👍 Pros
- Seriously powerful A15 Bionic chip for its size
- Compact design that's easy to handle
- Great camera for stills and video, especially with OIS
👎 Cons
- Small, dated display with thick bezels
- Battery life is just okay, not a powerhouse
- No headphone jack and limited storage options
Expert Review & Rating
Alright, let’s talk about the Apple iPhone SE (2022). This isn’t a new design, but it packs a serious punch where it counts. If you’re into that classic iPhone feel with modern internals, you’re in the right place. It’s running iOS 15.4 out of the box, and you know Apple’s going to keep it updated for years to come, all the way up to iOS 26.5. This phone is available now, having launched back in March 2022.
Performance
This is where the iPhone SE (2022) truly shines. Apple didn’t hold back, stuffing the incredible A15 Bionic (5 nm) chipset inside. That’s the same chip you’d find in much more expensive iPhones, giving you a Hexa-core CPU with 2×3.22 GHz Avalanche and 4×1.82 GHz Blizzard cores, plus a powerful 4-core Apple GPU. For a phone this size, the performance is absolutely insane. Apps fly open, games run smoothly, and multitasking is a breeze. You’re getting 4GB of RAM across all storage options – 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB – which is plenty for most users, though a microSD slot would’ve been nice.
Cameras & Photography
Don’t let the single lens fool you; Apple’s computational photography is doing heavy lifting here. The main camera is a 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide) sensor with PDAF and OIS, which means your photos are going to be sharp and stable, even in tricky conditions. It’s got a Quad-LED dual-tone flash and supports HDR and panorama. Video recording is excellent, capable of 4K at 24/30/60fps and 1080p up to 240fps, with HDR and OIS for super smooth footage. The 7 MP, f/2.2 selfie camera does a decent job with HDR and 1080p video, even including gyro-EIS for stable self-recorded clips.
Battery
Now, the battery is where things get a bit more grounded. It’s a Li-Ion 2018 mAh (6.96 Wh) unit. While the A15 Bionic is efficient, that’s not a huge cell by today’s standards. You’ll likely get through a day of moderate use, but heavy users might be reaching for the charger. Thankfully, it supports 20W wired charging, getting you to 50% in about 30 minutes, and it also has 7.5W Qi wireless charging, which is super convenient. Just don’t expect multi-day endurance.
Verdict
The iPhone SE (2022) is a fascinating device. It’s a love letter to the classic iPhone form factor, but with a brain transplant from a flagship. If you crave top-tier performance in a small, pocketable package, and you’re okay with the traditional display and battery life, this is an incredible value. It’s available in Midnight, Starlight, and Red, and you can find it for around $126.79 / C$159.00 / £105.00 / €138.95. It’s not for everyone, but for those who get it, they really get it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely! With the Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) chipset and 4GB of RAM, this phone is a beast for gaming. It'll handle pretty much anything you throw at it with ease, even if the screen is a bit small for some.
It's okay, but not its strong suit. The 2018 mAh battery is on the smaller side. You'll likely get a full day of moderate use, but if you're constantly on it, you might need a top-up. Good thing it supports 20W fast charging and wireless charging!
For the price, the cameras are fantastic, especially the main 12 MP rear camera with OIS. Apple's image processing makes a huge difference, delivering sharp photos and excellent video quality up to 4K. The 7 MP selfie camera is decent too. You're getting flagship-level photo and video capabilities without the flagship price tag.