Apple Unveils Cheaper iPhone SE With Touch ID

Apple has unveiled a 4.7-inch iPhone SE, the tech company’s most affordable handset to date. The new pocket-friendly smartphone is a successor to the first iPhone SE but with a better camera and faster microchip.

On Wednesday, Apple announced that the handy smartphone would be available for pre-order beginning on Friday on the Apple Store app and apple.com. Authorized resellers and select carriers will also start selling the handset on April 24 for $399.

One notable feature of the new smartphone is the lens on the back of the device, which allows users to shoot in Portrait—a feature that allows users to blur the background when taking photos. Apple also says the camera of this 4.7-inch iPhone SE can withstand contact with dirt and water.

When it comes to appearance, the new iPhone SE resembles the look of the iPhone 8, with a highly visible notch, a single front-facing camera, and a fingerprint scanner. The difference, however, is that its fingerprint scanner is not a Face ID but a Touch ID, which means that the device brings back the iPhone’s beloved home button.

The phone also features an A13 Bionic chipset, which also powers the iPhone 11 series. This suggests that the processor performance in the new iPhone SE is comparable and not toned down despite its affordable price.

The device has a long battery life and can charge up to 50% capacity in 30 minutes. It comes in three colors—black, silver, and red, and is dual-SIM enabled. This feature is a huge plus for travelers or users in regions where wireless service options are plentiful.

The phone also features Apple’s Retina HD unit, which is an LCD panel—different from the Liquid Retina display of the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR.

The release of the small iPhone SE comes amid reports that Apple will introduce at least four new iPhones this year. The device’s release has been delayed by a month due to the global coronavirus pandemic, which has severely affected Apple’s supply chain in Asia.