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iPhone SE (2016) *Advice needed* Should I buy an iPhone SE?

V

Vero-D

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 12, 2010
12
1
Chicago
As many others, I was waiting on the past June event the announcement of the iPhone SE 2 in order to upgrade my iPhone 5. Last month my iPhone 5 was stolen, now I'm surviving on my old 4S. With the news/rumors that the production of the iPhone SE might be discontinued.

What should I do?

Should I wait for the September event to see if a new SE is released or should I go ahead and get one now?
I like the size and the shape of the iPhone SE, that's why I don't consider moving to an iPhone 6, 7, 8, or X.
What would you do? (Considering a budget that cannot afford getting 2 iPhones).

I'll appreciate your advice/help in this.
Thanks!
 
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If you can survive until September on the 4s, I would wait to see what Apple comes out with to be sure. At the very least, the older models will be cheaper, or you can pick up an SE on Swappa.
 
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Honestly, there are no good indications at this point that Apple plans to release an updated 4" iPhone this year. If you like the smaller form factor I'd pull the trigger. Lots of deals on the SE out there so just make sure you don't pay full price. With iOS 12 the SE will be a solid performer (and at this point it's a good bet that it will support the latest version of iOS through until at least fall 2021, although with each update beyond iOS 12 I would do some research before updating). Either way it's a good upgrade from the 4S (and your stolen 5) at a reasonable price.
 
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bodonnell202 said:
Honestly, there are no good indications at this point that Apple plans to release an updated 4" iPhone this year. If you like the smaller form factor I'd pull the trigger. Lots of deals on the SE out there so just make sure you don't pay full price. With iOS 12 the SE will be a solid performer (and at this point it's a good bet that it will support the latest version of iOS through until at least fall 2021, although with each update beyond iOS 12 I would do some research before updating). Either way it's a good upgrade from the 4S (and your stolen 5) at a reasonable price.
Click to expand...

100% agree. Indications are pointing to the fact that Apple is very unlikely to announce a new SE in September. I would certainly look into picking an SE up now.
 
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I have an SE, and I went from a 6s Plus to an SE, and have been very happy with the switch.

I would just get one if you feel like you need it. It is not like when/if a new one comes out, the SE will be junk.
 
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If you like the form factor of the SE then I would say get it. There are a lot of great deals out there on it. Plus it will be night and day for you versus your iPhone 4s.
 
If you can wait, wait, if you need it now, get it now. Remember that the SE is in fact using almost 3 year old technology.

And even if the SE will be discontinued, there will very likely be a replacement. Also, even if it becomes discontinued, the channels are flooded with the current SE model, meaning you'll have no problem picking one up.
 
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Vero-D said:
As many others, I was waiting on the past June event the announcement of the iPhone SE 2 in order to upgrade my iPhone 5. Last month my iPhone 5 was stolen, now I'm surviving on my old 4S. With the news/rumors that the production of the iPhone SE might be discontinued.

What should I do?

Should I wait for the September event to see if a new SE is released or should I go ahead and get one now?
I like the size and the shape of the iPhone SE, that's why I don't consider moving to an iPhone 6, 7, 8, or X.
What would you do? (Considering a budget that cannot afford getting 2 iPhones).

I'll appreciate your advice/help in this.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

It’s almost certain that there will _not_be an iPhone SE 2 in the fall. There have been multiple rumors surrounding Apples three new iPhones with the 6.1/5.8/6.5 iPhones, and it seems highly unlikely there will be anything with the SE this year.

Others have purchased the iPhone SE for $150 brand new. There are sale prices out there, just take your time in looking both online and in store.
 
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Do you have an iPad? If so, you don’t need the larger phones. 5/5S/SE probably is the most refined form factor, and fits everywhere! I went from 6 back to SE and don’t miss that big clunker at all! But, I have the iPad mini, so my view might be different if that’s all I have.

Also, anyone watching a movie on the phone?!? Get an Apple TV and 55” TV! Life is short. Dragons should be HUGE!
 
solarmon said:
5/5S/SE probably is the most refined form factor, and fits everywhere! I went from 6 back to SE and don’t miss that big clunker at all! But, I have the iPad mini, so my view might be different if that’s all I have.
Click to expand...
This was me, but with the 6s Plus.

I when from a 5s to a 6s Plus thinking I would like the larger size, which I did, but only when I was sitting down and could have two hands on it. It was useless 1-handed, I couldn't fit it in pockets, and the rounded edges would cause the phone to slip out of my hands all the time.

After using it for about 1.5 years, it slipped out of my hand and the screen cracked. I used my AC+ to get it replaced and sold it for a SE, and it was a great purchase.

I will be sad if Apple discontinues the SE, or replaces it with the iPhone 6 design.

solarmon said:
Also, anyone watching a movie on the phone?!?
Click to expand...

I know a few people that do this, but not me. I'm not sure if they like to watch it on their phones, or they just are passing time by.
 
BasicGreatGuy said:
I agree. Apple will silently discontinue the model (at least for U.S. sale).
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I always said if they do refresh(possibly next year if ever) it should stay simple. Same body and screen with only cpu/gpu upgrade, camera upgrade and second generation touchid. They could still offer it for the same price and everyone that loves the SE can have an updated version that will last a couple more years easily
 
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solarmon said:
Also, anyone watching a movie on the phone?!? Get an Apple TV and 55” TV! Life is short. Dragons should be HUGE!
Click to expand...

Yes, I do watch movies on my iPhone (during my commutes and to take notes for future articles I write). Also watch movies on my iMac and tv. Do not need dragons to be huge to get the idea.;) Not interested in streaming media or Apple TV.

Now, the SE ? I would love an update with a slightly better screen and I’ll watch movies on that too.:p
 
BugeyeSTI said:
I always said if they do refresh(possibly next year if ever) it should stay simple. Same body and screen with only cpu/gpu upgrade, camera upgrade and second generation touchid. They could still offer it for the same price and everyone that loves the SE can have an updated version that will last a couple more years easily
Click to expand...
I suspect Apple will do just that (and possible in the first half of 2019), but for now they want to keep the focus on their larger FaceID iPhones and are hoping that their get a few more small iPhone hold outs to trade up to a larger model.
 
Some seem to think Apple will discontinue the SE in the Fall, they don’t have a compelling reason to do that. If anything, it might even be discounted, but I suspect 2019 will be the year it will vanish, but if the SE comes back reincarnated as something else, I don’t believe it will ever resemble what it looks like now.
 
IMHO, never make a purchase based off of someone else's opinion.

Do your own research, own decision or it's always someone else's fault if whatever the purchase is doesn't pan out.
 
mmomega said:
IMHO, never make a purchase based off of someone else's opinion.

Do your own research, own decision or it's always someone else's fault if whatever the purchase is doesn't pan out.
Click to expand...

Or, having multiple views on others opinions and views are equally important if someone was unsure, perhaps there is advice or purchasing decisions in here suggested from Others that the OP was not aware of about the SE , that may be beneficial to them in their purchasing decision(s). Besides, even if they weren’t happy with the Purchase, that’s what return periods are for.
 
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Relentless Power said:
Or, having multiple views on others opinions and views are equally important if someone was unsure, perhaps there is advice or purchasing decisions in here suggested from Others that the OP was not aware of about the SE , that may be beneficial to them in their purchasing decision(s). Besides, even if they weren’t happy with the Purchase, that’s what return periods are for.
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Cause reading on this forum people normally post about returning a product they aren't happy with.

It's either blame Apple or blame someone else they are stuck with a $1300 phone a $7000 laptop or a $20000 desktop.

Their inability to make their own decisions usually land them in the complaining department that is the MacRumors forums.


Now on another note, Yes getting various points of views can help one make a decision but it has to be your own. If you buy something because everyone else does or because mom told me to or because "insert reason" a majority of people are not happy with the purchase. Because they never actually internally decided to do it.
 
BugeyeSTI said:
The SE you can buy today will be the same one you’ll be able to buy in December. Apple isn’t touching the SE this year...
Click to expand...

BasicGreatGuy said:
I agree. Apple will silently discontinue the model (at least for U.S. sale).
Click to expand...

You seem to be pretty certain about that, although the article seems to imply a probable specs bump on September. I'm in a need for a new phone, I would love to buy it asap, but I could wait till September.I just don't want to.

What would you guys do in my position? These SE2 rumors have been driving me crazy for the past 6 months now.
 
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immortalwind said:
What would you guys do in my position? These SE2 rumors have been driving me crazy for the past 6 months now.
Click to expand...

I personally don’t believe there will be an iPhone SE two in 2018, nothing really suggest this happening with three new iPhones expected to launch in September, given the rumors are scattered. The original iPhone SE has had rumors slated to be discontinued, but I think Apple might retain it in their lineup, barring the iPhone 6s is likely to be discontinued. If there is any revision of an iPhone SE 2, I would expect 2019 at the earliest.
 
immortalwind said:
You seem to be pretty certain about that, although the article seems to imply a probable specs bump on September. I'm in a need for a new phone, I would love to buy it asap, but I could wait till September.I just don't want to.

What would you guys do in my position? These SE2 rumors have been driving me crazy for the past 6 months now.
Click to expand...
I feel for your dilemma. I had the 6 for a year. I did not like the size, I dropped it often. I bought the SE as soon as it was announded. Had zero problem selling the 6 for $500 USD! My only regret: the first SE only offered 64G. A year later (last year) they bumped it to 128G, which my wife benefitted from when her 5C finally crapped out.

You should get the SE now. Sell it if a significant upgrade comes out. You’ll love it in the meantime.
 
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