Thick bezels are not the only problem of iPhone SE 2020
In 2020 we have seen many signs that the end of the world is approaching. Apple seems to be fine with it and is even adding the fuel to the fire, by releasing a 500€ iPhone with Apple A13 processor that outperforms most other smartphones in its price range.
The days of getting a better phone for half of the iPhone's price are gone.
As I'm sure all Apple fans are aware, there is more to a phone than just its processor. And Apple usually gets all those other things right - even if there phones with better cameras, better displays, better audio quality, etc., the iPhones released in any given year are usually at least in top 10 in everything (except maybe battery life). That's why despite not being the best choice, they are usually good enough choice. For those who are not budget-constraint.
However, iPhone SE 2020 is not for those who are not budget-constraint. It's an iPhone 'for the masses', that packs one of the best processors available on the market. Apple makes money primarily from selling devices, so the only reasonable explanation for this is that some corners needed to be cut. Every media outlet points out that the bezels are huge and the iPhone SE 2020 looks outdated. That's true, but in my opinion, there are far more important issues with it:
The battery capacity is only 1800 mAh.
Even with Apple's 'software magic' energy-efficient components they couldn't possibly hope to offer battery life comparable to smartphones with 3000 mAh or more (so basically any modern smartphones on the market).2-3 GB RAM
Yes, IOS is better optimized than Android and handles RAM management very well. We have seen instances of iPhones with 3 GB RAM that allow instant switching between more apps than Android smartphones with 4 GB RAM. But no software optimization can make 2 GB RAM smartphone hold more applications in instantly-accessible memory, than 6 or 8 GB RAM smartphone. For most people, it's not that big of a deal. If you normally only switch between Facebook, Whatsapp and Google Maps, you will be fine. But the same could be said about 80€ smartphones - they do the job and if you only use Facebook you will be fine. Many 100€ smartphones come with 4 GB RAM, and for 500€ you can expect at least 6 GB.Unacceptable screen
The screen has a relatively low resolution (not even Full HD), which is often pointed out by the media, but it's not that big of a deal since the screen size is relatively small. So the pixel density is acceptable. The problem is the technology - IPS TFT LCD, which shouldn't be acceptable in 500€ smartphones. It's worth noting that by TFT screen they obviously don't mean the same technology as screens in 10-years old budget smartphones, but Apple's own improved variation of the technology, which is vastly superior and in many cases outperforms even high-quality modern IPS LCDs. Nonetheless most 500€ smartphones come with OLED or AMOLED displays which offer significantly better color reproduction, minimum and maximum brightness levels, 'infinite' contrast ratio, decrease battery consumption and much more.Outdated camera
The camera is a little bit tricky. Apple claims it's pretty much the same as the main camera on iPhone 11. Tech reviewers point out that the optics and the sensor are the same as in the iPhone 8 (from 2017). The truth is somewhere in between, as the sensor is indeed 'borrowed' (just like pretty much the rest of the hardware) from iPhone 8. However, image processing is the same as in iPhone 11. And as Google attempts to demonstrate with Google Camera, with enough software trickery you can make a sensor from 100€ smartphones perform on par with sensors from 1000€ smartphones. The problem is that you can install Google Camera on pretty much any Android smartphone, and realize that you would probably still prefer a camera from 1000€ smartphone to Google's software trickery. So with iPhone SE 2020 you effectively get improved version of 2017 iPhone 8 camera - you can shoot photos and they look OK, but a vast majority of 500€ smartphones available in 2020 outperform it.
There is also no night mode at the time of release (and since this isn't Android you cannot just use Google Camera app instead of the default app). Apple will probably add it later with IOS upgrade and make everyone happy by 'adding features for free'. Nonetheless taking decent pictures in low light conditions during the first weeks after release is out of the question.Problem with camera versatility.
Nowadays even many sub-100€ smartphones come with more than 1 lens. Apple with iPhone 11 Pro suggests that the optimal setup would be 3 lenses - standard, wide-angle and zoom. Other manufacturers can offer also other types for other uses such as for macro, depth of field, black and white, 'ultra' wide angle, etc. Of course, most users don't use all of them for most of the time, but spending 500€ and not getting any option for reasonable zoom or wide-angle landscape shot is unacceptable and iPhone SE 2020 remains the only smartphone in this price range that comes with just a single camera lens.Social statement (or lack of thereof)
Finally, the social prestige that's usually associated with buying an iPhone is significantly diminished, when buying 'the cheapest' iPhone 'for the masses'. Normally when buying the latest iPhone it's a fashion statement and a social statement that you can afford the latest and the greatest. When buying an iPhone SE 2020 it's a fashion statement that your fashion sense is outdated, and a social statement that you desperately need an iPhone to show that you can afford the latest and the greatest, but in fact, you can't.
And there are of course all other problems associated with iPhones, such as shorter warranty, more expensive accessories, lightning charging cables that are much less durable than their USB counterparts, inability to install any apps after official support ends, and many more (described in detail in the article here). https://steemit.com/technology/@hwtrendsetter/is-an-iphone-worth-it
Nevertheless, it's still a cheap iPhone. If you are in Apple ecosystem and don't want to leave, or risk bullying for not having an iPhone, or for any other reason were willing to spend 500€ on iPhone 8, Apple has done you a favor and it's definitely better to spend that 500€ on iPhone SE 2020, with a significantly improved processor, slightly improved camera and most likely set to receive updates for 3 more years than iPhone 8.
However, if you are an Android user who heard that the new iPhone is better and cheaper than Android phones, that's not exactly the case and you should avoid it.
So, what are the alternatives? Can you get a better phone for 500€? And what about the options for half the price?
500€ - Samsung Galaxy S10 - the processor is on par with iPhone SE 2020 and (as expected from Samsung's flagship) Galaxy S10 doesn't cut any corners
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Samsung-Galaxy-S10-SM-G973-512GB-Prism-Green-Ohne-Simlock-Single-SIM/402223183419?hash=item5da65eb63b%3Ag%3As9AAAOSwGrVcbsqZ&LH_BIN=1&LH_ItemCondition=1000
250€ - Xiaomi Poco X2 (/Redmi K30) - Xiaomi's 'flagship killer' for 2020. Performance is slightly worse (but still outperforms some of 2019's flagship phones), and it wipes the floor with the iPhone in all other aspects (also unlike first generation Pocophone it does come with NFC for mobile payments).
https://www.kimovil.com/to/auto/M7ZHDL/39565 (make sure to select EU warehouse shipping)
23rd of April 2020 update:
Apple already slowed down the new iPhone SE with software update. Now it's only marginally faster than last generation iPhones (XR, XS and XS Max). So buying any Android flagship from previous generation makes even more sense now.