iPhone SE (2022) colors: every shade explained

All three iPhone SE (2022) color options detailed

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

The iPhone SE got a much-anticipated new iteration atApple’s Peek Performance event, and even though it’s not too much of a redesign it’s now an even more appealing phone for the prospective iPhone buyer on a budget.

Offering a retro iPhone design, replete with a home button and single rear-facing camera, theiPhone SE (2022)is ideal for buyers who want lots of processing power and 5G in a small form factor with a price that’s not too high.

There aren’t as many iPhone SE (2022) color options as there are for theiPhone 13oriPhone 13 Pro, with just three to choose from, but a good iPhone SE 3 case will cover up your thoughtfully-chosen shade of choice anyway.

If you want a colorful new Apple gadget, maybe you should check out theiPad Air (2022). There are a few more iPad Air colors to choose from, some of which match the iPhone and some of which don’t.

The iPhone SE (2022) comes in Midnight, Starlight, and Product RED, and we’ve put our design critic hat on to analyze each one.

Midnight

Midnight

While the product images at the Apple Store (and arguably the name), suggest that the iPhone SE (2022) in Midnight is black, it’s actually a very dark navy blue – think of it as somewhere between the iPhone 13’s Midnight and the Blue version of that phone.

If you want a black iPhone SE (2022) this is the closest you’ll get, with the black front (this is the same for all three color options) complementing the rear.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Starlight

If Midnight is Apple’s terminology for ‘close to black’, then Starlight is essentially ‘close to white’. There’s a hint of cream about the back panel, and while that means it’s not the stark white you may be expecting, it’s very easy on the eyes. Again, the home button, ‘chin’ and bezel remain black.

(Product)RED

Apple’s classic Product Red colorway continues with the iPhone SE (2022), with every phone sold in this color helping to combat Covid-19 across the globe.

In terms of the specific shade of red, the matte finish means it’s a little less reflective than the red of the iPhone 13, which makes it appear darker. You also get a nice contrast with the black front of the phone.

Lloyd Coombes is a freelance tech and fitness writer for TechRadar. He’s an expert in all things Apple as well as Computer and Gaming tech, with previous works published on TopTenReviews, Space.com, and Live Science. You’ll find him regularly testing the latest MacBook or iPhone, but he spends most of his time writing about video games atDexerto.

A newly reported iPhone phenomenon could be bad news for both cops and robbers

The iPhone 18 series could include a variable aperture, ‘significantly enhancing’ the camera

I’m a die-hard Apple fan, but even I’ll admit that the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the best-looking phone of the year