Why You Shouldn’t Buy the iPhone SE 2020

Apple recently released one of its most anticipated, budget-friendly smartphones, the second-generation iPhone SE. Sure, it’s a powerful device given that it sports the A13 Bionic chip, and way more affordable compared to the base model iPhone 11. But even with the PHP 26,490USD 451INR 38,267EUR 430CNY 3,287 price tag, I don’t recommend buying one. Here’s why.

Authors note: If you are an Apple fanboy, feel free not to read this article. 

Table of Contents

Design

Some people will say that buying an iPhone is like buying six years of software updates from Apple, which is excellent as you can be sure that your device won’t get obsolete in just a few years. However, we can’t say the same thing when it comes to its design, considering that its Android competitors, and even Apple themselves, are releasing devices with larger screens and better designs to improve usability. While it has a powerful engine under the hood, the small screen and large bezels might feel like a downgrade, which you will notice when you use applications that look better on a device with a more functional screen.

Display

Since we’re already talking about the display, the iPhone SE 2020 is not for you if you’re looking for a large, high-resolution screen. With a 720p display, pixels are noticeable on this phone when consuming media. And with approximately 650 nits of brightness, you’ll find the SE 2020’s screen hard to use under broad daylight.

Upcoming iPhone 12

The iPhone 12, as rumored, the new generation of iPhones will come in four variants, which includes the base model iPhone 12. It is reported to have a 5.4-inch AMOLED display for USD 649PHP 38,087INR 55,003EUR 618CNY 4,724 or approximately PHP 32,500USD 554INR 46,950EUR 527CNY 4,033 when converted directly. If rumors are right, why not skip the iPhone SE 2020 and save a little more for this new iPhone?

Alternatives

For more options, below are some better phones that you might want to consider within the iPhone SE’s price range:

OnePlus 7T

If you don’t mind exploring the Android ecosystem, considering that OnePlus runs on OxygenOS, which is close to stock Android, this phone is one of the best you can get. It has a 6.55-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ chipset, and triple-rear cameras setup, one of which is a 48MP sensor.

At PHP 30,000USD 511INR 43,338EUR 487CNY 3,723, even though it is PHP 4,000USD 68INR 5,778EUR 65CNY 496 more, this can give you a lot more features, almost the same performance, and has a way better display than what’s on the SE.

Xiaomi Mi Note 10

You can also get the Xiaomi Mi Note 10, which has a curved 6.47-inch AMOLED display, up to 256GB of internal storage, 8GB of RAM, and a penta-camera setup – one of which is a 108MP camera—and priced at around PHP 25,000USD 426INR 36,115EUR 406CNY 3,103 in Lazada.

If you can’t get out of Apple’s ecosystem, these iPhones are also worth checking out:

iPhone X

The iPhone X is still a good candidate for a daily driver. The chipset might be older, but this iPhone can still provide decent photos and snappy performance when it comes to multitasking and playing graphically intensive games. For a starting price of PHP 20,000USD 341INR 28,892EUR 325CNY 2,482 for a second-hand unit, you’ll get Apple’s modern iPhone design, FaceID, and an AMOLED display.

iPhone XR

You can also check out the iPhone XR, one of the closest contenders to the iPhone SE, when it comes to camera and performance. The iPhone XR has 6.1-inch IPS LCD panel, Apple’s A12 Bionic chipset, and 12MP single-lens camera. You can cop this one for a starting price of PHP 30,000USD 511INR 43,338EUR 487CNY 3,723 or PHP 25,000USD 426INR 36,115EUR 406CNY 3,103 for a second-hand unit. If you want it brand new, you can still get this for PHP 40,990USD 698INR 59,214EUR 665CNY 5,087 from an Apple authorized reseller like PowerMac or Switch.

iPhone XS/XS Max

You can also get Apple’s 2018 flagship devices like the iPhone XS or even an iPhone XS Max. Both have an OLED display, A12 Bionic chipset, and dual-rear cameras. While the second-hand units for the larger XS Max with 6.5-inch display retail for PHP 33,000USD 562INR 47,672EUR 536CNY 4,095, the units for the younger XS cost PHP 26,000USD 443INR 37,560EUR 422CNY 3,227

Note: Purchased iPhones from third-party resellers are mostly second-hand devices or refurbished. Make sure to check and test everything before you buy it.

On paper, the previously mentioned phones are slightly behind when it comes to performance compared to the new iPhone SE. But when it comes to day-to-day use, I don’t think you’ll notice the difference.

Sure, the iPhone SE 2020 is the cheapest yet latest iPhone you can buy right now. But if you don’t mind owning an Android device or a second-hand/refurbished iPhone, then you should skip the iPhone SE 2020.