Apple has officially announced the return of the iPhone SE, with its latest smartphone due for later this month.
It marks the return of the entry-level iPhone, just over four since the first generation SE launched.
Prices begin from £419 with customers able to pre-order the smartphone from Apple’s website from 5am this Friday (April 17).
The phone will be available in three variants, with 64GB, 128GB and 256GB of memory available. The range will also come in three colours; black, white and red.
The new iPhone SE comes with a 4.7-inch retina HD display, and offers water and dust resistance with an IP67 rating.
It also comes with the A13 Bionic chip, which Apple claims is the fastest chip in the world, which it introduced in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.
While Apple hasn’t confirmed the official battery size, it also claims that the SE supports fast-charging that can get from zero to 50 per cent in 30 minutes.
It comes equipped with a single-camera system that features a 12MP wide camera, while the rear camera can support video capture at 4K up to 60fps.
CCS Insight chief of research Ben Wood believes consumers will appreciate the cheaper priced iPhone, especially during an uncertain time in the market.
“The new iPhone SE has the potential to drive the next wave of adoption of Apple’s popular smartphone brand. Its aggressive pricing will challenge not only sales of new Android smartphones but is also likely to affect companies who refurbish and resell second-hand iPhones.”
“When it was planning this product, Apple couldn’t have known it would land in a market in complete turmoil as a result of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Although the new iPhone SE was undoubtedly designed to take the fight to Android rivals, it now also offers a more affordable iPhone at a time when many consumers will find it hard to justify spending £1,000 or more on one of Apple’s flagship devices.”
“I think consumers will see this new version of the iPhone SE as more affordable than its predecessor. In 2016 there was a $400 difference between the iPhone SE and a 64GB iPhone 6s Plus. In 2020, the new iPhone SE costs $700 less than a 64GB iPhone 11 Pro Max.”
“Although the new iPhone SE will be labelled as a boring product little different to the iPhone 8, we believe this characteristic could be a major advantage in the current climate.
Uswitch mobiles expert Ru Bhikha has also welcomed the return of the iPhone SE.
“The original iPhone SE won an army of fans when it landed four years ago, appealing to smartphone users who wanted a cheaper, more compact Apple device.
“Budgets couldn’t be tighter at the moment, so the arrival of the new SE lands at an opportune time, especially priced at an attractive £419.
“The return of the traditional Touch ID on the Home button could prove popular for those not won over by Face recognition and it’s well-documented quirks. Smartphone users, wedded to the iOS platform but not prepared to break the bank, will likely flock to the new SE, if the popularity of its predecessor is anything to go by.
However Wood does warn that refurbished and second-hand iPhone sellers could find it difficult to sell older iPhone models now.
“The new iPhone SE will be met with dismay by companies that refurbish and sell second-hand iPhones as it will dent the second-hand price for all previous iPhones.”
