Apple's First iPhone SE Now Considered Vintage

[Alpha Centauri]

Maybe I'm silly but I have an iPhone SE in 128GB on the ready in case my 13 mini poops the bed. Part of me wishes it would happen so I have an excuse to use the SE. I will admit, the battery was replaced by Apple about a year ago and it is basically brand new. However, the phone DOES NOT hold a decent charge for that long. Like, even idle, the thing will just drop battery % every few hours. At the rate it drops, it seems like if I were using it to play music and browse the web on my ~40 minute morning bus commute I'd arrive with like 60% left. Not too good... I still love the SE so much though! If they ever make one that size again I'll literally trade my 13 mini in for it. As of now, I will not be buying any new iPhones unless they make a mini or smaller.

Same here, bought in 2016, used for 6 yrs and now kept as a spare for the 13 Mini. I had/ have exactly the same experience as you with it just not holding the charge anymore after Apple replaced the battery. It will actually drain after 3-4 days of just idling with no use.

 

[erikkfi]

Put an A14 or A15 in this and I’ll buy it today.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I still have the OG SE. I use it as a house phone. Me and the SE are vintage items. lol

 

[2mw2]

The best iPhone form factor ever. Going to get my 128GB and just pay for a battery replacement

 

[mectojic]

I still have the OG SE. I use it as a house phone. Me and the SE are vintage items. lol

I love the idea of old iPhones as home landlines!! With a bit of iPod/alarm clock functionality if needed.

 

[mectojic]

The original press release: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016...Most-Powerful-Phone-with-a-Four-inch-Display/

Great reminder. Even in 2016, it was by far the smallest serious smartphone on the market. Countercultural, some might say.

 

[minik]

I still have the rose gold color model on my work desk even with the original box.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I still have the OG SE. I use it as a house phone.

Interesting. My SE is only used as a remote for devices now but could it be used w/out a Sim, WiFi only, as a landline? I do have 3 standard landline numbers available with my DSL conection.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

OG SE was so high quality and high value per dollar.

2nd and 3rd Gen. are, while not terrible, very disappointing by comparison. Very low value.

I hope Apple can spare a little more for the 4th Gen.

 

[gk_brown]

back when se actually meant small.

SE never meant small...

 

[victorvictoria]

I have one, sitting in a desk drawer getting dusty since 2020, when I got the 2nd gen SE. I'll upgrade when and if the next version comes out (skipping the 3rd gen since I want USB-C).

 

[Jxdawg]

Just got an update a few months ago too, crazy how supported the device was. Still have mine as a backup.

 

[erihp]

Still have one kicking around, functioning perfectly. At this point in time, a phone that size feels like a little jewel. I wish it was possible to have two iPhones activated with cell service on the same line (like with landlines how you have extension phones in different rooms) because I would definitely throw that SE into my pocket for a lighter carry when going out at night.

Just move the SIM card over when you want to use the SE.

 

[TSE]

This was peak of iPhone design, before Marc Newson made his mark.

 

[scorpio vega]

I loved my OG SE(I had rose gold and space grey, i think).

I could never go back to a 4 inch phone but it was honestly one of my top 5 favorite iPhones.

1. Iphone 11 Pro Max
2. Iphone 12 Pro
3. Iphone SE (OG)
4. Iphone 14 plus
5. Iphone X

 

[hippopotamusglorypig]

By far my favorite iPhone design. I've since gone on a string of Google Pixel devices, but I would happily return if they resurrected this design. I wouldn't even care if they installed a goofy version of WatchOS instead of iOS to work better with the small screen.

 

[DailySlow]

Still have one kicking around, functioning perfectly. At this point in time, a phone that size feels like a little jewel. I wish it was possible to have two iPhones activated with cell service on the same line (like with landlines how you have extension phones in different rooms) because I would definitely throw that SE into my pocket for a lighter carry when going out at night.

I too have one (first gen) just backed it up to my Mac. Loved the NFC chip. Works fine wifi only. It‘s a backup now if anything unfortunate happens to my 12. 128 GB. Spent month and half on Rhine River, Amsterdam, Paris, Budapest, taking video and exporting to SD cards via gigastone lightning drive. Made an hour video on the trip mostly edited on that tiny phone. The odd update still happens. It‘s been all over N America, lots of Europe, some Mex. Battery replaced twice. I lock it in a firesafe for that day. A truly great device. It just works.

 

[return2sendai]

Since iPhone are now everywhere, If you use one of the vintage devices, are you considered hip?

I remember the days when you had the latest iPhone and everyone thought it was cool.

Yes, me and my SE are considered hip.

 

[DailySlow]

Just move the SIM card over when you want to use the SE.

I am not real sure about doing that. The carrier might have something to say about that. Right?

 

[Plutonius]

It looks like I lucked out getting my SE battery replaced a couple of months ago.

 

[mectojic]

Just got an update a few months ago too, crazy how supported the device was. Still have mine as a backup.

There was an update just last week, iOS 15.8.

 

[iBreatheApple]

Can headphone jacks not be waterproofed like the lightning port can? I always figured that was the reason for removal, but just thought about the lightning port. The phones seem well thick enough to handle, right?

 

[hippopotamusglorypig]

Can headphone jacks not be waterproofed like the lightning port can? I always figured that was the reason for removal, but just thought about the lightning port. The phones seem well thick enough to handle, right?

It's to sell accessories. Devices like the Zenfone 10 and Xperia 1 V demonstrate that it's possible to attain IP68 certification without getting rid of the headphone jack.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

Articles like this make me feel really old. It feels like the SE came out yesterday.

 

[Q-Dog]

I bought an SE the day before Apple discontinued them, so one of the last ones. I just had a new battery put in last week. Will probably be my last iphone.