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The iPhone SE 3 that released in 2022 sits at a very peculiar spot in the world of mobile phones right now. It comes with an incredibly outdated design, but at the same time with one of the most, if not the most powerful chipset in its price range.
Unfortunately, though, the iPhone SE (2022) was not as popular as it was thought it would be among buyers. With the iPhone mini now gone, and rumors pointing at the next SE adopting the design of the iPhone 14, small phones are closer to extinction than ever before.
As for Android phones, it is rather hard nowadays to find a truly good and powerful small one, with the closest thing we have being something like the Asus Zenfone 10, which can definitely be considered compact and small, but is a lone soldier in the sea of Androids.
With all that said, if you are planning on getting the almost retro-looking, but still somewhat charming iPhone SE, here's a quick glance at how it stacks up against other phones size-wise.
Buy the new iPhone SE from here:
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
The iPhone SE (2022) is available at Amazon locked to Cricket wireless. It can also be purchases with a monthly plan. The phone is available in 65, 128, and 256GB of storage.
The iPhone SE (2022) unlocked is now available at Best Buy with a discount. The offer is valid with same-day activation to your carrier of choice. The phone can be activated for one of the carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.
You can get the third-generation of iPhone SE from Apple. The company offers trade-in discounts, and the amount of the discount depends on the device (model, condition) that you decide to trade in. Check the conditions on Apple's website.
As you might have already guessed, the new iPhone SE is virtually exactly the same as the model from 2020. There are literally no changes when it comes to their appearance. But then we have the OG iPhone SE, which to this day can be argued as the better looking out of all SE series, albeit with a screen that can be considered miniscule by today's standards.
So close, but yet so far. The iPhone SE might be one of the smallest phones out there, but Apple's own iPhone 13 Mini beats it in almost all measurements. It's both shorter, less wide, and lighter. The only place where the SE wins is in its slightly slimmer body. Let's not forget, though, that there is a massive price difference here too.
iPhone SE (2022) vs. iPhone 11 vs. iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 13
There is a stark difference between the iPhone SE (2022) and these other three non-budget-friendly phones from Apple. If you decide to go for the company's most affordable iPhone model, this is what you will be getting.
It is a bit difficult to find truly small Android phones nowadays, especially when it comes to the more popular manufacturers like Samsung and Google. Even one of the smallest Pixel phones of more recent years, the Pixel 5a is still noticeably larger than the iPhone SE (2022) and the Galaxy S22.
Speaking of the Galaxy S22, it is one of Samsung's best attempts at a compact phone in recent years. It is smaller than its predecessor, and easily passes for a compact phone, even though it's still not as small as the new iPhone SE.
Short analysis
Small size and a powerful chipset are not exactly two descriptions that you don't often get to use for a phone nowadays. That makes the 2022 iPhone SE special even to this day, and even with its outrageously outdated design.
With the iPhone mini now gone with the iPhone 14 series, almost the whole weight and legacy of small phones rests on the SE's shoulders, with the Galaxy S22 chipping in to help share it, albeit to a lesser extent. In fact, if rumors are true, the next SE might come with the same shape of the iPhone XR, so there might not be a small iOS device soon.
So, despite the many downsides the the iPhone SE (2022) and the illogical combination of specs, it is without a doubt an objectively interesting phone in a sense that it almost feels as an anomaly in today's market.
Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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