The 2022 iPhone SE is the most cost effective iPhone Apple at present sells at $429 (£419, AU$719), making it an interesting possibility for customers on a finances. However you might say the identical concerning the equally priced iPhone 11, which presents benefits similar to a much bigger display screen and twin cameras for $499 (£489, AU$849).
If you happen to’re attempting to resolve between the 2, think about which components matter to you probably the most. The new iPhone SE helps 5G networks, which will not be essential proper now however might be within the years to return. It additionally runs on Apple’s latest cell processor. However the iPhone 11 has a considerably bigger display screen and a secondary ultrawide digital camera lens for taking broader photographs.
Apple can also be anticipated to launch the iPhone 14 in September, which suggests different present telephones would possibly get a worth drop within the close to future.
Our full assessment of the iPhone SE has extra element about its advantages and shortcomings, however here is the way it compares to the iPhone 11.
Carriers like Verizon are persevering with to increase their 5G networks.
Verizon
Do you actually need 5G?
When the iPhone SE launched in March, the iPhone 11 grew to become the one cellphone Apple sells that does not assist 5G. Is {that a} huge deal? The reply is a bit difficult.
The brief reply? No, you do not want 5G right this moment, particularly in case you’re glad with the speeds you are getting out of your present 4G machine. However you may in all probability need 5G within the subsequent two to a few years.
Even then, you in all probability needn’t fear about your 4G cellphone turning into out of date anytime quickly. Carriers are solely simply phasing out 3G networks in 2022 after the community launched 20 years in the past in 2002. If 4G LTE networks comply with the identical trajectory, carriers probably will not start phasing them out till roughly 2030 since these networks solely started rolling out round 2010.
Now the longer reply.
For probably the most half, right this moment’s broadly obtainable 5G networks are solely barely sooner than 4G LTE, and protection can differ relying in your location and provider. As such, the shift to 5G in all probability hasn’t been very noticeable for many individuals simply but, and possibly will not be within the brief time period.
Watch this:
Evaluate: The iPhone SE Is an Unbelievable Worth
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The quickest model of 5G, referred to as millimeter wave, is not obtainable on the iPhone SE. However even when it was, you in all probability would not find yourself utilizing it fairly often, if in any respect. Any such 5G solely operates at brief distances because it has hassle penetrating buildings and different constructions. Meaning you’ll be able to solely discover it in choose areas like sure stadiums and intersections in particular cities.
Verizon has been probably the most aggressive provider in deploying this 5G taste, however you are probably solely going to come across it on sure avenue corners in main cities or in components of sure airports, stadiums or arenas.
The extra vital model of 5G, referred to as midband, is current within the iPhone SE. That is the candy spot amongst 5G flavors and presents the very best mixture of protection and pace. As a result of nothing is ever easy, there are additionally a couple of variations of this taste of 5G. However the iPhone SE helps many of the variations deployed by carriers right this moment.
It isn’t obtainable all over the place but, and protection varies by provider. However community suppliers are making progress. Verizon and AT&T simply turned on their C-band networks on Jan. 19, however are transferring rapidly. Verizon says it already covers over 100 million individuals with C-band 5G (what it calls “Extremely Wideband,” or “UW”) and is focusing on 175 million individuals by the tip of 2022.
T-Cell has constructed out an early lead in 5G due to its Dash buy a few years in the past. It already covers 210 million individuals with its midband 5G (what it calls “Extremely Capability,” or “UC”) and is aiming to cowl 260 million individuals by the tip of this yr and 300 million in 2023.
AT&T has backed off its targets for midband 5G protection (what it calls “5G Plus”) in 2022, however is aiming to cowl 200 million individuals with its midband spectrum by the tip of subsequent yr. The iPhone SE helps some flavors of AT&T’s midband 5G (the model referred to as C-band) however doesn’t work with all of it, particularly the three.45GHz spectrum that the provider will start deploying later this yr nationwide. To get the complete AT&T 5G expertise, you might have to purchase a 2022 flagship cellphone similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S22 or await different units just like the rumored iPhone 14 to seem.
The brand new iPhone SE
Apple
The iPhone SE’s professionals and cons
The iPhone SE can be the fitting selection for many who need the least costly iPhone and like smaller units. Aside from its low worth, the iPhone SE’s greatest attributes are its assist for 5G and the inclusion of Apple’s A15 Bionic chip. That is the identical chip discovered contained in the iPhone 13, that means the iPhone SE has a few of Apple’s extra trendy inside digital camera upgrades.
For instance, the iPhone SE has the newest model of Apple’s excessive dynamic vary processing for photographs, referred to as Sensible HDR 4. The corporate says this expertise applies totally different optimizations round noise, shade and distinction for the topic in comparison with the background of a picture, which ought to make the topic stand out.
The iPhone SE additionally has a characteristic known as Photographic Kinds that debuted on the iPhone 13. It lets customers apply preset shade and distinction profiles to the digital camera app that kicks in every time you’re taking a photograph and will be custom-made. Apple’s pixel-by-pixel photograph processing expertise, which ought to end in crisper element and texture, additionally works on the selfie digital camera along with the primary digital camera. Apple calls this characteristic Deep Fusion.
These upgrades ought to definitely make the brand new iPhone SE higher at taking photographs than its predecessor. However whether or not it is higher than the iPhone 11 is a harder query. The iPhone 11’s A13 Bionic chip does not assist a few of the newer software program processing options seen within the new iPhone SE. These embody Photographic Kinds and the latest model of Apple’s excessive dynamic vary capabilities.
However the iPhone 11 does produce other extras that photographers would possibly admire in comparison with the iPhone SE. The largest of them is a dual-lens digital camera that features a commonplace lens and an ultrawide lens, that means you’ll be able to seize scenes with a wider subject of view than the iPhone SE.
Aside from common efficiency and a few extra digital camera enhancements, having the latest Apple processor additionally means the iPhone SE will assist new iOS options for generations to return. To be clear, Apple’s iOS 16 working system can run on iPhones as outdated because the iPhone 8 and iPhone X from 2017. So it does not appear to be the iPhone 11 from 2019 will lose software program updates anytime quickly.
However having the A15 Bionic inside the iPhone SE as a substitute of the iPhone 11’s barely older chip might allow extra new options for years to return. Sure options in iOS, like spatial audio in FaceTime and Siri’s on-device processing, solely work on Apple’s 2018 iPhones and later despite the fact that older telephones can nonetheless run the software program.
That mentioned, there are additionally some hardware-based restrictions that restrict the iPhone SE’s capabilities, even with its newer chip. In contrast to the iPhone 11, the iPhone SE lacks extremely wideband performance, which is the tech that makes it potential on your iPhone to offer turn-by-turn instructions when finding misplaced AirTags. This is not a deal breaker and sure will not affect day by day use. But it surely’s value enthusiastic about in case you personal or are enthusiastic about buying AirTags.
The iPhone SE can also be the one mannequin Apple sells that also has a bodily residence button with Contact ID. That is likely to be ideally suited in case you’re upgrading from an older cellphone just like the iPhone 8 and do not wish to study Apple’s swipe gestures. It is also good in case you merely aren’t into Face ID, particularly because you needn’t make any changes to Contact ID when you’re carrying a face masks.
All advised, the iPhone SE is the fitting selection in case you favor smaller telephones and wish the most cost effective iPhone potential. If you happen to’d somewhat have a cellphone that may really feel quick and assist extra common iOS options for years to return, however do not care about having a much bigger display screen or extra versatile digital camera, it is the fitting cellphone for you.
The iPhone 11
The iPhone 11’s professionals and cons
Regardless of missing 5G and Apple’s latest processor, the iPhone 11 feels extra like a contemporary cellphone than the iPhone SE in a number of methods. It has a bigger, 6.1-inch display screen, which is similar dimension because the iPhone 13’s show. It additionally helps Face ID like Apple’s different flagship iPhones and has a dual-lens digital camera. The iPhone 11 additionally has Apple’s newer design with a virtually borderless display screen, whereas the iPhone SE has bezels above and under the show.
The display screen is likely one of the most vital features of any cellphone because it’s how we work together with our units. As such, show dimension ought to be a significant component when deciding between the iPhone SE and iPhone 11. Each telephones have an LCD display screen and the identical variety of pixels per inch, so they need to provide comparable high quality. However there is a drastic distinction in dimension. If you happen to do a variety of studying and TV watching in your cellphone, the iPhone 11 is likely to be the higher selection.
The digital camera is one other main consideration. Whereas the iPhone SE beneficial properties some advantages from the A15 Bionic processor, the iPhone 11’s dual-lens digital camera has extra flexibility on the subject of taking pictures modes.
If you happen to take a variety of group pictures with mates or household, or love capturing broad scenic views throughout a hike, you may want the iPhone 11’s secondary lens with a wider field-of-view. The iPhone 11 has Evening Mode too, which significantly improves your cellphone’s skill to take photographs in darkish situations. You will not get both of these options on the iPhone SE, though Apple does say the brand new cellphone ought to seize higher movies in low mild.
The iPhone 11 must also present longer two extra hours of battery life than the iPhone SE when enjoying again video, based mostly on Apple’s estimates.
Apple’s new iPhone SE
screenshot/Apple
The underside line
On paper, the iPhone SE is healthier suited to long-term use due to its A15 Bionic processor and 5G assist. However I would say each telephones are actually meant to be upgraded after two to a few years — for various causes.
The iPhone 11’s processor is already two generations outdated and it does not assist 5G, so that you would possibly miss out on sooner speeds and sure iOS options in case you maintain out for too lengthy. However relying in your preferences, you may additionally discover the iPhone SE’s tiny display screen and single-lens digital camera to be limiting after a few years.
The iPhone 11 is a greater all-around selection in case you do not thoughts probably upgrading within the subsequent two to a few years for 5G. However in case you simply need a primary iPhone that is extra reasonably priced and designed to final for some time, the iPhone SE is the fitting decide. Simply bear in mind you may should be prepared to sacrifice newer options like a dual-lens digital camera, a bigger display screen and higher low-light images.
Both cellphone ought to provide a noticeable step up for anybody upgrading from an iPhone that is at the very least 3 to 4 years outdated. Earlier than you resolve, it is also value checking whether or not you are eligible for any trade-in reductions by means of your provider or different retailers. You would possibly be capable of snag an iPhone 13 for lots of of {dollars} lower than its common worth in case you meet the fitting circumstances, which might be a greater possibility for some finances customers.
CNET’s Eli Blumenthal contributed to this report.
Apple iPhone SE (2022) vs. iPhone 11
| iPhone SE 2022 | iPhone 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Show dimension, decision | 4.7-inch Retina HD; 1,334×750 pixels | 6.1-inch LCD Liquid Retina; 1,792×828 pixels |
| Pixel density | 326ppi | 326ppi |
| Dimensions (Millimeters) | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | 150.9 by 75.7 by 8.3 mm |
| Weight (Ounces, Grams) | 5.09 oz; 144 g | 6.84 oz; 194 g |
| Cell software program | iOS 15 | iOS 15 |
| Digital camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Entrance-facing digital camera | 7-megapixel | 12-megapixel with Face ID |
| Video seize | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A13 Bionic |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No |
| Battery/Charger | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Fingerprint sensor | Residence button | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | Lightning | Lightning |
| Headphone jack | No | No |
| Particular options | 5G-enabled; Water-proof (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wi-fi charging | Water-proof (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wi-fi charging |
| Value off-contract (USD) | $429 (64GB), $479 (128GB), $579 (256GB) | $499 (64GB), $549 (128GB) |
| Value (GBP) | £419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB) | £489 (64GB), £539 (128GB) |
| Value (AUD) | AU$719 (64GB), AU$799 (128GB), AU$969 (256GB) | AU$849 (64GB), AU$929 (128GB) |
Patrick Holland/CNET
The long-awaited successor to the iPhone SE (2020) was introduced by Apple throughout its March 8 “Peek Efficiency” occasion. It options Apple’s A15 chip (which is similar one discovered within the iPhone 13 collection), 5G, stronger glass and maintains the identical general design because the earlier gen.
Pricing for the brand new iPhone SE begins at $429, and preorders start on March 11.
The iPhone 11 got here out in 2019, but it surely nonetheless packs a variety of worth at its new $499 worth. It has a dual-lens digital camera with a large and ultrawide lens, a spacious 6.1-inch display screen and evening mode for taking higher photographs at midnight. It is lacking 5G assist and runs on an older Apple processor. However in case you do not care about having 5G proper now, the iPhone 11 has every little thing else most individuals want in a cellphone.