For the past couple of years, the size of a smartphone has become a significant factor in deciding which device to buy. Ask vendors who sell iPhones about this and you’ll get a clear picture: most buyers still feel awkward holding the giant iPhone 6, and the most comfortable smartphone unit to hold is still the iPhone 5.

The iPhone SE resembles the favored iPhone 5. It isn’t the smartphone you want if wish to flaunt it. However, it’s the unit to go undercover with. The iPhone SE has practically all the same updated specs as the iPhones 6S and 6S Plus. The bonus point is its size. All these goodies are packed into a body that’s similar to the comfy iPhone 5S. That’s what makes it a fantastic mini smartphone.

iPhone SE 101

The iPhone SE is NOT the “new iPhone” – that’s the rumored iPhone 7. The SE, which may stand for Special Edition or Small Edition, is basically a mini iPhone 6S. That alone is already an achievement. If you want to use the power of 6S or 6S Plus without the awkward size, buying the SE is your next best choice.

Keep in mind that the SE – as with any other iPhone units – is relatively expensive. Still, most phone carriers offer eligible consumers cost-effective two-year payment packages. If you throw a trade-in, you can have the SE without breaking your wallet. Also, it&’s a much bigger bang for your buck than the iPhone 5S, which is its doppelganger.

When you decide which of these iPhone units to buy, think about the screen. Will you be happy with a smaller display? If yes, then choosing the SE is a wise decision, especially if you’re not a fan of gigantic mobile screens. Otherwise, the 6S or 6S Plus is the one for you – unless you can wait for Apple’s newest baby, the iPhone 7.

5S Outer, 6S Inner

Despite its smaller size, the iPhone SE is packed with top-notch features. It provides virtually every feature found on the 6S. Specs wise, the SE is a lot better than the iPhone 5S. Some of the

most notable features of the SE include:

• 4-inch 1136×640 Display
• 16GB or 64GB Storage Space
• A9 Chip
• 2GB RAM
• 12- Megapixel Rear Camera
• 1.2-Megapixe Front camera
• Touch ID
• Apple Pay
• M9 Motion Co-Processor
• Siri
• Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Calling

Aesthetics wise, the iPhone SE comes in four colors: silver, gold, rose gold, and space gray. The other 6S features not available on the SE are fairly small. Of course, there is the obvious display downgrade. A smaller unit means a smaller screen with an expected lower resolution and reduced contrast. This also means the SE features a lower-resolution camera for selfie-taking, the unavailability of the 128GB storage, and nil 3D Touch.

When these specs are translated into basic English, the SE provides stellar hardware, a comfortable-size unit, but with a substandard camera. If you’re not that particularly interested in using your phone’s camera to take photos, then the SE is a wonderful, serviceable Apple smartphone. Otherwise, go for its bigger counterpart.