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Apple iPhone SE 2022 (128GB) review

iOS. 4.7inch display size. Priced at $799.

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CHOICE Expert Rating

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What is the CHOICE Expert Rating?

CHOICE Expert Rating

This is the product's overall performance score, based on key tests conducted by professional testers in specialist smartphone testing laboratories in Europe.

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Good points

The product's best features and benefits

Bad points

Drawbacks or issues you need to know about
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Operating system View more details.

The phone's operating system (OS) is what will turn it on or off. The two main operating systems are Apple's iOS and Google Android.

iOS 17.3.1
Recommended View more details.

We recommend smartphones with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 75% or more.

Best for photo and video View more details.

These models performed well for the main camera and the video performance and would be a good option for travel or parties. The selfie camera score is scored separately and mobiles that score well in this area are good if you want to be in your own photo.

CHOICE Expert Rating View more details.

This overall score is made up of: display (15%), performance (15%), battery life (10%), main camera (10%), music quality (5%), video quality (10%), touchscreen (5%), selfie camera (5%), calling sound quality (5%), GPS (5%), ease of use (5%), durability (5%), and privacy and security (5%).

Performance score View more details.

We measure the processor performance as well as assess the storage capacity and available RAM.

Calling sound quality score View more details.

We measure the quality of the sound on calls using a listening panel.

Camera quality score View more details.

We assess how well the phone performs as a digital camera in day and night conditions.

Selfie camera score View more details.

The selfie camera performance is an assessment of the photo quality when using the camera to put the person holding the mobile in the shot.

Video score View more details.

We test video quality by capturing video in studio conditions, both at rest and in motion.

Sound score View more details.

Sound score is based on the quality of sound from the integrated speakers and listening through high quality headphones.

Touchscreen score View more details.

We test the touchscreen quality, including the speed of refresh and accuracy of operation.

Ease of use score View more details.

We test how well the mobile performs when writing and receiving text messages as well as email and social apps such as messenger and Facebook.

GPS score View more details.

We measure the phone's GPS performance for accuracy and speed.

Display score View more details.

We assess the size of the display as well as quality of the image with regard to sharpness and colour clarity.

Durability score View more details.

We drop the phone from a table or out of a shirt pocket up to 25 times; store the phones in hot, damp conditions; and carry out a rain test.

Battery score View more details.

If a mobile performs well in other areas relating to charging then the overall Battery score can be higher. This would include the ability to wireless charge or the ability to achieve 70% or more capacity on a 15 minute charge.

Privacy score View more details.

Privacy and security performance includes the ability to easily reset the phone and wipe personal information as well as the provision of an easy to read T&C document supplied when setting up the phone for the first time. We also check to see if the automatic update process is transparent and opt in rather than opt out.

Battery life after a 15-minute charge (hours) View more details.

This is the battery life you can expect from your mobile after charging for 15 minutes using the supplied charger.

Price View more details.

Recommended retail price at time of purchase.

$799
4G View more details.

4G or LTE (long term evolution) is a wireless standard to get faster online performance from your mobile phone and replacing the 3G network as the most widespread option.

Yes
5G View more details.

5G is the fastest available network and with support on smartphones for less than $400 is a must if you want to keep your mobile for more than a couple of years.

Yes
USB connection
Lightning
Camera resolutions (MP) View more details.

The resolution of the camera lens, or lenses, on the back of the phone. These may vary depending on the type of lens (e.g. wide and telephoto).

12
Front camera resolution (MP) View more details.

Also known as the 'selfie' camera

7
Standard headphone jack View more details.

A phone with a 3.5mm jack will let you use a standard set of headphones to listen to music. USB-C and Lightning connections force you to use special headphones that are often expensive and of variable quality. Alternatives include wireless Bluetooth headphones.

No
Removable memory card (microSD) View more details.

A memory card is a good expandable memory option to store photos, video and music.

No
Bluetooth version View more details.

The higher the Bluetooth version the more efficient it is for power saving and security

5
Internal memory (GB) View more details.

Internal memory is the storage on the phone itself which will be used to contain both the Operating System (OS) as well as any other stuff you want to keep on your phone such as photos, video, apps etc.

128
Internal memory available (GB) View more details.

This is the internal memory of your phone, less the memory taken up with storing the operating system (OS) and other apps the phone comes shipped with. You'll most likely have around 6GB less than the claimed amount to store your own content.

120
Name of application store
App store
Battery capacity (mAh)
2018
Screen resolution (px, WxH)
1334 x 750
Display size (inch) View more details.

Screen size in inches (measured diagonally).

4.7
Weight (g)
145
SIM
Nano, eSIM
SAR (W/kg) View more details.

The specific absorption rate (SAR) of the phone indicates the amount of energy per kilogram of body weight absorbed when using the phone as claimed by the manufacturer. Although evidence relating to exposure to electromagnetic fields remains inconclusive, you may want to choose a model with a lower SAR value if this is a concern to you.

0.99
Website
apple.com.au
Availability View more details.

'Tested model' means you ought to be able to find this in retailers. We check availability every time we test, which is about 6–10 times a year.

Tested model
Wi-Fi (b/g/n/ac/ax) View more details.

All models support b and g speeds. Most new models support n and ac speeds while some support the latest ax standard also known as Wi-Fi 6. The number in brackets is another term commonly shown for Wi-Fi speeds with Wi-Fi 5 and 6 being the fastest.

ax (6)
UHD (4K) video capture View more details.

UHD or 4K video capture is standard for the latest mobiles but some older models may only deliver HD video capture.

Yes
NFC View more details.

Handy for things like tap'n'pay, and faster connections to wireless speakers.

Yes
FM radio View more details.

Some smartphones still support FM radio when you use the wired headphone as an antenna.

No
Gyroscope View more details.

The gyroscope changes the orientation on your phone. For example, when you're looking at a photo and the image automatically turns from portrait to landscape when you move the phone.

Yes
Compass
Yes
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