Apple unveiled the iPhone SE 2nd Generation on April 24, 2020, with retail prices starting at $399. A cheap iPhone SE 2020 offers a lot of bang for your buck thanks to its speedy processor, higher resolution screen, and more. And for fans of small phones, there’s quite a lot to love. But just because the new SE is a great value doesn’t mean you can’t get an even better deal buying gently used on Swappa. Read on to learn more about the new iPhone SE and whether it’s worth buying in 2022.
Jump to:
- Design
- Specs and Features
- Camera
- How much is the iPhone SE (2nd gen)?
- What else can I get for the same price?
iPhone SE… updated
The original iPhone SE came out in 2016 and offered many of the same features from the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, but in a smaller form factor similar to what was first seen on the iPhone 5. It was also cheap, starting at just $399 for the 16GB model. Unsurprisingly, the original SE sold like hotcakes among value-conscious users and those simply looking for a device that’s a little easier to use one-handed. Although the original SE was given a very minor refresh a year later with larger storage capacities, fans of the SE were left longing for a true successor, with many coming to the conclusion that the idea of a smaller and cheaper iPhone had been put out to pasture. But this changes now!
The iPhone SE (2nd gen) is Apple’s latest take on an affordable Apple iPhone. It sits alongside the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max as the final member of the 13th iPhone generation. And just like the original iPhone SE crammed iPhone 6S internals into the iPhone 5 chassis, the updated iPhone SE 2 packs many of the iPhone 11’s innards into a smaller phone very reminiscent of the iPhone 8. While this may dash the dreams of those longing for another 4-inch iPhone with flagship specs, there’s still quite a bit to love about the iPhone SE 2.
What colors does the iPhone SE 2 come in?
The original iPhone SE was available in four colors: Silver, Gold, Space Gray, and Rose Gold. This time around, the new iPhone SE keeps thing simple with just three colors: Black, White, and the limited edition (PRODUCT)RED.
How big is the iPhone SE 2?
The iPhone SE (2nd gen)‘s three colors surround a slim and streamlined body that’s just a little bigger than its predecessor at 67.3mm x 138.4mm x 7.3mm. The new phone also features many of the same design cues seen in the iPhone 8, such as chin and forehead bezels and a front-mounted home button with Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
In fact, aside from a few very minor details, the iPhone SE (2020) looks almost identical to the iPhone 8. So if you haven’t embraced the notch, or if you simply prefer fingerprint authentication over Face ID, the new SE may be just what you’re looking for.
iPhone SE (2nd gen) specs and features
The refreshed iPhone SE 2 packs some of the best features of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro in a smaller and much more affordable package. This includes speedy internals like the ultra-powerful Apple A13 Bionic processor and a starting storage capacity of 64GB. In other words, the new iPhone SE is a technological powerhouse capable of plowing through whatever heavy lifting you’ll need in the foreseeable future. Check out our iPhone Comparison Guide to see how it stacks up to other iPhones.
| Display Size | 4.7-inch Retina HD with True Tone (IPS) |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1334×750 (326 ppi) |
| Processor | Apple A13 Bionic |
| Memory | 3GB |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 12MP f/1.8 with OIS |
| Selfie Camera | 7MP f/2.2 |
| Battery Capacity | 1821mAh |
| Dimensions | 67.3 (W) x 138.4 (H) x 7.3 (D) mm |
| Weight | 148g |
| Water Resistance | IP67 water and dust resistance |
iPhone SE (2nd gen) camera
Apple iPhones always have fantastic cameras, and so far it’s looking like the iPhone SE (2nd gen) will continue the trend. Although the revised SE does away with the double- and triple-camera arrays of its larger and more expensive stablemates, the new SE packs a single 12MP camera that boasts similar specs to the primary wide-angle camera on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.
Despite only having a single camera lens and lacking night mode, you shouldn’t worry too much about photo and video quality! Thanks to the powerful A13 Bionic chip, the iPhone SE 2 packs most of the computational photography tools available to its bigger brothers. This means features like Smart HDR and Portrait Mode — although portrait mode is limited to people rather than pets or objects due to the single-camera module.
Moving on to video, the iPhone SE 2 boasts impressive specs out of its front and rear cameras. The rear camera lets you shoot 4k60 or 1080p video at 240 fps for super slow motion. On the front selfie camera, you can shoot 1080p footage at 30 fps.
How much does the iPhone SE cost in 2022?
Let’s shift gears to the most compelling part of the refreshed SE: Price. The new iPhone SE 2nd Generation is available in three storage sizes: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. It retails at $399 MSRP for 64GB, $449 for 128GB, and $549 for 256GB. However, you can get a cheap iPhone SE 2nd Generation on Swappa for much less.
Current iPhone SE 2020 prices in 2022 start at under $200 on Swappa, and average prices for the 64GB model hover around $250 depending on condition. And used iPhone SE 2020 prices will continue to fall as time goes by, making it always the perfect time to buy.
What else can I get for the same price in 2022?
Now this is where things start to get really interesting. Although the updated iPhone SE 2020 is undoubtedly one of the best values you can find in a new phone, we all know that buying secondhand can save you a ton of money. This leads to quite a few compelling alternatives, such as a cheap iPhone Xs and even a used iPhone 11!
Used iPhone Xs phones start at around $220 on Swappa in 2022, making the Xs a great alternative to the new iPhone SE (2nd gen). Upgrading to the iPhone Xs gets you a modern, bezel-free design that showcases a larger and more vibrant Super Retina OLED screen. It also packs a more versatile, dual rear camera, enabling a wider range of photos and videos. That said, the new iPhone SE should be a tiny bit faster thanks to the newer A13 Bionic processor, as opposed to the A12 Bionic in the Xs.
If you’re looking for something a bit newer but you still want to save, check out a cheap iPhone 11 instead. Prices start at just $399 on Swappa in 2022, and you get a sleek, bezel-free design and a better screen. You also get a more advanced camera, 1GB more RAM, and you retain the same A13 Bionic that’s also found on the SE.
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Whichever phone you pick, you can rest assured that Swappa is here to help you save money. At Swappa, you’ll always find the best deals on gently used phones, tablets, laptops, and video game consoles. So what are you waiting for? Click on the button below to get the best deal on a used Apple iPhone. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out our iPhone Buyer’s Guide.
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