It’s been a big week of news for Apple fans as Apple released their latest line up of new devices. This included a brand new 10 inch iPad Pro (which begs the question why you would get the larger one now…) and a new iPhone. No, we are not talking the anticipated iPhone 7 for this year (which will likely be released in September of this year) but the smaller iPhone SE. So what is this phone, who is it aimed at and should you get it?

 

 

What is the iPhone SE?

The iPhone SE is basically an iPhone 6s in the shell of an iPhone 5s. With this in mind, here are the specs of this new smartphone by Apple:

• Runs the latest iOS 9 software.
• Runs on the A9 processing chip used in the iPhone 6s.
• Has a 4 inch screen – Apple claims it is the most powerful 4 inch phone ever to have been created (which is probably right considering all smartphones have much larger screens than 4 inches nowadays).
• 12 megapixel camera that can shoot 4k video.

In summary, it is a iPhone 5s with some added features that have come from the iPhone 6s, such as new software, a better camera that can shoot 4k video and a much faster processing and motion sensor chip.

 

 

Who is the iPhone SE Aimed at?

When the iPhone 6 first came into production, it was a big step up for Apple mainly because of the screen jump that came from the iPhone 5s to 6. However, what Apple have learnt the hard way is that most people were pretty happy with the 4 inch screen that was on the iPhone 5s. It is easier to use in one hand, smaller in your pocket and compact in design. In many areas, the iPhone 5s was better than the iPhone 6 (but, of course, in most it wasn’t).

 

There is still a market for small smartphones: Sony has proved this with the Compact series of smartphones that always come out at the same time as their flagship Z series: the same specs in a smaller design.

But, apart from Sony, there are not really any other companies that make very powerful small smartphones. So, in this sense, Apple are going into a market segment that has little competition. By pricing the iPhone SE slightly lower too, they are going to looking at those who want the compactness of the 5s (which people loved) with up to date features that are currently on the 6s – potentially, this could be a match made in heaven.

 

 

Should You Buy an iPhone SE?

If you have an Android phone, then you are pretty much only going to be reading this with a little curiosity but no intention of moving over to iOS. If you have an iPhone or 6s, it is fair to say you should probably stick with your phone as it is not worth the upgrade (if it could be called an upgrade going from the 6 to SE).

On the other hand, if you have anything older than the 6 such as the 5s, 5 or, God forbid, the 4s, then it might be worth your money to purchase the SE.