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Meet the 4-inch iPhone SE: Like the iPhone 6S, only smaller and cheaper (hands-on)

Apple brings back the smaller iPhone for less, but doesn't skimp on internal processing power.

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Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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In a world of big phones, Apple is going small. Again.

The newly announced iPhone SE has a 4-inch screen, and all the processing and photographic might as the larger, newer iPhone 6S -- plus, the SE launches with version 9.3 of Apple's iOS software, which also became available today for any iPhone.

Shop for Apple iPhone SE (16GB, silver)

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Also onboard: Live Photos, which turns photos into a 3-second clip, and always-listening Siri, so Apple's virtual assistant is always ready to serve you when you say "Hey, Siri!" And Apple Pay comes aboard, too.

What it doesn't have is 3D Touch, Apple's pressure-sensitive screen navigation that opens submenus when you press and hold the screen. (Which is, we bet, a feature you might be fine missing out on.)

We can't overemphasize how much the palm-size SE feels like the iPhone 5S because, design-wise, it's basically the same thing -- and that older design might throw you if you're into the curvier new iPhone forms.

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Once we got our hands on it, we could really see how the most petite iPhone we've seen since the iPhone 5S (also 4 inches) matches the larger iPhone 6S and 6S Plus on speed and features. It's zippy. The phone slipped easily into a shirt pocket and disappeared, just like old times.

When it comes to camera quality, the SE should be just about as good as Apple's other top-end phones. Apple doesn't skimp on the 12-megapixel camera, another 6S carryover. Low-light selfies work on here, too, because the screen flashes to illuminate an otherwise-dark scene. 4K video is there, as well.

There's one catch, of course: This iPhone SE comes out midway through the iPhone 6S life cycle. An iPhone 7, which will at least have a better camera and processor and who knows what else, is expected in September. Do you care, or do you just want a better, small phone? The SE might not be upgraded every year. And maybe you wouldn't even want a new phone that often. But if you've been hoping and wishing and praying for a smaller phone, the SE once again fills that role. (Also see smaller-size Android phones here.)

It just proves that, right now, the iPhone has become a gadget that comes in three sizes, and it'll stay that way.

Pricing and availability

The iPhone SE sells in countries like the US, UK and Australia first, and rolls out to 100 countries by the end of May. Preorders start March 24; the SE is grabbable March 31.

  • 16GB: $399, £359 or AU$679
  • 64GB: $499, £439 or AU$829
  • $17 per month to pay by installments (US only)

  • Here's what the new iPhone SE looks like (pictures)

    +10 More
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Specs and other things you should know

See all of the news from Apple's March 21 event.