Apple recently announced the new iPhone SE(some call it the SE 2020/ SE2). In a nutshell, it is an iPhone 8(with the all glass back, the much loved home button, and moderate to huge bezels on the top and the bottom). The Apple logo has been moved to the center of the device to conform to 2020’s norms, and the markings at the bottom have been totally removed(except for the Product Red version), but it has much better internals.
What’s new and old in the iPhone SE?
Apple’s website boasts the processor as the same as the iPhone 11, the A13 Bionic. It has a faster GPU to go alongside the new processor and the same battery, but, with better fast charging capabilities(18 watt). The cameras, both front and the back are the same as the iPhone 8, with slight improvements in the video section with HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec. A detailed comparison(I think I have covered enough here, but for my friends who obsess over meticulous details) you can check out the gsmarena’s website. Let’s now address the baby elephant in the room; will most parts of the world welcome this new SE version of the iPhone the same way as the USA?
Higher costs outside the US.
For comparison, I will take two market perspectives aside from the US; the European and the Asian and we will be looking at the base model iPhone. In the UK, the base model comes in at 419 Pounds which equals to roughly $511. If we go to Europe, the same base model costs 489 Euros which roughly estimates to $527. Now, there is little doubt that there are other phones in the market which can match this price point with all the features that the SE provides. There is competition from OnePlus, Google, and of course Samsung.
What’s good about the SE?
Furthermore this is where things get a bit favourable for the SE; one is that it provides all the basic features that are needed in a $400 phone and it does everything perfectly. It has a more than average camera, good battery, an IP certification, iOS security, it is compact and light. These are not just the things that it offers, rather, it excels at these things. Besides, an iPhone user can be assured of at least four years of updates.
On the other hand, Android phones such as OnePlus and Samsung struggle with updates and unless the phone is from Google, they can hardly get one or two huge updates. Another area where the Android struggles is performance. These phones slow down when used over a longer duration unlike iPhones. That’s not the case with the iPhone SE. Case in point; I have been using an iPhone 6s from 2016 and it has been performing the same way, except for the battery life, as it did on the first day. Not many Androids can do that.
Asia and Europe costs; are they too high?
Lets focus on the $400 cost. It is without a doubt cheaper when compared to the $800 and above phones but is it cheap in all parts of the world? This is where things get interesting. As mentioned above, it costs roughly $500-$530 and that is just for the base model. If we check the cost of the cheapest iPhone other than the SE in the USA we see that the iPhone XR comes close at $599. But, in terms of specs and performance it would beat the SE flat. Things get a lot worse when we look at the Asian market. In China, the SE costs RMB 3299 which equals $463 and in India it costs 42,500 rupees which roughly costs $562. Now, I do understand that there are additional taxes and other things that get added when the phone is sold outside the US, but $562(or $460) for a phone and a design from 2017 is pushing boundaries. Looking at the Asian, and specifically the Indian market, this is an overkill in terms of cost. This phone would, however, be an awesome deal if it is bought in the US to be used in Asia and Europe.
Here are the pros and cons of the iPhone SE:
Pros:
- Tried and tested design.
- Smaller form factor and features already known to all.
- Best value for money.
- Latest processor.
- Phone of choice for people who love the home button.
Cons:
- Battery not on par with the new processor making it drain easier.
- Glass construction making it vulnerable to drops.
- Costly in markets other than the USA.
What should you do?
If you are in the US and wish to have a primary or a secondary device which is reliable and does everything and is within the budget, go for the iPhone SE. It excels at all the basic tasks and provides features that are unbeatable at the cost. It is an excellent choice for people who have been waiting for an upgrade for a long time. On the flipsie, it is costly in some parts of Europe and Asia which makes it less likely to be a favourite. Consumers who are willing to spend above $500 in these markets would go for an Android, or at the same price point, get an iPhone XR. There are other options for these demographics as well such as buying an Apple refurbished device for roughly $500-$600. We have to wait and see if this wild card from Apple works the same charm all around the world as it does in the US.
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