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iPhone SE (2016) Any other iPhone SE people still out there in the shadows?

I'm actually a new SE user, having skipped over the 5 series completely on my way from 4S to 6 and picking a "refurb" up in the sale about a month ago on Woot for $100. The SE replaced my aging 6.

Swipe typing in iOS 13 resolved my one complaint about changing from the 6 to SE which was the smaller keyboard size! With swipe typing, I would totally support a refresh in the exact same dimension - and not a revamped 6/7/8.

Now, does Apple think that's the only barrier to a refresh? Probably not, but we can hope......
 
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JPack said:
This is more accurate:

View attachment 862753

It's about 1% narrower and 4% shorter than iPhone 8.

The original image depicted the 5.4" as being nearly 10% smaller in both dimensions than iPhone 8.

View attachment 862754
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Ehh...I didn’t even mean to post that...if you notice it’s incomplete. I saw what you meant and cancelled. This forum has a bad habit of keeping cancelled stuff even if replying to something completely different.
 
I'm still happily using an SE and will probably continue to do so as long as possible. I received a new one last year as a warranty replacement so I'm now at 3.5 years on the SE. Why? Well I like the form factor and I really like the headphone socket. I'll probably hang onto it for as long as I cannot that reason.
 
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BasicGreatGuy said:
The SE rumor is from one source, which doesn’t have much rep.
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I first heard this rumor about 6 months ago and it resurfaced recently. I think they will release this for those who want a newer processor but still want their home button. I bet it comes out in the spring.
 
s54 said:
I just bought the 11 Pro and felt that it was too big. So I returned it today and I'm back on my iPhone 8.

However, even the 8 seems a little too big for me. The SE is such an underrated phone. I am thinking about selling my 8 and going back to the SE. However, I would only want a brand new SE and I can't really find them new anymore.

I looked on eBay for several days, but they're all refurbs. Even the ones that say "NEW" are not new by any stretch. All of iPhones SE's on eBay sold as new are actually refurbs that have been resealed.

I wonder if anyone knows a place where I can pick up a brand new factory sealed and unlocked SE. If so, please let me know. Thanks.
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Unfortunately apart from random restock on the official Apple Refurb store (which you can get notified of using Refurb Tracker) you are probably out of luck. I picked up a non-Apple refurb recently without being able to see its condition for $100 via Woot which I figured was a half decent reseller. Then I took it into an Apple store for a battery replacement. They broke the screen, I walked out with a brand new SE for all-in $150. The stores still have stock: you just need to be able to trigger replacement. YMMV! I think I was lucky there were no 3rd party replacement parts in the refurb so I could still qualify for a battery replacement.
 
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Roy G Biv said:
I pretended to have a call and walked away, and I heard them laughing louder.
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Anyone that laughs at somebody else for using any type of cell phone deserves to be laughed back at. The things that people find important in our society...

I have not owned an SE, but my brother has one. He loves the small size, and will not upgrade much further. I did however use a 5S for many years, and I loved the size. With iOS 13 I would not mind returning to the small size as much as I did before.
 
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I wish I had a SE, even just as a keepsake as it's my favorite design iPhone (don't feel like hunting for a 2nd hand one, unless it's in perfect condition and in rose gold). I was about to go in store to buy a brand new one after rage quitting and selling my Pixel 2 XL, but I found a X for sale unused that someone got for upgrading their phone plan for $500 off, so decided to try it out and has been the longest phone I've kept. I'm all for a 5.4" flagship so hoping this comes to be true.

A SE2 based on the 8 doesn't interest me as the size is close and I've come to like Face ID and the all screen OLED. Maybe there will be no SE2 but they just keep the 8 or XR and reduce the price.
 
Still using and loving my SE.

Although the current and some of the past iPhones have been tempting to upgrade to, it's always the size that makes or breaks my temptation to upgrade. I actually had an iPhone X for a short duration of time and that phone was awesome. I loved everything about it especially the design (reminded me of the iPhone 4/4s), but what made me go back to the SE was the size. The X was just a tad too large (and heavy).

If Apple had made the XR or 11 smaller than the X, I would've so bought it. But if the rumours are any bit true, the alleged 2020 5.4" premium iPhone will be better than that. More premium than the XR/11, but in a smaller package.

The 5.4" premium flagship iPhone better happen or I'm honestly jumping ship. Probably get whatever compact Sony Xperia is available next year.
 
My dad's using an SE and my mom a 5S... Seeing them struggle to read small text, I'd say they are probably still using them for it's affordable price.

It's weird though, I remember how I loved the size increase from my 3.5" iPod touch when I upgraded to the new iPhone 5. It felt absolutely perfect, whereas these days, I wouldn't trade my XS (just talking about screen size, not features). I read a lot text and watch a lot of videos, the basic phone functionalities are relatively hardly used.
 
okieoutwest said:
Unfortunately apart from random restock on the official Apple Refurb store (which you can get notified of using Refurb Tracker) you are probably out of luck. I picked up a non-Apple refurb recently without being able to see its condition for $100 via Woot which I figured was a half decent reseller. Then I took it into an Apple store for a battery replacement. They broke the screen, I walked out with a brand new SE for all-in $150. The stores still have stock: you just need to be able to trigger replacement. YMMV! I think I was lucky there were no 3rd party replacement parts in the refurb so I could still qualify for a battery replacement.
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How do you know all new SEs on eBay are resealed refurbs?
 
turbineseaplane said:
With such a flood of iPhone 11/Pro threads, I’m curious how many of you are still out there, like me, rocking the SE.

I’m basically on an SE until it no longer physically functions, barring the release of some type of iPhone 11/XR Mini (hopefully) some day.

The whole lineup is big, bigger and huge now and it’s so frustrating.

I know anecdotally in my social circles, I’m not alone in wanting something a bit smaller than the current normal Pro/XS size. I really wish Apple wouldn’t leave us all in the cold. It’s shocking to see all the size variety in the iPad lineup vs what they offer for phones, especially given that the phone is the device that goes in pockets, pouches, etc and has so much variety in usage patterns, styles, desires, needs, etc.
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You're not alone. I've had to move on from my SE because it had become unreliable (on Android now) but my wife is still using hers (though hers is starting to become unreliable as well). She's probably a few months away from needing to replace it.

Neither of us will be moving up to the larger iPhones. If Apple produces another SE (same/similar form-factor) we'll get them but otherwise it looks like the end of the road for us with iPhones.
 
I’m skeptical that they will make a smaller flagship, although that’s what I want (small but expensive is fine!). Coming from a 6 year old 5s I need to upgrade now and can’t wait another year. I honestly haven’t looked at android models - are there comparable high end small phones out there?
 
jeremydc said:
How do you know all new SEs on eBay are resealed refurbs?
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I don't understand the question. I didn't mention eBay. Can you rephrase? Generally I wouldn't waste time on eBay but if I were to look I would look for 1) a seller local to me (same country) and 2) a small seller who only has 1 phone available, not someone selling like 10 or more of the same product.
 
okieoutwest said:
I don't understand the question. I didn't mention eBay. Can you rephrase? Generally I wouldn't waste time on eBay but if I were to look I would look for 1) a seller local to me (same country) and 2) a small seller who only has 1 phone available, not someone selling like 10 or more of the same product.
Click to expand...
Wrong person
 
I did it. I went from my dear lovely SE to the iPhone 11.... and yes I miss the size of the SE.

I have done large phones before, I had an LG G3 before I bought the SE. Many reasons for going from a big phone to a one-hander phone back then just made sense. I planned on rocking the SE until it fell apart or wouldn't function, I love the little thing, untill...... This past Christmas I got an iWatch LTE, and all the reasons I preferred/needed a one-hander were gone because of the watch. Because those reasons were not there anymore, my aging eyesight started to wish for bigger text and images, which can you can do bigger text on an SE but with a bunch of trade offs. Waithing around for all the rummored SE2's thant never came about was anouying, so 11 I went. I do like the iPhone 11 it's light years a better phone than my SE, the Camera is insanely better, the bigger screen is sweet, and the BATTERY LIFE is insane. Yes the SE had stellar battery life even with its aging battery it was better than friends iphone xs, but the iPhone 11 crushes the SE! Yet I still miss the SE's size.

Below were my reasons for going big to small and back to big;

1. Going for a jog - with the LG it was too huge to hold in the hand on a short run and with it on a arm band was too bouncy and cumbersome > the SE was light and small even on a 2 hour jog I wouldn't even notice it > iWatchLTE means I didn't need to bring my phone anymore.
2. Bike ride - the LG wouldn't fit in my saddle bag and when mounted on the handle bars it was too big and distracting, left barley any room for my light and could't have the garmin and light at the same time > SE fit in saddle bag and with the out front quadlock mount was perfect > AppleWatchLTE didn't need to bring the phone only on really really long rides.
3. Golf - the LG was too huge to put it in the pocket, it was noticeable on the swing and walking. Or if put in the bag instead a royal pain to pull out of the bag to get yardages for each shot > SE could go in back pocket, front pocket, shirt pocket, and even in a the hat if you are odd > iWatchLTE leave the phone in the bag got all the info in the watch.
4. Coaching youth sports - Putting the LG in the front pocket of sports shorts the thing would just swing around, and at times fly out and land on the ground > SE same'ish issue just less but because of the price and people desire not to steal it I could just leave it on the ground until practice is over > iWatchLTE I just leave it in the car.
5. Quick texting/emailing - LG could not one-hand for a reply, speech to text at the time was just to bad > SE I could one-hand a long text or email in any situation > Speech to text has gotten waaaayyy better so no need to type anymore > Apple watch LTE pretty much handles most of my texting and short emails with speech to text.
6. Media Consumption - LG it was great for short youtubes, on the go TV shows and using to youtube DIY car or home repairs, but turned to laptop for most of media consumption > got an iPad which took the place of all devices for media consumption (SE was brutal to watch anything on the go)
7. Checking messages in meetings - LG it was obvious even from far away I was fiddling my giant phone > SE could only see me checking if close > iWatch actually looks more awkward responding but unnoticeable checking responses.
8. Pocketablity and overall size - LG just pulling it out of the pocket was not graceful and cracked the screen once when I missed putting in the pants and fell to the ground instead > SE wasn't even a thought I had it down to where I already had it unlocked with touch ID before it was halfway out > iWatch barely take the phone out of my pocket anymore.

Few other reasons for going small but the AppleWatch with LTE solved those too. So now to try and get used to the massive size of the iPhone 11. I ain't gonna lie so far its been a bit of a long adjustment period, I think I need to get it out of my head that I can use the 11 one-handed.
 
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