You can now buy a brand-new Apple iPhone for just $399
I've been spending the past few months with the iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple's flagship smartphone, with three cameras, a super-speedy processor and a giant 6.5-inch screen. It's an exceptional device, with photography chops unlike anything else I've encountered with a device of its size. But at $1,099, it's also a splurge — especially at a time when consumers are being especially mindful about how they spend.
At the same time last year, Apple launched a similarly capable lower-cost device, the iPhone 11, which starts at $699. But even still, that price tag makes the device out of reach of some.
That's where the new iPhone SE comes in — it has the same A13 Bionic processor in a smaller, scaled-down handset, with a 4.7-inch Retina display, a single 12-megapixel camera and a far lower, $399 starting price tag. It'll be available to pre-order this Friday, April 17, and ships the following Friday, on April 24.
While the SE doesn't have the same camera capabilities as Apple's more premium devices — there's no 2x telephoto or 0.5x ultra-wide cam to speak of — the A13 Bionic processor does support Portrait Mode, one of my favorite iPhone camera features. With that mode enabled, you can capture a subject and adjust the lighting and depth of field later, giving you a ton of flexibility, even after you capture a shot.
You can also shoot 4K video, at up to 60 frames per second, and there's built-in optical image stabilization, support for slow-mo video at 240fps, a Portrait Mode option for the selfie camera and more. The device also sports dual SIM card support, via a nano-SIM and eSIM, so you can use your home SIM card and a local international SIM at the same time.
Also on the travel front, iPhone SE supports Apple Pay, including the Apple Card, and has IP67 water resistance, so you don't have to worry about damaging your device, even if it takes an accidental dip in the pool or gets caught in a rainstorm. If you decide to place an order, be sure to make your purchase using a card that offers purchase protection, or loss and damage protection, as outlined in far more detail in this post.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.