No matter how fancy the newer iPhones got, people are still holding on to their old Apple smartphones.
Those who own an iPhone 6, 6S, 7, and 8 are still hesitant to upgrade. Probably due to the features that are missing on the latest iPhones, even the iPhone 11 series.
For one, most people still prefer the reliability of the TouchID fingerprint scanner. Apple has also removed the headphone jack on newer iPhones, disappointing most audiophiles.
Of course, the newer iPhones are much larger than the older models. A downer for people who want a more compact smartphone.
But with the introduction of the new iPhone SE 2020, Apple is giving all iPhone 8 and older owners to finally upgrade their devices.
The new iPhone SE 2020 shares the same design as the iPhone 8. So, if portability is the reason why you’re holding back, then the new 2nd gen iPhone SE is your answer.
It may have a throwback design, but the new iPhone SE 2020 do come with some of the latest hardware that newer iPhones have. You can check the table below to see the iPhone 6, 6S, 7, and 8 versus iPhone SE 2020 specifications and features comparison.
| iPhone 6 | iPhone 6S | iPhone 7 | iPhone 8 | iPhone SE 2020 | |
| OS | iOS 12 | iOS 13.4 | iOS 13.4 | iOS 13.4 | iOS 13.4 |
| SIM | Nano SIM | Nano SIM | Nano SIM | Nano SIM | Dual SIM (eSIM) |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina IPS 1334 x 750 pixels 326ppi sRGB 1,400:1 500-nits | 4.7-inch Retina IPS 1334 x 750 pixels 326ppi sRGB 1,400:1 3D touch 500-nits | 4.7-inch Retina IPS 1334 x 750 pixels 326ppi DCI-P3 1,400:1 3D touch 625-nits | 4.7-inch Retina IPS 1334 x 750 pixels 326ppi DCI-P3 1,400:1 3D touch True Tone 625-nits Dolby Vision HDR10 | 4.7-inch Retina IPS 1334 x 750 pixels 326ppi DCI-P3 1,400:1 Haptic touch True Tone 625-nits Dolby Vision HDR10 |
| Processor | A8 chip | A9 chip | A10 Fusion chip | A11 Bionic chip Neural Engine | A13 Bionic Chip 3rd-Gen Neural Engine |
| Storage | 16GB 32GB 64GB | 32GB 128GB | 32GB 128GB | 64GB 128GB | 64GB 128GB 256GB |
| Front Camera | 1.2-megapixel HD@30fps | 5-megapixel HD@30fps | 7-megapixel FHD@30fps | 7-megapixel FHD@30fps | 7-megapixel FHD@30fps |
| Rear Camera | 8-megapixel f/2.2 up to 1080p@60fps up to 240fps slow-mo | 12-megapixel f/2.2 up to 1080p@60fps up to 240fps slow-mo | 12-megapixel f/1.8 up to 4K@60fps up to 240fps slow-mo OIS | 12-megapixel f/1.8 up to 4K@60fps up to 240fps slow-mo OIS | 12-megapixel f/1.8 up to 4K@60fps up to 240fps slow-mo OIS Stereo recording |
| Audio | Single speaker Headphone jack | Single speaker Headphone jack | Stereo speakers No headphone jack | Stereo speakers No headphone jack | Stereo speakers No headphone jack |
| Security | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID |
| Connectivity | HSPA+, LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.2 GPS, GNSS NFC Lightning port | HSPA+, LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO Bluetooth 4.2 GPS, GNSS NFC Lightning port | HSPA+, LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO Bluetooth 4.2 GPS, GNSS NFC w/ Reader mode Lightning port | HSPA+, LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO Bluetooth 5.0 GPS, GNSS NFC w/ Reader mode Lightning port | HSPA+, LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO Bluetooth 5.0 GPS, GNSS NFC w/ Reader mode Lightning port |
| Water resistance | n/a | n/a | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 138.1 x 67 x 6.9mm | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm |
| Weight | 129g | 143g | 138g | 148g | 148g |
| Colors | Space Gray Silver Gold | Space Gray Silver Gold Rose Gold | Space Gray Silver Gold Rose Gold Black | Silver Space Gray Gold | Black Red White |
| Battery | up to 11hrs video playback | up to 11hrs video playback | up to 13hrs video playback | up to 13hrs video playback Wireless charging | up to 13hrs video playback Wireless charging |
| Price | Discontinued (Lazada: Php13,741) | Discontinued (Refurbished: ~Php8,500) | Discontinued (Lazada: Php22,490) | Discontinued (Last price: Php30,990) | 64GB: Php26,490 128GB: Php30,490 256GB: Php36,490 |
Upgrade the iPhone 8 to iPhone SE 2020
Clearly, the new iPhone SE 2020 is not a big upgrade over the iPhone 8. In fact, other than the design, the two share the same battery and screen as well. Another massive improvement is in the camera department, where it’s said to be on par with the iPhone 11.
Although, it does come with the new A13 Bionic chip. That’s the same processor found on the more expensive iPhone 11 series. So, if performance is your top priority, and money is not an issue, upgrading your iPhone 8 to the iPhone SE 2nd generation is not a bad idea.
Upgrade the iPhone 6 and 6S to iPhone SE 2020
For those who own the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S, this is probably the time to upgrade. If you have the money, you can jump directly to the iPhone SE 2020.
If you don’t want to surprise your wallet, you might want to get the iPhone 8 instead, as its price is expected to go down in price in the coming weeks. It may not have the latest processor, but the new A11 Bionic chip is still a major upgrade over the A8 and A9.
Plus, you’re shifting away from the outdated and infamously poor design of the iPhone 6. The iPhone 8 and SE 2020 have the new glass back that doesn’t only look premium, but enables their wireless charging feature.
The newer iPhones also have features that are missing on your iPhone 6 and 6S. There are the sharper 12-megapixel cameras with 4K video recording, 7-megapixel selfie camera, True Tone display, and stereo speakers. However, the headphone jack has been removed since the iPhone 7.
Upgrade the iPhone 7 to iPhone SE 2020
Speaking of which, those who are still rocking the iPhone 7 can keep using their phones. If you feel it slowing down, you can check the battery life on the settings to see if it needs replacing. Apple already admitted that they’re intentionally slowing down iPhones as the battery ages, but there’s a fix.
So if you want to save money, replacing the battery might breathe a new life on your 4-year-old iPhone.
If portability is your reason to upgrade, the iPhone 7 has the identical size to the iPhone SE 2020.
If you have the money anyway, the new iPhone does have an all-glass design, wireless charging, and the newer flagship A13 Bionic processor — features that you’d be getting if the iPhone 7 can’t satisfy you anymore.
Bottom line — you should really retire your iPhone 6 / 6S and upgrade to an iPhone 8 or iPhone SE 2020. iPhone 7 users can have their batteries replaced to improve performance, but if you really want to upgrade, then skip the iPhone 8 and jump ahead to the latest model.