iPhone SE (2016) I bought an iPhone SE

[Lowhangers]

I bought my SE several weeks ago. I went from the X to the 8 to the SE.

See my thread here: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...om-iphone-x-to-iphone-8-to-iphone-se.2128006/

If Apple reduces the price on leftover SE’s, I’m going to pick up a couple of them to serve me for years.

I still believe the SE is the best iPhone ever made. I mean best in every sense of the word. That is, when you factor in everything, not just latest specs and gimmicks.

Whatever happened to practicality? A phone should be small enough to facilitate true one handed usage. True, as in, actually using it one handed. I heard a number of people say that they can use their 8 or X one handed. Sure, you ***can*** use it one handed, but do you in practice? No. Most people do NOT use those phones with one hand because they are too big for one handed usage.

The SE can be held comfortably AND securely in one hand while typing on it.

All of that is true. I liked my iPhone 8 Plus, it's a great device. But man, what a PITA to lay on the couch and hold it in one hand. I had to balance it on my pinky, and after a while it just got very uncomfortable.

My use case is somewhat unique, as I have a parrot that likes to cuddle with me in one hand, while I hold the phone with the other. The SE works perfectly for that and other one-handed use, while the 8 Plus is just too big and heavy. Even an Xs or 8 isn't as comfortable to use as an SE.

 

[s54]

Your wife is a smart cookie. Never let her go.




It really is outstanding. There is not a significantly different experience that the X provides over the SE. For day to day use of iOS11, it is the best. I wonder how many X users actually use Animoji. Lol

I used Animoji once! ONCE!!!!! And only to see if it works. It was so incredibly stupid. Are adults nowadays actually into this sort of crap? Do people actually get off by recording idiotic facial expressions and sending them to friends or family? Is this what the world has come to? lol

For an everyday practical normal human being, the SE does exactly what the X/XS can do. People rave about better photo quality on the latest iPhones and I'm not going to deny that they are indeed better. The irony is that 99% of those people still view them on their smartphone, where the difference between photo quality is least noticeable.

Sure, the 12 mp in the X/XS is clearer and overall better than the 12 mp in the SE, but unless you're viewing those photos on a big screen, it makes little to no difference. I miss nothing about my iPhone X. Literally nothing. To me, the SE feels like an upgrade over the X.

The biggest scam about the new phones was wireless charging IMO. I used it a handful of times and never used it again. The phone would get extremely hot and it took 5x as long to charge it. Such a disappointment.

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My use case is somewhat unique, as I have a parrot that likes to cuddle with me in one hand, while I hold the phone with the other. The SE works perfectly for that and other one-handed use

My use case was somewhat unique, as well, but it wasn't a parrot that I had to hold onto with one hand while I held the SE in the other

 

[Lowhangers]

My use case was somewhat unique, as well, but it wasn't a parrot that I had to hold onto with one hand while I held the SE in the other

HA HA HA HA!!! PRICELESS!!!!!

I have an iPad Pro I use for that though, there are times when a really big screen is better.

 

[scoobydoo99]

I, too rushed to buy a new SE (gold 128Gb) while I still could. AT&T stores near me were sold out, Best Buy sold out, eBay sellers sold out of 128Gb sizes (except some already selling at $750+). I felt lucky to be able to find one at AT&T online. I'm replacing my "first generation" SE (before the memory bump), but I need to future-proof as much as possible, since I don't know what I'll do when the SE is obsolete since I can't stand any of Apple's other, huge iPhones.

It is amazing that the market has embraced the large, feather light, rounded-edge iPhones of late. It's like Jobs said - "the customer doesn't know what they want until we tell them" - and Apple without Steve has been telling them all the wrong things.

SE is pretty much superior to other iPhones in every way:

• Amazing design and build that just oozes quality. To paraphrase Jurassic Park, if it feels heavy, it's expensive. (Although, ironically, the SE is the least expensive iPhone. Bonus!)
  
• Flat edges that allow you to actually keep a firm grip while using the phone (as opposed to the slim, curved edges of other iPhones that cause them to "rock" awkwardly.
• Aside from the SE, every other iphone since the iPhone 6 has a camera lens bump on the back. Very un-Apple like. It makes it impossible to lay those iPhones flat and touch the screen without the phone rocking on a flat surface.
• Also starting with the 6, the other iPhones are cursed with lock and volume buttons on directly opposing sides of the phone. So, with fingers placed on the opposite sides of the phone, actuating the intended button is difficult without accidentally pressing the button on the other side.
  
• Touch ID on the SE is superior to Face ID in terms of ease-of-use. There are many times that I want to unlock my phone without looking at it or giving it a view of my face (as I remove it from a pocket, for instance.)
• Lack of 3D Touch on the SE is a life saver. I can't imagine living with 3D Touch - every time I use someone's phone with it, it does crazy, unintended things. ("Oh, you just pressed too hard") So, users have adjusted how they touch their phones as a workaround.
  
• One handed operation! I can hold my SE in one hand and actually touch buttons anywhere on the screen!
  
• Finally, and most importantly, the SE FITS IN A POCKET! Before i returned the iPhone 6 that I bought on release day, I tried getting in my car with that huge monstrosity in my pocket and couldn't believe how uncomfortable it was. I think huge phones may be right for some people, but why can't the rest of us continue to have access to a phone-sized iPhone?

(sigh) Apple has lost its way, which was probably inevitable given their mainstream success. Gone are the days of incredible user-centered design and "it just works". I still use my Apple products, but only because even bad Apple is still marginally better than the competition. But, I long for the days of truly visionary products that were a joy to use.

 

[Lowhangers]

I totally agree on the slippery, soap bar phones. It forces you to put a case on it, which I never do as I carry mine in a sleeve. I added egrip tape to the back, but the sides are still slippery on my 8 Plus. It's just really hard to hold onto, I hate that.

The SE is WAY easier to hold, particularly without a case.

 

[Dented]

I can see them letting us get iOS12 and iOS13, but what about when support for iOS stops?

Any folks still use iOS9 and have no problems?

iOS 12 works fantastically well on the SE and is actually a lot faster and more stable than 11 was, and that’s just based on the GM release - so 13 is a shoe in and I’d be surprised if they didn’t give it 14 as well. I wouldn’t hesitate to update from iOS 9.

Bear in mind that iOS 12 is also available for the 5S which is two processor generations older (and has half the ram).

The next two years of support are pretty much guaranteed, after that who knows.

 

[TSE]

I am waiting for my leather case & clear sticker skins I ordered from Etsy. Just installed a glass protector for the screen. Haven't used the phone yet until all my protection comes in, because the iPhone SE needs to last me at least three years.

iPhone fans! Wake up! Save your money! Gain your confidence! Purchase the iPhone SE!