The Apple iPhone SE (2020) is a compact, budget-minded handset that packs the flagship-grade Apple A13 Bionic chipset into a familiar 4.7-inch body. Announced on April 15, 2020 and released ten days later, it revived the classic Touch ID design at a time when nearly every rival had moved to taller, edge-to-edge displays. For shoppers who value one-handed comfort, a physical home button, and years of software support over a large screen, it remains an interesting reference point.
This article breaks down the full specifications of the iPhone SE (2020), from its Retina IPS LCD panel and single 12 MP rear camera to its 1821 mAh battery and IP67 rating. Rather than just listing numbers, we explain what each spec means in everyday use and who this small iPhone is genuinely built for.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 – A2296 |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 – A2275, A2298 | |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
Launch
| Announced | 2020, April 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, April 24 |
Body
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in) |
| Weight | 148 g (5.22 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
Display
| Type | Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Protection | Ion-strengthened glass |
Platform
| OS | iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 26.3 |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2×2.65 GHz Lightning + 4×1.8 GHz Thunder) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
Memory
| Card slot | No |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
| NVMe |
Main Camera
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec. |
Selfie camera
| Single | 7 MP, f/2.2 |
| Features | HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS |
Sound
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
Comms
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | Yes |
| Radio | No |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
Features
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer |
Battery
| Type | Li-Ion 1821 mAh (6.91 Wh) |
| Charging | 18W wired, 50% in 30 min 7.5W wireless (Qi) |
Misc
| Colors | Black, White, Red |
| Models | A2275, A2296, A2298, iPhone12,8 |
| SAR | 1.17 W/kg (head) 1.16 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Price | $ 118.89 / € 98.89 / £ 74.98 |
Our Tests
| Performance | AnTuTu: 462253 (v8) GeekBench: 3237 (v5.1) |
| Display | 1544:1 contrast ratio, 670 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Camera | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 59h |
Price and Availability
The Apple iPhone SE (2020) offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €99, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Apple iPhone SE (2020) converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of June 17, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $115
- Japan: ¥18,410
- United Kingdom: £86
- Australia: A$162
- Canada: C$161
- Taiwan: NT$3,617
- Denmark: kr738
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼431
- South Korea: ₩173,200
- Germany: €99
- Brazil: R$581
- Vietnam: ₫3.000.979
- Kenya: KSh 14,847
- India: ₹10,858
- Indonesia: Rp 2.032.416
- Nigeria: ₦154,833
- Pakistan: ₨31,959
- Philippines: ₱6,919
- Bangladesh: ৳১৪,০৯৭
Why Should You Buy the iPhone SE (2020)?
The headline appeal of the iPhone SE (2020) is flagship silicon in an affordable, pocket-friendly shell. It pairs the same Apple A13 Bionic processor found in the iPhone 11 series with a long iOS support window, meaning the phone shipped on iOS 13 yet is upgradable all the way to iOS 26.3. That software longevity is rare at this price and is the single strongest reason to consider it. If you want a dependable, lightweight iPhone for calls, messaging, banking apps, and casual photography without paying flagship money, this model delivers exactly that.
Design and Build Quality
At 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm and just 148 g, the iPhone SE (2020) is one of the most comfortable modern iPhones to use single-handed. The construction is genuinely premium for its class: a glass front, glass back, and aluminum frame, plus an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The glass back also enables Qi wireless charging. It is offered in Black, White, and Red, and supports Nano-SIM plus eSIM for dual-SIM flexibility. The retro bezels look dated next to all-screen phones, but the build itself feels solid and durable.
Display: Small but Sharp
The 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD runs at 750 x 1334 pixels for roughly 326 ppi, keeping text and icons crisp despite the compact size. Apple quotes 625 nits typical brightness, and independent measurements pushed it to around 670 nits with a 1544:1 contrast ratio, so outdoor visibility is respectable. The trade-offs are clear, though: it is a 60 Hz panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a screen-to-body ratio of only about 65 percent. You won’t get the smooth scrolling of high-refresh displays or the immersive feel of a tall OLED, but the picture quality remains accurate and pleasant for its size.
Performance and Storage
This is where the iPhone SE (2020) punches far above its price. The A13 Bionic, built on a 7 nm+ process with a hexa-core CPU and a 4-core Apple GPU, handles demanding games and multitasking effortlessly. Benchmark results back this up, with roughly 462,253 on AnTuTu (v8) and 3,237 on GeekBench (v5.1) — figures that embarrassed many pricier Android phones of its era. Storage comes in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options, each paired with 3GB of fast NVMe-based memory. There is no microSD slot, so choose your capacity carefully at purchase.
Camera Capabilities
The single 12 MP, f/1.8 wide rear camera leans heavily on Apple’s computational photography. It includes PDAF and optical image stabilization (OIS), a Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama, while video tops out at 4K up to 60 fps with stereo sound recording. Thanks to the A13’s image processing, daylight shots are detailed and color-accurate, and Portrait mode works well on people. The limitations are hardware-based: there is no ultrawide or telephoto lens, and low-light results trail newer multi-camera phones. The 7 MP, f/2.2 front camera with HDR handles selfies and 1080p video at 30 fps with gyro-EIS.
Battery and Charging
Battery is the most obvious compromise. The 1821 mAh (6.91 Wh) Li-Ion cell is small by modern standards, yielding an endurance rating of about 59 hours in testing — fine for a day of light to moderate use but not a two-day phone. On the upside, it supports 18W wired charging for roughly 50 percent in 30 minutes, plus 7.5W Qi wireless charging. Heavy users will likely reach for a charger by evening, so this is best suited to people with predictable, lighter daily demands.
Connectivity and Audio
Connectivity is well-rounded for a 4G device. You get Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (Wi-Fi 6) with dual-band and hotspot, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC for Apple Pay, and GPS with GLONASS. Extensive LTE band support across models A2275, A2296, and A2298 makes it travel-friendly, with peak LTE speeds rated at Cat16 1024/150 Mbps. Note there is no 5G, no FM radio, and a Lightning (USB 2.0) port rather than USB-C. Stereo speakers provide solid, balanced sound measured at a very good -24.1 LUFS, though there is no 3.5mm headphone jack.
Software and Longevity
Long-term software support is the iPhone SE (2020)’s quiet superpower. Launching on iOS 13 and remaining upgradable to iOS 26.3 means many years of feature updates and security patches — a span few similarly priced phones can match. Combined with the front-mounted Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which many users still prefer over face unlock for masks and quick access, the software experience stays secure and current well beyond the typical budget-phone lifespan.
Who Should Buy the iPhone SE (2020)?
This phone is ideal for anyone who wants a small, lightweight iPhone with strong performance and a low entry price. It suits first-time iPhone buyers, fans of Touch ID and the home button, parents buying a reliable handset, and minimalists who dislike oversized screens. If you instead prioritize all-day battery life, 5G, an OLED display, high refresh rates, or a versatile multi-lens camera system, a newer iPhone or a modern mid-range Android will serve you better.
Conclusion
The Apple iPhone SE (2020) remains a compelling value pick built around one big idea: flagship A13 Bionic performance and long iOS support in a compact, affordable package. Its modest 60 Hz LCD, single camera, and small 1821 mAh battery are real compromises, but they are sensible ones given the price. We recommend it for buyers who want a small, durable, easy-to-use iPhone with years of updates and who don’t mind charging daily — and who can skip 5G. If a big screen, modern cameras, and long battery life top your list, look toward a newer model instead.