Apple on April 15, 2020 announced the new low-cost iPhone SE model that packs in plenty of worthwhile specifications despite the lower price tag compared to other iPhones.
Table of contents
Continue reading for the full iPhone SE tech specs.
iPhone SE (2020) tech specs
For historical purposes, and to make it obvious what the 2020 iPhone SE offers, we’ve put together a quick breakdown of the technical specifications for the handset.
In the box
- iPhone SE with iOS 13
- EarPods with Lightning connector
- Lightning to USB cable
- USB power adapter
- Documentation
Color options
- Black
- White
- Product(RED)
Storage capacity
- 64 GB
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
Available space is less and varies due to many factors. Depending on the iPhone SE model and settings, a standard configuration uses approximately 11GB to 14GB of space, which includes the iOS operating system and Apple’s preinstalled apps. Preinstalled apps use about four gigabytes of storage space, but you can delete these apps (and restore them at any time).
Apple chips
- Apple A13 Bionic system-on-a-chip:
- 64-bit architecture
- Third-generation Apple Neural Engine for machine learning and AI
- Apple M12 coprocessor for motion tracking
Water and dust resistance
- Splash, water and dust resistant
- Rater IP67 (maximum depth of 1 metro up to 30 minutes)
Keep in mind that splash, water and dust resistance are not permanent conditions: resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty.
Display
- Retina HD widescreen LCD display with IPS technology
- 4.7-inch diagonally
- Multi‑Touch
- 1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi
- 1400:1 contrast ratio (typical)
- True Tone display
- Wide color display (P3)
- Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 video content
- Haptic Touch
- 625 nits max brightness (typical)
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
- Display Zoom
- Reachability
Cameras
- Front camera:
- Sensor features:
- 7 megapixels
- ƒ/2.2 aperture
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Photography features:
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects: Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono and High-Key Mono
- Auto HDR for photos
- Auto image stabilization
- Burst mode
- Timer mode
- Exposure control
- Retina flash
- Photo geotagging
- HEIF and JPEG capture formats
- Video recording:
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 frames per second
- Cinematic video stabilization (1080p and 720p)
- QuickTake video
- Playback zoom
- Video geotagging
- HEVC and H.264 video capture formats
- Sensor features:
- Rear camera:
- Sensor features:
- 12 megapixels
- Wide camera
- ƒ/1.8 aperture
- Six‑element lens
- Sapphire crystal lens cover
- Optical image stabilization for photos and video
- Photography features:
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Portrait Lighting with six effects: Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono and High-Key Mono
- Next-generation Smart HDR for photos
- Digital zoom 5x
- Advanced red-eye correction
- Auto image stabilization
- LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync
- Burst mode
- Panorama 63MP
- Photo geotagging
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Image capture formats: HEIF and JPEG
- Video recording:
- 4K video recording at 24, 30 or 60 frames per second
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 or 60 frames per second
- 720p HD video recording at 30 frames per second
- Optical image stabilization for video
- Digital zoom 3x
- LED True Tone flash
- QuickTake video
- 1080p slow-mo recording at 120 or 240 frames per second
- Time‑lapse video with stabilization
- Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p and 720p)
- Continuous autofocus video
- Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
- Playback zoom
- Video geotagging
- Video formats: HEVC and H.264
- Stereo recording
- Sensor features:
Speakers and microphones
- Stereo audio via the speakers at the bottom and in the earpiece
- Microphones at the bottom and in the earpiece
Sensors
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor
- Barometer
- Three-axis gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Proximity sensor
- Ambient light sensor
Biometrics
- Touch ID:
- Fingerprint sensor built into the Home button
- Unlock iPhone SE
- Secure personal data within apps
- Make purchases from iTunes Store, App Store and Apple Books
- Home/Touch ID button
- Ring/Silent switch
- Lightning connector for power, data and expansion
- Side button (on/off, sleep/wake)
- Volume up and down buttons
SIM card
- Dual SIM technology with nano-SIM and eSIM support
- iPhone SE is incompatible with existing micro-SIM cards
Power, data and expansion
- Lightning
Battery
- Rechargeable lithium ion battery
- Wireless charging (works with Qi chargers)
- Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter
- 2020 iPhone SE lasts about the same as iPhone 8:
- Video playback: 13 hours
- Video playback (streamed): 8 hours
- Audio playback: 40 hours
- Fast charge: 50% large in 30 minutes with 18W+ adapter (sold separately)
See apple.com/batteries and apple.com/iphone/battery.html for more information.
Cellular and wireless
- Model A2275:
- FDD‑LTE (bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 66 and 71)
- TD‑LTE (bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46 and 48)
- CDMA EV‑DO Rev. A (800 and 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900 and 2100 MHz)
- GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz)
- All models:
- Gigabit-class LTE with 2×2 MIMO and LAA4
- 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6 with 2×2 MIMO
- Bluetooth 5.0
- NFC with reader mode
- Express Cards with power reserve
Location services
- Built-in GPS/GNSS
- Digital compass
- Wi-Fi
- Cellular network
- iBeacon microlocation
Video calling
- FaceTime video calling over Wi-Fi and cellular
Audio calling
- FaceTime Audio
- Voice over LTE (VoLTE)
- Wi-Fi calling
Rating for hearing aids
- M3, T4
Size and weight
- Width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm)
- Height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm)
- Depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
- Weight: 5.22 ounces (148 grams)
Environmental requirements
- Operating ambient temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
- Nonoperating temperature: −4° to 113° F (−20° to 45° C)
- Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
- Operating altitude: tested up to 10,000 feet (3000 m)
Environmental footprint
Read the iPhone SE Environmental Report for more detailed information.
- Made with better materials:
- 100% recycled rare earth elements in the Taptic Engine
- 100% recycled tin in the solder of the main logic board
- Enclosure made with recyclable, low-carbon aluminum
- 35% or more recycled plastic in multiple components
- Energy efficient:
- Meets US Department of Energy requirements for battery charger systems
- Smarter chemistry:
- Arsenic-free display glass
- Mercury-free display
- BFR, PVC and beryllium-free
- Green manufacturing:
- Final assembly supplier sites do not generate any waste sent to landfill
- All final assembly suppliers are transitioning to 100% renewable energy for Apple production
- Responsible packaging:
- 100% of virgin wood fiber comes from responsibly managed forests
- Recyclable, majority-fiber packaging
According to Apple, the Taptic Engine in the 2020 iPhone SE represents about 34 percent of the total rare earth elements used in the product.
Software
- Operating system:
- iOS 13 (some features may not be available for all countries)
- Apple Pay:
- Pay with your iPhone SE using Touch ID within apps and on the web
- Send and receive money in Messages with Apple Pay Cash
- Siri:
- Use your voice to send messages, set reminders and more
- Get proactive suggestions
- Use hands-free with “Hey Siri”
- Listen and identify songs with Shazam
- Use your voice to run shortcuts from your favorite apps
- Preinstalled Apple apps:
- App Store
- Apple Store
- Books
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Camera
- Clips
- Clock
- Compass
- Contacts
- FaceTime
- Files
- Find My
- Health
- Home
- iTunes Store
- iTunes U
- Keynote
- Maps
- Measure
- Messages
- Music
- News
- Notes
- Numbers
- Pages
- Phone
- Photos
- Podcasts
- Reminders
- Safari
- Settings
- Shortcuts
- Siri
- Stocks
- Tips
- TV
- Voice Memos
- Weather
- Wallet
- Watch
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