Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone SE, a device which the tech giant has dubbed the “most powerful 4-inch phone ever.”
The smartphone, designed as part of Apple’s efforts to continue to appeal to those who don’t necessarily prefer the larger-sized screens currently favored by the company’s flagship devices, does fall within the company’s iPhone 6 series of smartphones despite its incongruous name. According to Apple, the device boasts the same amount of power as the iPhone 6S but condensed into a 4-inch frame, with also it combining the company’s A9 processor with the embedded M9 motion co-processor.
The iPhone SE has also nabbed the 6S’s camera, with the 12-megapixel iSight supporting dual-tone flash, the ability to take Live photos and record 4K video that can be edited on-the-fly using the iMovie app. They’ve also stepped up their selfie-taking game with a front-flashing flash, though unfortunately this removes the possibility of 3D Touch.
Image Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
In terms of neat little extra features, the iPhone SE supports the Apple Pay service and also allows for hands-free Siri commands. It’s also got faster LFE and faster Wi-Fi than the iPhone 5S, the device it has replaced, but in terms of aesthetics and performance it’s similar to Apple’s last small smartphone, albeit more powerful.
The iPhone SE is also the cheapest iPhone ever, with prices starting at $399 for 16GB and $499 for 64GB. Considering how infuriating the lack of storage in the entry level iPhone 5S was, though, if you’re looking to lay down cash on the SE we’d strongly suggest opting for the 64GB model.
Pre-orders will begin on March 24th, ahead of its launch date on March 31st.
