Honestly, the tech world moves way too fast. We’re constantly bombarded with titanium frames, folding screens, and cameras that can basically see into deep space. But then there’s the iPhone SE 2020 64GB. It’s small. It has a home button. It looks like a fossil compared to an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Yet, if you look at the secondary market data or talk to people who just want a phone that works, this specific model remains a massive talking point. It’s the "people’s phone," and for a lot of users, 64GB is still that sweet spot between "too little" and "paying for space I'll never use."
You remember when this dropped? April 2020. The world was upside down. Apple shoved the A13 Bionic chip—the same brain inside the then-flagship iPhone 11 Pro—into the body of an iPhone 8. It was a genius move. They took a design everyone knew and loved (or was at least comfortable with) and gave it a rocket engine. But now that we're years down the line, the question isn't just "is it fast?" It's "can you actually live with a 64GB version of a legacy design in a world of 4K video and massive app updates?"
The A13 Bionic is the Gift That Keeps on Giving
People underestimate how much "headroom" Apple builds into their silicon. The A13 Bionic was a monster when it launched. Even today, it handles iOS 17 and likely several future iterations with a level of snappiness that puts budget Android phones to shame. You open Instagram? Instant. You want to edit a quick video in CapCut? It doesn't sweat. That's the magic of the iPhone SE 2020 64GB. You aren't buying budget hardware; you're buying flagship hardware in a budget suit.
However, there is a catch. Modern apps are heavy. A "lite" game isn't 50MB anymore; it's 2GB. When you opt for the 64GB entry-level storage, you are essentially entering into a marriage with iCloud. You have to be smart. If you're the type of person who never deletes a text thread and has 4,000 unorganized memes in your gallery, that 64GB is going to feel like a cramped apartment very quickly. But for the minimalist? It’s plenty.
The Home Button Nostalgia Factor
Let's talk about Touch ID. Some of us still hate Face ID. There, I said it. Whether it's wearing sunglasses or just wanting to unlock your phone under the table during a boring meeting, the physical home button on the iPhone SE 2020 64GB is a reliability king. It’s tactile. It’s fast. It’s muscle memory. For older users transitioning from an iPhone 6 or 7, or for younger kids getting their first "real" phone, this interface is the least intimidating thing Apple has ever made.
Why 64GB is the Battleground
Is 64GB enough? This is the most debated topic in Apple forums. Let's get real about the math. Out of the box, the system software and "System Data" are going to eat up about 11GB to 15GB. That leaves you with roughly 50GB of usable space.
If you're a heavy WhatsApp user, your "Media" folder is the silent killer. All those videos in the family group chat? They add up. But here is how you win: Optimize Storage. By offloading unused apps and using iCloud Photos, the iPhone SE 2020 64GB stays lean.
- The "Social" User: If you mostly use TikTok, X (Twitter), and Spotify, 64GB is a breeze because everything is streamed.
- The "Parent" User: If you’re filming 4K videos of your kid's soccer game every weekend, you’ll hit the wall in three months.
- The "Work" User: Emails, Slack, and PDFs take up almost no space. This is a perfect work-issued device.
The Camera: One Lens, No Problems?
We live in an era of "camera bumps" that look like stovetop burners. The iPhone SE 2020 has one single 12MP wide lens on the back. Just one. No ultrawide, no telephoto. But because it has that A13 chip, it uses computational photography—specifically Smart HDR—to make photos look way better than they have any right to.
It struggles in the dark. I'll be honest. There is no official "Night Mode" like you find on the newer models. If you're at a dimly lit concert, your photos will look grainy. But in broad daylight? The color accuracy and shutter speed are classic Apple quality. It shoots 4K video at 60fps, which is still the gold standard for social media content. Most people can't tell the difference between a daylight SE photo and an iPhone 13 photo when it's compressed on a 6.1-inch screen.
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Ergonomics and the "One-Hand" Life
Have you held a Pro Max lately? It’s like holding a brick. Your pinky finger starts to ache after ten minutes of scrolling. The iPhone SE 2020 64GB is a featherweight. It weighs 148 grams. You can reach all four corners of the screen with your thumb without doing "hand gymnastics."
There's a certain freedom in a small phone. It fits in gym shorts without dragging them down. It disappears in a pocket. For people who view their phone as a tool rather than a portable cinema, this size is peak design. The 4.7-inch Retina display isn't OLED, so you won't get those "inky blacks," but it's 625 nits bright enough to see in the sun. It’s a functional, utilitarian screen.
Battery Life: The Elephant in the Room
We have to be realistic here. The battery in the SE 2020 is small. It’s an 1,821 mAh cell. Compare that to the 4,000+ mAh batteries in modern giants. If you are a "power user" who spends 6 hours a day on YouTube, you will need a charger by 3:00 PM.
This is the trade-off. You get the slim, light body, but you lose the endurance. However, the SE 2020 supports 18W fast charging (50% in 30 minutes) and even wireless charging. If you work at a desk or have a charger in your car, it’s a non-issue. If you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail? Bring a power bank.
Real-World Longevity and Value
The used and refurbished market for the iPhone SE 2020 64GB is absolutely booming. You can often find these for under $150 in great condition. That's cheaper than most "disposable" Android phones at big-box stores. But unlike those cheap phones, the SE will keep getting security updates for years.
Apple’s support lifecycle is legendary. The original SE (2016) lasted forever. The 2020 model is built on that same philosophy. It’s the "Honda Civic" of smartphones. It’s not flashy, it’s not going to win any beauty contests at a tech gala, but it’ll start up every single morning and do exactly what you ask it to do.
Addressing the "Too Old" Narrative
Some reviewers say the SE 2020 is "obsolete" because it lacks 5G. Let’s debunk that. Unless you are downloading 10GB files on a street corner, 4K LTE is plenty fast. Most public Wi-Fi is slower than the 4G speeds this phone can hit. For the average user scrolling Reddit or checking maps, 5G is a marketing buzzword that drains battery faster. Don't let the lack of 5G scare you away from a great deal.
Another thing? Durability. The SE 2020 has an IP67 rating. It can survive a drop in the sink or a rainy walk. It’s surprisingly tough for such a "cheap" device. The glass back allows for wireless charging, which is a premium feature often stripped from "budget" versions of other phones.
How to Make 64GB Work for You
If you've decided the SE 2020 is your next move, you need a strategy to survive the 64GB limit. It's totally doable, but you can't be lazy about it.
- ICloud is your best friend. Spend the $0.99 a month for the 50GB plan. It offloads your high-res photos and keeps the small, "screen-sized" versions on your phone.
- Audit your apps. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. You'll be shocked to see that a game you haven't played in six months is taking up 4GB. Delete it.
- Clear the cache. Apps like TikTok and Instagram build up massive caches. Delete the app and reinstall it every few months to "reset" that hidden storage.
- Manage your messages. Set your "Keep Messages" setting to 1 year instead of "Forever." You probably don't need that grocery list from 2019 anyway.
The iPhone SE 2020 64GB isn't for the tech enthusiast who needs the latest 120Hz ProMotion display. It's for the pragmatist. It’s for the person who wants a phone that fits in their pocket, takes a decent photo of their dog, and doesn't cost a month's rent. In a world of $1,200 smartphones, there is something deeply refreshing about a device that just wants to be a phone.
If you’re looking to buy, check the battery health. Anything above 85% is solid. If it’s lower, factor in the cost of a $69 battery replacement from Apple—it’ll make the phone feel brand new. Stick to reputable refurbished sellers who offer a 90-day warranty, and you’ve got yourself one of the best value-for-money tech pieces of the decade.