During its first event of the year, Apple announced the 2022 iPhone SE and iPad Air will both come with faster processors, 5G connectivity, and other premium features. But are Apple’s budget-friendly devices actually worth it, or should you save up for the iPhone 14? Here’s everything Apple announced about the new iPhone SE and iPad Air at the Peek Performance event.
iPhone SE Announced at Peek Performance Event
Apple CEO Tim Cook kicked off the Peek Performance event by showcasing the new iPhone SE. Cook said this budget iPhone was “designed to include some of the most advanced features and technologies, while delivering the iPhone experience at an incredible price.”
The first iPhone SE was released back in 2016, and it took another four years for the tech giant to update the smaller iPhone. Now, Apple hopes to capture the attention of existing users who want a smaller iPhone and new users who want to try an iPhone without breaking the bank.
Apple Puts Its Fastest Chip in Its Cheapest iPhone
At first glance, the 2022 iPhone SE looks a lot like the previous model. They both have the exact same dimensions and the same 4.7-inch HD display. Both models also have the old Home button at the bottom of the screen for those who prefer Touch ID over Face ID.
However, the new iPhone SE does have several upgrades under the hood. It features Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip, which is the same processor that powers the iPhone 13. That means the iPhone SE will give you similar speed and performance to the newest iPhone at only half the price.
During the Peek Performance event, Apple claimed that the A15 makes the iPhone SE “faster than all the competition – at any price” and nearly twice as fast as the iPhone 8. With the additional speed, you will be able to load apps faster and use the newest iOS 15 features like Live Text and SharePlay.
Read More: The best new iOS 15 features and how to use them
Apple’s First Affordable 5G iPhone
The other big upgrade to the iPhone SE was the addition of 5G connectivity. When you are in a 5G network, this iPhone will be able to download files 10 to 20 times faster than the previous model. A 5G network also provides a more reliable connection with a higher capacity than 4G networks, so your FaceTime calls won’t lag and your Netflix shows won’t buffer as much.
Read More: What is 5G, and how fast is it really?
Even though 5G coverage is currently limited, all the major mobile providers are continually growing their networks to meet the demands of technology. So, if you don’t have access to a 5G network in your town yet, it might not take long for you to get covered.
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 13
The biggest difference between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 13 comes down to the camera. Every iPhone 13 model has at least a dual-camera system, while the iPhone SE only has a single camera. So, you can’t zoom out with the iPhone SE or use certain features, like Night Mode or Cinematic Mode.
Other than that, the iPhone 13 comes with a bigger battery that lasts about four hours longer, it’s more water-resistant, and it’s made with a stronger Ceramic Shield glass. The iPhone 13 is also compatible with MagSafe accessories, and it has an HDR display that can get much brighter than the iPhone SE.
So, unless you really care about capturing high-resolution images, the iPhone SE might be a viable alternative to Apple’s flagship smartphone, which costs at least $800 for the base model.
iPhone SE Price and Release Date
The iPhone SE will be available for $429 starting on Friday, March 18. You can pre-order it starting at 5:00 PM PST on Friday, March 11. The budget iPhone comes in three colors, including midnight, starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED, and you can get it with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage.
iPad Air Announced at Peek Performance Event
After showcasing the iPhone SE at the Peek Performance event, Apple then announced the new-and-improved iPad Air. Now, the tech giant’s cheapest tablet will come with the same M1 chip that was just added to the iPad Pro and the iMac desktop computer less than a year ago.
The tech giant claims that adding the M1 to the fifth-generation iPad Air makes it 60% faster than the previous model and twice as fast as the best-selling Windows laptop in its price range.
Like the iPhone SE, Apple also added 5G connectivity to the iPad Air, giving you faster download speeds, even when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi. The new iPad Air also has an upgraded USB-C port that can transfer data up to 10 GB/s, which is twice as fast as the previous model.
The newest iPad Air will also feature a 12MP ultra-wide front-facing camera, which allows it to support Center Stage. With this feature, the iPad Air can detect people in the room and keep them all in the center of the frame during a video call, even while everyone is moving around the room.
(Image Source: Apple)
iPad Air Price and Release Date
The new iPad Air will $599 for the Wi-Fi only model and $749 for the Wi-Fi plus Cellular model. It is available online starting on Friday, March 11, and in the Apple Store on Friday, March 18. I will come in 64GB and 256GB configurations and six different colors, including space gray, starlight, pink, purple, and blue.
Read More: How much will Apple pay you to trade in your old devices?
