Apple iPhone SE - 2022

That's no slight to the iPhone SE (3rd generation), mind. Apple's cheapest new iPhone continues to perform where it matters the most: the reassurance that the budget smartphone you buy today hasn't traded longevity for lower pricing. The recipe Apple opts for to achieve all that is starting to show its age, but there's no denying that the end result is still a relative bargain in the segment.

Impressive performance and camera quality but battery life and a sluggish 60Hz display mar the iPhone SE 2022’s appeal

Apple's iPhone SE (2022) hasn't changed its looks, and most of the hardware is the same (or very similar) as before. But the A15 chip makes it really powerful, while improving photos and battery life. The price has gone up a little, but it's still a good deal if you want an Apple phone on the cheap.

If you can afford to stretch your budget to the Apple iPhone 13 mini, we'd recommend it over the iPhone SE (3rd generation) any day of the week, but as an entry-level iPhone, the third generation SE is a solid performer and a great upgrade option - you just have to be able to look past that ageing design.

Those who want superior cameras and displays, though, should at least consider the Galaxy A52 or the iPhone 13. If you can wait a little longer and don’t mind Android, there’s also a chance Google’s next mid-range Pixel will be a better deal. For now, it’s nice to see a new iPhone SE that brings modern performance and connectivity in a design that fans of smaller phones will enjoy. It’s basic, but it gets the job done.

I have to imagine that the 2022 SE is the last time we’ll see this particular design appear in a new phone from Apple. If you’re a fan of this form factor and Touch ID, and you don’t want to let them go, then this is probably your last chance to hang onto them. If we see another SE device in two years, it will likely do away with the big bezels and the home button, because life moves fast. Until then, the SE remains a powerful little phone with a retro design that’s just a bit too vintage for most of us.

As was the case in 2016 and 2020, the iPhone SE is your cheapest admission ticket to Apple's ecosystem: iCloud, iMessage, App Store, Apple TV Plus, Apple Music, FaceTime. At $429, I think it's worth the price and is an incredible value for what you get.

If you look around, you’d be hard-pressed to find much that rivals the iPhone SE’s build quality, performance, and features for the same kind of money. Sure, they might have larger displays and comparable or even slightly better camera systems, but the iPhone SE main attraction is that it gets you into the Apple ecosystem and all the benefits that it confers at an attractive price. Ultimately, the iPhone SE might not be the iPhone you want, but it’s the iPhone you need. I know it’s a tired old cliche, but in this case, it’s very true.