Apple has officially launched its new lower-cost device – the iPhone SE- a sequel to the SE released in 2016. The phone which was originally scheduled for launch in March was pushed forward following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new device looks very much like the iPhone 8 as iPhone used the designs of its smartphones between 2014 – 2017 on the device. This means that it comes with a 4.7-inch screen, large bezels on the top and bottom, and a home button with Touch ID instead of the new face-recognition technology.
Despite the old physical design, the device comes with specs that show a better punch than the iPhone 8. The new iPhone SE comes with a better processor – Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, the same that’s available in the latest iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models.
It also comes with a better camera; a single 12MP camera lens on the back (along with a flash). The camera is said to have been enhanced by A13 Bionic chip to allow for improved Smart HDR photography – better lighting and detail in pictures. It also has a portrait mode with “monocular depth-sensing”- which uses machine learning to detect depth and faces of people.
The camera also has an optical image stabilization which can also shoot 4K videos at 60fps.
The device has a selfie camera of 7MP which is capable of portrait mode effects. Like the iPhone 8, it comes without a headphone jack but users can still use headphones with wires by using a “lightning connector”.
At this time of global pandemic and crisis, with this release, Apple will be counting on the better specs it has packed in the new device to help enhance sales. This as well as the reduced price starting at N154,000 ($399), which is even lower than the iPhone 8 (N173,000 – $449).
However, considering the fact that consumer spending has dropped as most smartphone users are unwilling to churn out money to buy new devices, it is quite unclear what the fate of the new devices will be in the market.
Currently, people are no longer crazy about smartphones, they just want to be alive post-COVID-19. Plus, many will like to see what comes off the iPhone 12 devices which are expected to be released later this year.
Nonetheless, the new devices will come in black, white, and Product Red and shipments will begin on Friday, April 24, 2020.
Technext Newsletter
Get the best of Africa’s daily tech to your inbox – first thing every morning.
Join the community now!
