iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Now even more bang for your buck

NICK ODANTZIS/MARK SPOONAUER

From $429 From apple.com

Features 4.7-inch Retina HD (1344 x 750) display, A15 Bionic chip, 5G, 12MP (f/1.8) Wide camera (rear), 7 MP (f/2.2) FaceTime HD camera (front), Touch ID, 64GB/128GB/256GB storage capacity, IP67, 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches, 5.09 ounces

The 3rd generation iPhone SE is here, two years after the previous generation was a revelation for those wanting a small, relatively inexpensive iPhone, and the new-for-2022 version continues this theme with aplomb. Ostensibly, it's the same device we reviewed back in July 2020 (#169), with a few choice upgrades that bring it up-to-date, and ensure that those wanting a small iPhone don't have to compromise on performance. There are some aspects of the 3rd generation iPhone SE that are lacking slightly compared with the more expensive models, but at the $429 entry point, you can't really grumble about this.

So what exactly is new then, and what remains unchanged? The new iPhone SE is still sporting the same 4.7-inch Retina HD screen in a hand- and pocket-friendly design. It's slightly lighter this time around at 5.09 ounces compared with the outgoing model, which is 5.22 ounces. The new iPhone SE also has a slightly different range of color choices available at the point of purchase – you now get Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red. The latter option remains unchanged, but the former two are subtly different to the black and white of the 2nd generation SE, Midnight being a dark navy, and Starlight an off-white color. Though the 2022 model might look the same physically, it now features the same glass front and back as in the iPhone 13, which is tougher than the 2020 model, so that's good to know. It's also still IP67 water resistant, which gives you a bit of a safety net if you accidentally drop it in water.