The iPhone SE (2020) Review: A Reinvigorated Classic
by Andrei Frumusanu on April 24, 2020 6:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Mobile
- Apple
- Smartphones
- iPhone SE
- Apple A13
- iPhone SE 2020
Display Measurement
The screen of the iPhone SE shouldn’t be much different to that of the iPhone 8. It’s still an LCD IPS display, but it’s also one of the best on the market, even though the resolution is quite low.
We move on to the display calibration and fundamental display measurements of the iPhone SE screen. As always, we thank X-Rite and SpecraCal, as our measurements are performed with an X-Rite i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer, with the exception of black levels which are measured with an i1Display Pro colorimeter. Data is collected and examined using Portrait Display's CalMAN software.
In terms of brightness, the iPhone SE comes in at a maximum of 675 nits, which is in line with Apple’s previous generation LCD devices. It’s not quite as bright as the OLED iPhone 11’s and this can be noticeable in bright daylight, but it’s otherwise a very acceptable result.
In terms of greyscale calibration, minus a gamma that’s slightly too high and by a bit off with slightly darker tones, the color accuracy of the iPhone SE is dead-on. Whites come in at 6492K is almost perfect, and in general the color error is below a dEITP of 1.
Saturation calibration is also extremely good, with only a quite larger overshoot towards the higher saturation reds.
In the GMB test, the display is incredibly accurate with a color error of only 0.99 dEITP, only slightly worsened by the very slightly off gamma and darker tones for a total of 2.12 dEITP.
Overall, the iPhone SE’s display is in line with what we’ve seen on the iPhone 8. It’s amongst the best LCD screens in the market, even though by now it’s been outpaced in terms of brightness output and evidently resolution.
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boozed - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link
This. Why do phones have to be so large you need two hands to operate them?Peskarik - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link
because they are primarily game devices and mini-TVs for the tech-savvy (that's the nice way to write addicted) youngsters.Maxpower2727 - Saturday, April 25, 2020 - link
Because lots and lots of people love larger phones and would never use something as small as this.Deicidium369 - Sunday, April 26, 2020 - link
I wish I had the girlish/trump hand needed to use a device this small. But unfortunately I have big American Man Hands, and am used to handling large items.Retycint - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link
You misspelled "reasonable, normal size for a smartphone in your opinion". Seriously, is it not common sense that some people have larger hands or are willing to sacrifice one-handed usability for more screen estate?NA1NSXR - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link
No, it is not common sense for effective and productive people. The people rocking the biggest phones in my world little girls and ignorant guys into Teslas.Retycint - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link
You must be living in a delusional world, then. Different people have different priorities, and one-handed usage is not a significant consideration for many.Unless you can tell me that one-handed usage significantly improves productivity and efficiency, enough to outweigh the benefits that a bigger screen brings. I'll wait.
Peskarik - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link
productivity and efficiency, on a mobile Phone. :-Dthey are used to play games and watch YT/Netflix, what "productivity"!
It is YOU who are living in a delusional world, mate.
Retycint - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link
Well, he did say "common sense for effective and productive people", implying that one-handed usage somehow makes people more "effective and productive". Doesn't make sense, right? I know. No need to thank me when all of you are going against your own argument. In fact I haven't seen a single good point as to why small screens should be the norm.In fact, for "[playing] games and [watching] YT/Netflix", a bigger screen is desirable. So I'm not sure what point you are trying to make
Deicidium369 - Sunday, April 26, 2020 - link
IKR - I am in the minority that I only use my phone for phone calls and text. I have used the navigation in the past, but as a Man, I can easily scry my location with dead reckoning. I have played Mahjong on mobile, never watched movies/videos on YT or Netflix. I can honestly say I accomplish nothing productive with my phone.