A familiar old friend that could be the perfect starter phone: Dailymail.com's verdict on Apple's iPhone SE

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At first glance, the iPhone SE seems like a step back, and indeed it looks and feels identical to the four inch iPhone 5 and 5s.

However, the SE has a hidden talent - the internals of the latest iPhone 6s have been crammed inside, making this a perfect first time iPhone, and a great update for those who don't need the latest and greatest design.

The key to the iPhone SE is incredibly simple and powerful - familiarity.

Scroll down for our video review 

Prices for the iPhone SE start at $399 compared to $649 for the cheapest 6s - making this an ideal 'starter phone' for many who are yet to upgrade

This is a handset that looks and feels identical, on the outside at least, to the hugely popular iPhone 5s, with the only obvious difference being a new matt metal finish.

However, switch it on, and it becomes apparent this is a ‘retro’ iPhone in looks only.

Although we've only been using the phone for a few days, one thing is clear - it’s blazingly fast.

Playing several high intensity games show that this really is as powerful as the current flagship, the 6s.

It's powered by the A9, the same chip found in the iPhone 6s, and Apple says the iPhone SE has 2x faster CPU and 3x faster GPU performance compared to the older iPhone 5s - and this is something you notice right away, wiht a far snappier feel the the handset even when its not playing games.

The camera has also had a huge update, and it boasts a 12mp camera, which, in our limited testing, produced some great shots - not quite as impressive as the 6S plus, but you can also create live pictures, which is a welcome addition.

It’s just as well built, and the new rose gold we've been using is beautiful - despite the rather ugly white plastic antenna strips.

According to Apple, the iPhone SE is 'crafted with bead-blasted aluminum for a satin-like finish, matte-chamfered edges, and a color-matched stainless steel logo.'

What this means, as far as we can tell, is that its incredibly well built and feels solid - and also easy to pick up and keep hold of. 

Although casing has a new matt coating which is beveled at the edge - Apple says most cases for the older 4 inch range will still fit, although does advice checking with manufacturers. 

I found my old cases fit perfectly (once I'd found them).

The smaller screen is saved by its sharpness - I found reading books on the subway was far easier than I thought, although I will admit to pining slightly for my iPhone 6s Plus on occasion. 

THE IPHONE SE - THE PUBLIC VERDICT 

Dailymail.com took Apple's latest handset onto the streets to find out what the public thought of it.

The results shows the handset has a 'marmite' appeal, with some loving its retro feel, while other said they were simply too used to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus to go back to a smaller version. 

'I don't like how small it is now - I feel like it goes back, but my dad really wants it'

It's really nice, it's nostaligic - it reminds me of back in the day' 

'I don't like how small it is now - I feel like it goes back, but my dad really wants it,' one told us.

'It's really nice, it's nostalgic - it reminds me of back in the day,' said another. 

One claimed it could do better with women.

'I think its better fitting in trousers, and for ladies with smaller bags.'

And as another told us, while it may not be the latest and greatest, 'it gets the job done'

'I really like it, the size it - and it gets the job done'

'I think its better fitting in trousers, and for ladies with smaller bags.'

In terms of weight, it’s identical to the 5 series, and as an iPhopne 6s Plus users, it feels tiny at first - but after a few minutes, one suddenly remembers how nice having a small phone can be.

For many things users, having more than one handset is normal, and the SE could double as a great personal or weekend handset for many - I actually found myself turning to it for quick texts and messages rather than the iPhone 6s plus I was also carrying, and normally use.

Getting used to the smaller keyboard is a shock at first, as is how large the 6s Plus seems when you go back to it.

However, while many things about the phone feel retro, the technology inside it really isn't.  

The screen is superb, with bright colours and is phenomenally sharp, although it almost seems strange seeing such a great screen in a small form factor

The camera has also got a massive update, and is the full 12 megapixel unit found in the iPhone 6s, although /apple says the hardware has been redesigned to fit in the different form factor.

This also means you've got access to Live Photos, which works brilliantly, and has been noticeably improved in iOS 9.3.

With the TouchID sensor you can use a print instead of a password, and also use Apple Pay. 

The new iPhone SE has a 4inch screen and familiar design - but has had a huge upgrade on the inside, making this a perfect first time iPhone.

The phone is the first 4-inch phone to be unveiled since the iPhone 5s (pictured) and 5c.

It's just as quick as in the 6s, and just as useful - it's an incredibly good way of getting into your phone without facing about with pass codes.

We weren't able to spend enough time with the SE to comment on battery life, Apple says the SE has 14 hours of talk time on 3G, and 10 days of standby - and in our limited testing, it outlasted the 6s.

Overall, the iPhone SE is a fascinating product, and one destined to do incredibly well - in certain markets.

It really hits a sweetspot in the Apple lineup of people who perhaps don’t want, or can’t afford a flagship handset - or are looking for a second backup phone.

At $399 for the cheapest version, it's still not exactly cheap - but for those who've been holding out, and with carrier subsidies, its likely that many will see this as worth the money for a phone that packs the latest processor and camera. 

However, if you've got a 6 or 6s already, you probably won't want to change - unless you really are a fan of the smaller format.

But the SE will undoubtedly do the job Apple wants it to, attracting new users during a time when sales of the flagship model are stalling.

Apple recently said in February it sold 74.8 million iPhones in the three months ending 26 December, the first full quarter of sales of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, and this  rise in iPhone shipments was the smallest since the second fiscal quarter of 2013. 

It may seem like a step back, and a ‘retro’ handset - but the SE could be the sleeper hit of the iPhone range, and bring millions of new users who previously haven’t wanted to commit to an expensive flagship handset.

I think it could also become a kids favourite - the low cost, ease of use and the fact parents will probably have a lot of accessories already make it an ideal starter phone. 

Ultimately, the SE and indeed the new 9.7 inch iPad Pro is about giving customers options - and for an awful lot of people, the SE will do everything they want.

Its an incredibly comfortable handset in many ways - the software works fast and well, the hardware is tried and tested, and everything just works.

It's not a revolution in iPhones - but it's a handset that will attract a lot of first time users and those who simply haven't got round to, or haven't wanted to get rid of their bruised and battered old 4 inch handsets.

Prices for the iPhone SE start at $399 in the US and £359 in the UK, and will be available in space grey, silver, gold and rose gold metallic finishes in 16GB and 64GB. 

Both the iPhone SE and the new iPad Pro will be available to order from 24 March and shipping will begin on 31 March.

iOS 9.3 

With the latest software update for iPhones and iPads, Apple has focused on sleeping patterns, security and education. 

The new iOS 9.3 offers a number of improvements over the previous version of the software, iOS 9.2.1.

The biggest change to the software is Night Shift mode.

Studies have shown exposure to blue light in the evening can affect peoples' body clocks and make it harder for them to fall asleep.

Night Shift changes the colour temperature of the phone's display when it's dark outside. The later and darker it gets, the warmer the temperature. 

It uses the device's clock and location to determine when it's sunset, then it automatically shifts the colours in the display to the warmer end of the spectrum, reducing the amount of blue light.  

Night Shift changes the colour temperature of the phone's display when it's dark outside. The later and darker it gets, the warmer the temperature. It uses the device's clock and location to determine when it's sunset, then it automatically shifts the colors in the display to the warmer end of the spectrum

The aim of this is to help users sleep. In the morning it returns the display to its regular settings.

Night Shift can be scheduled automatically, including across time zones, and filter hews and intensity levels can be customised.

Its icon has also been added to the Control Center, which can be accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.

Another change is that Notes now has the option of adding a password or fingerprint to access to individual notes, to let users keep their private information more secure.

Notes can now also be sorted by date created, date modified or alphabetically.

An update to News means the articles in 'For You' are now better tailored to particular interests. 

There are also new features for the iPad to help teachers use them with their students.

'iOS 9.3 includes a preview of new features that will make it even easier for schools to put devices where they'll have the greatest impact, in the hands of students,' according to the Apple website. 

iPads now support multi-user modes which automatically sync data so no one device has to be assigned to any particular student.

Apple has gone back to its roots today by unveiling a 4-inch handset dubbed iPhone SE. The phone was announced at an event in San Francisco by Apple's Greg Joswiak (pictured)

'Classroom' and 'Apple School Manager' apps let teachers compile courses and they can now control all students' iPads during a lesson.

Apple Health now allows Apple Watch Activity stats like move calories, exercise minutes and stand hours to be added to its dashboard. 

Users can also now extract the full resolution photo from an unwanted Live Photo, which could save space on some devices.

Live Photos were introduced last September alongside the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. 

iPHONE SE AND NEW IPAD PRO SPECIFICATIONS 

Specification	iPhone SE	New iPad Pro
Screen size:	4-inches	9.7-inch True Tone display
Chip:	64-bit A9 chip	64-bit A9X chip
Processor:	M9 motion co-processor	Integrated M9 co-processor
Camera:	12MP iSight camera with Retina Flash	12MP iSight Camera with True Tone Flash and a 5MP FaceTime HD camera with Retina Flash
Panoramas:	Up to 63MP	Up to 63MP
Video:	4K quality	4K quality
Operating system	iOS 9.3	iOS 9.3
Assistant:	Always-on 'Hey Siri'	Always-on 'Hey Siri'
Extras:	Apple Pay, improved battery life, faster Wi-Fi and LTE	Less than 1lb (0.45kg) in weight, four speakers, with accessories including a pencil, keyboard and smart adapters
Colours:	Four: rose gold, gold, silver and space grey	Four:  rose gold, gold, silver and space grey
Price:	$399 for 16GB and $499 for 64GB	$599 for 32GB, $749 for 128GB and $899 for 256GB
Availability:	Orders begin on 24 March and shipping starts on 31 March	Orders begin on 24 March and shipping starts on 31 March

When a user takes a photo, the iPhone will record a small video clip both before and after the shutter button was pressed.

Until now, in order to save just the still image from the photo, users had to disable the live photo portion. 

This meant they had to pick either a Live photo or a still. With iOS 9.3, they can have both.

iOS 9.3 also expands Quick Actions, pressured touches on apps, to a lot more stock apps including Weather, Compass, App Store, iTunes Store and Health as well as Settings, which now has WiFi and Bluetooth shortcuts.

The iPhone SE is said to have the same performance as the 6S and 'delivers incredible battery improvements' - although Apple did not give any specifics. It has a 12MP iSight camera with True Tone flash and can capture 4K video, edit two streams and has TouchID for Apple Pay