My iPhone 6s is getting long in the tooth. The main problem is battery life, it really took a hit with the iOS 13 upgrades. And I WANT a faster processor and stuff…and I’m the type who wants to buy the latest version of electronics when I buy anything, to not shell out money and still be a few steps behind (smart move - my Intel i7 is still serving me quite well).
I REALLY didn’t want to get an iPhone 11. The base iPhone 11 is too big (and $699). The 11 Pro is less big, but still too big, and more money ($999). I’ve tried using my friend’s 11 and I’m not pleased with the button-less design. The 11 cameras are pretty cool but a nicer camera on my phone is rarely something I find myself wishing for.
I only just found out about the SE (second generation) today. It’s “only” $399 and used Apple’s nice comparison tool to compare the 6s (my current phone), the 11 Pro (the phone I was going to buy for $999) and the SE (second generation) and am very happy with what it offers!
Pros of the SE:
Nearly the same size as the 6s
Slightly better camera than the 6s
Home button with Touch ID
Slightly better battery than the 6s (and even better since it’s newer than mine)
Wireless charging (not available with the 6s)
Fast charge capable (not available with the 6s)
A little bit waterproof
Higher capacities than the 6s
Nicer display than the 6s
Better chip than the 6s, same as the 11 Pro
Some nicer camera features than the 6s
A decent price at $399
Cons of the SE:
No headphone jack, but no new iPhones have them
Not nearly as nice a camera as the 11 Pro
Not as good battery life as 11 Pro
Not as waterproof as the 11 Pro
Anyway, I’m really happy that I waited. I had an inkling that people would not be as receptive to the monster-sized iPhone 11 with no home button, a big camera and bigger pricetag.
Funny thing is my mom has the original SE and it’s like a baby phone compared to my 6s. I’ll probably be laughing at the tiny size of this one some day.
But, me and my shallow pockets (literally and figuratively) are very glad to have this new iPhone option!
I loved my 6s, and its battery was still ok, but I got an 11Pro as a gift and am very pleased. If I had not gotten the 11 as a gift, I’d likely be getting the new SE now.
I have an iPhone XR, and I really dislike it. It’s way too big, and cramps my fingers if I’m using it too long with just one hand. It wasn’t an impulse purchase, but it was time-constrained. If it made sense, I’d trade this in for the SE.
So it’s not big? My hands shake from chemo - still, two years later - and I find the bigger phone with the larger keyboard is really helpful. I find the PLUS size is helpful to me.
Check out the comparison tool I linked to. You can look at all the different models and compare their size to your current model, to see what’s out there that would fit your size needs.
This is good. I have an SE, my wife has an SE, my parents have SEs. Couple siblings have SEs. Think we have an extra or two stashed away at my parents’ house for the first person who really kills theirs. I’m on screen 2 and battery 2 (probably ought to up the battery soon). Wife is on 3 and 3 I think. Love the size.
I object to not having a real headphone jack, but everyone is going away from them, so I may need to get over my principles there.
To be clear, this SE is bigger than the first generation SE that you have. So if you like the SE for its actual size, you’ll be disappointed in how “big” this new one is. If you like that the SE is relatively smaller than current versions, then you’ll be happy with the “small” size of this one.
Love my SE. It’s kind of a stealth iPhone, in that many don’t know about it (including Apple… no SE cases in Apple sections of stores, they’re all bigger). So many people assume it’s an old 4 or 5.
If you can’t wait, just get an SE. They’re cheap… holy crap, just checked: $129 for an unlocked refurb 32 GB. I took advantage of the pricing and got a 128GB for about $160.
The camera’s decent (same as the 7, I believe, not as good at night as a 10 or 11), and it’s got a headphone jack.
But the form factor is great, and means I always have it with me. I have a friend who’s always leaving his 11 on a bar or at home on a counter because he can’t put it in his pocket. I can carry my SE in a back jeans pocket, and bike or sit without it getting squished. Or button it in a shirt pocket.
I’m excited that the SE will live on, ready for my next upgrade, but I’ll keep mine as long as possible.
I mentioned the jack in my commercial for buying a current SE. But I don’t use the jack anymore… switched to wireless Bluetooth earbuds when I realized that 99% of my phone drops were because I’d snagged the cord on something.
(Huh, guess I’ve dropped my SE a dozen or so times, no damage…)
Not necessarily. Samsung just got rid of his headphone jack with the S20 and it’s waterproof capabilities were just as good as any other phone with the S9 and S8.
Speed? For what? Wouldn’t be an issue for normal phone things like texting, voice or music… you Photoshopping or gaming on your phone? In that case, I’d warn you that the smaller screen on the SE does make a difference.
It helps that I’ve decided to play quieter games like Monument Valley. But not sure how Final Grand Theft Fantasy of the Old Republic would play…
Or movies, etc. For instance, I’m watching the National Theatre’s free plays on YouTube (Treasure Island this week, til Thursday… then Twelfth Night). I decided it’d be much better on a bigger screen, so cast it to my TV, but when I need it more mobile, I switched to my laptop instead of the SE for that.
I ordered one, and it still shows as being delivered next week. Any delays people are seeing would be due to lots of orders and limited stock, and this happens every time Apple releases a new phone.
And what percentage of Apple employees are still on the job? The nerds who keep Safari and iOS working smoothly are clearly working from home with ADHD toddlers underfoot…