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In a time when petrol prices are making a trip to the pump feel like a second mortgage, it's refreshing to see a new device from Apple both appear affordable and also come down in price compared to a previous generation.
That's what we have in the iPhone SE — a $719 smartphone with the power and capability to run any app, and the longevity many buyers are looking for from their phone.
The last time Apple released an iPhone SE was at the start of the pandemic — an interesting new measure of time — in April 2020.
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It had the body of the iPhone 6 with the guts of the iPhone 11 and launched at $799.
On Friday this week, the third generation of iPhone SE goes on sale for $80 less than that, and while it features the same design, it has the processing power of the more recently released flagship Apple iPhone 13: the A15 Bionic Chip.
Having that power gives the phone some nifty capabilities, taking a rather simple single-lens rear camera and 7MP front camera and giving them new features like Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles and an impressive portrait mode with depth control.
Basically, this camera now has a bigger brain and is capable of things like Deep Fusion, something the last iPhone SE couldn't be considered for.
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When connecting to the Vodafone, Telstra or Optus networks you're also likely to see that magical 5G symbol, indicating you're on the mobile network that stands for speed.
But in reality, the real standout feature of this phone isn't something on a specifications list, it's something that inherently comes from buying a device with such an advanced processor: longevity.
While not stipulated or guaranteed by Apple, it's almost certain the iPhone SE will get a solid five or more years of iOS software updates, thanks to it being on-par with the iPhone 13 in processing power.
And that's important, because buyers of this phone are more likely to come from other older iPhones such as the iPhone 6, 6s, 7 or 8.
Each of those phones features the round home button and fingerprint unlock, as does the new iPhone SE.
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In my week of use, I found it refreshing to be making simpler, faster Apple Pay payments, and unlocking with a touch not a stare.
I did however also come across the one less laudable feature of the iPhone SE.
As someone used to using "flagship" phones, the battery life did leave me wanting or close to it a couple of times.
It's a sacrifice, and one I'd happily make if I wanted an iPhone and either couldn't afford the big bucks of the iPhone 13, or longed for the continuation of the days of TouchID.
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Head to head, oranges compared to oranges, the iPhone SE is overpriced in the marketplace.
There are many more smartphones with better-equipped cameras, larger screens and better battery life out there, possibly for half the price.
But they have one thing missing. They aren't iPhones.
The iPhone SE goes on sale this Friday, March 18.
Source: 9News
