iPhone SE (4th Gen)
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RANKING
77
Rank 77 out of 113 Summarized in this category Rankings based on: • Pros-to-cons ratio • Number of reviews • Category average

Apple

iPhone SE (4th Gen)

around $429

i
All prices are estimates and may vary from actual prices.

340 Pros

67%
22 reviews (3h 3m)

168 Cons

The iPhone SE (4th Gen) packs a surprising punch for its compact size and affordable price. Powered by the same A15 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 13, it delivers impressive performance and 5G connectivity, making demanding tasks and fast downloads a breeze. Its improved battery life and camera performance, featuring Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 4, ...

Summary of pros and cons from human reviewers, put together by AI

61%

53 vs 34

Camera

63%

49 vs 29

Design and Build

71%

32 vs 13

Software

59%

29 vs 20

Display

85%

51 vs 9

Performance

Reviewer verdict

Across 22 YouTube reviews, the Apple iPhone SE (4th Gen) earns an Index score of 3.7/5, ranking #77 among Smartphones. Reviewers most often praise its camera, performance, design and build, while the most common criticisms concern camera, design and build.

The iPhone SE (4th Gen) is repeatedly praised for bringing strong camera and performance improvements to an affordable, compact iPhone. Reviewers frequently highlight the upgraded camera capabilities (mentioned in 41 pros) — including a 48MP sensor, improved low-light processing, Smart HDR/Deep Fusion features, and notably good video — and many call it the best single-camera experience in its price range. Performance is another common positive (37 pros), with multiple reviewers noting flagship-class chips and ample RAM that deliver smooth everyday use, gaming and longevity. Commenters also like the updated modern design and solid build, long software support with Apple Intelligence, and useful connectivity upgrades like USB‑C and 5G being included across several reviews.

Critics most often point to camera limitations despite improvements, citing the retention of a single rear lens and the lack of a true night mode or ultrawide/telephoto versatility (32 cons). The design and display draw frequent complaints (24 cons and 18 cons respectively) about dated elements, notches/bezels, small or lower-end screens and missing modern display features like high refresh rates. Value concerns appear as well (18 cons), with reviewers calling out higher price points, missing chargers, and compromises that make the SE feel like a pared‑down offering compared with competitors. Battery, software feature gaps (Dynamic Island/Apple Intelligence support questions), and some connectivity/display shortcomings are also recurring downsides in the reviews.

Analysis based on 22 YouTube reviews (3h 3m of video) with 340 pros and 168 cons extracted.

Pros (340)

Camera (53)
Performance (51)
Design and Build (49)
Value for Money (39)
Software (32)
Connectivity (30)
Display (29)
Battery Life (23)
Security (13)
Input (12)
Storage (7)
Audio (2)

Cons (168)

Camera (34)
Design and Build (29)
Value for Money (21)
Display (20)
Battery Life (14)
Software (13)
Performance (9)
Connectivity (9)
Input (8)
Storage (5)
Security (4)
Audio (2)

Review sources

Frequently asked questions

Is the Apple iPhone SE (4th Gen) worth buying?

Based on 22 independent YouTube reviews, the Apple iPhone SE (4th Gen) scores 3.7/5 with 340 positive and 168 negative points mentioned by reviewers, placing it #77 in the Smartphones category.

What do reviewers like most about the Apple iPhone SE (4th Gen)?

The most praised aspects are camera, performance, design and build — Camera (53 mentions), Performance (51 mentions), Design and Build (49 mentions).

What are the most common complaints about the Apple iPhone SE (4th Gen)?

Reviewers most frequently criticize camera, design and build — Camera (34 mentions), Design and Build (29 mentions).

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Apple iPhone SE (4th Gen) - Pros Cons Index