iPhone SE 2022 vs iPhone SE 2020: worth the switch?

At first glance, the iPhone SE 2022 and SE 2020 look quite similar. But, who looks further, discovers that the devices are certainly not identical. In this iPhone SE 2022 vs iPhone SE 2020 comparison, we pit the affordable phones against each other.

Comparison: iPhone SE 2022 vs iPhone SE 2020

And that’s three. During its Peek Performance event, Apple finally presented the third generation of the iPhone SE. The device is slightly more expensive than its predecessor, but the design has not been tinkered with.

Most innovations can therefore not be seen from the outside. Fortunately, some things have been improved compared to the previous model, which came out in 2020. We list these changes in this article. This is our iPhone SE 2022 vs iPhone SE 2020 comparison.

Index: iPhone SE 2022 vs iPhone SE 2020

Design is almost the same

Purely based on appearance, you can really only distinguish the new iPhone SE from its predecessor in one way: by looking at the color.

The 2022 model is available in three colors, two of which are new. You can choose from Midnight (dark blue), Starlight (beige) and red. The 2020 iPhone SE is available in white, black and red.

Furthermore, Apple has tinkered a bit with the design. For example, the iPhone SE 2022 has an extra sturdy glass front and back. We know this glass from the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, which appeared at the end of 2021. You should only miss the so-called Ceramic Shield technique with the iPhone SE 2022.

Hardware takes big steps

The glass is not the only thing that the new iPhone SE has ‘borrowed’ from its big brother. The processor is also an old acquaintance. The iPhone SE 2022 is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, a processor designed by Apple. The previous model has an A13 chip, which we know from the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.

The main advantage of the A15 chip is that the SE has become a lot more powerful. For example, apps start up faster and there is virtually no loading time.

An additional advantage is that the new model can handle 5G thanks to the new chip. The new telephone network is a lot faster than 4G and will be rolled out more widely in the Netherlands in the coming years. That makes the new iPhone SE more future-proof than its predecessor, which does not go beyond 4G.

Finally, 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.

iphone se 2022 side
iPhone SE 2022

Camera puts the finishing touches on the i

We had hoped for the addition of a second camera, but the iPhone SE 2022 still only has a single lens on the back. It has a resolution of 12 megapixels, just like the iPhone SE of 2020.

Yet it is not the same camera, and that also has to do with the new processor. The camera of the iPhone SE 2022, for example, supports Smart HDR 4. This ensures that when you press the photo button, several shots are actually shot. These are then merged to give the final photo(s) more light and dark details.

Furthermore, the new iPhone SE has Photographic Styles, a function that was previously only usable on the iPhone 13 family. These are a kind of filters that you put over your photos beforehand.

What’s extra cool is that the style (chosen by you) then takes the content of your photo into account. Also cool: the iPhone SE 2022 can now handle Deep Fusion. This technique ensures that you also take good photos in low light.

iPhone SE 2022 camera
iPhone SE 2022

Software: more updates

You may not think about it when buying a smartphone, but it is important: updates. The iPhone SE 2022 will run on iOS 15 when it comes out, while the iPhone SE 2020 appeared with iOS 13 on board. Logically, the new SE is therefore longer supported with software updates.

Apple has not indicated how many updates the new model will receive, but iPhones are usually supported for about five to six years. This means that the iPhone SE 2022 will remain up to date through iOS 20 or iOS 21. The iPhone SE 2020 will likely drop out a few years earlier and may be stuck on iOS 18 or iOS 19.

Don’t be fooled by the price

The new iPhone SE is still by far the cheapest iPhone you can buy. However, it is less friendly to your wallet than its predecessor. The iPhone SE 2022 starts at 529 euros40 euros more expensive than its predecessor.

You will then receive the entry-level model with 64GB of storage space. Models with 128 or 256 GB storage are also available. Think carefully in advance how much you need, because 64GB storage is very little in 2022 and you cannot expand the capacity later.

Prices of iPhone SE 2022:

  • 64GB: 529 euros
  • 128GB: 579 euros
  • 256GB: 699 euros

By the way, the iPhone SE 2020 has been removed from the shelves by Apple. You will still come across the model at other sellers, because they sell their remaining stock. You may be able to pick up the device considerably cheaper because of this.

To buy

Do you want to buy the iPhone SE 2022? It can be pre-ordered from Friday 11 March 2022. The actual release will take place on March 18, 2022. You can find the best deal quickly and easily via the price comparison below. You can search for an iPhone SE 2022 with subscription as well as for a separate iPhone SE 2022.

Do you prefer the older model? Then you have come to the right place with our price comparator. In addition to the best deals for an iPhone SE 2020 with a subscription, you will also find the sharpest offers here if you are looking for a separate iPhone SE 2020. The cheapest option is to purchase a refurbished iPhone SE 2020.

Recent Articles

Related Stories