Apple is known to innovate smartphones that are way expensive and made by high-quality materials compared to its rivals in the smartphone market. But Apple made a big change this year in introducing a budget smartphone and is said to be the "Most Powerful 4-inch iPhone ever."
The question is, is it worth buying?
On March 21, 2016, Apple conducted an Apple Special Event wherein they introduce their new line-up products for the year 2016--Apple Watch updates (new bands), 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and the most-awaited iPhone SE.
I've heard about iPhone SE since the beginning of 2016 and I didn't really expect that the rumors are actually true--a release of an affordable iPhone.
Now before you decide to buy the newly released iPhone or if you want to consider knowing more about the device, here are the things you need to know about the iPhone SE.
1. NO 3D TOUCH
I know that 3D Touch is not something necessary to have on a daily basis. But if you are the kind of person who is tired of opening and closing e-mails, 3D touch can absolutely help you just by 3D-touching the email you want to “peek” and press harder to eventually open the e-mail. Unfortunately, iPhone SE does not have it which is either a pro or a con depending on how you need it.
2. SAME 5s DISPLAY
Despite of the “iPhone 6s-like” features, the SE is still rocking that same display in the 5s. But if the display is not a big deal for you, then the iPhone SE is still worth it.
3. PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Okay, so this is one of my “unexpected part” in the iPhone SE. It has the exact physical design as the iPhone 5s. However, there are some minor improvements—edges were matte, has the stainless steel logo that is similar to the iPhone 6s model and the new Rose Gold finish.
4. IMPROVED INTERNALS
5. “Hey Siri”
I assume not everyone uses Siri but the “Hey Siri” feature can be used in the iPhone SE wherein you can activate Siri without long pressing the home button but only saying “Hey Siri” and Siri will immediately be activated.
6. INCREDIBLE BATTERY IMPROVEMENTS
Who does not want to have a smartphone with a better battery? Well, as stated to the Apple Special Event, the iPhone SE has some great battery improvements (stated below).
7. CAMERA
The iPhone has one of the top-notch cameras in the market today. So if you love taking pictures using your smartphone, finally the SE has 12MP iSight camera, focus pixels, True Tone flash, New image signal processor, and panorama up to 63MP. All of which are great elements to capture a superb image quality.
The front camera, however, only has 1.2MP unlike in the 6s with a 5MP. The aperture thought is the thing that is different—iPhone SE has f/2.4 and the 6s has f/2.2, meaning the camera in the SE allows a larger amount of light which produces a bright photo. Never forget the Retina Flash, a front flash which makes your screen three times brighter, in the 6s that can also be found in this device. So if you’re into Facetime or takes a bunch of selfies, still, SE can deliver the best photo.
If you’re more into videography, no worries, because the iPhone SE can shoot in 4K, meaning bigger video quality and sharper frames.
You can also shoot live photos in the iPhone SE. However, instead of 3D-touching the phone, you long press the live photo and it will immediately play.
You can visit apple.com for photo samples of the iPhone SE's camera.
8. STORAGE
The iPhone SE only has two storage options: 16gb and 64gb. So, if you're not a "128gb" type of person then this might not be for you.
9. SIZE
Smartphones in the market are becoming bigger and better. However, the iPhone SE seemed to go into a different way of producing a 4-inch iPhone. According to them, most of their customers, some even pleaded, are wanting a smaller iPhone. One reason may be because they have small hands and they could not deal with the "portability" of larger iPhones. Second reason is that they just want to have a phone that fits into every kind of pocket. Last reason, it's their very first iPhone. If you have small hands and prefer smaller phones for an easier one-handed usage but with better quality, you would not have a hard time picking for the SE.
In my personal opinion, probably coming from a larger phone to this 4-inch device might be a bit harder since you get used to that larger display.
10. PRICE
I know that 3D Touch is not something necessary to have on a daily basis. But if you are the kind of person who is tired of opening and closing e-mails, 3D touch can absolutely help you just by 3D-touching the email you want to “peek” and press harder to eventually open the e-mail. Unfortunately, iPhone SE does not have it which is either a pro or a con depending on how you need it.
2. SAME 5s DISPLAY
Despite of the “iPhone 6s-like” features, the SE is still rocking that same display in the 5s. But if the display is not a big deal for you, then the iPhone SE is still worth it.
3. PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Okay, so this is one of my “unexpected part” in the iPhone SE. It has the exact physical design as the iPhone 5s. However, there are some minor improvements—edges were matte, has the stainless steel logo that is similar to the iPhone 6s model and the new Rose Gold finish.
 |
| Photo Credits to The Verge |
4. IMPROVED INTERNALS
The SE has the A9 chip, the same chip that is used in the 6s. Hence, this iPhone is twice faster than the iPhone 5s. So expect that high-end games from the app store can run smoothly on this device.
 |
| Photo Credits to Apple Events on YouTube |
 |
| Photo Credits to Apple Events on YouTube |
 |
| Photo Credits to Apple Events on YouTube |
5. “Hey Siri”
I assume not everyone uses Siri but the “Hey Siri” feature can be used in the iPhone SE wherein you can activate Siri without long pressing the home button but only saying “Hey Siri” and Siri will immediately be activated.
6. INCREDIBLE BATTERY IMPROVEMENTS
Who does not want to have a smartphone with a better battery? Well, as stated to the Apple Special Event, the iPhone SE has some great battery improvements (stated below).
 |
| Photo Credits to Apple Events on YouTube |
7. CAMERA
The iPhone has one of the top-notch cameras in the market today. So if you love taking pictures using your smartphone, finally the SE has 12MP iSight camera, focus pixels, True Tone flash, New image signal processor, and panorama up to 63MP. All of which are great elements to capture a superb image quality.
The front camera, however, only has 1.2MP unlike in the 6s with a 5MP. The aperture thought is the thing that is different—iPhone SE has f/2.4 and the 6s has f/2.2, meaning the camera in the SE allows a larger amount of light which produces a bright photo. Never forget the Retina Flash, a front flash which makes your screen three times brighter, in the 6s that can also be found in this device. So if you’re into Facetime or takes a bunch of selfies, still, SE can deliver the best photo.
If you’re more into videography, no worries, because the iPhone SE can shoot in 4K, meaning bigger video quality and sharper frames.
You can also shoot live photos in the iPhone SE. However, instead of 3D-touching the phone, you long press the live photo and it will immediately play.
 |
| Photo Credits to Apple Events on YouTube |
8. STORAGE
The iPhone SE only has two storage options: 16gb and 64gb. So, if you're not a "128gb" type of person then this might not be for you.
9. SIZE
Smartphones in the market are becoming bigger and better. However, the iPhone SE seemed to go into a different way of producing a 4-inch iPhone. According to them, most of their customers, some even pleaded, are wanting a smaller iPhone. One reason may be because they have small hands and they could not deal with the "portability" of larger iPhones. Second reason is that they just want to have a phone that fits into every kind of pocket. Last reason, it's their very first iPhone. If you have small hands and prefer smaller phones for an easier one-handed usage but with better quality, you would not have a hard time picking for the SE.
In my personal opinion, probably coming from a larger phone to this 4-inch device might be a bit harder since you get used to that larger display.
 |
| Photo Credits to TheVerge |
10. PRICE
This is the most important question we should take note of--how much is the iPhone SE? This is one of the best features of the iPhone SE. It is priced $399 for the 16gb model and $499 for the 64gb. So if you can not afford the more expensive iPhone 6s but want to get some of its capabilities, then the iPhone SE is worth to buy.
 |
| Photo Credits to Apple Events on YouTube |
It is clear that the iPhone SE is not for everyone. It depends upon the preference of the user. If you have small hands, prefer one-handed usage, looking for a cheap and powerful phone, or if it's your very first iPhone/smartphone, then you won't take a long time deciding to buy this 4-inch iPhone.
However, if you still want to experience the bigger and better display, then the iPhone 6s or 6s plus suits you.
Again, the iPhone SE is a good catch when you are looking for an affordable and smaller yet powerful smartphone that you can use as a daily driver, iPhone SE is the best choice.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comment