[Expected evaluation] iPhone SE 3 evaluation： It may be the most outrageous new machine in 2022.

Although I had expected it, when I saw SE 3 in the live broadcast of Apple’s spring new product launch conference, I still shouted in my heart: outrageous! In 2022, a product with the appearance of 8 years ago will be released. It is estimated that only Apple will do this. After all, even some unknown mobile phone manufacturers have adopted the latest comprehensive screen design.

iPhone SE 3

Like the shape of the iPhone SE 3, the price of the iPhone SE 3 and the storage capacity of the starting version are also very outrageous. In this era when more than 2,000 yuan can start with the 12GB+256GB version of Android phones, the price of the iPhone SE 3 64GB version is actually 3,499 yuan, which is much higher than the previous exposure of 2,999 yuan. However, after a few days of experience, I seem to understand what Apple is doing. Here is a comprehensive evaluation of iPhone SE 3. 　

The iPhone basically inherits the design of the iPhone SE 2 generation from the iPhone 6 era. Compared with the current full-screen mobile phone, this classic design can be said to have a feeling of returning to the previous era. The overall holding experience of the iPhone SE 3 is light and comfortable, and the lower body weight makes this model not feel heavy in the hand.

This time, I started to evaluate the starlight version of iPhone SE 3, and its back cover glass is made of the same material as iPhone 13, which has certain reflective characteristics and remarkable anti-fingerprint effect. In terms of protection performance, iPhone SE 3 continues the fine tradition of iPhone, and its waterproof and dustproof performance reaches IP67 level under IEC 60529 standard. Of course, the iPhone SE 3 is not equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

IPhone SE 3 starlight color

Although the appearance of iPhone SE 3 looks almost the same as that of iPhone 8 except for color matching, there are actually some changes. For example, the body weight of iPhone SE 3 is 144 grams, while that of iPhone8 is 148 grams. Compared with the early iPhone, the body LOGO of iPhone SE 3 has also moved to the center of the fuselage.

IPhone SE 3 starlight color

IPhone SE 3 is the most concerned by everyone, and the most "outrageous" nature is its performance. IPhone SE 3 is equipped with the same "residual blood version" A15 processor as iPhone 13. The CPU part of this processor has two performance cores and four energy efficiency cores, and the GPU part has a four-core graphics processor. In addition, a brand-new 16-core neural network engine is integrated.

A15 processor

In terms of RAM, as always, Apple "miserly" that the iPhone SE 3 is only equipped with 4GB of RAM, which is far lower than that of Android phones of the same level. However, thanks to Apple’s excellent optimization, 4GB RAM has no negative impact in daily use.

First of all, the benchmark performance test was carried out. In the running test of the V9 version, the iPhone SE 3 with 4GB RAM scored 73W, which is close to the performance of the iPhone 12. In the GeekBench 5 test, which can accurately reflect the partial performance of mobile phone SoC CPU, the measured score of GeekBench CPU of iPhone SE 3 is 1719, and the score of CPU multi-core is 4569, and the overall score is basically the same as that of iPhone 13.

IPhone SE 3 benchmark performance test results

Because iPhone SE 3 is equipped with A15 processor and has a single-layer motherboard design, the measured data of game frame rate is excellent. In the test of Genshin Impact, a well-known mobile phone performance evaluation special hand tour, we set the picture quality option to extremely high picture quality +60 frames, and the measured average frame rate of the iPhone SE 3 30-minute game is 59.7 frames. The frame rate curve fluctuates slightly, and the overall performance is excellent.

Frame rate test data of Protogod game

During the game test, we also tested the temperature of the back cover of the iPhone SE 3. After 30 minutes of high-intensity game measurement, the average temperature of the back cover of iPhone SE 3 is 39.5 degrees Celsius. It can be seen that the continuous performance and heat dissipation effect of iPhone SE 3 based on single-layer motherboard design are better than that of iPhone 13.

Temperature test data of fuselage rear cover

Through the measured data, it can be found that the performance of iPhone SE 3 is quite "outrageous". As a small-screen mobile phone with body size, its peak performance completely exceeds that of most large-screen flagship mobile phones, and its continuous performance release is better than that of iPhone 13 series. In other words, Apple is a model designed by backward times and equipped with the most powerful mobile phone performance at present.

Speaking of images, iPhone SE 3 can also be described as outrageous. As a new machine released in 2022, the iPhone SE 3 is only equipped with a 12-megapixel camera, while the current price is less than that of 1000 yuan, which also adopts the mainstream 50-megapixel three-camera configuration.

Rear 12 megapixel camera

Of course, the performance of the mobile phone’s image system is not determined by the number of cameras and pixels, but also by its sensor performance and image algorithm. The iPhone SE 3 equipped with A15 processor has naturally improved its computing power in terms of images, enabling it to support intelligent HDR 4, photography style, deep fusion, portrait mode and other computational photography functions.

Shoot with iPhone SE 3

In the real shooting experience, the imaging level of iPhone SE 3 can be described as simple and excellent. The focusing speed of iPhone SE 3 is quite fast, the capturing effect is quite accurate, and the HDR algorithm in the backlight scene is also quite excellent. There is no obvious light overexposure problem in the night scene, and its overall shooting experience can fully meet the daily use needs. However, it is worth noting that in the complex lighting scene, the iPhone SE 3 will still have ghost problems.

IPhone SE 3 main photo sample

IPhone SE 3 main photo sample

IPhone SE 3 main photo sample

IPhone SE 3 main photo backlight proof

IPhone SE 3 main photo night scene sample

IPhone SE 3 main photo night scene sample

The screen size of iPhone SE 3 is 4.7 inches like that of iPhone 8, and the screen material is LCD, with a screen resolution of 1334×750 and a peak screen brightness of 625 nits. Like the previous model, the screen look and feel of iPhone SE 3 is excellent, and it can be clearly seen in the sun, which can meet the needs of daily use.

IPhone SE 3 screen

For iPhone SE 3, its obvious use problem is its small screen size. Although 4.7 inches was the mainstream screen size of the year, this screen size still brought many problems in the era of full screen. For example, in FPS mobile games, virtual screen buttons will occupy most of the screen display area, affecting the normal screen look and feel.

Screen experience of iPhone SE 3 game

Although iPhone SE 3 is pre-installed with the latest iOS 15.4 system, due to its non-full-screen design, the system UI and interaction design of iPhone SE 3 are basically the same as that of iPhone 8, and it does not support full-screen gestures. The gesture of sliding up from the bottom of the screen is the call control center, and the gesture of sliding down from the top of the screen is the call notification center.

Call out the control center

At the same time, the most classic Home button design of the iPhone series has also been continued on the iPhone SE 3. Like the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8, the Home button of the iPhone SE 3 adopts a touch design, and the vibration motor provides vibration feedback when pressing.

IPhone SE 3 Home key

In terms of battery life, thanks to the high energy efficiency advantage of Apple A15 and the increase of battery capacity, the battery life performance of iPhone SE 3 has been significantly improved compared with the previous generation models. After a three-hour battery life test including shooting, video viewing and information flow browsing, the 100% battery life of iPhone SE 3 is 80%, which is weaker than the current mainstream flagship models, but it performs well in small-sized mobile phones.

3-hour endurance test

Under the condition of using 20W PD charger, through the actual test, iPhone SE 3 can charge the battery to 62% within 30 minutes, and the charging speed is in line with expectations.

30-minute fast charge test

In 2022, the release and mass production of a mobile phone equipped with the latest processor, non-full screen and rear single camera can be said to be the most "outrageous" behavior in the mobile phone industry in 2022. However, after a comprehensive evaluation, it is not difficult to find that even with many basic defects, iPhone SE 3 is still a mobile phone with certain purchase value in 2022.

First of all, the continuous performance of iPhone SE 3 is quite excellent. If you can tolerate short game life and 4.7-inch small screen, then iPhone SE 3 can be said to be a very powerful game phone. Secondly, the weight of iPhone SE 3 is only 144g, which is equivalent to that of iPhone 13 mini, and the body thickness is thinner than that of iPhone 13 mini, which means that iPhone SE 3 is a very good choice for lightweight mobile phone enthusiasts with limited budget; In addition, for users with limited budget who want to use iOS system, iPhone SE 3 is also a more friendly choice than iPhone 13.

At present, the iPhone SE 3 has been officially put on sale. On the self-operated platform of iPhone SE 3 in JD.COM, the price of 64GB version is 3499 yuan, 128GB is 3899 yuan, and 256GB is 4699 yuan.

Apple iPhone SE 64G Starlight Full Netcom 5G mobile phone equipped with A15 chip got a price of 3499 yuan.