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Apple iPhone SE review: A fantastic entry-level iPhone

By Kenny Yeo - 2 Aug 2020
Launch SRP: S$649

Camera and sample images

Camera and sample images

The new iPhone SE may only have a single camera but it benefits from Apple's latest image processing pipeline.

Unlike Apple’s newer iPhones, the iPhone SE only has a single camera on the back. It’s similar to the iPhone XR’s in that it’s a 12-megapixel f/1.8 camera. Apple won’t say but some have reported that the sensor is identical to the iPhone XR but the lens is different. The front-facing camera shoots at 7-megapixel, which, again, is similar to the iPhone XR.

However, the iPhone SE benefits from using the A13 Bionic’s advanced imaging processing. One of the highlights of the new imaging processing pipeline is Apple’s new Smart HDR algorithm which automatically adjusts highlights, shadows, and sharpness in specific areas of the photo. It can also automatically detect people and treat them differently from the rest of the photo. And on top of Portrait Mode, the iPhone SE also gets all of Apple’s Portrait Lighting modes, including the new High-Key Light Mono mode.

Since I can't go out and shoot photos now, this sample image from Apple will have to do. Here, we can see the subject being relighted against bright backlight. (Image source: Apple)

In well-lit situations, I think most people will struggle to tell the difference between photos taken by the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11 Pro. The more expensive iPhone 11 Pro has more detail but it’s not immediately apparent on the screen of your phone unless you zoom in on specific areas to investigate. It’s only in poor light that the difference becomes very apparent. That’s because the iPhone SE does not possess the cheat mode that is Apple’s fantastic new Night Mode or the company's new high-tech Deep Fusion camera feature. The short story is this: though Apple’s pricier iPhones take better photos, the iPhone SE is still a very capable shooter and is more than a match for comparably-priced Android competition.

Where the iPhone SE really excels, however, is in video. It can take 4K videos and at up to 60fps with optical and software stabilisation. Go see if any comparable Android phone can do the same. If you want better quality and colours, you can opt for an extended dynamic range mode, but in that mode, you are limited to 4K resolution at 30fps. Videos on the iPhone SE have great dynamic range, colours, and stabilisation, which are things that even flagship Android phones still struggle to do properly today.

 

Sample images

In the day, photos have nice colours and a good amount of detail. Click to see image in full resolution.

In dusk, the same scene is noticeably noiser but colours are still good and natural. Click to see image in full resolution.

 I think what the iPhone SE does well is capturing the right colour tones. To my eyes, this photo looks more colour accurate and pleasing than the one below taken with an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Click to see image in full resolution.

This was taken by the iPhone 11 Pro Max and it exhibits significantly more detail. However, the colours seem a bit muted. Click to see image in full resolution.

In very dark conditions, the iPhone SE can't hope to compete with Apple's new Night Mode. Even with OIS and me trying to hold the phone as steadily as I can, the image turned out pretty muddy. Click to see image in full resolution.

With Night Mode, the iPhone 11 Pro Max takes much more usable image. Click to see image in full resolution.

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9.0
  • Design 7
  • Features 8.5
  • User-Friendliness 9
  • Performance 9.5
  • Value 9.5
The Good
Peerless performance
Camera is great in most light
Excellent video-recording
Fantastic build quality
Above-average speakers
Genuinely great value
The Bad
Dated design with thick bezels
So-so low-light camera performance
No headphone jack
No expandable storage
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