iPhone SE (2020): second-generation SE and the Home-button choice

IPHONE MODEL ARCHIVE · 2020

The second SE combined a familiar Home-button design with a newer processor. It makes most sense as a choice about controls, size and budget rather than a substitute for every flagship feature.

iPhone SE (2nd generation). Product photograph: Apple; pictured finishes may include later additions.

Introduced 2020-04-15. Filed under the original announcement date. Retrospective guide prepared in November 2026.

The generation at a glance

Apple announced the second-generation SE on 15 April 2020. It featured the A13 Bionic chip, a 4.7-inch display, Touch ID and a single 12 MP rear camera. The camera supported computational features including Portrait mode.

Buy for the routine, not the model label

Someone who reads short messages and makes calls has a different screen requirement from someone who edits documents on a phone. A compact interface can be welcome for the first routine and restrictive for the second. The physical Home button is similarly a matter of preference. Start by deciding whether those characteristics suit the owner, then consider storage and condition rather than assuming the cheapest listing is the best match.

Which version is which?

This is the second-generation SE from 2020, not the original 2016 compact SE or the third generation from 2022. Similar names make the year particularly important. The 2020 and 2022 versions also look very similar in a photograph, so ask for the exact model information before comparing prices.

What to check before choosing one

Try Touch ID, the Home button and the charging options you intend to use. Check how comfortable the screen feels with the text size you prefer. For a used example, evaluate battery condition against the asking price; a processor name by itself does not tell you how well a particular unit has been maintained.

For a used handset, inspect the exact device rather than relying on stock photographs. Ask to see the cameras, charging and controls working. Check storage, battery condition and whether the previous owner has removed their account. Compare any repair quotation with the total purchase price. For daily use, verify the software and services you need on that model before buying.