The world has changed a lot from those days. Apps now are designed with larger screens in mind.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone SE (2016) Have an X, but just ordered an SE - think I'll regret it?
- Thread starter Anthony T
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The world has changed a lot from those days. Apps now are designed with larger screens in mind.
Here’s my thoughts:
I don’t think the SE is a ‘bad buy’ at all, as matter fact, for $250 on Apple‘s website or even cheaper elsewhere, it’s actually a great buy. But the problem I foresee for the SE, is how does iOS 13 to perform on the SE given it’s approximately six months away from launch? Now, I realize not everybody has to update to iOS 13, but the majority will, and if it affects the performance greatly of the SE with the A9 processor, then I think that will mitigate the experience that others are pleased with currently.
I actually did reconsider multiple times purchasing the SE again, strictly to rotate between my large iPhone and have something smaller when I wanted on demand, but in short: _if_ the performance of the SE declines with iOS 13, then it takes away from the fact of enjoying a smaller iPhone if the software is not optimal, case-in-point.
I don’t think the SE is a ‘bad buy’ at all, as matter fact, for $250 on Apple‘s website or even cheaper elsewhere, it’s actually a great buy. But the problem I foresee for the SE, is how does iOS 13 to perform on the SE given it’s approximately six months away from launch? Now, I realize not everybody has to update to iOS 13, but the majority will, and if it affects the performance greatly of the SE with the A9 processor, then I think that will mitigate the experience that others are pleased with currently.
I actually did reconsider multiple times purchasing the SE again, strictly to rotate between my large iPhone and have something smaller when I wanted on demand, but in short: _if_ the performance of the SE declines with iOS 13, then it takes away from the fact of enjoying a smaller iPhone if the software is not optimal, case-in-point.
What do you mean? I believe I use modern apps on my SE and they all seem optimized for the screen size. Do you have an example?
No. They don’t, as there is no example. The SE is still 100% functional.
Such a waste.
I've done the same ... From 5s to plus models to the X and now I need two devices - work and personal.... Back to lightweight and portability.
That 5/5S/SE design can't be beat...
Even for churning out work emails on the go...
Screen size of newer phones ? Sure
Stereo speakers ? Sure
But the pocket friend size / weight (and design) can't be beat
Few days and muscle memory kicks in with using a screen / keyboard combo of that size
Everyone's usage and opinion varies, just because bigger is touted as better doesn't generally mean it always is
That 5/5S/SE design can't be beat...
Even for churning out work emails on the go...
Screen size of newer phones ? Sure
Stereo speakers ? Sure
But the pocket friend size / weight (and design) can't be beat
Few days and muscle memory kicks in with using a screen / keyboard combo of that size
Everyone's usage and opinion varies, just because bigger is touted as better doesn't generally mean it always is
touchid blows faceid out of the water. faceid is nothing more than an unreliable gimmick.
My experience was the complete opposite. I won't compare it to TouchID because both have always been rock solid for me but to call FaceID a gimmick is laughable.
It’s comments like that that cause threads about the SE to get heated.
Nobody cares whether people have a preference for an iPhone with three year old internals and a five and a half year old design. But they do tend to get snippy when those people state negative opinions about newer devices (that they’ve often never even used) as fact.
TID works ... Just as FID, both have pros and cons... Up to preference I guess... Just as using a new device / design vs 5 year old style
I use both daily. TouchID on the SE, and FaceID on the iPad Pro. I also had an X, XS, XS Max, and XR in my quest to find the perfect iPhone to pair with my iPad.
TouchID, when set up properly, is more reliable. Plain and simple. If the iPhones got the same, more advanced FaceID from the iPad Pro, that gap would be closer. However, as it stands today, many see more issues with FaceID than they did with TouchID. Does that mean TouchID will make a thrilling comeback? Doubtful. But to pretend that FaceID doesn’t still need some work is pretty shortsighted.
Personally, I’d prefer the option to choose between them/use both. I’ll also say that TouchID v1 is far more finicky than v2, and I see a higher fail rate than I did on my 7 and 8 series iPhones. I do, however, mostly prefer TouchID on a phone, and FaceID on the iPad.
I’ll also highlight the irony that you mention things getting “heated” when you’re the one so inflamed by someone’s preference that you feel the need to make a pointed comment about their device, and imply that others can’t have an opinion of modern features because they prefer a phone you don’t approve of. That kind of attitude makes you look like an over-sensitive and over-compensating tool.
I love my SE and I'm hopeful Apple has another 4" device in the works for folks that don't want to deal with a huge (X/XS), ridiculously huge (XR) or disgustingly huge (XS Max) device.
It's all about device size for me. Give me the XS specs in a device sized no larger than the iPhone SE and I'll buy one immediately, even at $999.
It's all about device size for me. Give me the XS specs in a device sized no larger than the iPhone SE and I'll buy one immediately, even at $999.
False. I'm amazed at how quickly and dependably it works. FaceId has not failed me once.
Your first sentence is correct, that both biometric forms security have their advantages and disadvantages. Is Face ID perfect? No it’s not, it has its downfalls with not successfully unlocking when laying down. Is touch ID perfect? No it’s not, sometimes it won’t unlock with wet fingers. My point is, they’re both great forms of biometric security, but they both have disadvantages, it’s just a matter of what the user prefers.
<---------------- See my profile picture? I went from an SE to a 10. I am a tiny woman only 4'10 and have small hands but hated the small credit card viewing window on my SE. I hope you will be happy as I would never. To each their own.
Well said. Having said that, I think we can all come together and agree that despite each of their flaws, they still destroy any form of biometric authentication method you'll find on any non-Apple device.
I respectfully disagree that TouchID is more reliable than FaceID. I also use both - FaceID on my personal phone, TouchID on my work phone. TouchID was always mildly problematic for me during the winter months due to suffering dry skin on my fingers. FaceID doesn’t have that problem for me. Not saying it’s perfect, but no method ever will be.
The post I was responding to said it’s an unreliable gimmick. For myself and many users, that isn’t the case and that statement isn’t bourne out by either professional reviews of the devices or user reports.
No need to call me a tool. That’s just downright rude.
The SE works well for many, many things in 2019. It's not an all-rounder like the X/XS for photos & videos and really intensive use, but part of me still misses it and I still have my SE, though it's for specific uses.
It has its place and it has a lot of benefits. Don't think that you will be disabled by only having the SE. There are some things that continue to annoy me about my XS, design-related. (One thing is how slow Face ID often is in going through that animation after it registers and before you get the end purpose of the authentication....)
It has its place and it has a lot of benefits. Don't think that you will be disabled by only having the SE. There are some things that continue to annoy me about my XS, design-related. (One thing is how slow Face ID often is in going through that animation after it registers and before you get the end purpose of the authentication....)
Steve passed away before the 4s was released.
Calling the other, way more successful iPhone versions garbage is hyperbole at best. You’re obviously just trying to stir up something.
I prefer touchid over faceid. While both works great and both have its downfalls. With touchid, wet damp thumbs won't read. With faceid, unlocking sucks while in bed when half your face is smooshed or you just woke up. Tend to always need to adjust to get it to work. I've unlocked my phone with passcode way more times and often with faceid than touchid.
Does that mean you were never ok with smartphone keyboards (before phablets came along)? I have always typed on my smartphones easily and continue to type on my SE very easily (as easily as on bigger devices) even after owning a plus iPhone and an iPad mini. In fact I type faster on the small keyboard because the keys are closer together.
I think people can get used to almost anything, and it’s not a one way street—if one was used to something before, they can be used to something again. But whether or not they prefer it is another story.