June 30, 2022, 11:22 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Aldi frequently offers Apple products at discounted prices. Starting now, you can buy the iPhone SE (2020) at Aldi Nord for 299 euros. Is this deal worth it?
The discount retailer Aldi is not new to selling iPhones at particularly low prices. Since June 30, the compact iPhone SE (2020) has been available at Aldi Nord. The smartphone costs 299 euros there, significantly below the suggested retail price. But is it worth spending nearly 300 euros on an iPhone that already has a successor? TECHBOOK examines the Aldi offer.
Overview
iPhone SE (2020) Refurbished at Aldi
It’s important to know that the low price doesn’t come without reason. The devices sold by Aldi are not new but are “refurbished” products. These are devices that were returned after purchase. Apple professionally inspects and refurbishes them if necessary. So, they are not used goods. Official refurbished offers are even available in the Apple Store itself.
The promotion is only valid for Aldi Nord and while supplies last. As for details and the exact contents, the retailer remains quite reserved. Whether a power adapter is included is not specified by Aldi. It only states that in addition to the iPhone SE (2020), there will be an Aldi Talk starter set with a 10-euro starting credit. With Aldi Talk, users surf and make calls on a prepaid basis in the O2 network. The cheapest all-net flat rate, including SMS flat, costs 7.99 euros for four weeks, but other packages are also available.
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Apple iPhone SE (2020) – How Good Is the Smartphone?
The SE series is Apple’s compact smartphone line. The iPhone SE (2020) is already the second generation; the first was released in 2016, and the subsequent third in early 2022. So, there is already a more current SE model. With just two years under its belt, the 2020 model is not particularly old for an iPhone.
Specs
This is also evident in its hardware and software. The iPhone SE (2020) operates with an A13 Bionic chip and 3 GB of RAM. Aldi offers the device in black and white, each with 64 GB of internal storage.
In terms of dimensions, the iPhone has a screen diagonal of 4.7 inches (11.94 cm; 1334 × 750 pixels at 326 ppi), making it quite handy, comparable to the iPhone 8. However, the design, with its wider bezels and home button with a fingerprint sensor, seems a bit dated. Many, however, appreciate the handling and physical button of the relatively small smartphone. The body is made of aluminum and glass and feels nice in the hand.
Also interesting: What the 3rd Generation iPhone SE Can Do
Camera
The main camera of the iPhone SE (2020) features only a 12-MP wide-angle lens with an aperture of f/1.8. Compared to larger iPhones, this equipment is quite modest, but good pictures can still be taken with the camera. Only in low light do you see significant deficits. A portrait mode with a bokeh effect, a panorama mode, and optical image stabilization are available. The video resolution is 4K and up to 60 fps (in slow motion 120 fps).
The front camera also has 7 MP (video in Full HD and 30 fps). As mentioned, you can’t expect stellar camera performance from the iPhone SE (2020). The fact that there is only one lens can be considered a rarity these days. However, the optics are wonderfully compact, and the photo quality is more than sufficient, especially in daylight. The color representation is particularly noteworthy.
No 5G
While the iPhone SE (2020) does have WiFi 6, it does not connect to the 5G network. You surf, as with the 2016 model, at most with LTE speed. However, unlike its predecessor, both a Nano-SIM and an eSIM, and thus DualSIM, are possible. The iPhone SE (2020) at Aldi is waterproof according to IP67.
Also interesting: What Do IP67 and IP68 Mean for Waterproof Smartphones?
Conclusion on the iPhone Offer at Aldi
In terms of price, the Aldi offer is definitely worth it. At other retailers, the 64-GB version of the iPhone SE (2020) still costs 359 euros. The fact that the smartphones are “refurbished” should not deter anyone, as they have been officially inspected. For comparison: Used – meaning actually used – devices in good condition already cost 250 euros.
While the iPhone SE (2020) is not a brand-new smartphone, Apple supports its iPhones with software updates for a long time, so that’s not an issue. The Aldi Talk starter set is included in the price, offering an additional savings of 12.99 euros. So, if you’re looking for a handy smartphone with a decent camera, the iPhone SE offer from Aldi is a good choice.