You can now get Apple’s fastest smartphone chip for $400. The new iPhone SE (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has the A13 processor inside, meaning it will perform just as well as its siblings that cost several hundred dollars more. Replacing the iPhone 8, it’s the smallest of the lot with a 4.7-inch screen, and it also sticks with the design of Apple’s older phones: thick bezels, a home button, and Touch ID for secure unlocking. Sadly, the headphone jack didn’t make the cut.
But it does have some modern amenities, like wireless charging, and you get a solid single-lens camera. Just keep in mind that it won’t match the photo quality of the iPhone 11 or 11 Pro, especially in low light as there’s no night mode. As senior writer Lauren Goode notes in her review, battery life is lacking too, just about lasting a full day (if not less) with average use. If you’re in the market for a new iPhone and you balk at the prices of Apple’s flagships, this is the phone for you. Especially if you also hate big-screen phones that don’t fit in your pocket.
A small note: If you’re upgrading from an iPhone, you can trade it to Apple to get a small discount. Before you do that though, check to see if you can sell it elsewhere for more money—we have a guide that can help.
