Compare Apple iPhone SE 2020 Deals

Two numbers decide the real cost: the monthly price and any upfront fee. A low monthly with a high upfront can cost more overall than a flat deal, so sort by effective monthly cost to compare like for like. On an older phone like this, watch the contract length too, as a 24-month deal locks you to a handset that is already a few years old. Pick a data allowance that matches how you actually use it rather than the biggest on offer.

The 4.7-inch screen is small by today's standards, which suits one-handed use but feels cramped for video and games. The single 12MP main camera takes solid photos in good light and was the best single camera Apple had put in an iPhone at launch. There is no ultra-wide or zoom lens, so you lose the framing options newer models give you. The 7MP front camera covers video calls and selfies.

At launch this was the fastest chip in a smartphone, and it still handles daily apps, messaging and browsing without much fuss. The trade-off is age. The 1821 mAh battery is small, so heavy users will likely need a top-up before the evening, and the older hardware has fewer years of iOS updates ahead of it than a current model. For light, everyday use it remains usable. For demanding apps or all-day battery, look newer.

The iPhone SE (2022) is the newer model in the same line, so it brings a faster chip, 5G data and more years of software updates while keeping the same compact size and home-button design. If the prices are close, the 2022 is the more sensible buy because it will stay current for longer. The 2020 only makes sense if it lands meaningfully cheaper and you genuinely just want a small, simple iPhone for the basics.

This model comes in 64GB only, with no memory-card slot to add more later. That is tight if you store lots of photos, apps or offline downloads, so you may need to manage space or lean on iCloud. For a light user with a modest app list, 64GB can be enough. Just go in knowing you cannot expand it.