Ever since the launch of the original iPhone SE in
2016, consumers have been begging for another
affordable smartphone from Apple. After
four years, the company quietly announced a
second-generation SE that packs its punch with
high-end features and a price tag that everyone
can get behind. This week, we go hands-on and
explore the new device in detail.
CHANGING TIDES FOR APPLE
Though the iPhone SE 2 had been widely
rumored for several months, its launch came
as a welcome surprise in the middle of a global
pandemic. With millions around the world filing
for unemployment due to the coronavirus
outbreak and its impact on the economy, Apple
could not have picked a better time to launch
a device that’s budget-friendly and powerful
enough to handle both everyday tasks like
FaceTime calls and emails, as well as entertain
users with Apple TV+ content and immersive
experiences inside of Apple Arcade games. As
COVID-19 continues to decimate economies
and weaken consumer confidence, and with
Apple considering postponing the launch
of its premium 5G iPhones set for launch
in September, the SE 2 could prove to be an
unexpected hit for the Cupertino firm.
Back in November when news broke that a
second-generation SE was coming, reliable
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted the
device would shift around 20 million units in
2020 , but with more consumers now watching
the pennies and holding off on expensive
purchases, the new SE could prove to be a
deal too good to miss. Indeed, if its incredible
$399 price point wasn’t enough to appease