Apple today announced the second-generation iPhone SE, a powerful new iPhone featuring a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, paired with Touch ID for industry-leading security. iPhone SE comes in a compact design, reinvented from the inside out, and is the most affordable iPhone.
The new iPhone SE is powered by the Apple-designed A13 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone, to handle the most demanding tasks. iPhone SE also features the best single-camera system ever in an iPhone, which unlocks the benefits of computational photography including Portrait mode, and is designed to withstand the elements with dust and water resistance.
iPhone SE comes in your choice of black, white and (PRODUCT)RED — and will be available for pre-order beginning Friday, April 17, starting at just US$399.
iPhone SE is available in three storage capacities:
• 64GB: $399
• 128GB: $449
• 256GB: $549
iPhone SE (2020) physical specs:
• Height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm)
• Width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm)
• Depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
• Weight: 5.22 ounces (148 grams)
MacDailyNews Note: The physical specs above exactly match those of the (now-discontinued) iPhone 8.
“The first iPhone SE was a hit with many customers who loved its unique combination of small size, high-end performance and affordable price; the new second-generation iPhone SE builds on that great idea and improves on it in every way — including our best-ever single-camera system for great photos and videos — while still being very affordable,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone SE features the industry-leading performance of A13 Bionic that enables great battery life, takes stunning Portrait mode and Smart HDR photos, shoots amazing videos with stereo audio, is great for games and super fast web surfing, and is built with the same industry-leading security features our customers expect. We can’t wait to get iPhone SE into customers’ hands.”
Popular Design with a 4.7-inch Display
iPhone SE features an aerospace-grade aluminum and durable glass design with an all-black front, and is available in black, white and (PRODUCT)RED. The rear glass finish includes a centered Apple logo and is made using a seven-layer color process for precise hue and opacity, delivering rich depth of color with a color-matched aluminum band. It is water- and dust-resistant with an IP67 rating for water resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
The 4.7-inch Retina HD display with True Tone adjusts the white balance to match the ambient light for a more natural, paper-like viewing experience. The vibrant wide color gamut Retina HD display offers incredible color accuracy, and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 playback. iPhone SE uses Haptic Touch for Quick Actions — such as animating Live Photos, previewing messages, rearranging apps and more — as well as contextual menus.
iPhone SE also features the familiar Home button designed with sapphire crystal to be durable and to protect the sensor, and a steel ring to detect a user’s fingerprint for Touch ID. Using Touch ID is an easy, private and secure alternative to entering a passcode to unlock iPhone, fill in passwords using iCloud Keychain, log in to apps, authorize App Store purchases, and make Apple Pay transactions.
A13 Bionic — The Fastest Chip in a Smartphone
Introduced with iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, A13 Bionic is the fastest chip ever in a smartphone and provides unparalleled performance for every task iPhone SE handles. Perfect for photography, gaming and augmented reality experiences, A13 Bionic makes every action feel fluid.
A13 Bionic was built with a focus on machine learning, with a dedicated 8-core Neural Engine capable of 5 trillion operations per second, two Machine Learning Accelerators on the CPU and a new Machine Learning Controller to balance performance and efficiency. Together, A13 Bionic and iOS 13 enable new intelligent apps that make use of machine learning and Core ML.
Built for efficiency, the A13 Bionic also enables great battery life for iPhone SE. iPhone SE is wireless-charging capable with Qi-certified chargers and also supports fast-charging, giving customers up to 50 percent charge in just 30 minutes. Lightning-fast download speeds are available with Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit-class LTE. Dual SIM with eSIM provides the flexibility for users to have two separate phone numbers on a single device while traveling abroad or for use as a business line.
New Camera Experience Powered by A13 Bionic
iPhone SE features the best single-camera system ever in an iPhone with a 12-megapixel f/1.8 aperture Wide camera, and uses the image signal processor and Neural Engine of A13 Bionic to unlock even more benefits of computational photography, including Portrait mode, all six Portrait Lighting effects and Depth Control. Using machine learning and monocular depth estimation, iPhone SE also takes stunning Portraits with the front camera. Next-generation Smart HDR comes to iPhone SE, intelligently re-lighting recognized subjects in a frame for more natural-looking images with stunning highlight and shadow details.
Videos are even more immersive with stereo audio recording and cinematic video stabilization on the front and rear cameras. The rear camera supports high-quality video capture at 4K up to 60fps, and extended dynamic range comes to iPhone SE for more highlight details up to 30fps. Customers can also take advantage of QuickTake video on the front and rear cameras, allowing video recording without switching out of Photo mode.
With advanced Camera and Photo features in iOS 13, native editing is even more comprehensive and intuitive through powerful tools that were once available only for photo editing.
The Apple Ecosystem
iPhone SE gives customers access to Apple’s robust ecosystem of products, services and accessories. Users can take advantage of the almost 2 million apps on the App Store, including the best third-party apps and AR experiences, stay up to date on current events with Apple News, enjoy original series, movies and documentaries from the world’s greatest storytellers with Apple TV+, stream over 60 million songs from their favorite artists on Apple Music, make secure and private purchases with Apple Pay, and store photos, files and contacts on iCloud with the ability to access content on all of a customer’s Apple devices. With a Lightning connector, iPhone SE is also compatible with more than 25,000 Lightning accessories, including camera accessories, audio and speakers, docks, CarPlay and more.
iPhone SE is built with the same industry-leading security features that customers expect from Apple — protecting privacy and giving customers control of their information. For example, Touch ID and the Secure Enclave protect fingerprint data, Intelligent Tracking Prevention on Safari helps stop advertisers that follow users from site to site, Photos uses machine learning to organize photos on device and more.
iPhone SE with iOS 13 delivers a seamless experience with software and hardware integration unlike any other smartphone. iOS 13 features a dramatic look with Dark Mode, a more private way to sign in to apps and websites with Sign In with Apple, and an all-new Maps experience that delivers faster and more accurate navigation and beautiful street-level imagery with Look Around.
Pricing and Availability
• iPhone SE will be available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB models in black, white and (PRODUCT)RED starting at $399 (US). Customers can also get iPhone SE for $9.54 a month or $229 with trade-in from apple.com, in the Apple Store app and Apple Stores.6 iPhone SE is available through Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers (prices may vary).
• iPhone SE is available to pre-order on apple.com and the Apple Store app beginning at 5 a.m. PDT on Friday, April 17, and will be available from Apple, Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers on Friday, April 24, in the US and more than 40 other countries and regions.
• Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app on iPhone, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac and other platforms including online (tv.apple.com), for $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. Customers who purchase iPhone SE can enjoy one year of Apple TV+ for free.7
• Customers with questions about iPhone SE or which iPhone is right for them can contact a Specialist at 1-800-MY-APPLE or start a chat in Messages directly from the Apple Store app.
• Anyone who purchases online from Apple will receive free no-contact home delivery and the option to trade in their current iPhone for credit toward the purchase of iPhone SE.8
• Customers get 3 percent Daily Cash when they buy iPhone SE from Apple with Apple Card.
• Customers can extend their limited warranty with AppleCare+ and AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, and get 24/7 priority access to technical support.
• A portion of proceeds for iPhone SE (PRODUCT)RED purchases will go directly to Global Fund’s newly established COVID-19 Response — providing funding to countries in need of PPE, diagnostics treatment, lab equipment, public safety communications, supply chain support and more — as well as HIV/AIDS grants that provide testing, counseling, treatment and prevention programs with a specific focus on eliminating transmission of the virus from mothers to their babies.
Today we introduced iPhone SE, our most affordable iPhone. Its compact design and powerful performance feature the best single-camera system ever in an iPhone. Another fantastic option in our lineup to help you stay connected, informed and entertained. https://t.co/Fw2T2IATR3
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 15, 2020
Wow! Would prefer smaller, but Wow! anyway!
For once I partially agree with you. Yes, I would prefer smaller also like 4.3 inches. The camera bump is a turn off. But overall, it is the most awesome small iPhone for the price in the history of planet Earth… 👍🏻
Really boring but nice prices
They got it wrong. If I wanted a phone the size of an 8, I would have bought an 8. I didn’t. They’re gonna have to pry my original SE (which has TouchID and an entirely adequate camera, by the way) from my cold dead hands.
My wife and I both had iPhones that we bought in alternate years. I had a 3G, she had a 3GS, and so forth. That stopped when the iPhone 6 was too big for either of us. My iPhone 5 died just before the SE came out, so I was forced to get an iPhone 6s. She kept using her 5s. We have both been holding out for a new small phone. It obviously isn’t coming and both of our phones have crapped-out batteries (my second set). So I guess I will be getting up early Friday to order two new phones.
The 5.4 inch iPhone coming this fall will the iPhone for you. Apple will have a smaller footprint premium phone for who said they wanted one.
Wish I could keep these two phones limping to October. That just isn’t going to happen. Our phones both shut down with a flat battery two or three times a day.
The timing couldn’t be better with the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on economies around the globe. At about half the average selling price of iPhones, the new SE should help continue sales in tough times and will also be great for developing countries like India.
If and when they introduce an SE Plus I then I will be very interested! Come on Apple bring it on!
Idiots. Make a phone that is SMALL, but has a big screen. Steve Jobs has enough taste to make the iPhone small, for good reason. It fits better in your pocket and is reachable. Now that we have FaceID, we don’t need the home button and the encroachment on screen size that brings with it!
Or put the TouchID behind the screen.
Or, better yet, have both. Wearing a face mask really hobbles my iPhone X.
So it is looking as though the fall line up will have something for everyone.
$399 iPhone SE 3GB RAM, 64GB, A13, TouchID, LCD, LTE, single camera
$499 iPhone XR 3GB RAM, 64GB, A12, FaceID, LCD, LTE, single camera
$599 iPhone 11 4GB RAM, 64GB, A13, FaceID, LCD, LTE, dual cameras
$699 iPhone 12 5.4 inch, 4GB RAM, 128GB, A14, FaceID, OLED, 5G, dual cameras (everyone’s small phone dream)
$799 iPhone 12 6.1 inch, 4GB RAM, 128GB, A14, FaceID, OLED, 5G, dual cameras
$999 iPhone 12 Pro 6.1 inch, 6GB RAM 128GB, A14, FaceID, OLED, 5G, triple ToF cameras
$1099 iPhone 12 Pro 6.7 inch, 6GB RAM 128GB, A14, FaceID, OLED, 5G, triple ToF cameras
Why do they all have black fronts? I wanted silver with the white front. Silver with a black front looks stupid, so I’ll have to go all black.
Oh well, I’m just happy to finally be able to buy one. Looks like Tim waited until those stimulus checks started rolling out. You can say a lot of things about Apple, but you certainly can’t call them dumb.
Wow! It’s so cheap! Starts at only AU$749!
Actually its white with black face and silver is on the border. I don’t mind it. Whenever I see black and white color design combinations, it reminds me of Stormtroopers. That’s not a terrible thing! 🙂
I doubt they did it with Star Wars in mind. They used to give us silver with a white front. It’s probably some sort of cost saving measure.
And I thought the X’s form factor was looking dated. Here comes the ‘new’ SE!
I do not understand why Apple is not aware of the lack of a 4″ option for consumers who do not want larger phones. I loved the 4″ size. I gave a iPhone 6 a chance. Dropped it. Cracked screen. Always a pain to work with. Too large in pockets. MANY of us want a smaller 4″ phone. I am disappointed that they forget the reason WHY the SE sold well… SIZE and then price. SIZE was the reason. This release is nice, but I don’t feel like running out to buy it. I’ll hold on to the original SE. Maybe they would consider offering a 4″ in the future. Dear Apple, not everyone likes large phones.
Buying 2 as gifts, one red, one black, 128GB.
I want the home button because I can easily tell which direction is up/down when I grab it when I’m not looking at it. Swiping to open your phone would be a pain in the neck.
Personally, touch screen use ought to be limited. For example, why would people want a touch screen radio in their car? You would have to take your eyes off the road to correctly locate the button and push it vs knobs that you can find without looking at the radio. Touchscreen radios are a safety hazard in reality.
Having to look down at an iphone without a home button and getting that swipe just right while driving just so you can open your phone isn’t a good idea.
I preferred the old SE body. Now it’s gone might as well get an Android with a better camera, good price, and certainly better wi-fi connectivity. So sad to see one handed mobility gone.