iPhone SE 4 Review: The Budget iPhone Gets a Major Upgrade

Apple's iPhone SE 4 packaging follows the company's modern sustainability-focused approach, arriving in a compact cardboard box with minimal plastic and recycled materials throughout. Inside, you'll find the iPhone SE 4 itself, a USB-C to USB-C cable (yes, the SE finally gets USB-C), and the standard Apple documentation - no charger included, continuing Apple's controversial but environmentally-motivated policy. The phone itself is a dramatic departure from previous SE models, finally abandoning the iPhone 8-era design in favor of a modern edge-to-edge display. If the iPhone 14 and iPhone 12 had a budget baby, this would be it - there's clear design heritage, but with simplified elements that reduce manufacturing costs. Our Midnight (black) review unit has an aluminum frame and glass back that feel premium enough despite not matching the Pro models' materials. At 170 grams, it's noticeably lighter than recent flagships, which many users will appreciate. The 6.1-inch display fills the front of the phone, with the notch housing Face ID - a massive upgrade from the Home Button of previous SE models.

The A15 Bionic chip brings flagship-class performance to the budget segment, and despite being a generation behind the latest iPhone 15 lineup, it's more than powerful enough for any task a typical user would throw at it. This is the same chip that powered the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14, meaning years of smooth performance and iOS updates are guaranteed. The switch to Face ID is transformative for the SE experience - authentication is seamless and secure, and unlocking the phone feels natural rather than the deliberate action required by Touch ID. The 6.1-inch OLED display is gorgeous, with the deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast that OLED technology provides - a significant upgrade from the LCD panels of previous SE models. However, Apple has limited this to 60Hz refresh rate, which is the primary visual compromise compared to pricier iPhones. The 48MP camera sensor is shared with the iPhone 14, bringing computational photography features like Photonic Engine for improved low-light performance, Action mode for stabilized video, and 2x digital zoom that's actually usable. USB-C connectivity means you can use the same cable for your iPad, MacBook, and now iPhone SE - a welcome simplification for Apple households.

Performance testing confirmed the A15 Bionic remains an exceptionally capable chip, with benchmark scores that exceed most mid-range Android phones while delivering the consistent, lag-free iOS experience Apple is known for. Gaming performance is excellent - demanding titles like Genshin Impact run smoothly at high settings, and the thermal management keeps the phone comfortable during extended sessions. The 60Hz display is noticeable when scrolling through social media feeds or navigating the interface, particularly if you're coming from a 120Hz phone, but it's perfectly usable and most users won't find it a significant issue. Camera testing showed the iPhone SE 4 punching well above its weight class. The 48MP sensor captures excellent detail in good lighting, with Apple's computational photography producing natural-looking images that don't over-process. Portrait mode works remarkably well despite the single camera, using machine learning to create pleasing background blur. Low-light photography is competent but not exceptional - better than previous SE models but clearly behind the iPhone 15 Pro. Video recording at 4K30 or 1080p60 is excellent, with the same Cinematic mode found on flagship iPhones. Battery life is adequate, averaging 8-9 hours of screen-on time - enough to get through a typical day but requiring charging by evening for heavy users.