iPhone SE (2016) How to upgrade from an iPhone SE

[NewUsername]

I have an iPhone SE, love it but also looking for an upgrade in the future (probably next year).

I was wondering for those who used to have an iPhone SE: which model did you upgrade to?

To me, an iPhone 8 would make the most sense, as it is the smallest iPhone at this moment and not that much out of date.

But did some perhaps upgrade to an iPhone XR (cheapest) or to an iPhone XS (smallest flagship iPhone)?

In either case, did you get used to the size? To me, all of these seem too big (the iPhone 8 being just acceptable). But I have to admit that when switching from a dumb phone to an iPhone SE, I also thought the size of the SE is way too big; now I think it is perfect.

Honestly, none of all these options seem very attractive to me at this moment. I assume the event in two weeks won't change anything. I might be interested in a 5.4-inch iPhone next year, if that would ever happen. It would probably be as large as an iPhone 8 (which is still quite large in my opinion) and the screen would be huge compared to an iPhone SE, but the technology would be up-to-date so it could last a long time. That would be especially important if iOS 14 would drop support for the iPhone SE. But of course, that's just speculation.

 

[wproct]

If you really liked the functionality of the SE, the 8 would make a nice next Iphone. I previously used a 5s which was very similar to the SE and then moved on to a 6s and ultimately an 8. You quickly adapt to the slightly larger screen and it's not large enough to be cumbersome or interfere with one-handed usage.

 

[Zxxv]

I have an SE and a Xs Max
Every time I pick up the SE I love it’s size and feel but the Xs Max is more pleasurable to use. I always have used my iPhones two handed, even the SE.

I also came from a small dumb phone and thought the iPhone 4S was huge.
Like I say though I use two handed so there’s not much point in not having the Xs Max. Had the 8+ before that.

I got the larger size as it can substitute for a computer for 99% of everything I do.

Really all depends on your use. I also have an Apple Watch and often leave my Xs Max at home just to be without a phone and still have audio books with AirPods and Apple Pay and reminders etc.

 

[HeyKatie]

I upgrade to the 7 from and SE. I personally went for the 7 because it was the cheapest option at the time.

 

[tps3443]

I owned a SE for 3 years. The iPhone 7 is a great choice. Very fancy features on the iPhone 7 even for 2019 I think. The iPhone 7 is blazing fast with a lot of life left under its belt. The iPhone 8 is even better with wireless charging, and a more premium feeling glass back.

Regardless, they’re both excellent phones and you couldn’t go wrong with either option.

The iPhone 8 has the A11, which is nearly just as fast as the A12 in newer XS/XR iPhones at only about 10-15% slower.

The iPhone 7 has the A10 which is still a great chip today, and will smoke a SE, or 6S in gaming or just general use. Even in 2019 the A10 is no slouch and allows you to run demanding games on high settings.

I play ark with my son every weekend and I can’t even download this game on my old SE, even a 6S Plus forced me to play with only low settings “no other option” with slightly choppy performance. When I got my iPhone 7 I can run ark in high settings with smooth gameplay.

I wouldn’t think twice about recommending either a 7, or a 8. iPhones last for a long time, especially if you take care of your devices.

You can purchase a brand new production retail unlocked iPhone 7 in Walmart for $299.

 

[anitak1982]

See my profile picture? I went from a se to and ipx and never looked back. I watched all sorts of youtube video's while waiting for my beauty to arrive. When it came it seemed as if the gestures were second nature to me and I had no problems at all. But even after all this time, I still miss the headphone jack. I've never found a good replacement not even in bluetooth due to my hearing loss. I know they have a dongle you can't charge and listen at the same time.

 

[ghanwani]

My pick would be the 8. Tried XR and found it too big and heavy. Wary of XS because of PWM. Still hoping they might surprise us with updated internals in an SE body but not holding my breath.

 

[tps3443]

I ordered (2) iPhone 8.

iPhone 8 Plus 256gb for me, and a iPhone 8 64GB for my wife.

I already have a new iPhone 7 128GB.

These phones are awesome! Either one is a great choice.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

The only upgrade path for the SE is to upgrade to an SE with more storage. Anything else is a downgrade

 

[mikzn]

I went from an iPhone 4S to iPhone 6 and then to iPhone 8 and have got to say the iPhone 8 is a fantastic phone but it’s not a one handed phone.

Still use my iPhone 4s I love how small it is

iPhone 8 is my main phone for work - I am amazed at how long the battery lasts and how quickly it can charge back up to full - 10 or 15 minutes and it’s fully charged amazing - I also like how thin it is and how solid it feels definitely a great phone IMHO

 

[Dented]

I had the SE for two years and spent the last year wondering what if anything I’d upgrade to next as there was no obvious replacement, at least in size terms. At the same time though, I found myself drawn to the XR and ended up switching a month or so ago.

It’s very different in size clearly, but I’ve genuinely been surprised at how quickly I adjusted. Before the SE I had the 6S, and weirdly the XR feels more comfortable to use than I remember my 6S being. I don’t know what it is, maybe something about the edge to edge screen translating more directly to the dimensions of the device in the hand, but I find it less awkward than the 6S and while I dropped that phone many times in the first few days, I haven’t dropped or fumbled the XR once yet.

Of course it’s bigger and heavier than the SE and certain one handed tasks on the SE now take two (like any larger iPhone). But again, compared to my old 6S the trade seems much fairer, since you’re really getting a very big increase in screen size. The SE was a great portable device but I’d always switch back to my iPad whenever I could; with the XR I seriously wonder whether I need the iPad still as it’s so comfortable to look at. With the bigger size of the XR you also get phenomenal battery life. I mean really, this is the iPhone I always dreamt of on that score, I can spend the day doing literally everything with it and it still has plenty of reserve at the end of the day, it’s amazing.

Predictably when I last picked up the SE it felt.. ridiculous. No regrets at all.