Electronics › Smartphones
iPhone SE (2022)
Compact touchscreen smartphone with dual cameras
Budget · bottom third of smartphones
Should you buy it??
Trust it — with one check
based on 2 of 6 signals
Quick take
In short: what each side says
Reviewers · Buyers — each opened up in full further down ↓
A capable, long-lasting iPhone in an outdated body—excellent processor and camera for the price, but the small, bezeled screen and missing features feel increasingly dated.
Owners praise the smooth performance, comfort, and bright display, but software complexity and mediocre battery life frustrate some users.
All sides but one land high — Trust it — with one check: Some reviewers emphasize the design feels retro in a bad way, while others see the familiar body as a selling point for….
Quick read · who it’s for
Main competitors
Top rivals in Smartphones.
The verdict
What the panel makes of it.
The iPhone SE (2022) ranks third for smartphones under $500, pairing a flagship A15 processor and capable camera in a compact body, but its outdated LCD screen, weak low-light performance, and mediocre battery life limit appeal beyond users upgrading from older iPhones who value long software support and one-handed operation.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of Jun 2026
A capable, long-lasting iPhone in an outdated body—excellent processor and camera for the price, but the small, bezeled screen and missing features feel increasingly dated.
Where reviewers disagree: Some reviewers emphasize the design feels retro in a bad way, while others see the familiar body as a selling point for upgraders; Disagreement on whether the small screen is a welcome feature or a cramped limitation—apps and content feel optimized for larger displays; Mixed views on whether the A15 chip is overkill for typical buyers or essential for future-proofing
Reviewers splitWhat they praise
- A15 Bionic chip delivers flagship-level performance and ensures years of software updates
- Single 12-megapixel camera punches above its class with excellent color, detail, and 4K video quality
- Compact, pocketable size with Touch ID home button appeals to users who want one-handed operation
- IP67 water resistance, wireless charging, and durable glass borrowed from flagship models
What they knock
- 4.7-inch LCD screen with thick bezels looks and feels outdated, especially compared to budget competitors
- No night mode despite powerful processor; low-light photos come out dark
- Battery life is mediocre, barely lasting a full day under moderate use
- No ultra-wide or telephoto camera; single lens limits versatility
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
In their own words
“It feels like putting way too much engine in a tiny car but the reason for doing this is it's got head room for days”
— Marques Brownlee
“If this design feels crowded and tired now it's going to feel really dated in five or six years”
— The Verge
“I think in 2022 those letters should be changed and they should mean same edition”
— CNET
Synthesised from: Marques Brownlee · The Verge · SpawnPoiint · GSMArena Official · CNET
iPhone SE (2022) Review: Old Dog. New Trick.
Marques Brownlee
iPhone SE (2022) review
The Verge
iPhone SE (2022) REVIEW - Still Worth Buying?
SpawnPoiint
Apple iPhone SE (2022) review
GSMArena Official
iPhone SE (2022) Review: The Most Affordable Way to Go in on Apple
CNET
How it holds up — after the dust settles
The phone holds up over time thanks to the flagship chip, but the aged design and single camera feel increasingly dated against newer budget phones.
Display size and borders
At launch
The small form factor and bezels look acceptable at first
After months
The black bars on sides during video and the small screen become more frustrating with daily use across apps optimized for larger displays
Touch ID home button
At launch
Face ID seemed like the modern solution
After months
The physical home button proves fast, satisfying, and reliable after weeks of unlocking and navigating
Camera capability
At launch
Expected basic performance from a single lens
After months
Image quality on external displays surprises—clarity and color management exceed expectations for the hardware
From 2 long-term reviews — Marques Brownlee · SpawnPoiint (see the videos above).
What buyers say?
What Google knows about it.
Beyond the video critics, Google pools 20,888 buyer ratings of the iPhone SE (2022) from across retailers — a far wider, if blunter, jury. Here’s the shape of that opinion.
20,888 ratings · 7 written
across 5 retailers
What owners single out
Battery life emerges as buyers' weakest aspect, aligning with video reviewers' criticism that the device barely lasts a full day under moderate use.
In their words
“Comfort:I really love the comfort of my Apple Watch. It’s lightweight, stylish, and very comfortable to wear all day. The strap feels soft on the skin, and it’s perfect even during workouts or long hours of use. Plus, the features are super helpful for fitness, notifications, and daily tasks. Definitely worth it! Performance:The performance of the Apple Watch is really impressive. It runs smoothly”
verified purchase · shopee.ph
“The phone unit itself works perfectly (charges quickly, holds charge, touch screen response, etc.). What I truly despise is the Apple software. Apple iOS is designed by Apple-immersed techo-geeks obviously more in love with their ability to incorporate cutesy, extraneous, technical intricacies than in delivering a consumer-friendly product. After struggling with this phone for three weeks, I conti”
Everyman_NE · verified purchase · tracfone.com
as of June 5 · 20888 buyer ratings?
Find your situation?
Made for some — wrong for others.
You want a proven, low-risk phone from a trusted brand.
Apple's established reputation, high rating count (20k+), broad consensus, and guaranteed long-term software support make this a safe, mature choice.
You want a phone that works out of the box with minimal fuss.
iOS is known for ease of use, compact size enables one-handed operation, and Touch ID home button appeals to users avoiding new interfaces.
You want a capable iPhone without spending flagship money.
Strong processor and camera for mid-range pricing, but mediocre battery life and outdated screen design undercut the value proposition against newer budget competitors.
You love phones that delight beyond specs with great design and feel.
Praised for compact pocketability and responsive performance, but the outdated bezeled screen and utilitarian design lack the aesthetic appeal enthusiasts seek. Consider Galaxy Z Flip 5.
You demand the best-in-class phone across all dimensions.
High rating reflects capable performance, but reviewers explicitly cite outdated design, weak low-light photography, and mediocre battery as clear quality compromises. Consider iPhone 15.
You value prestige design and flagship positioning.
Apple brand carries prestige, but the SE's utilitarian design with thick bezels and small screen contradicts premium connoisseur expectations for refined aesthetics. Consider iPhone 15.
You want the newest technology with cutting-edge features.
The SE is a 2022 model with a newer iPhone 15 already available; reviewers note the design feels increasingly dated compared to current competitors. Consider iPhone 15.
Grounded in our buyer-review, reviewer-video, price and successor signals — a poor fit names a closer pick · as of Jul 1.
Alternatives by price · Same field?
Same money, different answer.
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
Who should buy the iPhone SE?
It's built for people upgrading from an iPhone 6s, 7, or 8 who want modern performance and camera without a new interface. Anyone prioritizing a compact phone with long software support is a good fit.
What are the main drawbacks?
The 4.7-inch LCD screen with thick bezels looks outdated compared to budget competitors. Battery life barely lasts a full day with moderate use, and the single camera has no night mode—low-light photos come out dark. There's also no ultra-wide or telephoto lens.
Why does the SE have such a powerful chip if battery life is short?
Reviewers are split on this. Some see the A15 Bionic as overkill for typical users, while others view it as essential for future-proofing and years of software updates. The processor doesn't solve the battery issue—that's a design constraint.
Does the camera perform well despite being a single lens?
Reviewers note the 12-megapixel camera punches above its class with excellent color, detail, and 4K video quality. The lack of night mode and additional lenses limits versatility, but the single lens performs well in normal lighting.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- MakerBy Apple — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.