We put the Apple iPhone SE (2022) through our rigorous DXOMARK Display test suite to measure its performance across six criteria. In this test results article, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key display specifications:
- 4.7 inches LCD IPS
- Dimensions: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inches)
- Resolution: 1334 x 750 pixels, (~326 ppi density)
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
122
display
116
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (160)
152
Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Best: Huawei Mate 50 Pro (163)
103
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
Best: Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon) (162)
125
Huawei P40 Pro
Best: Huawei P40 Pro (155)
161
OnePlus 9
Best: OnePlus 9 (165)
96
Vivo X Fold
Best: Vivo X Fold (158)
Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results. While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores.
Position in Global Ranking
77
th
2. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
149
4. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon)
148
4. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
148
6. Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (Snapdragon)
146
8. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
145
11. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
140
18. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
136
21. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
135
24. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
134
24. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
134
24. Vivo X80 Pro (MediaTek)
134
27. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
133
27. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
27. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
133
27. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
133
32. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
131
32. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
131
36. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
42. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
129
42. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
129
48. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
128
48. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
128
51. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
127
57. Vivo X70 Pro (MediaTek)
125
57. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
125
73. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
123
73. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
123
77. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
122
83. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
120
91. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
116
96. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
111
100. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
110
105. Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming
107
107. Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro
105
108. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
104
114. Microsoft Surface Duo
99
116. Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
97
117. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G
95
125. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
74
126. Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro
69
128. Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro
60
Position in High-End Ranking
10
th
10. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
122
11. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
120
16. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
111
19. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
110
21. Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming
107
23. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
104
Pros
- Good color fidelity
- Smooth adaptation of its white point according to the lighting environment
- Uniformity in brightness and color
- Smooth, responsive and accurate touch performance
Cons
- Lack of brightness under sunlight
- Lack of brightness and contrast when watching HDR10 videos
- Significant loss of brightness when viewed from an angle
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) display showed a strong performance overall in our tests. Unlike the other models in Apple’s series of iPhones which come with OLED displays, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) screen is an LCD, and it is the best one we’ve tested so far, outperforming all other LCDs phones in our database in all use cases.
For a high-end phone with a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, we thought the device was great for gaming because of its good smoothness, great touch accuracy, and well-managed aliasing. The device came very close to achieving a top score in the touch attribute.
The display also rendered color very well overall, making it ideal for viewing photos mainly in an indoor environment.
Where we saw a few limitations was in the display’s video performance, mainly because HDR content lacked brightness and contrast.
Test summary
About DXOMARK Display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective and perceptual tests under controlled lab and real-life conditions. Note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps at their default settings. (For in-depth information about how we evaluate smartphone and other displays, check out our articles, “How DXOMARK tests display quality” and “A closer look at DXOMARK Display testing.”
The following section gathers key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyses performed in DXOMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations under the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Readability
116
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
How Display Readability score is composed
Readability evaluates how easily and comfortably users can read still content (photos & web) on the display under different real-life conditions. DXOMARK uses its Display Bench to recreate ambient light conditions ranging from total darkness to bright sunlight. In addition to laboratory tests, perceptual analysis is also made in real-life environments.
Brightness under various lighting conditions
Contrast under various lighting conditions
Readability in a sunlight (>90 0000 lux) environment
From left: Apple iPhone SE (2022), Apple iPhone 13, Fairphone 4
(Photos for illustration only)
Readability at a 45° angle
From left: Apple iPhone SE (2022), Apple iPhone 13, Fairphone 4
(Photos for illustration only)
Luminance uniformity measurement
This graph shows the uniformity of the display with a 20% gray pattern. The more visible the green color, the more uniform the display.
Color
152
Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Huawei Mate 50 Pro
How Display Color score is composed
The color attribute evaluates the capacity of the device to accurately reproduce colors. The measurements taken are for fidelity, white point color, and gamut coverage. We perform color evaluations for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can manage color in the surrounding environment. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. Perceptual analysis of color rendering is against the reference pattern displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
White point under D65 illuminant at 1000 lux
Color rendering in sunlight (>90 0000 lux)
From left: Apple iPhone SE (2022), Apple iPhone 13, Fairphone 4
(Photos for illustration only)
Color fidelity measurements
Apple iPhone SE (2022), color fidelity at 1000 lux in the sRGB color space
Apple iPhone SE (2022), color fidelity at 1000 lux in the DCI-P3 color space
Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color pattern (base of the arrow) and its actual measurement (tip of the arrow). The longer the arrow, the more visible the color difference is. If the arrow stays within the circle, the color difference will be visible only to trained eyes.
Color behavior on angle
This graph shows the color shift when the screen is at an angle. Each dot represents a measurement at a particular angle. Dots inside the inner circle exhibit no color shift in angle; those between the inner and outer circle have shifts that only trained experts will see; but those falling outside the outer circle are noticeable.
Video
103
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
How Display Video score is composed
Our video attribute evaluates the Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling of each device in indoor and low-light conditions. We measure tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis against our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure that the rendering respects the artistic intent.
Video rendering in a low-light (0 lux) environment
Clockwise from top: Apple iPhone SE (2022), Apple iPhone 13, Fairphone 4
(Photos for illustration only)
Gamut coverage for video content
The primary colors are measured both in HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of the color area that the device can render. To respect the artistic intent, the measured gamut should match the master color space of each video.
Motion
125
Huawei P40 Pro
Huawei P40 Pro
How Display Motion score is composed
The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic contents. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are scrutinized using games and videos.
Video frame drops
Apple iPhone SE (2022), 30 fps content
Apple iPhone SE (2022), 60 fps content
These long exposure photos present the number of frame irregularities in a 30-second video. A good performance shows a regular pattern (either a flat gray image or a pull-down pattern).
How Display Touch score is composed
To evaluate touch, DXOMARK uses a touch robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a set of scenarios for smoothness, accuracy and response-time evaluation.
Average Touch Response Time Apple iPhone SE (2022)
This response time test evaluates precisely the time elapsed between a single touch of the robot on the screen and the displayed action. This test is applied to activities that require a high reactivity, such as gaming.
Artifacts
96
Vivo X Fold
Vivo X Fold
How Display Artifacts score is composed
Evaluating artifacts means checking for the performance, image rendering and motion flaws that can affect the end-user experience. DXOMARK measures precisely the device’s reflectance and the presence of flicker, and assesses the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.
Average Reflectance (SCI) Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Reflectance measurement (SCI)
Measurements above show the reflection of the device within the visible spectrum range (400 nm to 700 nm). It includes both diffuse and specular reflection.
Flicker Frequency Apple iPhone SE (2022)
No flicker
Bad
Good
Bad
Great
Flicker comparison
This graph represents the frequencies of lighting variation; the highest peak gives the main flicker frequency.
Aliasing (closeup)
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
(Photos for illustration only)
English
中文
Camera
Audio
Battery
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