Review: iPhone SE

- The weather of September and so is Apple ... Wait, it's not September at all! And yet a new iPhone in stores, the iPhone SE is to be precise. The device resembles the iPhone 5s over two years ago, but has under the bonnet more.

When I say that the SE is very much like the 5s, I mean 'almost identical'. Apart from a few minor details we are talking about almost the same appearance here. That means back to the 4-inch big screen a few years ago.

Format

Let us therefore begin with, because that was the most striking feature of this phone. There are also no clear phone manufacturers release a device of this size with such powerful hardware - that later in this review, incidentally more. So then the question arises: is 4 inches still convenient to use?

The answer to that question is' yes, if ... "After one and a half years have used a 4.7 inch phone, it was strange to go back to the smaller size. However, a few things were immediately clear. For example it is very nice to see all the buttons below to have one finger. Just when all the icons on the home screen can with your thumb is tasty. Also take pictures with the SE works much better, especially since you that little thing just as you grab more stable. As will also have to make it with the design of the device. Finally me how much easier was the SE fits in your pocket, especially if you have some pants with shallower pockets. My 6s kukelt settled out of my pocket - slob that I am - and that problem I had just not quite at his little brother.

However, there are negatives to mention. So you lost less app icons on your home screen. That may sound like a minor inconvenience, but if I have the choice, I would rather still have fewer home screens having to swipe between. After installing all my apps fact spread over four screens at once, instead of two, as my 'old' iPhone 6s. In addition, I think it is just fine to have a larger screen when watching movies or browsing the internet. Even when gaming can take advantage of the extra space.

In short, the usefulness of the format can be bickering clear. But that is also indicating Apple: some people find the smaller size finer, and for the others we have 6s and 6s Plus. Of course, a variety of Android devices, but you will not hear them quickly in Cupertino.

Hardware

But where virtually nothing is barter, the hardware is among the smaller screen. The SE uses the A9 chip which is also used in the iPhone 6s and that makes for excellent performance. The phone is simply very quickly and most new apps run smoothly and quickly on the unit.

Also, the camera is excellent. This has borrowed the SE eveneensvan its big brother can make a 12 megapixel camera on the back that lets you crisp snapshots. Unfortunately, it is at the front chosen for a 1.2 megapixel camera in place of the 5 megapixel camera which is in the 6s. Less suitable for selfies than its bigger brother so, but it functions otherwise fine.

Another highlight is the battery life. Where my 6s after half a day of intensive use is already at 40 percent, the SE was still comfortably above 60 percent. According to Apple's device 13 hours when using 4G and in practice, knocking nice. In my case it was the first time in years that a phone all day without recharging went along.

cuts

We were just equally on the camera at the front was not as good as in the 6s; that's not the only point on which Apple has cut. Thus, the SE has no 3D Touch, where the screen can "feel" how hard you press them. The 6s example gives more options when opening an app by pressing it hard. Well I must say that I've barely missed the post: his big brother I just use him if I want to open the camera directly in video mode and much effort is now also again not to do that in the app.

The Touch ID fingerprint sensor is not of the same generation as the latest big iPhone. The SE makes clear still use the same sensor was used as in the 5s. In practice this means a half-second wait longer to unlock your phone. Frankly, this is of course not a problem, but if you switch from the 6s, it is here and can be so called.

Finally, there are some other points that have been cut, such as the screen and the speed of the 4G radio, but you notice frankly very little about. Even if you've already used a 6s.

Price and similar devices

Then we arrived at the strongest point of the iPhone SE: the price. The device is sold separately for € 489, making it the cheapest iPhone is that Apple has offered ever new. And for that price you get a real attractive, high: fast with a great camera.

The striking feature is that the SE is in a rather unique niche. There are, of course, to get strong Android devices for less (eg LG Nexus 5X, which have been for around € 300 line, or the OnePlus 2 which around € 340 to get it), but then you immediately sit on a screen of 5 inches or less fixed. In other words, you want a really attractive, high in small form, then the iPhone SE really the only choice.

Conclusion

Or format appeals to you, is a personal matter. I myself - despite the benefits - went back to my 6s. Nevertheless, the iPhone SE is an excellent phone that provides a specific need: a small device that can measure its speed and camera power is with the big boys. It is also the best iPhone entry level ever, thanks to the relatively low price.