Initial press reviews on iPhone SE praise performance; criticize camera

The 4-inch iPhone SE is an amalgamation of old and new with a chassis that is largely the same as the iPhone 5s and a display resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels. The internals have been updated to the same Apple A9 SoC as found on the current iPhone 6s to make it one of the fastest 4-inch smartphones currently available.

Tom's Guide praises the powerful A9 processor, compact design, excellent main camera, and strong battery life. The reviewer, however, was not impressed by the 1.2 MP webcam, the lack of 3D Touch, and the low native resolution by today's standards.

PhoneArena also commented on the "super compact and lightweight" form factor, but notes that the old design is outdated and not ergonomic. Otherwise, the reviewer was pleased with the display, high-end performance, and the intuitive and reliable software experience. The included in-ear earphones are also of high quality and make up for the weak internal speaker. The 16 GB of internal storage, however, can feel limiting.

CNET rates the iPhone SE four stars out of five in its review and notes the affordable aspect of the device. In particular, the new model is compatible with cases and accessories designed for the iPhone 5s. The source criticizes the aging design, no 3D Touch, and low resolution front-facing camera. Fans of smaller iPhones will find a lot to like about the iPhone SE.

Expect our own review on the iPhone SE in the coming weeks.

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