Classic Look, Modern Performance: Apple’s New iPhone SE (2020)

In a continued effort to bring affordable iPhones to the market, Apple has announced the new iPhone SE (2020)—a revamped version of the original iPhone SE from 2016.

Starting at $399, this 2nd generation iPhone SE gives comparable performance to high-end models—iPhone or otherwise—for far less than the high-end price tag. 

This is a welcomed addition, especially given the current economic climate in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

iPhone SE 2020 Plans

The iPhone SE 2020 is officially available for pre-order from all major carriers—Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint, with an estimated delivery date of April 24. What good is an excellent phone if you don’t have a suitable plan to go along with it? Check out some of the most popular iPhone SE plans below:

iPhone SE 64GB Phone Plans

iPhone SE 128GB Phone Plans

iPhone SE 256GB Phone Plans

Availability and Pre-Orders

At launch, the iPhone SE (2020) will be available in three separate storage models (64GB, 128GB, and 256GB) and come in three color variants —black, white, and (PRODUCT) RED.

The outright pricing for the iPhone SE (2020): 

• iPhone SE 64GB: $399
• iPhone SE 128G: $449
• iPhone SE 256GB: $549

When Will the New iPhone SE be Available?

Apple will begin taking pre-orders April 17th and it will officially hit stores and all major carriers on April 24th.

What’s New About the iPhone SE (2020)?

Apart from the jaw-dropping price tag, the new SE is set to sport notable improvements underneath the hood, with features comparable to phones that can easily run you double the price.

Notable New Features

The biggest and most notable upgrade for the iPhone SE (2020)—compared to both the original SE and the iPhone 8—is the new A13 Bionic processor.

Introduced in both the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models, the A13 processor is the fastest chip to ever be put in a smartphone. This means whether you’re a light or heavy user, the SE (2020) will be able to keep up with the best devices on the market, in terms of speed and performance.

Design

Regarding design, don’t be surprised if you do a double-take upon first laying eyes on the new SE, as it showcases a nearly identical build to the iPhone 8 models from 2017. 

This is good news for those who prefer (relatively) smaller phones, as opposed to the increasingly sizable smartphones seen on the market today. 

There are a few minor design quirks to be aware of, though:

• Lightning port connectors mean you will still need an adapter for headphones
• While the single-camera system is the best of its kind on the market, it doesn’t really hold a light to the multi-camera system of Apple’s newest flagship models
• The iPhone 8’s 3D touch function has been replaced with Apple’s new “Haptic Touch” feature

iPhone SE (2020) Price

As previously mentioned, the new iPhone SE starts at about $399 in the US—a significant price drop from Apple’s more expensive iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models.

Not only is the new SE price tag competitive within the Apple family, but it goes without saying that it compares well to other budget-friendly, high-performance phones, such as the Google Pixel 3a and Google Pixel 3a XL, as well as the highly-anticipated Google Pixel 4a (set to release sometime this year, also priced at $399). 

While the Google Pixel 3a series offers great value for the price, it’s tough to compete with the high-end performance of the iPhone SE (2020), given that it houses features originally included in their flagship models.

Is it Worth it?/Overall Impressions

All in all, the iPhone SE (2020) is certainly worth the price-point, especially if you miss the good old days when phones used to actually fit in your pocket. Both fans of the original SE and price-conscious shoppers can find peace in knowing that Apple is once again making devices with these considerations in mind. With top-notch performance features and a sleek throwback design, it’s tough to find a better bargain for a high-performance smartphone in today’s market. 

Bear in mind, that if flagship-exclusive features, such as Face ID, multi-camera functionality, or an improved OLED display are important to you, it makes sense to consider some of the higher-end models to ensure that you have all the features and capabilities you’re looking for. But, if you’re looking for an affordable, compact, quality-built device that can handle virtually anything you can throw at it, the second coming of the iPhone SE may just be the grab of the year.