Thursday, October 30, 2025

iPhone SE Review (2020)

 iPhone SE Review  (2020)

Release date: April 2020
Manufacturer: Apple
Starting price: approx. PLN 2,199 (64 GB)

Appearance and workmanship

The iPhone SE (2020) is a classic example of Apple's strategy: combining proven design with a modern interior. The casing is almost entirely borrowed from the iPhone 8— a glass back, aluminum frames , and distinctively thick bezels with a Touch ID Home button. For many users, this is a huge advantage—the physical button and small size (4.7 inches) make this phone exceptionally handy.


Screen

The 4.7-inch Retina HD (LCD) display with a resolution of 1334x750 pixels is a solid, if now dated, panel. It doesn't offer a 120Hz refresh rate or OLED contrast, but colors are well-reproduced and the brightness is sufficient for comfortable outdoor use. For fans of small screens, it's a hit.


Efficiency

At the heart of the device is the Apple A13 Bionic processor , the same one that powered the iPhone 11 Pro. This means that despite its compact size, the SE 2020 offers flagship performance . iOS runs smoothly, apps launch instantly, and 3D games run smoothly. In this category, it's a true gem – a small phone, huge power. Unfortunately, iOS 26 won't run with the same performance as iOS 18.


Apparatus

On the back, we find a single 12-megapixel camera (f/1.8) , which, despite the lack of multiple lenses, performs very well. Photos are sharp, with good dynamic range and color. Portrait mode is powered by the processor, not the additional camera. At night, quality drops due to the lack of a night mode, as found in newer models, but in good lighting conditions, the SE has nothing to be ashamed of.


Battery and charging

The biggest drawback of the iPhone SE 2020 is its battery —it has a capacity of just 1821 mAh. With heavy use, it's difficult to last a full day without a charger. Fortunately, the device supports wireless charging and 18W fast charging (although a slower 5W charger is included in the box).


Software

Like every iPhone, the 2020 SE runs iOS and receives regular updates. Thanks to its powerful processor and small screen, you can count on support for several more years. This is a huge plus for those who value device longevity.


Summary

Advantages:

  • Great Performance (A13 Bionic) Not for IOS 26

  • Compact size and classic design

  • Good photos in daylight

  • Touch ID and solid build quality

  • Long-term system support

Defects:

  • Low battery

  • Outdated design with large frames

  • No night mode in the camera

  • The small screen may be uncomfortable for some users


Final score: 8/10

The iPhone SE (2020) is the perfect choice for those who want a compact, fast, and reliable Apple phone without the modern design or large screen. It's a great compromise between performance and price—a classic that still manages to surprise.

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