Apple iPhone SE 3 in Australia (Updated 2023) - All You Need To Know

March 8th, 2022, saw the launch of the much anticipated iPhone SE 3 alongside an updated iPad Air and an iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro with new green finishes. Being a budget phone, you can, of course, expect some trade-offs. But does it deliver where it really matters? Can it stand its own in a lineup of similarly priced smartphones and refurbished phones? Let's take a look at what the third-generation iPhone SE 3 has to offer. 

Price

Having just been launched, you can purchase the third iteration of the iPhone SE directly from Apple both in-store and online. Here in Australia, the smartphone is being availed at a starting price of $719 for a 64GB model, $799 for 128GB storage, and $969 for 256GB storage. Whereas the iPhone SE 2020 price starts at $399. The $719 is a slight increase compared to its 2020 predecessor across the board. But then again, you will get to enjoy upgrades to the chipset and battery life, which may justify the price. Apart from Apple, you can also purchase the iPhone SE (2022) from reputable retailers such as Amazon, Telstra, JbHifi, and more. Check out here Apple iPhone SE 3 rumours leak price.

Design

The iPhone SE 3 takes the classic design of the previous iteration and takes it up a notch. It utilizes the iPhone 8 chassis, featuring the same rounded edges. We get an aerospace-grade 7000 series aluminium frame sandwiched between two glass panels. This is the same glass used on the back of the iPhone 13. Therefore, the phone is more sturdy and durable than similarly designed iPhones like the iPhone 8. The classic Touch ID home button sits at the bottom of the display. It also sports large bezels at the top, which hosts the selfie camera.

As for colour options, the iPhone SE 3 is available in midnight black, starlight white, and product red. So once again, Apple didn't go crazy on the colours as these are the pretty much same colour options as the iPhone SE 2. The iPhone SE is rated iP67 for water and dust resistance, meaning it can survive under a meter of water for 30minutes.

Display

You get the same 4.7-inch Retina HD display as on the iPhone SE 2nd generation. Despite being LCD, it proved to be a spectacular screen delivering vibrant and crisp brightness. The display resolution stands at 1334 x 750 pixels, with brightness peaking at 625 nits. The phone comes equipped with True Tone for colour adjustments, Haptic Touch, and Wide Color support.

Performance

Apple has traditionally equipped the SE line with the same chip running on their current flagship iPhone line, and this remains true with the iPhone SE 3. Under the hood, the phone runs on the A15 Bionic chip – the same chipset that is on the iPhone 13 range. Therefore, despite being a budget iPhone, it is incredibly fast and just as snappy as its more powerful sibling. For comparison, a refurbished iPhone 12 is powered by Apple's A14 Bionic processor. The A15 Bionic chip also affords the phone some welcome camera improvements such as Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and different photographic styles. Unlike its predecessor, the iPhone SE 2020, which only offers 3GB of RAM, we get 4GB RAM on the third-generation iPhone SE. This certainly does help with performance as well.

Battery and connectivity

The iPhone SE 3 comes packed with a Li-Ion 2018mAh non-removable battery. This is certainly not the biggest battery on the market. However, with the A15 Bionic chip on board, you can expect some serious battery life. It should survive throughout the day on regular use. Apple claims that the phone can offer up to 15 hours of video playback, 2-hours more than the iPhone SE 2. Besides, to improve battery life, Apple equipped the refurbished iPhone SE 3rd Gen with Smart Data support. The battery supports Qi wireless charging and fast charging with a 20W adapter or more. It promises up to 50 percent charge in 30 minutes.

The iPhone SE (2022) officially launches the SE line into the 5G world. Whether you are streaming a video or engaged in a multiplayer game online, the addition of 5G guarantees that you will get the speeds you deserve.

Camera

As far as camera improvements go, there isn't much to say. The third-generation iPhone SE comes with the same single 12MP rear camera setup as on the iPhone SE 2. It also still offers Optical image stabilization, Digital zoom to up to 5x, True Tone flash, and portrait mode. One of the upgrades you can expect is the addition of Deep Fusion support. For the selfie camera, you still get a 7MP shooter with an f/2.2 aperture. Both cameras deliver photos that are beautiful, colour-accurate, and downright pleasing.

The iPhone SE 3 is essentially a solid performer, offering top-tier specs, making it a great upgrade option if you are looking to enter the Apple ecosystem. Yes, the design might feel a bit outdated. But with features like 5G, a longer battery life, and iPhone 13-level performance, the iPhone SE 3 what to expect (2022) certainly offers value for money.