How the iPhone SE Measures Up to Its Earlier iPhone 5S Predecessor

Apple’s iPhone SE is strikingly similar to the handset it’s replacing, the iPhone 5S. Here’s why potential buyers may be interested in the low-cost iPhone.

Before buyers make any decision on the iPhone SE, they must determine whether a 4-inch screen is right for them. Bigger-screen devices are becoming increasingly popular, which has hurt 4-inch device sales, a least from other manufacturers. That said, there are still smartphone users who prefer compact handsets that can fit with ease in a pocket.

The iPhone SE has precious few design changes compared with the iPhone 5S it’s replacing. Therefore, customers will need to decide whether they can live with, or even prefer, a design that was unveiled all the way back in 2013. Although the iPhone SE’s design is still quite nice, one could argue Apple’s newer designs are better. If you are the kind of smartphone user who is always looking for the latest bells and whistles, the iPhone SE might not be for you.

Apple has delivered the latest specs in the iPhone SE. The device comes with the A9 processor, along with the M9 motion coprocessor. In addition, the handset features faster LTE and support for the latest WiFi standards. Apple has promised that the iPhone SE could technically deliver download speeds of up to 150M bps over LTE and 433M bps on WiFi.

Smartphones have quickly become the go-to products for snapping photos, so it’s perhaps no surprise Apple has delivered solid cameras in the iPhone SE. The rear-facing camera has 12 megapixels, including support for 4K video capture and panoramas. On the front, the device has a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera that can record video at a 720p resolution.

The iPhone SE is a powerful alternative to Apple’s previous 4-inch handset, the iPhone 5S. In fact, Apple says that the iPhone SE has two times the CPU performance of the iPhone 5S. On the graphics side, the iPhone SE tops the iPhone 5S at a rate of three times. With a bigger camera sensor and enhanced features, iPhone SE photos should be sharper. Compared with the iPhone 5S, the iPhone SE is an exceedingly powerful alternative.

Apple has included its Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the iPhone SE. With that function, users will not only be able to unlock their handset with their fingerprints, but will also be able to make in-store and in-apps payments. And since Apple has opened Touch ID to app developers, the fingerprint sensor can be used to secure data in other programs.

Apple’s iPhone SE will be running iOS 9 out of the box. In light of recent reports, including Apple’s acknowledgment of issues with iOS 9.3, some may question if it’s a good idea to buy a device running its latest operating system. However, recent reports have suggested that Apple’s iOS 9 is far more stable than the older operating systems running in earlier iPhones. So, despite the reports of problems, it still makes sense to get an iPhone with the latest iOS version.

Since the iPhone SE has the identical dimensions to the iPhone 5S, customers who currently own Apple’s outdated 4-inch smartphone won’t need to spend too much on additional accessories. Reports claim that those who have a case for an iPhone 5S will be able to use it with the iPhone SE. It might sound like a small victory, but customers often spend a considerable sum on accessories for their Apple devices. With the iPhone SE, they won’t have to upgrade their accessories out of the box.

It’s hard to take issue with Apple’s pricing model on the iPhone SE. The 16GB version is available for $399, making it about $50 cheaper than the iPhone 5S it’s replacing. For customers who want the 64GB version, the handset costs $499. By comparison, the iPhone 6s starts at $649 and the iPhone 6s Plus starts at $749.

Apple is undoubtedly going to announce new high-end, larger-screen smartphones, likely called the iPhone 7, later this year. But that factor is of little matter if you are attracted to the iPhone SE because of its compact dimensions and lower price.