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This review covers the iPhone SE (3rd generation), announced by Apple on March 8, 2022. It pairs the A15 Bionic chip and 5G with a compact 4.7-inch LCD and a physical Home button with Touch ID. That mix makes it distinctive, but the small screen and single rear camera are meaningful trade-offs. Apple’s 2022 launch price is historical, so it does not establish whether the phone is a good value at today’s price.
What the iPhone SE (3rd generation) offers
The SE puts modern-for-its-launch processing and 5G connectivity in a familiar, compact design. Its 4.7-inch display is an LCD rather than a larger OLED panel, and authentication uses Touch ID in the Home button.
| Feature | iPhone SE (3rd generation) |
|---|---|
| Announced | March 8, 2022 |
| Display | 4.7-inch LCD; 1334 × 750 pixels at 326 ppi |
| Processor and connectivity | A15 Bionic; 5G |
| Biometric authentication | Touch ID in the Home button |
| Rear camera | Single 12MP ƒ/1.8 wide camera |
| Storage capacities | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB |
| Size and weight | 138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm; 144 g |
| Water-resistance rating | IP67 under IEC 60529; tested at up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes |
These specifications are from Apple’s technical specifications for iPhone SE (3rd generation). Apple’s March 2022 announcement documents the launch, chip, 5G, and launch-era pricing.
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Apple equipped the phone with A15 Bionic, the same chip family it said was used in the iPhone 13 lineup. In its 2022 announcement, Apple claimed the SE was up to 1.8 times faster than iPhone 8 and said its Neural Engine could perform 15.8 trillion operations per second. Those are Apple’s launch claims, not independent benchmarks or a current comparison with newer phones.
#1 Best Overall
- 4.7-inch Retina HD display. 5G capable
- Advanced single-camera system with 12MP Wide camera; Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 4K video up to 60 fps
- 7MP FaceTime HD camera with Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 1080p video recording. Home button with Touch ID for secure authentication
- A15 Bionic chip for lightning-fast performance. Durable design and IP67 water resistance
- Up to 15 hours of video playback
The chip is the clearest performance strength on the spec sheet. Whether it remains faster or more responsive than a particular phone available now depends on that device and on comparable testing; the available figures do not establish a present-day ranking.
What are the camera and display trade-offs?
One rear camera, with Apple’s computational features
The rear camera is a single 12MP wide camera with an ƒ/1.8 aperture. Apple lists Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode among its camera features. Those capabilities add software processing, but they do not change the hardware fact that there is just one rear camera. A comparison of image quality against other phones would require matched, independent testing; the specifications alone do not show which camera produces better results.
Rank #2
- 4.7-inch Retina HD display. 5G capable
- Advanced single-camera system with 12MP Wide camera; Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 4K video up to 60 fps
- 7MP FaceTime HD camera with Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 1080p video recording. Home button with Touch ID for secure authentication
- Up to 15 hours of video playback
A compact LCD rather than a larger screen
The 4.7-inch LCD and 1334 × 750 resolution make the phone smaller than many larger-screen alternatives, but leave less display area for reading, video, and onscreen controls. At 326 ppi, the listed pixel density is a concrete specification, not a measure of brightness, contrast, or viewing quality against another model.
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What should you expect from charging, battery, and durability?
Battery life cannot be ranked from the launch claim
Apple said the A15 brought better battery life, but that statement does not provide a measured runtime. The cited Apple materials contain no independent battery test or comparable hours figure. Battery condition also matters when evaluating a used phone; the specifications cannot tell you how long an individual device will last between charges.
Rank #3
- 4.7-inch Retina HD display. 5G capable
- Advanced single-camera system with 12MP Wide camera; Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 4K video up to 60 fps
- 7MP FaceTime HD camera with Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 1080p video recording. Home button with Touch ID for secure authentication
- Up to 15 hours of video playback
Charging options
The SE supports Qi-certified wireless charging and fast charging. Apple’s launch page said Qi chargers were sold separately, and its fast-charge testing used a USB-C power adapter. Check the current package contents and exact adapter compatibility rather than assuming a charger is included.
Water resistance has limits
Apple lists an IP67 rating under IEC 60529, based on testing at up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Apple also warns that water resistance is not permanent and can diminish with normal wear; liquid damage is not covered by its warranty. Treat the rating as protection under specified test conditions, not a promise that an older or damaged phone is waterproof.
Rank #4
- 4.7-inch Retina HD display. 5G capable
- Advanced single-camera system with 12MP Wide camera; Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 4K video up to 60 fps
- 7MP FaceTime HD camera with Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 1080p video recording. Home button with Touch ID for secure authentication
- Up to 15 hours of video playback
Is the iPhone SE (3rd generation) worth buying?
It may suit someone who specifically wants a compact iPhone with a Home button and Touch ID, while valuing 5G and the A15 chip. The obvious compromises are the 4.7-inch LCD and a single rear camera. Whether those trade-offs are acceptable depends on how much you value the smaller form and Touch ID over screen area and camera flexibility.
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Best Value
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
For a fair buying comparison, compare phones at the same time, in the same condition and storage capacity. Check the actual price, display size and type, biometric method, camera hardware and independent image tests, battery results under a consistent test, performance under comparable workloads, storage, and confirmed software-support status. If considering a used or refurbished SE, also check battery health, carrier compatibility or lock status, return terms, and seller details before paying.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Apple Newsroom: iPhone SE announcement, March 8, 2022
- Apple Support: iPhone SE (3rd generation) technical specifications
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
