Considering buying the new iPhone SE? Take a look at these options firstMumbai, Mar 22(AZINS) The Apple iPhone SE has just been launched, pushing the 4-inch limit for smartphones. Based on the same 64-bit A9 processor and M9 motion processors that drive the premium iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, it’s clearly one of the most powerful smartphone experiences that can be had in this particular screen size. Add to that is Apple’s top-of-the-line 12MP iSight camera, complete with Live Photo support and 4K video recording.

The only real downer here, as it were, is the phone’s premium pricing. At Rs 39,000 the iPhone SE clearly snags a berth in the rarefied premium smartphone segment. In this price range, there is virtually no other comparable competing phone out there, save perhaps for devices like the Nokia Lumia 1020 (Rs 29,990) and the BlackBerry Passport (Rs 38,949.) But still, these are phones with a 4.5-inch screen--the Lumia 1020 is coming up to three years old and has a 768x1280 screen but based on a still formidable 21MP camera, while the BlackBerry Passport is based on their unconventional 1440x1440 pixel square screen and is more aimed at the business user.

Predictably, the only other phones that can be stacked against the new iPhone SE, are Apple’s older phones. And here’s where things get interesting--at the Rs 40,000 mark, there are actually several of the phone’s earlier versions that actually prove to be great alternatives. Spec for spec, the hottest pick--by far--is the still quite fresh iPhone 6S (16GB). Available today for around Rs 40,666, this phone trumps the iPhone SE on every count, and with a screen just 0.7-inch larger. It’s got an identical processor, memory and camera, and unlike the SE it also includes 3D Touch, and a slightly larger capacity battery (1,715mAH versus 1,642mAH).

Going by pure screen size, if you’re hell bent on a 4-inch phone and aren’t too concerned about having the best ever camera, there is the still-going-strong iPhone 5S (16GB) which is of course based on a much older platform but is still a great little phone for everyday use. It gets better--this phone’s price has now fallen to the Rs 16,999 level these days. Plus, the newly released iOS 9.3 is compatible with this phone, complete with the new Night Shift mode et al.

Really, the only reason to buy the new iPhone SE is if you absolutely want a 4-inch phone that has a very good camera. Or if you simply want the new iPhone for no particular reason. For everyone else there are much more sensible options, even without leaving the iOS family.