The new iPhone SE 2 is here to replace the original SE version, which Apple stopped selling in 2018. Starting at a $400 price tag, the second generation SE with its latest processor and solid camera among other things looks like a good choice for the international and domestic traveler.
Last week Apple officially announced the new iPhone SE 2, a lower-cost iPhone that starts at $399 for a version with 64GB of storage. The device sports traditional iPhone design featuring a 4.7-inch screen, large bezels on the top and bottom, and a home button with Touch ID.
Unlike its predecessor, SE 2 has a better camera, more powerful processor, and a lower price tag. The most affordable iPhone yet features A13 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone, the same chip that is available in the latest iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models.
Camera
Apple calls it “The Best Single-Camera System in an iPhone”. Let’s see why.
There is a single 12-megapixel camera lens on the back (along with a flash). It uses the A13 Bionic chip to improve its Smart HDR photography, which combines multiple shots into a single photo to improve lighting and detail.
It also has a portrait mode with technology Apple calls “monocular depth sensing.” It uses machine learning to detect depth and face, which, unfortunately, means that it will only work on people, not pets.
It includes optical image stabilization, and Apple says it can do “cinematic” stabilization on video as well as support 4K video at 60fps. The front-facing selfie camera is 7-megapixels, and it can also do portrait mode effects.
In the early tests by online aficionados, the camera performed on par with more expensive iPhone siblings in good light conditions. Low light photographs were not as impressive, but still acceptable by many standards.
Not bad for a $400 iPhone.
Dual SIM Card: eSIM + regular SIM
Dual SIM with eSIM provides the flexibility for users to have two separate phone numbers on a single device while traveling abroad or for use as a business line. This means 2 separate mobile wireless service plans.
This can be also useful when crossing borders and wanting to save on your home carriers roaming fees or avoid dealing with the hassles of a local SIM card.
OneSimCard can help in any of these scenarios.
OneSimCard eSIM works perfectly with the iPhone SE 2 model as well as many other esim enabled iPhones including iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max.
So if you are looking for eSIM for your iPhone, you can order and download it right now from our website. No shipping required.
Bands
iPhone SE A2296 Supports the following bands, which should be sufficient for connectivity around the world including Japan, Myanmar and South Korea.
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66)
- TD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48)
Battery life
The new iPhone SE battery size hasn’t been announced by Apple yet. The battery is likely to be very similar to the iPhone 8 capacity, which came with a 1,821mAh power pack.
The A13 Bionic’s chip is supposed to enable a better battery life for iPhone SE 2. However, it still does not come close to a larger capacity iPhone 11 line with the same chip. At the end of the day battery size matters.
Early testers have managed to get a full day of battery life out of SE 2, which is comparable to the overall performance to the iPhone 8 model.
For those spending days out and about and heavy users, an extra battery charger may be a good idea.
General Specs
IPHONE SE 2 2020 SPECS
- Screen: 4.7-inch True Tone display
- Rear cameras: 12-megapixel single 6-element lens, features OIS, flicker sensor for white balance, focus pixels, HDR, and portrait mode for people, video recording at 4K/60fps
- Selfie camera: 7-megapixel camera
- Dimensions: 67.3 x 138.4 x 7.3mm, 148 grams
- Processor: A13 Bionic
- Memory: TBD
- Storage: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB
- Battery: TBD
- OS: iOS 13
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit LTE, Dual SIM with eSIM
- Biometric authentication: second-generation Touch ID fingerprint sensor
- Wireless charging, Lightning connector, 5W charger included
- IP67 protection
Other modernized specs include Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit LTE, Haptic Touch, which is Apple’s replacement for 3D Touch, amounting to a long press with haptic feedback.
There is no headphone jack, but it will come with Lightning headphones in the box.
Conclusion
The jury is still out on the battery life and overall performance. With its comparatively smaller size, solid camera and affordable price it should make a good travelling companion around the world. However, if you are looking for an iPhone with a more versatile camera and longer battery life consider other models.
Traveling with an iPhone? Don’t forget your OneSimCard international eSIM to save big on Data, Voice and SMS around the world!
Order a physical international SIM card or travel eSIM for iPhone today!