Tested · Scored · RankedNEWinstax mini Evo 2 — full review & score →
Apple iPhone SE (2nd generation)
Apple

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

2020 Touch ID iPhone with A13

iPhones
—/10What the pros sayPendingExpert consensusSee score breakdown ↓
Storage
Buying call

Skip the iPhone SE (2nd generation) unless it is a short-term kid phone or backup. The SE (3rd generation) adds 5G and a newer battery chemistry in the same body. Buy this one only if you find a clean unit and accept older radios and a weaker camera.

Full verdict ↓
Lowest new price · 64GBCheck price0 retailers
See availability Check the store for today’s priceGet a price-drop alert
Compare prices at
Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
iPhone SE (2nd generation)Check priceSee price
Key specs
Modules
12MP Wide camera - ƒ/1.8 aperture - Digital zoom up to 5x - Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control - Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono) - Optical image stabilization - Six-element lens - LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync - Panorama (up to
Capacity
1821 mAh
Wired charging
18W
Display type
LCD
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Panel
LCD
Size
4.7" (119 mm)
Brightness
625 nits
Performance
Processor
A13 Bionic
GPU
4-core GPU
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
OS
iOS 15; iOS is the world s most personal and secure mobile operating system, packed with powerful features and designed
Battery
Wired charge
18 W
Body
Weight
5.2 oz (148 g)
Dimensions
height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm); width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm); depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
IP rating
IP67
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

Display4.7" (119 mm)LCD
ChipsetA13 Bionic4-core GPU
RAM / storage64GB, 128GB, 256GBiOS 15; iOS is the world s most personal and secure mobile operating system, pac
Weight5.2 oz (148 g)height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm); width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm); depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm) · IP67
63 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

Prices from trusted US retailers, updated daily.

Set price alert

We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are stored at the time of last verification and may change.

0 price points tracked.
Check the store for today’s price.
Available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB.
Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Skip the iPhone SE (2nd generation) unless it is a short-term kid phone or backup. The SE (3rd generation) adds 5G and a newer battery chemistry in the same body. Buy this one only if you find a clean unit and accept older radios and a weaker camera.

Best for

Ultra-budget stopgap with Touch ID

Not for

Anyone who can reach an SE 3 or a newer base iPhone

Main strengthTouch ID and compact layout
Main weaknessNo 5G
Reasons to buy
Touch ID and compact layout
Still runs modern iOS for years after launch
Cheap entry if the unit is healthy
Reasons to avoid
No 5G
Older camera and battery versus SE 3
Short remaining usefulness as a primary phone
Measured view—/10What the pros say.
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple iPhone SE (2nd generation)
This deviceiPhone SE (2nd generation)
VS
iPhone 6s
AlternativeiPhone 6s
Display
4.7"4.7"
Chipset
A13 BionicDual-core 1.84 GHz Twister
Full comparison
Apple iPhone SE (2nd generation)
This deviceiPhone SE (2nd generation)
VS
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
AlternativeiPhone SE (3rd generation)
Display
4.7"4.7"
Chipset
A13 BionicA15 Bionic
Full comparison
Apple iPhone SE (2nd generation)
This deviceiPhone SE (2nd generation)
VS
AlternativeiPhone 8
Display
4.7"4.7"
Chipset
A13 BionicHexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral)
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

All iphones →
iPhone SE (3rd generation)—
AppleiPhone SE (3rd generation)4.7" (119 mm) · A15 Bionic
—
AppleiPhone 84.7" (119 mm) · Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) · 2 GB
iPhone 7—
AppleiPhone 74.7" (119 mm) · Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) · 2 GB
iPhone 6s—
AppleiPhone 6s4.7" (119 mm) · Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister · 2 GB
Product data

Full specifications

63 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Display

Display type
LCD
Peak brightness
625 nits

Main camera

Modules
  • 12MP Wide camera - ƒ/1.8 aperture - Digital zoom up to 5x - Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control - Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono) - Optical image stabilization - Six-element lens - LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync - Panorama (up to
  • 63MP) - Sapphire crystal lens cover - Autofocus with Focus Pixels - Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos

Selfie camera

Modules
7MP camera; /2.2 aperture; Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control; Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono); 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps or 30 fps; Retina Flash

Battery & Charging

Capacity
1821 mAh
Wired charging
18W

Network

SIM
  • Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM) iPhone SE is not compatible with existing micro-SIM cards.
  • Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)14
  • iPhone SE is not compatible with existing micro-SIM cards.
  • eSIM not supported in all regions. Learn more about eSIM on iPhone.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.0

Sensors & Security

Proximity sensor
✓
Barometer
✓
Other sensors
  • Touch ID fingerprint sensor
  • Barometer
  • Three‑axis gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Touch ID fingerprint sensor
  • Barometer
  • Three‑axis gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor

Body

Dimensions
  • height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm)
  • width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm)
  • depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
Water & dust resistance
IP67

Launch & Software

Operating system
  • iOS 15
  • iOS is the world s most personal and secure mobile operating system
  • packed with powerful features and designed to protect your privacy.
  • See what s new in iOS
In the box
  • iPhoneSE
  • USB-C to Lightning Cable
  • Documentation
  • iPhoneSE
  • USB-C to Lightning Cable
  • Documentation
Vote & discuss

Community says

No reader votes on the iPhone SE (2nd generation) yet. Votes happen on head-to-heads: pick a matchup and say which one you would buy.

Reviewed this gadget on your site or channel? Submit your review →

iPhone SE (2nd generation)No store price yetSpecs