iPhone SE 2 vs. iPhone SE 3 | Here’s Everything That’s Changed in Apple’s Newest Model

After many months of speculation and rumors, the third-generation iPhone SE is finally a reality. Apple announced the new iPhone SE during its March keynote, and it was a pleasant surprise, to say the least. However, if you’re already a second-generation iPhone SE user, you basically saw the same iPhone. 

The truth is, on the outside, the new iPhone SE 3 didn’t change in pretty much any way. Instead, Apple decided to focus on other performance changes and upgrades, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing either. 

Believe it or not, there are a lot of new features in the third-generation iPhone SE, albeit it might seem like the same old iPhone SE on the outside—which already looked like the even older iPhone 8. 

Apple Changed the iPhone SE’s Price

Unfortunately for people on a budget, Apple decided to change the price of the iPhone SE 3. Now, the new iPhone SE is more expensive, albeit it can still be considered a budget iPhone. 

The new iPhone SE starts at a price of $429 for the base model, and that’s a $30 price increase compared to the 2020 model, which started at $399. 

The other bad news is that Apple didn’t increase the storage on the new iPhone SE, so you’ll still have to deal with 64GB of storage, which isn’t too little, but it’s less than what most people need nowadays. 

New iPhone SE Means Better Performance

The biggest change on the iPhone SE isn’t on the outside but on the inside. Apple decided to improve the processor on the iPhone SE, and it did an amazing job. 

While the older 2020 iPhone SE featured the A13 Bionic chip, the new iPhone SE now has the A15 Bionic, which is the same chip the iPhone 13 lineup has. What’s more, the third-generation iPhone SE now comes with 4GB of RAM, whereas the older iPhone SE came with 3GB.

It might not seem like much at first, but this chip opens the door for new features, better performance, and even (slightly) better battery life.

This Is the Toughest iPhone SE Yet

While it may look like Apple didn’t change anything on the outside, that’s not entirely true. Sure, you have slightly different color options, but there’s another new thing that you probably won’t even notice: Ceramic Shield or the toughest glass available on a smartphone. 

Thanks to the Ceramic Shield, Apple made the new iPhone SE more durable than ever. At least, we think it’s the Ceramic Shield since this time around, Apple only calls it the “toughest glass in a smartphone,” and not Ceramic Shield. It’s still nice to know that you have a stronger iPhone this year.

This new glass is on the front and the back of the iPhone SE, so it’ll have better chances of surviving a few drops from your pocket. Still, don’t expect that the new glass makes will replace a case, but it’ll get the job done. 

(Slightly) Better Battery Life 

The battery life on the previous iPhone SE wasn’t the best, and in fact, it was one of the iPhone’s biggest problems. However, this year, Apple claims that the new iPhone SE has a better battery life, but don’t get your hopes up just yet. 

People who have already used the new iPhone SE don’t see that big change in the battery department, albeit the new iPhone SE lasts longer than previous models. 

The problem with the new iPhone SE is that it still has the same small battery, so Apple doesn’t have much room to work with. Instead, Apple increased the performance with the help of the A15 Bionic chip and made some internal design changes to make the iPhone SE’s battery last longer. 

Still, don’t expect to get that much out of the new iPhone SE, especially if you’re a power-user. 

You Can Take Better Pictures

On paper, both the 2020 and 2022 iPhone SE models have the same camera system, and this means you’ll still get the same 12MP camera on the back.

However, the iPhone SE 3 wins this round again thanks to the help of the A15 Bionic chip. This powerful processor allows the new iPhone SE to take better, more detailed pictures with brighter colors. 

Not only that, but now you’re able to shoot videos in 4K and use different camera features like Photographic Styles, which was only available on the iPhone 13. 

However, if you’re looking for an iPhone to take pictures at night, none of the iPhone SE models will help you since Night Mode still isn’t available on the new budget iPhone. 

New 5G Support

The new iPhone SE got a big change in connectivity. Apple confirmed that the budget iPhone will now support 5G connectivity (non-mmWave), which is a first for the iPhone SE models. 

However, you should consider 5G like a double-edged sword for the iPhone SE. You’ll get better and stronger connections with faster download speeds on the one hand. On the other hand, 5G might drain the iPhone SE 3’s battery life even faster, so it’d be best to use 5G with caution. 

Still, having 5G makes the new iPhone SE a truly future-proof iPhone that you can buy today and forget about upgrading until a new, better-looking iPhone SE comes out. 

Is the New iPhone SE Worth It?

There’s no doubt that the new iPhone SE has many new features that make it a great option to get into the world of small, budget iPhones.

However, if you already have the 2020 iPhone SE, then you’re probably better off waiting for the next iPhone. Not only does the new iPhone SE looks exactly like the last one, but if you’re a casual user, you might not even need better performance or more battery life (or even notice the difference). 

It’d be best if you just wait until Apple decides to release a new iPhone SE. After all, the 2020 model will still have software updates for at least four or five more years. 

On the other hand, if this is your first iPhone SE, this budget iPhone is the perfect option for you. You’ll get one of the fastest, most powerful chips available on any smartphone at any price range. Plus, you’ll also get an iPhone that does pretty much everything the more expensive models do for a way lower price than the iPhone 13. If you like small iPhones or want to get a budget smartphone, you won’t regret the iPhone SE.