lightning-fast device, in a jacket that is too small

The iPhone SE 2022 is the latest and most affordable iPhone. We have thoroughly tested the device and you can read all about it in this iPhone SE 2022 review!

iPhone SE 2022 review

It was the eye-catcher during Apple’s Peek Performance event: the iPhone SE 2022. Despite the fact that we already knew a lot of information in advance (the same appearance as the previous SE, Touch ID), Apple’s new budget model still came as a surprise. Why? That explains iPhoned you completely out in this review.

A15 chip in iPhone SE 2022: the power of the iPhone 13

The first pleasant surprise? The iPhone SE 2022 has received a major upgrade under the hood. He has an A15 chip, which is also in the much more expensive iPhone 13 (and in the current flagship: the iPhone 13 Pro Max). That makes the iPhone SE 2022 just as fast as the latest iPhone.

We actually noticed that the iPhone SE 2022 has that fast chip while making this review. You should not expect that checking Facebook, watching a YouTube video or taking a photo suddenly goes much faster. But the iPhone does respond very quickly when opening (and switching) apps. In addition, with heavy games (think of Genshin Impact) you see that the iPhone SE 2022 pulls things just a little more smoothly.

Long support from Apple thanks to new chip

Now you may think “I don’t play games after all”, but even then such a modern chip is really nice. There are several reasons for this: apps are getting heavier and heavier. And with this new chip, you can be sure that your device will last for years to come. Furthermore, the A15 chip also has the advantage that the iPhone SE 2022 will receive iOS updates for quite a while.

iPhone SE 2022: more energy efficient than iPhone SE 2020

Apple also indicated that the new A15 chip is more energy-efficient. That’s nice, because this has improved the battery life of the iPhone SE 2022. According to Apple, the new model will last two hours longer than its predecessor. On the one hand, this has to do with the chip, and on the other hand, with a battery with a higher capacity.

In practice, we easily got a whole day (and more) out of the battery when you use the iPhone SE 2022 normally. This means watching a few YouTube videos every now and then, checking Facebook and Twitter regularly, checking the news, and trying out some recent Apple Arcade games.

According to Apple, you can even stream video for 10 hours in a row or play audio for 50 hours. The battery life is therefore fine, but does not meet the specifications that Apple gives to the normal iPhone 13. Even the iPhone 13 mini gets just a little more out of the battery than this iPhone SE 2022.

With fast charging, without adapter

It is therefore handy that the iPhone SE 2022 also has support for fast charging. You do need a 20 watt fast charger for this. You have to buy it separately, because (just like with any other iPhone) there is only a charging cable in the box. If the iPhone SE 2022 is empty, you can charge it to about 50% in 30 minutes.

Smaller screen with Touch ID

With the speed and the battery, the iPhone SE 2022 is a must. Unfortunately, the rest of the device is a bit less. When you come from an iPhone with Face ID, it really takes some getting used to when you hold the iPhone SE 2022 in your hands for the first time.

The iPhone SE 2022 has a home button (with Touch ID), and it works in itself fine. Touch ID has its advantages, because (unlike Face ID) it always works well in bright sunlight and with mouth masks.

iPhone SE 2022 screen: smaller than the iPhone 13 mini

No, getting used to the iPhone SE 2022 is mainly due to the screen. The black bars make the usable display small, really small. The screen is even smaller than that of the iPhone 13 mini. A funny detail: the iPhone 13 mini is smaller than the iPhone SE 2022, but it does have a larger screen. So the iPhone SE 2022 isn’t even the smallest iPhone either.

Perhaps we have become a bit (too much) used to the screen of the newer and somewhat larger devices. But even when we grabbed our iPhone 13 mini for a while, we were a lot less bothered by the small screen. Of course, everything is also tiny on that screen, but the effective display is still larger than on the iPhone SE 2022.

However, are you planning to switch from an iPhone SE 2020 or iPhone SE 2016? Then you know how small the screen is and the dimensions of the device. Then the screen is probably not really a problem for you.

Camera: a little bit of this and a little bit of that

The iPhone SE 2022 has a single 12-megapixel camera on the back (just like the previous iPhone SE). It is actually the same camera as the iPhone 8, but thanks to the new A15 chip and improved software, your photos are just a bit better. In addition, you now also have support for Photographic Styles, just like the iPhone 13. There is no night mode, which is a shame. In low light, the photos are nice, but you do get to see some noise.

Portrait mode, but only for faces

The iPhone SE 2022 also has a portrait mode, but it only works on faces. If you want to photograph your cat or a plant with a blurred background, you don’t have to rely on portrait mode. This is because the iPhone SE 2022 only has one camera (front and rear). Apple then uses software to calculate the depth of field of the photo. (With an app like Halide, it is possible to take portrait photos of everything with the iPhone SE, but this aside.)

If you come from an iPhone with Face ID, you also have to take into account that some things are slightly different. For example, to open the control panel, swipe from bottom to top on the iPhone SE 2022. With an iPhone with Face ID, open the panel by swiping down from the top right corner. In the beginning you are often thinking about how it went again.

Prices iPhone SE 2022

A big advantage of the iPhone SE 2022 is the price. For 529 euros you have a great device with 64GB storage that can last a long time. The 128GB version costs a little more, namely 579 euros† The iPhone SE 2022 is therefore cheaper than the iPhone 13 mini, but has unfortunately become a bit more expensive than the iPhone SE 2020.

Conclusion iPhone SE 2022 review

Due to its low price, the iPhone SE 2022 is definitely worth buying. Because you get an iPhone with the latest A15 chip in return. With this you can go ahead with Apple’s device for years to come. However, you should check with yourself whether you think the small screen is not a problem. The on-screen keyboard is also mini, very mini. When typing via WhatsApp, for example, it became very tricky and sometimes downright annoying.

Especially when you come from an iPhone with Face ID, it is a lot of switching back. Everything also works slightly differently on a device with a home button. But Touch ID still functions well and is secretly sometimes even nicer than Face ID.

However, we think the design is no longer possible. The two bars above and below take away so much of the screen and that’s just a shame. In any case, if Apple had replaced the top bar with a notch, the problem would have been a lot less.

If you want to switch from an older iPhone with a home button, such as the iPhone 8 or an iPhone SE 2016 or 2020, the iPhone SE 2022 is a great upgrade. However, are you looking for an affordable iPhone with a larger and newer design? Then check out the iPhone 13 mini (now for sale for about 738 euros). Or if you want to spend less: the iPhone 12 mini (now 589 euros). However, you should not forget that the iPhone 12 mini does have an older chip (A14) than the iPhone 13 mini or the iPhone SE 2022. This means that you will (probably) receive a year less iOS updates.

Buy iPhone SE 2022

Are you planning to buy an iPhone SE 2022 and don’t feel like running to the store? Order it online, with or without a subscription. As far as we are concerned, you can do this with one of the providers below:

Also check our price comparisons for the iPhone SE 2022 with subscription and an iPhone SE 2022 separate device. Nice and easy, because you immediately have all providers together.

We also have more good news. Because the iPhone SE 2022 has already fallen in price at some stores. You can read all about this in the article below.

Read more: iPhone SE 2022 already dropped in price

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