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iPhone 13 Do you like iPhone 13? Ditching SE 3rd gen

Christopher11

Christopher11

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 10, 2007
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I had an iPhone SE 2016, then an iPhone SE 2020 for years, recently the battery quit so I just ordered a new 3rd gen for my upgrade from Xfinity. However, it sucks. The battery life is terrible, and it's not connecting well to my vehicle either. I think I'm just gonna finally get a bigger phone. I don't really need a 14, although I'm sure they're very nice. I thought of just getting a 13. Unfortunately they don't have 256GB so I'll have to stay with 128 if I go with 13. I was hoping to get your thoughts on this... my plan... and if there's one you like more. My main priorities are, long battery life, enough storage. I'm sure I would love the pictures the 14 takes, my g/f has a 12 Pro Max and the pictures are stunning. I suppose the 14 would be even better. I suspect I'd be cool with the 13 though if it lasts all day. Thank you!
 
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There is definitely a 256GB version. U can even find it in Apples refurbished store for $150 off. Even 512.


Regarding the connection to your car i doubt it would be different as all carplay is the same.

Regarding camera there is no big difference between 14 and 13. overall quite similar.

Personally i would try to wait for 15 in September
 
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Wife has the 13 Mini. I have 13 Pro. We think that the photos are perfect. The BIG difference is that the 13 Pro has LIDAR which can do two tings: Getting astonishing good photos in low light (and very low light) is one ting. The other is that you can use an app like Polycam to make 3D scans of rooms and objects. The 3D apps gets better and better, so it might be a feature you really would want to have.

www.tomsguide.com

iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13 camera shootout: can you tell the difference?

We put both cameras to the test
www.tomsguide.com www.tomsguide.com
 
Have been using a new iPhone 13 since a week , it seems to be perfect phone so far. Battery backup is great and camera is excellent.
 
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Christopher11 said:
I had an iPhone SE 2016, then an iPhone SE 2020 for years, recently the battery quit so I just ordered a new 3rd gen for my upgrade from Xfinity. However, it sucks. The battery life is terrible, and it's not connecting well to my vehicle either. I think I'm just gonna finally get a bigger phone. I don't really need a 14, although I'm sure they're very nice. I thought of just getting a 13. Unfortunately they don't have 256GB so I'll have to stay with 128 if I go with 13. I was hoping to get your thoughts on this... my plan... and if there's one you like more. My main priorities are, long battery life, enough storage. I'm sure I would love the pictures the 14 takes, my g/f has a 12 Pro Max and the pictures are stunning. I suppose the 14 would be even better. I suspect I'd be cool with the 13 though if it lasts all day. Thank you!
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You could probably get an iPhone 14 Plus, get the size of your gf’s 12 Pro Max but with the newness of a 14 less the price of a Pro.

Or you can try get a 256GB 13 Pro Max if you can find any available.
 
Christopher11 said:
I had an iPhone SE 2016, then an iPhone SE 2020 for years, recently the battery quit so I just ordered a new 3rd gen for my upgrade from Xfinity. However, it sucks. The battery life is terrible, and it's not connecting well to my vehicle either. I think I'm just gonna finally get a bigger phone. I don't really need a 14, although I'm sure they're very nice. I thought of just getting a 13. Unfortunately they don't have 256GB so I'll have to stay with 128 if I go with 13. I was hoping to get your thoughts on this... my plan... and if there's one you like more. My main priorities are, long battery life, enough storage. I'm sure I would love the pictures the 14 takes, my g/f has a 12 Pro Max and the pictures are stunning. I suppose the 14 would be even better. I suspect I'd be cool with the 13 though if it lasts all day. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Let us know your phone size preference. If best battery life is the uttermost importance, then get the 14 Plus. Nothing beat the physics of simply a larger battery. You can try finding the 13 Pro Max, but the weight might turn you off, especially if you're going from a much smaller (and lighter) phone.

If you still prefer smaller size, then go for the regular 13. Apple does have 256GB model available. So nothing to worry on storage options.

Would be good to know your budget as well.
 
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Christopher11 said:
I had an iPhone SE 2016, then an iPhone SE 2020 for years, recently the battery quit so I just ordered a new 3rd gen for my upgrade from Xfinity. However, it sucks. The battery life is terrible, and it's not connecting well to my vehicle either. I think I'm just gonna finally get a bigger phone. I don't really need a 14, although I'm sure they're very nice. I thought of just getting a 13. Unfortunately they don't have 256GB so I'll have to stay with 128 if I go with 13. I was hoping to get your thoughts on this... my plan... and if there's one you like more. My main priorities are, long battery life, enough storage. I'm sure I would love the pictures the 14 takes, my g/f has a 12 Pro Max and the pictures are stunning. I suppose the 14 would be even better. I suspect I'd be cool with the 13 though if it lasts all day. Thank you!
Click to expand...
I loved SE 2016 and was surprised at how good value it was.

I thought this would be the same for SE 2020, but was thoroughly disappointed.

I've also tried 3rd Gen., and I can't help but feel that Apple has been cutting costs on quality testing of SEs 2020 and 2022 -Bad battery life, tons of bugs, speakers making feedback noise when charging, persistent Search indexing bugs.

All around not the quality I've seen in iPhone 8, X, XS, 11, 12, 13.

Or maybe it's all because Apple doesn't care to optimize iOS to the SEs? I don't know.

But I definitely don't recommend them to anyone.
 
Traded my se 2 in for a iPhone 14 myself and I love the battery life of this phone so nice not to plug in all the time like my se 2.
 
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The closest thing in size & weight to your iPhone SE would be 13 mini, however a regular 13’s battery would obviously outlast it. If I were you I would compare both iPhone 13 and 13 mini in person to see how they feel for you, as it is all down to your personal preferences.

I moved to 12 mini in a heartbeat from iPhone 11 and could not be happier. Unless Apple surprise me with a fresh iPhone with a screen size smaller than 6”, I am planning to eventually replace my 12 mini with 13 mini.
 
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TorbenIbsen said:
Wife has the 13 Mini. I have 13 Pro. We think that the photos are perfect. The BIG difference is that the 13 Pro has LIDAR which can do two tings: Getting astonishing good photos in low light (and very low light) is one ting. The other is that you can use an app like Polycam to make 3D scans of rooms and objects. The 3D apps gets better and better, so it might be a feature you really would want to have.

www.tomsguide.com

iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13 camera shootout: can you tell the difference?

We put both cameras to the test
www.tomsguide.com www.tomsguide.com
Click to expand...
Ooh I want that! : ) Unfortunately, Xfinity seems to only have the 13 at this time, and only the 128GB. I guess I gotta get that. Fascinating about the Lidar. I mean this stuff could be useful on a camping trip... all kinds of uses I could imagine.
 
ApplesAreSweet&Sour said:
I loved SE 2016 and was surprised at how good value it was.

I thought this would be the same for SE 2020, but was thoroughly disappointed.

I've also tried 3rd Gen., and I can't help but feel that Apple has been cutting costs on quality testing of SEs 2020 and 2022 -Bad battery life, tons of bugs, speakers making feedback noise when charging, persistent Search indexing bugs.

All around not the quality I've seen in iPhone 8, X, XS, 11, 12, 13.

Or maybe it's all because Apple doesn't care to optimize iOS to the SEs? I don't know.

But I definitely don't recommend them to anyone.
Click to expand...
You are so right, and I learned the hard way. I think the most revolutionary time for me in smartphones was when I went from flip phone to iPhone 4! It was an adorable phone, really nice. I guess it's the 13 or 14 for me. Will decide this weekend then make the move.
 
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Really fantastic responses, super grateful to all you guys. Thank you. This is one good thing about the internet. So, I am definitely going to get either 13 or 14 Pro. I guess I'll take the next few days to decide, and order it Sunday night.
 
Ditto the 13 Mini comments. Going to move from 2020 SE to the Mini next month.

Will be three years, around the time I replace phones, and want small form factor and Face ID (Touch ID has been really finicky at certain times for a while now for me even after re-scanning finger prints). And since it seems like small phones are about to go extinct in the Apple metaverse, need to snag the last of its kind before September announcements.
 
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Christopher11 said:
How would the 13 have been different for you? Too large? I realize you save some money, so that's nice.
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I bought the 13 a couple of months before the 13 mini, and, obviously, I thought the 13 was too large. I am just used to small phones, that's all, (I have big hands), and I had the SE 1st gen before all of this. I passed the 13 on to one of my daughters. Didn't save any money in the process, I'm afraid, but that's family for you.
 
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Yeah, these bring up a good point, thank you. Do you guys with the 13 or 14 ever resent a larger phone in your pocket? In winter it's no worries because I have an inside jacket pocket but in spring and summer it might feel a little big. I guess it's not a deal breaker.
 
Christopher11 said:
Yeah, these bring up a good point, thank you. Do you guys with the 13 or 14 ever resent a larger phone in your pocket? In winter it's no worries because I have an inside jacket pocket but in spring and summer it might feel a little big. I guess it's not a deal breaker.
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The bigger deal is if u are one handed user cos this doesn’t work anymore with 13 or plus
 
Christopher11 said:
Yeah, these bring up a good point, thank you. Do you guys with the 13 or 14 ever resent a larger phone in your pocket? In winter it's no worries because I have an inside jacket pocket but in spring and summer it might feel a little big. I guess it's not a deal breaker.
Click to expand...
It’s fine. I used a 2016 SE and a 12 Mini and adapted to the 13 very quickly. The extra battery life is a welcome addition. I also enjoy watching media on the larger screen. A Max sized phone would be too big for me though with the clothes that I wear… my pockets would not be big enough to hold a phone that size.
 
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