At its ‘Peek Performance’ event earlier today, Apple unveiled its long-rumoured updated 3rd-gen iPhone SE with an updated A15 bionic chip.
The entry-level smartphone isn’t available to pre-order until Friday, March 11th, so you don’t have to commit just yet. Rather, spend that time learning more about the device, and see if it is worth the upgrade, especially if you’re planning to move up from the 2020 SE to the 2022 one.
Let’s dive in and see how the iPhone SE compares to the… well… iPhone SE.
One of the main differences between the 2nd and 3rd-gen iPhone SE design-wise is that the latter now features an iPhone 13-like glass back, which Apple says is the toughest glass on a smartphone ever (Apple says that whenever it releases a new device).
Other than that, the two smartphones look identical, with the same body and the same 60Hz 4.7-inch LCD panel with a 1334 x 750 pixel ratio and support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Like its predecessor, the 2022 iPhone SE retains the Touch ID home button and broad top and bottom bezels, along with IP67 water and dust resistance.
Internals
In addition to the tough glass back, the 2022 iPhone SE takes another aspect of the iPhone 13 — its chip. The 3rd-gen iPhone SE runs on Apple’s in-house A15 Bionic chip which allows it to offer 5G connectivity, a feature that was missing in the 2nd-gen iPhone SE which ran on the A13 Bionic.
While we are not exactly sure about the 3rd-gen SE’s battery size, Apple’s website does say that it offers up to two hours more video playback than the 2020-release iPhone SE. Additionally, like its predecessor, the new smartphone offers wireless charging, though it is still missing MagSafe support.
Both models are available in 64, 128 and 256GB storage variants.
Camera
The two variants which were released two years apart feature the exact same single-camera setup on the front and rear of the device, though that doesn’t mean the camera isn’t more capable.
The 2020-release iPhone SE sports an f/2.2 7-megapixel camera on the front and a f/1.8 12-megapixels one on the back, and Apple decided it is going to stick with the same setup for its new SE offering. However, the new smartphone, thanks to an updated chip, has a few new tricks up its sleeve.
The new chip allows the device to do near-instant computations after you take a snap to adjust lighting, along with Smart HDR 4 that refines contrast and helps retain accurate skin tones.
The 3rd-gen iPhone SE also takes advantage of Deep Fusion, which Apple first released with iOS 13.2 for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and Pro Max, a feature that wasn’t available with the 2nd-gen SE. According to Apple, “Deep Fusion studies multiple exposures pixel by pixel to capture the subtlest details, textures and patterns in your final shot.”
Another upgrade directly tied to the 3rd-gen iPhone SE’s camera that doesn’t necessarily involve clicking photos is Live Text. Live Text was introduced last year with iOS 15 and allows users to scan text in the real world and convert it into digital text. That is just a brief explanation of Live Text. For an in-depth tutorial on how to use it, click here.
Colours and pricing
Upon release, the 2nd-gen iPhone SE was available in ‘Black,’ ‘White’ and ‘Product Red colourways in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage variants. The device was priced at $599 for the 64GB version, $699 for the 128GB version and $809 for the top-of-the-line 256GB model.
The new 2022-release iPhone SE is available in ‘Midnight,’ Starlight’ and ‘Product Red’ colourways. The former two colours are the same as ‘Black’ and ‘White,’ albeit in a fancier lingo.
Like its predecessor, the 3rd-gen iPhone SE is also available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB variants for $579, $649 and $789, respectively.
Worth the upgrade?
While the 3rd-gen iPhone SE doesn’t seem to have any monumental upgrades over its predecessor at first glance, the A15 Bionic chip is sure to make the daily-use experience feel smoother and faster, along with added camera features that the 2nd-gen iPhone SE couldn’t get its hands on. The upgraded chip also means that the 2022-release iPhone SE can survive longer per charge, all while offering 5G connectivity.
With added features comes an added cost? Not really. The 3rd-gen iPhone SE is actually $20 cheaper than its predecessor, making it the new affordable iPhone king.
For everything revealed during Apple’s March event, follow this link.
MONTREAL – Lightspeed Commerce Inc. says it is conducting a review of its business and operations including talks relating to a range of potential strategic alternatives.
The Montreal-based payments technology company made the comments after reports concerning a potential transaction involving the company.
Lightspeed says it periodically undertakes a review of its business and operations with a view of realizing its full potential.
A strategic review is often seen by investors as a prelude to a sale by a company.
Lightspeed says its board of directors is committed to acting in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.
Company founder Dax Dasilva returned to the role of chief executive officer earlier this year and has been working to return the company to profitability.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
OTTAWA – Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says there is a lot of uncertainty around how artificial intelligence could affect the economy moving forward, including the labour market and price growth.
In a speech in Toronto at the Economics of Artificial Intelligence Conference, the governor said Friday that the central bank is approaching the issue cautiously to get a better understanding of how AI could affect its job of keeping inflation low and stable.
“Be wary of anyone who claims to know where AI will take us. There is too much uncertainty to be confident,” Macklem said in prepared remarks.
“We don’t know how quickly AI will continue to advance. And we don’t know the timing and extent of its economic and social impacts.”
The governor said AI has the potential of increasing labour productivity, which would raise living standards and grow the economy without boosting inflation.
In the short-term, he said investment in AI is adding to demand and could be inflationary.
However, Macklem also highlighted more pessimistic scenarios, where AI could destroy more jobs than it creates or lead to less competition rather than more.
The governor called on academics and businesses to work together to shed more light on the potential effects of AI on the economy.
“When you enter a dark room, you don’t go charging in. You cautiously feel your way around. And you try to find the light switch. That is what we are doing. What we central bankers need is more light,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.