come up with a new design for the iPhone 5 SE. Instead, they reused the fifth model's exterior while outfitting it with new interior features. This is a strange step that could be observed for the first time.

One way to interpret this is to suggest that Apple is taking the easy way out and simply reworking an existing design to produce a low-cost smartphone. Another possible explanation is that they are revitalizing the iconic iPhone 5/5s design in an attempt to cater to a group of users who not only want a budget phone but also prefer a smaller form factor. After all, a third of Apple users still use older 4-inch smartphones.

What immediately attracts attention?

According to reviews of the iPhone 5 SE, the most important feature of the device is the rethinking of the specifications. The iPhone SE features the 4-inch Retina display introduced in the iPhone 5s with a first-generation touch sensor. The device has an identical body, but inside it is equipped with a new Apple A9 chip with 2 GB of RAM, a 12-megapixel main camera and a slightly larger battery.

The functionality limitations of Apple devices haven't changed for years, so they shouldn't surprise anyone - you can't have expandable storage, fast or wireless charging, FM radio, replaceable batteries, and the rest. The new 3D Touch technology is also missing for obvious reasons, although you can still use Live Photos. Reviews of the iPhone 5 SE usually do not classify the above as disadvantages of the device.

Apple iPhone SE review

As you'd expect, the iPhone 5 SE comes in a fairly compact box, filled with a Lightning cable, a 1A A/C plug, and a well-packaged pair of headphones.

The dimensions of the device are 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm, which is fully consistent with the size of the iPhone 5s. The gadget weighs 113 grams. Compared to the new 4.7-inch iPhone 6, the SE model is 1.5 cm shorter and 1 cm narrower.

Design and build quality

Keeping the old design means having the first-generation Touch ID and an older FaceTime camera model (1.2 MP). There's also the issue of bezels, which make the phone look dated by today's standards. This is repeatedly mentioned in reviews of iPhone 5 SE owners.

There's one more thing worth mentioning: the iPhone 6 comes with water resistance, which allows it to avoid damage if exposed to water for up to 40 minutes. In contrast, the iPhone SE will instantly “die” in such a situation, as confirmed by many online videos.

The front panel of the iPhone 5 SE is covered with ion-strengthened glass (this is the usual version of Gorilla Glass protection), complemented by an oleophobic coating to read fingerprints. The case frame is metal, as is most of the back.

The front of the SE is mostly taken up by the 4-inch Retina display. On top you can find a headphone slot, a FaceTime camera and a pair of sensors. At the bottom there is a Home/Touch ID button with a steel ring. The slide-out nano-SIM slot is located on the right. On the left side are the volume keys.

At the top of the iPhone 5 SE is the power/lock key, also made of metal. The audio jack, speaker grille, main microphone (also behind the grille) and charger port are at the bottom.

The back side of the SE is familiar to all fans of this brand of smartphones. As in previous models, there is a 12-megapixel camera, a dual LED flash with a second microphone and, of course, the Apple logo. The camera functionality is the same as on the iPhone 6, with the ability to record 4K video. This is happily noted by many reviews from iPhone 5 SE users.

Screen

There are many opinions that have been expressed by users about the old 4-inch Retina display. Skeptics will constantly mention the super small screen, large bezels, low resolution, while the opposite camp of consumers praise the abundance of colors and sunlight clarity, as well as high brightness. Thus, customer reviews of the iPhone 5 SE regarding the screen vary greatly.

The device's display uses a 4-inch IPS panel measuring 640 x 1136 pixels, offering a density of 326ppi - classic Retina specifications. The resulting contrast ratio of 1:804 isn't all that remarkable, mainly due to the low black levels. For comparison, the 4.7" screen in the iPhone 6s has the same 326ppi, but a less bright screen with higher contrast.

In terms of color rendering, the iPhone 5 SE scores excellent with an average DeltaE of 2.3, meaning the screen is almost fully calibrated. The maximum deviation - 5.2 - is in whites, which look a little bluish, but this is not noticeable without an external control point.

Battery life

The battery inside the iPhone 5 SE is slightly larger than previous models - 1,624 mAh. Apple's iOS 9 platform introduced a low-power mode that you'll be prompted to turn on when the charge drops below 20%.

According to reviews of the iPhone 5 SE, the battery shows very good results in all tests: it can withstand about 12 hours of 3G calls, 13 hours of web browsing or 14 hours of video playback on a single charge.

Connection

iPhone 5 SE comes with a lot of wireless features. The smartphone supports a fast LTE signal (up to 150 Mbps) with wide band coverage. Regular 2G and 3G connections are also reliably covered by a variety of supported network bands.

The device supports all existing Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac standards. AirPlay is the only way to accurately display your screen's content on an HDTV, but you'll need to have an Apple TV to do it.

Some apps will allow you to share your screen via Chromecast or Smart HDTV, but compatibility may vary. Additional local connectivity includes Bluetooth 4.2 LE. There is also NFC support, but its functionality is limited to Apple Pay only.

The iPhone 5 SE uses a proprietary Lightning connector for wired data transfer and charging. The device doesn't have USB On-the-go or USB host support, but you can pair a Bluetooth keyboard with your phone if you need such a peripheral.

To stream almost any content, you'll depend on syncing your smartphone with Apple's iTunes software on your computer. Reviews of the iPhone 5 SE 32 also vary in this regard. A good feature is that the device can connect wirelessly via Wi-Fi. The downside is that the paradigm for syncing content between a computer and a phone is quite old - the same as the first iPod. It requires you to first add your content to your iTunes library.

Apple iOS 9.3

The iPhone 5 SE, which has had mixed reviews, runs on pre-installed iOS 9.3, although a firmware update to 9.3.1 is already available. The new phone doesn't have 3D Touch hardware, so some core features are missing from the OS. However, this functionality is still nothing more than a gimmick, without any real value to the user. Reviews about the characteristics of the iPhone 5 SE do not indicate this circumstance as a drawback.

Apple's iOS 9.3 introduced a new night view mode and an expanded notes app, while iOS 9 only introduced a new news app and support for public transit timetables using maps. Mail and messages have received an update, and a new system font has appeared. The Siri assistant has become more expandable, and the Spotlight Search service has expanded its range.

Screen Interface

As usual, all applications are located on the desktop, you can group them into folders. There is the familiar docking station that can accept up to four shortcuts. System icons, color scheme and transparency - everything looks the same as in iOS 8. Photos of the iPhone 5 SE, reviews of which are discussed in this article, allow you to verify the above.

The lock screen hasn't changed either - it has a camera shortcut and shows all your notifications.

The Control Center, which extends from the bottom of the screen, retains the same layout of switches, shortcuts, and media controls. Notification Center launches from the top and has the same tabs as before - Today and Notifications. There are no new widgets or notification options in this version.

New task manager

Search in Spotlight was improved back in iOS 9. You can bring it up by scrolling down from anywhere on the desktop or go to the far left window. According to reviews of the iPhone 5 SE 32 GB, this service has been updated even further, and can now perform simple calculations and conversions. It also supports sports score search and weather forecast information. Finally, you get shortcuts to make a call or send a message to any of the contact results in Spotlight search.

Voice assistant

Siri has also been improved. In addition to all the cool stuff a smart assistant could do, it can now view your photos and videos based on dates, locations, and album names. It supports custom reminders from requests you've made in Safari, Mail, Notes and Messages, and has also gained support for navigating public transport.

iOS 9 offers new active assistance available system-wide, which is more or less dependent on Apple's Google Now. DND mode has been available on iOS for a long time, but now there is a new feature provided by iOS 9.3 called Night Shift. It changes the display temperature at night to reduce eye strain. Reviews of the iPhone 5 SE note this as a positive feature of the device.

Hardware capacity

The iPhone SE has a dated look, but its hardware is updated. It is powered by the latest Apple A9 chipset, which is equipped with a 1.84GHz dual-core Twister processor, six-core PowerVR GT7600 graphics and 2GB RAM. According to user reviews, the A9, combined with a lower resolution (than the iPhone 6), makes the device very powerful. Separately, it is worth noting the graphics performance. SE uses a six-core PowerVR GT7600 GPU, which allows you to run even intensive games on the screen.

Telephony and messaging

The Phone app remains largely unchanged—it doesn't support smart dialing, but it does offer social media integration. Blacklist is also available for those who need this feature. FaceTime is, of course, available for all compatible iOS devices, allowing the user to make free voice and video calls to any other device that supports the service.

Apple also offers Wi-Fi calling on this device. If both subscribers support this service and it is turned on, the call will not occur through the cellular network, but the connection will be made via the Internet. This improves sound quality and also saves money.

The same goes for iMessage - once enabled, the user can send free text and multimedia content, including voice messages, to any other Apple gadget.

Thanks to numerous reviews from iPhone SE owners, we were able to highlight the main advantages and disadvantages of the 4-inch Apple smartphone released in 2016.

Benefits of iPhone SE

The good old 4-inch form factor

Millions of graceful women's palms have yearned for the small, comfortable contours of the bodies of old gadgets. The same can be said about the large army of Asian buyers, teenagers and children. A return to a 4-inch display diagonal and proportional body dimensions is a clear plus. Not degradation, but creative quality, rethinking the concept of a smart phone for all occasions.

A9 processor

Small but bold - the iPhone SE is in some ways inferior to the flagship models, but this does not apply to performance. Those who have not yet replaced their old iPhone 5 are in for a pleasant surprise. It looks like the same device, but its hardware is the most advanced, take at least the full version of the A9 processor, no modifications with reduced functionality. The last factor will become one of the most important marketing advantages of a newbie over competitors.

M9 and Siri always active

The gadget, among others, also received a function that was first demonstrated six months ago. The power of the M9 coprocessor has finally become enough to serve as a full-fledged deputy of the main chip in case it is turned off to save energy or the smartphone is simply locked. In situations like this, you can still shout “Hey Siri” and she will respond. Convenient, whatever you say.

Rose gold color

The iPhone SE can still be considered the successor to the iPhone 6s. This is indicated, for example, by a characteristic family feature – the “rose gold” color of the case, first introduced in 2015. Not a rarity, but this color is still not available on many devices in the Apple product range. But the iPhone SE smartphone received it - to the delight of those who like to splurge without extra costs.

Presentable view of the Apple logo

Not a metal stamping, but a separate stainless steel part, skillfully placed in its rightful place. The logo serves as a kind of inlay, decoration for the smartphone body, although this is not entirely logical from the point of view of minimizing the cost of the product. Or vice versa - it’s just not worth saving on such inexpensive, but catchy details in order to attract buyers.

Correct silhouette of the edges

The iPhone 5s model had excellent ergonomics, but with the transition to the phablet format, Cupertino engineers had to significantly adjust the bevels of the edges - they became more rounded. iPhone SE received its own side edge design. Comfortable to grip and protected from scratches and chips.

2 GB RAM

A small bow to Apple, which not only deigned to satisfy one of the key requests of users, but also did not skimp on a solution for a budget model. We are talking about the long-awaited transition from a single gigabyte of RAM, unchanged for years on end, to twice the volume of a valuable resource. Even without official confirmation, the iPhone SE model still received the coveted 2 GB of RAM - goodbye to Safari slowdowns, unmotivated iOS freezes and other unpleasant factors.

12 MP iSight camera

Another example that users of the new product will not feel too disadvantaged compared to owners of flagship devices. Their main cameras of the iSight series are identical - the same matrix resolution, the same f2.2 aperture, almost the same set of additional modules. Whether video shooting or selfie, everything will turn out at approximately the same level and depend on the skill of the operator, but not on the capabilities of the equipment.

Thick body, but no protruding camera lens ring

Indeed, no, and that says it all.

4K video format support

iPhone SE not only can shoot in high resolution, but also implements almost all aspects of working with the most popular format. For example, the ability to merge several streams into a single video using iMovie. Or digital zoom and virtual panning for those who are not going to reproduce 4K, but would not refuse to increase the comfort of work when creating video with a resolution of 1080p.

Slow-mo shooting at 240 fps

Copied from iPhone 6s - the new smartphone supports both modes of recording video in slow motion. And playback too, both with a frequency of 240 fps, the quality level is 720p, and with 120 fps, but in a resolution similar to 1080p. Its predecessor, an old 4-inch gadget, was also familiar with slow-mo, but could do much less.

Retina-Flash

The technology, first implemented in the iPhone 6s model, allows you to neutralize the lack of lighting when working with the front camera of a smartphone. An additional light source is the display itself, which in the latest version is capable of producing a flash three times brighter than the standard screen backlight. More importantly, the concept of “triple” is relative and in fact the required brightness is calculated very accurately based on the sensors in the latest generation FaceTime camera. Alas, the iPhone SE smartphone inherited the old front-facing module, and therefore, although it can illuminate itself during selfies, it does so rather clumsily against the backdrop of a truly smart flagship camera.

Live Photos support

One of the cosmetic functions of the latest generation of Apple gadgets is theoretically supported on older models. But only in playback format - the iPhone SE is different in that it can also create “live photos”. Nothing fundamentally new, the same automatic video capture and adding short animated inserts before and after a static image. But at least there is no lag behind fashion.

Compatible with Apple Pay

This service was initially developed for broad compatibility with the iPhone lineup, and its only bottleneck was the need for an NFC chip and a “security enclave” key storage in the mobile device. Both are present in the iPhone SE by default—you don't have to use the Apple Watch companion gadget to shop using your smartphone.

High speed communication

More than the iPhone 5s, but less than the current flagship - the result is a good average result. The iPhone SE model is equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 wireless modules, Wi-Fi 802.11ac and 19-band LTE with a peak throughput of up to 150 Mb/s.

Optimized Power System

Less free space inside the case, but modern compact batteries. An advanced and energy-intensive display, but due to the 4-inch diagonal, it is not as power-hungry as similar phablet units. Together, these two factors provided the iPhone SE with better battery life than the iPhone 5s.