By George Storr

Published: Friday, 11 March 2022 at 12:00 am


Apple unveiled its newest iPhone during its ‘Peek Performance’ March event. The new third-generation iPhone SE takes the place of the 2nd-gen SE as Apple’s more budget-conscious option within the iPhone range. We’re breaking down the key differences to help you decide whether it’s worth upgrading and whether a 2nd gen or 3rd gen SE might suit you.

Firstly, for context — Apple’s SE phones ditch the higher-spec cameras and a few other bells and whistles found on the main iPhone range. As a result, they’re much more affordable. For example, the SE’s camera is a 12MP wide-angle lens, whereas the iPhone 13 packs two. A wide and ultra-wide lens, plus apertures, additional settings and AI assistance. So, if you’re looking for the best photography you can get from an iPhone, the SE isn’t the choice for you. It still takes more than serviceable snaps though!

So, how does the new SE compare to its predecessor? Notably, it’s been beefed up with a new chip and some additional AI support. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the two handsets compare.

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iPhone SE (2nd gen) vs iPhone SE (3rd gen): key differences at a glance

  • The new SE is more powerful, equipped with Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, the same chip that powers the iPhone 13.
  • 2022’s iPhone SE has full 5G capabilities. The old one only offers 4G.
  • There’s a larger 256GB storage option on the new SE.

iPhone SE (2nd gen) vs iPhone SE (3rd gen): in detail

Specs

The stand-out spec boost for the third-gen SE is the addition of Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, replacing the A13 chip from the 2020 SE.

That same A15 chip powers the iPhone 13, so we know it’s a powerful all-round performer. It’s a real selling point for the new SE, but it needs to be because the specs are largely unchanged elsewhere.

The 2022 phone offers the same display with the same 625 nits max brightness, the same 12MP wide-angle camera, the same 7MP selfie camera and the same IP67 rating for water resistance. Both phones are also capable of recording 4K video.

There is the addition of 5G capabilities though, which is a real bonus in terms of connectivity and go-anywhere ability. Plus the camera — while offering no more megapixels — does have some more AI support and will take slightly better snaps as a result.

Storage

The new SE is available in three storage variations, with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage. That’s a boost, considering the older handset was only available with either 64GB or 128GB. Of course, the more storage you want, the more you will have to pay.

Price

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The iPhone SE 2020 started at a £419 price point and the new model does exactly the same. It’s available for pre-order from Friday.

Compared to the iPhone 13, which starts at £779, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) is a much more accessible, affordable handset.

For more buying info on the iPhone SE and the whole iPhone range, check out the links below.

There are likely to be one or two good deals on the 2020 model too now, thanks to the release of the 2022 SE. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that Apple may offer less longevity in terms of software and security updates for the older model. If you are interested in a 2020 SE, take a look at the deals below.