iPhone SE release date, news and features
Update: Apple’s official iPhone SE release date is tomorrow, March 31, and we already have our new phone, as you can see from the unboxing video below.
The iPhone SE is here, and we’ve got all the details you need to know about Apple’s new 4-inch iPhone.
It lines up alongside the 4.7-inch iPhone 6S and 5.5-inch iPhone 6S Plus, giving customers a trio of handset sizes to choose from – and three different price tiers as well.
None are particularly cheap, but at least there’s a more affordable option thanks to the iPhone SE.
First up though, we’re sure you’re wondering what “SE” stands for. No, it’s not “Small Edition”, “Suitably Expensive” or “Subtle Earmuff” – it is in fact “Special Edition”, which was confirmed by Phil Schiller after Apple’s launch event.
It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but it could pave the wave for the iPhone 7 SE later this year.
iPhone SE design
The iPhone SE is identical to the iPhone 5S, the iPhone it is replacing. That means a premium metal body, a physical home key with Touch ID and dimensions which means it’ll sit snugly in your palm, pocket and bag.
It measures 123.8mm x 58.6mm x 7.6mm, the same as the iPhone 5S, and tips the scales at 113g (3.99 ounces). The 3.5mm headphone jack, Lightning connector port and speaker are all housed on the bottom, while volume is up top and the circular volume keys and slide switch are on the left.
The camera lens on the rear is also flush with the body, rather than protruding out like on its bigger brothers. The iPhone SE is a little thicker than the 6S and 6S Plus, which means Apple has had a bit more space to play with when it comes to squeezing in the 12MP iSight snapper.
In terms of colors, you’ve got four to pick from for the iPhone SE: silver, gold, space grey and rose gold.
iPhone SE display
The iPhone SE has a 4-inch Retina display, making it perfect for one handed use. The resolution remains at 1136 x 640, which is the same as the iPhone 5S, with a pixel density of 326ppi.
There’s no 3D Touch however, which is only available on the 6S and 6S Plus.
iPhone SE power
You’ll find an Apple A9 processor and M9 motion coprocessor inside the iPhone SE – those are the same chips you’ll find in the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.
It makes the iPhone SE 30% faster than the handset it’s replacing, so if you’re looking to jump from an old 4-inch iPhone to the new one, you’ll certainly notice the difference.
Apple never reveals how much RAM it handsets pack, but according to early Antutu benchmarks it looks like the iPhone SE has 2GB of RAM inside – putting it on par with the 6S and 6S Plus.
iPhone SE operating system
No surprises here, the iPhone SE runs iOS 9.3 – the latest operating system from Apple which it launched at the same time at the phone.
It’s not the most scintillating of software updates, but it does bring improvements to Notes, News, Music and Apple Health, plus the introduction of a new feature in Night Shift.
Night Shift automatically adjusts the screen temperature in the evening, making the display warmer which Apple says could help you sleep better if looking at your iPhone (or iPad) is the last thing you do before turning in.
iPhone SE camera
Again, bringing the iPhone SE in line with Apple’s two current flagships, you’ll find the 12MP iSight camera on this new iPhone which includes the firm’s Live Photos, Focus Pixels, 4K video recording and true tone flash.
Meanwhile on the front there’s a 1.2MP snapper for your selfies and Facetime calls. That’s a slight disappointment consider the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus both sport 5MP front cameras.
iPhone SE more specs
There’s NFC in the iPhone SE, allowing you to use Apple Pay for contactless payments, something the iPhone 5S cannot do.
iPhone SE release date
iPhone SE pre-orders have already started and the handset will go on sale officially on March 31. If you want to ensure your get the phone on day one, check out our selection of the best iPhone SE deals.
iPhone SE price
The iPhone SE starts at $399 (£359, AU$679) for the 16GB model, while the 64GB variant will set you back $499 (£439, AU$829). That makes it cheaper than the 6S and 6 handsets Apple will continue to sell.
iPhone SE release date: where can I get it?
The iPhone SE will be available on March 31, but pre-orders are already open on Apple’s website.
Alternatively, if you’re purchasing through a mobile network or carrier, here’s where you’ll be able to pick up an iPhone SE of your very own.
Let’s start with the deals in the US and then we’ll move onto those in the UK.
Where can I get it in the US?
AT&T
The iPhone SE is now available for purchase at AT&T. You can purchase the phone outright for $399 and sidestep the contract, or put $0 down and elect to pay $13.34 per month along with the cost of a monthly plan, which at the low-end costs $55 for 2GB of data.
Verizon
The “can you hear me now?” carrier is now offering the iPhone SE. If you’re upgrading from the iPhone 5S, Verizon will offer the SE for $10 per month. After 24 months, the length of the two-year contract, it amounts to $160 off the unlocked price of the device, which is $399. If you’re coming in hot, the SE will cost you $16 per month, plus the additional cost of the plan which is $30 on the low-end for 1GB of data.
T-Mobile
The magenta-colored carrier now offers the iPhone SE. Like the others, you can purchase the new iPhone unlocked for $399 and call it a day, or sign yourself up for a contract, which doesn’t require a down payment, just $16.67 per month for the device, on top of the monthly plan, which begins at $50 for 2GB.
Sprint
Last, but not least, here comes Sprint. The carrier, like the others, began taking orders for the iPhone SE on March 24, with a release date on March 31. To this point, we haven’t heard the official details for how much you can get the SE for per month.
But, looking at Sprint’s plan for the iPhone 6S, the monthly cost of the phone over 18 months is $26.39, so it’s a bit higher than the others, with the benefit of having it paid off more quickly. The basic plan comes with 2GB of data for $40 a month.
Where can I get it in the UK?
Apple
Apple is stocking the iPhone SE with prices starting at £359 for the 16GB phone and £439 for the 64GB.
See deals: iPhone SE at Apple.com
EE
EE has pre-orders live now with free phone deals starting at £29.99 a month with 1GB of data and 500 minutes.
See deals: iPhone SE at EE
Vodafone
You can pre-order the iPhone SE on the Vodafone website right now with 16GB phone deals beginning at £34 a month, £9 upfront, 2GB of data with unlimited minutes and texts. If you want a 64GB phone it’ll cost £40 a month for the same allowances.
See deals: iPhone SE at Vodafone
Carphone Warehouse
Carphone Warehouse is stocking the iPhone SE and pre-orders are live now ready for a March 31 release. You can get a 16GB phone with 500MB of data on Vodafone for £26 a month or 64GB phone on O2 with 500MB of data at £34 a month.
See deals: iPhone SE at Carphone Warehouse
Mobiles.co.uk
Pre-orders are now live with Mobiles.co.uk and free phone deals start at 500MB of data on O2 for £27 a month. If you don’t mind spending a little upfront you can also get 3GB of data on Vodafone for £26 a month and £59.99 upfront.
See deals: iPhone SE at Mobiles.co.uk
Three
Three has confirmed it will be stocking the iPhone SE in all four colors – but so far there’s no word on pricing or availability.
O2
O2 has now confirmed it will be stocking the iPhone SE and pre-orders should go live on the website later today.
See deals: iPhone SE at O2.co.uk
Other retailers
Tesco Mobile will be stocking the iPhone SE but there’s no word on pricing options yet.
Giffgaff has also confirmed it will be stocking the iPhone SE but prices aren’t clear yet. Goodybags range from £5 to £20 with the most expensive option giving you unlimited minutes, texts and UK data. You can also get the 16GB phone for £17.81 a month or £21.77 for the 64GB phone.
Source: techradar.com
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or you could not be a shallow fucker that cares what other people think about your phone as long as it has the functions that you want…
I know as I recently had a 5c and boy was it hard to type on that small screen.
No 3D touch but there is the finger print sensor, maybe that's what they are talking about. Also, Apple won't talk about RAM so it's likely lacking in that area vs the 6s as it is with the carry over 1.2 MP selfie camera.
4K video recording is great but at 16 GB starting point you won't use it much unless one spends the $500 necessary for the 64 GB option.
I get that some people like a smaller phone , but there is nothing new or innovative here. When companies like htc dont update thier products enough they are dragged over the coals , when apple rehashes a 2013 design its hailed as a second coming. Its an iphone 5s s if you will and its not even cheap and it starts at 16 gb.
Latest on pocket now suggests 2 GB but still no confirmation from Apple.
You do realise that the iPhone 5 design was much loved right? So it doesn't matter if the design is from 2012 Apple is giving consumers who still use a 5 or 5s a compelling reason to upgrade with this iPhone, me personally I have a 6s Plus and wouldn't dream of going back to a 4 inch iPhone.
I agree.. I think we have moved on from this form factor. We have iphone 5S's at work, and it's amazing how small the screen feels, those with big fingers always struggle to type on the things.
That pricing is less than I thought it'd be, considering you're getting the most modern internals from Apple. Still though, they could've adopted a more modern design; it's going to take a person with a strong interest in tech to realise you have a phone from 2016 and not 2012.
Does it come with 3D Touch or not? When commenting about the display you're saying it doesn't have: "There's no 3D Touch however, which is only available on the 6S and 6S Plus." but at the end, in the Pros and Cons you say it does include 3D Touch impresses. Am I missing something?
Makes no difference if it was a much loved design, when BMW release a new model they don't make it look like the old one, people want a new design, it's part of the fun, why buy a phone that everybody thinks is a 5S and you end up telling everybod its a 5SE and looking like a chimp
… did I touch a nerve or something?? All I'm saying is if I buy something new, I want it to look new.
I'm not so sure about that? If it has virtually all of the internals of the 6s and 6s Plus except for 3D Touch and the 5MP front facing camera, it should most likely have the 2GB RAM as well.
679$ for a 16GB device…hahahahahaha