Compare iPhone SE deals

Why choose an iPhone SE?

Apple’s budget smartphone is back – new and improved – for 2020. The original iPhone SE (remember it?) was discontinued in 2018, but this reboot for a new decade is a seriously powerful upgrade.

For a long time, Apple’s mega-expensive flagship devices have priced some people out of the iPhone market, but the iPhone SE offers a cheaper alternative.

It’s not a flashy phone, but it’s not meant to be. SE could stand for ‘Steady Eddie’ rather than special edition, although it’s certainly not without standout features.

The big draw is the A13 Bionic chip that powers the phone. That’s the same processer that drives the iPhone 11 phones, so it competes on equal terms for speed and performance with that range. Picture quality is boosted by the 12-megapixel rear camera. Combine that with a classic design and other popular features and this refreshed budget smartphone could be a real game-changer for Apple.

What does the iPhone SE offer?

The iPhone SE landed in April 2020, hailed as one of the most affordable phones ever produced by Apple. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of its more recent smartphones, it’s a reliable, powerful phone that doesn’t cost the earth. Key features at a glance include:

✓ 4.7-inch Retina HD display

✓ 12 MP (megapixel) rear camera

✓ 7 MP selfie cam

✓ iOS 13 operating system

✓ 64GB, 128GB or 256GB internal storage

✓ Choice of white, black or red handsets

iPhone SE design and display
The iPhone SE is sturdy in design as well as water-resistant, so should survive if you accidentally drop it in the bath. The phone is lightweight and the Touch ID fingerprint scanner unlocks the 4.7-inch Retina display in an instant. The display itself isn’t as hi-tech as the flagship iPhones (the iPhone 12 series have the very latest Apple tech on them) and the screen isn’t as bright, so the way it looks may disappoint some people. But, hey, looks aren’t everything and the screen is still pretty bright.

iPhone SE camera
Although the iPhone SE only has a single lens camera, it’s packed with impressive software to help you get creative, including Portrait Mode. This allows you to add lighting effects to your images of people, and you can even edit the background blur once the photo has been taken.

The 4K video shoots up to 60 frames per second, giving your clips a cinematic quality if you’re a Steven Spielberg in the making.

Frequently asked questions

Should I get an iPhone SE?

The iPhone SE is worth considering for anyone who doesn’t want to fork out £1,000 – or even half that - on a new phone, or if you’re looking to upgrade your iPhone 8 or an even older model.

It may also be for you if you’ve always used Android phones in the past but want to dip your toe in the waters of Apple and iOS for the first time.

Sure, the iPhone SE isn’t as sophisticated as the pricier iPhones. The display isn’t as dynamic, the camera doesn’t produce such incredible images and the battery doesn’t last as long. But it’s still clearly a very good phone. For many people, it will be everything they want from a smartphone.

What’s the difference between the iPhone 8 and iPhone SE?

The iPhone SE looks and feels a lot like the iPhone 8, with its 4.7-inch display, 12-megapixel camera and similar battery life. But the SE uses much of the new tech that came with the iPhone 11, making it superfast when you’re launching apps and playing games. The advanced camera system also comes with Portrait Mode, which the iPhone 8 doesn’t have.

Does the iPhone SE have dual SIM?

Yes, the iPhone SE comes with dual-SIM support, which allows you to have both a business and personal number on the same phone. You get a SIM slot for a physical nano-SIM, as well as eSIM capability.

How much does the iPhone SE cost?

The iPhone SE is less than half the price of Apple’s flagship smartphones.

What do I need to get a quote?

Finding an iPhone SE deal is simples:

Click on the green ‘find a deal’ button below
Type Apple iPhone SE 2020 in the ‘find a mobile contract’ search box. This will show you a list of deals.
Sort your results by monthly cost, contract length or whatever matters most to you. Alternatively, you can shop by network or deal types – for example, 24-month contracts and unlimited data deals.