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Our Apple iPhone SE Review

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The iPhone SE is a brand new Apple device, and therefore demands a premium price. You can buy the iPhone SE from £359 when you buy it on it’s own from Apple, so it’s an option if you want a SIM only deal. Whether you do that or buy it as part of a contract, it’s still not a phone you’d want on pay as you go, thanks to its wealth of online features. 

Display

The 4 inch Retina display on the iPhone SE is the same size as the iPhone 5 and even packs in the same pixel density. This is however, not an issue, as the original screen is still one of the best you can find on a phone of this size. Users can experience the same quality here as they would from the iPhone 5, but with the improved processing power making using the display even easier. A smaller display is ideal for those who want a phone rather than a portable tablet, or if you have smaller hands. Despite not being full HD, Apple’s Retina display always makes apps look premium, making edges smoother and pixels barely noticeable. 

Camera

The iPhone SE packs in the same 12 megapixel camera as the iPhone 6S, making it a true powerhouse for photos. Apple’s simple and instantly usable camera functions allow you to take quality photos in the blink of an eye, giving the iPhone SE the best camera performance of a phone this size. With 12 megapixels to play with, you’ll have more camera power here than any iPhone barring the 6S, making the SE a perfectly viable option if you’re after a phone with decent camera capabilities. Users will also be able to capture stunning 4K video with the SE, giving it the exact same capabilities as other iPhones.

Design

If you’re familiar the with iPhone 5S, you’ll be familiar with the SE. The SE takes the design of the 5S and mimics it to create a phone that’s familiar as well as being different in a few ways. The design of the 5S was elegant and critically acclaimed, with the boxy round edges allowing for a phone that was easy to use in the hands. The SE design is the same, but with a satin-like feel on the back and sides that makes the design feel even more premium. The sturdy structure of the iPhone SE also makes it designed to tackle your everyday use, allowing it to fit loosely in a pocket or bag without being scratched or damaged. 

Performance

Whilst the SE may look like the 5S aesthetically, inside, it rivals the 6S. With the SE, you’ll get twice the processing power you would with the 5S, with the same A9 chip you’ll find in a 6S. This makes the phone super fast and responsive, allowing you to perform any task imaginable, whether it’s playing a graphics-intensive game or spreadsheet. When you use the iPhone SE, it’s like you’re using an iPhone 6S, but smaller. This makes the SE the most powerful and responsive 4 inch display phone on the market, allowing you to feel confident that you’re not getting a compromised experience from not having a larger phone. 

What’s it like for social media?

When you buy an iPhone, you’ll have access to the Apple App Store. This holds thousands of different apps that cater to every taste imaginable, so there’s something for every social media user. No matter what your preferred site to browse is, there’s an app available, so whether you’re into posting tweets on Twitter, sending pics to your friends via Snapchat or browsing blogs on Tumblr, there’s a compatible app to be found. The App Store is the world’s most popular app location, so you can be sure that you’ll find the app that suits your favourite site. 

What’s it like for games and apps?

As well as social media, the App Store also features thousands of apps and games that make your downtime and work life better. Users can choose from a huge library of productivity apps, such as Trello, Slack, Pages, Microsoft Word and more, all running smoothly thanks to the power of the SE. 

For games, iPhone users also have the pick of the bunch, with more games compatible with iOS than any other mobile platform. Choose from thousands of different titles, from free to play games like Clash of Clans, to more story-driven experiences such as 80 Days. Despite the phone’s size, the processing power on display here makes the SE a viable candidate for any seasoned mobile gamer. 

What we think

If you’re in the market for a smaller phone that doesn’t fall into the ‘phablet’ bracket, the iPhone SE is certainly the best you can buy. Users will be able to experience the same power as a new 6S or 6S+ whilst still being able to carry the phone in their pocket. If you’re looking for something high-powered but a little more portable or if you’re just a fan of the classic iPhone 5S design, the iPhone SE delivers in more ways than one.