Apple’s iPhone 13 is now out and captured all the headlines thanks to its pro-level camera specifications, but now Apple has also brought out the SE; a value-for-money option that won’t break the bank, but certainly doesn’t skimp when it comes to features and functions.
Let’s get straight to the photography specs and the iPhone SE benefits from an all-new 12-megapixel f/1.8 aperture Wide camera that Apple says ‘offers incredible computational photography benefits, including Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode’. First seen with the iPhone 13, the Smart HDR 4 technology uses intelligent segmentation to apply different adjustments for colour, contrast, and noise to the subject versus the background.
The SE also includes ‘Photographic Styles’, which enables photographers to bring their personal photo preferences to every image while still benefiting from Apple’s multi-frame image processing. Apple says the Preset and customised preferences work across scenes and subjects, and unlike a simple filter, intelligently apply the right adjustments to different parts of the photo to ensure the important elements, like skin tones, are preserved. The new features are helped by the presence of Apple’s A15 Bionic processor and the SE includes the popular Portrait mode, which includes all six Portrait Lighting effects.
The Deep Fusion features allows for pixel-by-pixel processing, which aims to optimise texture, details, and noise in every part of the photo and the image signal processor in A15 Bionic reduces noise in low light conditions. Made from recycled materials, images can be composed using the large 4.7-inch display and the SE is tough, with an IP7 rating for dust and water resistance and tough glass to prevent cracks, so photographers shouldn’t fear shooting images in poor weather.
The 12-megapixel Wide camera features a 5x digital zoom to get you closer to the action and the lens is made up from six elements. Capable of shooting panoramas up to 63-megapixels in resolution, the SE includes photo geotagging, burst mode and uses the HEIF and JPEG file formats. There’s also plenty on offer for those who love to shoot video alongside stills imagery, with the SE capable of recording 4K footage at 24, 25, 30 or 60fps. Those looking to capture epic slow motion sequences will be pleased to hear the SE can shoot up to 240fps at Full HD and you can even capture 8-megapixel stills photos while recording 4K video.
TheSE also features a 7-megapixel front camera with a f/2.2 aperture and can record Full HD video. Other features include the iOS 15 platform, an increase in battery life (which supports wireless charging) and the SE is light, tipping the scales at just 144g. Touch ID is present to ensure your photos and video have an extra layer of protection and the SE is available in red, white and black colour options.
