The SE has large bezels above and below the screen and a home button with Touch ID instead of Face ID. Anyone looking for multiple rear cameras or minimal bezels won't find them here. But keep in mind that in 2022, the SE's design traces back to 2014's iPhone 6 and is far from cutting-edge. And while the letters SE stand for 'Special Edition,' they could easily mean the 'Same Edition.' That's not a dig at either phone - the classic iPhone look is beloved by many. You'd be forgiven for mistaking the new SE with the previous one from 2020: They look identical. Interestingly, the iPhone SE has a newer and faster processor, which could mean it gets iOS updates longer than the 12 Mini. But for that extra money you get a larger and better screen, Face ID, two rear cameras, a contemporary design and a body that is smaller and lighter than the SE. If you just want a small phone and are trying to choose between the iPhone SE and an iPhone 12 Mini, know that the Mini will cost $170 more. If you can stretch your budget $50 more, it's worth upgrading to the 128GB version, especially if you plan to keep the SE for more than a couple years. If you're considering an iPhone SE, the $429 model comes with 64GB of storage. At $429, it has the design and body people are fond of, but in terms of apps and iOS features, it's on par with iPhones that are nearly twice the price.

That's exactly what's going on with the SE. The VW bug becomes an entirely different car but at the same time retains the vintage appeal that people love. The way Apple approached the SE reminds me of the car company Zelectric Motors, which takes vintage Volkswagen Beetles and replaces the old gas-powered engine with an electric motor. Read more: 3 Upgrades Apple Gave the iPhone SE in 2022

The iPhone SE is an extremely capable phone with a great camera and all the goodies like iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Music and access to the App Store. Apple's mix-and-match approach gives this iPhone newer features like 5G support, a longer battery life and iPhone 13-levels of performance, all while retaining the home button and the classic, user-friendly design. The new SE blends the body of an iPhone 8 with the tougher glass and processor from the iPhone 13, but it's for those who don't care about Face ID or MagSafe.

It's a low-cost way for people to upgrade from an iPhone 8 (or older) who want to keep a familiar design. At $429 (£419, AU$719), the iPhone SE (2022) is filled with an old-meets-new appeal.

Iphone se pentalobe size