iPhone SE (2022) review

The iPhone SE offers an accurate screen and camera, and ridiculous amount of power for advanced apps… but can you use it on a screen so small?

Apple iPhone SE 2022 in different colours
(Image: © Apple)

Our Verdict

The iPhone SE (2022) packs some ridiculously capable features into a very small frame. That's its blessing and its curse: the small size will be exactly what some people want, and the strong camera and processor make it great for lots of creative tasks on the go… except that the battery life and limited screen space mean that it's hard to tap all of that creative potential. It's great for the people it's designed for, but creatives on a budget may be better suited to an iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy A series phone.

For

  • Powerful chip and 5G
  • Very strong camera
  • One-handed size

Against

  • 4.7-inch screen is limiting
  • Relatively short battery life
  • Single-lens camera

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The Apple iPhone SE (2022) is the new cheapest phone in Apple's range, replacing the previous iPhone SE with range of internal upgrades, as well as a few external ones – not that you can really tell from the outside.

The iPhone SE (2022) retains the same look as the iPhone 8, which was essentially a new spin on the iPhone 6 – so the design has unquestionably aged a little. But what's inside hasn't: this is a 5G-capable phone with Apple's A15 chip powering it, meaning it's basically the joint-fastest phone on the planet.

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The Verdict
8

out of 10

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

The iPhone SE (2022) packs some ridiculously capable features into a very small frame. That's its blessing and its curse: the small size will be exactly what some people want, and the strong camera and processor make it great for lots of creative tasks on the go… except that the battery life and limited screen space mean that it's hard to tap all of that creative potential. It's great for the people it's designed for, but creatives on a budget may be better suited to an iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy A series phone.

Matt Bolton

Matt is Managing Editor at TechRadar.com, and previously worked on T3, MacLife and MacFormat. He's been testing technology for over a decade, working in specialist Apple publications as well general technology and creative journalism, and has charted Apple’s ups and downs since his student days (but still hopes to hear “one more thing”). By day, you can find him covering TV, audio, smart home gear and more at T3.com, as Home Tech Editor. By night, he's probably updating or pairing or installing some new piece of technology in the quest for the perfect setup.