Apple's Dropping Their Most Affordable iPhone in Years This Month

It comes in three different colours.

We have been waiting for a long time for Apple to release a budget iPhone, and while dropping it during a global pandemic may seem like an odd decision, we’re still more than happy it is finally here.

Apple has announced that its new iPhone SE will only cost $749 in Australia, which is a $450 discount against the iPhone 11. While it’s not exactly cheap for those on a student budget, it’s still far more affordable than other smartphones on the market that exceed the $2,000 mark.

What does it look like?

If you had an iPhone 8 in the past, you’ll be familiar with the iPhone SE’s design. It looks very similar, with a 4.7 inch display. Of course, there are smartphones with bigger screens, but it has been updated with technology including True Tone, Dolby Vision and HDR10. Additionally, it’s got the same powerful chip as the iPhone 11.

The iPhone SE also comes in three different colours, so you can buy it in black, white or PROJECT(RED).

Plus, for those who just wanted Apple to bring back the Home button, your dreams have come true. Both the Home button and Touch ID have made a return here. That means you’ll be able to unlock your phone using your fingerprint, rather than by scanning your face.

Even though the design resembles the iPhone 8, the iPhone SE will have a lightning port. Alternatively, you can charge it wirelessly.

Is the camera any good?

Despite being a budget phone, it looks like you won’t have to worry about the quality of the camera. At the rear there’s a 12MP camera, which we saw in the iPhone XR. However, the single camera has been enhanced to enable portrait mode and augmented reality. It’ll also be able to shoot videos up to 4K resolution as high as 60fps.

Basically, it’s not as hardcore as the iPhone 11 Pro Max’s camera, but it’ll still take those Insta-worthy snaps.

What about the memory?

The base memory is 64GB, with upgrades to 128GB and 256GB available. Keep in mind that the price of the phone increases with memory size, so the 128GB phone is $829 and the 256GB phone is $999.

You can’t add expandable memory through a memory card, but you can increase the size of your iCloud capacity if you need some more space.

It’s also handy to know that the iPhone SE is water resistant, so it can be submerged for up to 30 minutes (although, that does not mean you should throw it in the pool).

When can I buy it?

Pre-orders for the iPhone SE will start at 10pm AEST on Friday 17 April. The phones will then go on sale from Friday 24 April.

If you order the phone in PROJECT(RED), part of the proceeds will be given to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which provides money to countries who need medical equipment to help people recover from coronavirus.

Header Image: Apple