Other If I need a new iPhone now, what is the best option?

[BugeyeSTI]

The iPhone SE, iPhone 6s and even the iPad 5th gen all benchmark more or less the same in terms of CPU.

It's only onscreen, native resolution GPU benchmarks where they would vary.

Some people are more sensitive to minute stutters and lag. It's entirely possible the low resolution on the SE allows it to deliver 60 fps minimum frame rate all the time whereas the 6s/iPad 5th gen would have occasional drops in frame rate.

There is a miniscule difference no doubt. Should it be a main reason to choose one over the other? Not so much...

 

[pérignon]

The difference in speed is almost imperceptible.. The difference in price or features is huge... Everyone said the SE was faster than the 6S and it became obvious the only way to tell was benchmark scores. Day to day use showed little or no difference

The processor is the same. And while on paper the benchmark scores can be identical, the fact that the new SE has a smaller screen than the 11 and 11 Pro means that it will be snappier. I say this based on experience.

Anytime you shrink screen size, there is less screen to process. So, assuming the processor speed stays the same, the device with the smaller screen will be snappier. By snappier, I mean faster in terms of maneuverability. For example, when swiping between screens and quicker to initiate app swaps, etc.

This behavior is very easy to reproduce on a PC. Anytime you shrink the resolution, virtually every game will run faster and smoother.

This principle was also true with the original iPhone SE and more noticeable than most people imagine. I played with the original SE and my iPhone 6S side-by-side many times (same iCloud with same identical phone contents) and I can tell you for certain that the SE was ALWAYS snappier; navigating between screens was simply smoother and faster. This is an objective observation I made many times over the years.

My iPhone 8 was also quicker in navigating and responding than my iPhone X and XS.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

The processor is the same. And while on paper the benchmark scores can be identical, the fact that the new SE has a smaller screen than the 11 and 11 Pro means that it will be snappier. I say this based on experience.

Anytime you shrink screen size, there is less screen to process. So, assuming the processor speed stays the same, the device with the smaller screen will be snappier. By snappier, I mean faster in terms of maneuverability. For example, when swiping between screens and quicker to initiate app swaps, etc.

This behavior is very easy to reproduce on a PC. Anytime you shrink the resolution, virtually every game will run faster and smoother.

This principle was also true with the original iPhone SE and more noticeable than most people imagine. I played with the original SE and my iPhone 6S side-by-side many times (same iCloud with same identical phone contents) and I can tell you for certain that the SE was ALWAYS snappier; navigating between screens was simply smoother and faster. This is an objective observation I made many times over the years.

My iPhone 8 was also quicker in navigating and responding than my iPhone X and XS.

More than 99% of users would never notice the difference and the speed difference is subjective. Seems to me a person purchasing an 11 Pro isn't going to choose the SE because it's .0001 of a second quicker at opening an app just like someone who wants a phone for texting, emails and taking decent pictures doesn't want to spend $1000 for a ton of features they'll never use or need.. A 512gb iPhone has faster read and write speeds compared to 64gb version but when you use them both I doubt many can tell any difference whatsoever

 

[pérignon]

More than 99% of users would never notice the difference and the speed difference is subjective. Seems to me a person purchasing an 11 Pro isn't going to choose the SE because it's .0001 of a second quicker at opening an app just like someone who wants a phone for texting, emails and taking decent pictures doesn't want to spend $1000 for a ton of features they'll never use or need.. A 512gb iPhone has faster read and write speeds compared to 64gb version but when you use them both I doubt many can tell any difference whatsoever

Are you speaking from experience or is your analysis based on thin air?

This has nothing to do with write speeds. I'm not talking about which phone will load games faster. I'm talking about sheer speed of maneuverability through screens and menus. And it's not .0001 of a second quicker. That's your assumption based on nothing. It's actually quite noticeably faster, which means that it must be significant of a speed advantage.

Do yourself a favor: go to your local Apple store (or retailer) when they open back up and play with these devices side by side. And I emphasize side-by-side; hold one in each hand. Then, report back. And see what you find. I guarantee that you will be able to tell the difference. Navigating between screens *will* be faster on the original iPhone SE vs iPhone 6s, 7, and 8. Navigating between screens *will* be faster on the iPhone 8 vs iPhone X, XS, and 11 Pro.

Even EverythingApplePro said on multiple occasions that the smaller phones are snappier, with the same or lesser processor. My gf "upgraded" from her iPhone 7 to the iPhone 11 and she noticed instantly that screen speed was faster on the 7. And she's not a tech geek by any stretch.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Are you speaking from experience or is your analysis based on thin air?

This has nothing to do with write speeds. I'm not talking about which phone will load games faster. I'm talking about sheer speed of maneuverability through screens and menus. And it's not .0001 of a second quicker. That's your assumption based on nothing. It's actually quite noticeably faster, which means that it must be significant of a speed advantage.

Do yourself a favor: go to your local Apple store (or retailer) when they open back up and play with these devices side by side. And I emphasize side-by-side; hold one in each hand. Then, report back. And see what you find. I guarantee that you will be able to tell the difference. Navigating between screens *will* be faster on the original iPhone SE vs iPhone 6s, 7, and 8. Navigating between screens *will* be faster on the iPhone 8 vs iPhone X, XS, and 11 Pro.

Even EverythingApplePro said on multiple occasions that the smaller phones are snappier, with the same or lesser processor. My gf "upgraded" from her iPhone 7 to the iPhone 11 and she noticed instantly that screen speed was faster on the 7. And she's not a tech geek by any stretch.

I have plenty of personal experience over many years and many different iPhones. I find it extremely odd that you think your opinion is what the majority of people think. The point is very few care about the speed difference your talking about... If you think the OP should choose the new SE over the iPhone 11 because of speed you're deluded he never said speed was a factor in his choice. I'd say cost, features and future plans for upgrading are far more important to him considering the eventual plan is to upgrade again when the iPhone 12 line is released

 

[rui no onna]

I have plenty of personal experience over many years and many different iPhones. I find it extremely odd that you think your opinion is what the majority of people think. The point is very few care about the speed difference your talking about... If you think the OP should choose the new SE over the iPhone 11 because of speed you're deluded he never said speed was a factor in his choice. I'd say cost, features and future plans for upgrading are far more important to him considering the eventual plan is to upgrade again when the iPhone 12 line is released

Lol, for most in my circle, the only considerations are cost and size. If it's a new phone at mainstream price ($600-800), they assume it's better than their old one. Then again, after 2-4 years, it's an easy assumption to make.

 

[pérignon]

I have plenty of personal experience over many years and many different iPhones. I find it extremely odd that you think your opinion is what the majority of people think. The point is very few care about the speed difference your talking about... If you think the OP should choose the new SE over the iPhone 11 because of speed you're deluded he never said speed was a factor in his choice. I'd say cost, features and future plans for upgrading are far more important to him considering the eventual plan is to upgrade again when the iPhone 12 line is released

Likewise, I find it extremely odd that you think your opinion of "more than 99% of users would never notice the difference" is gospel. You're acting like you surveyed more than 99% of users. Just stop. That's high school level reasoning.

You don't know how many people care about the speed difference. And no, that wasn't the point at all. The point was that there *is* a speed difference. You shouldn't speak for the OP because you don't know what he values most in an iPhone. Some value a larger phone where others see it as a downgrade. I can assure you that many people who purchase the new SE care neither about the price nor future plans. I'm one of them. All I care about is that I got an iPhone 11 in the body of an iPhone 8. Even if the new SE cost the same as the iPhone 11, I would still opt for the SE because it's smaller.

I question what you refer to as "plenty of personal experience over many years". If that were true, you would definitely notice a difference in speed between small screens and larger ones.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Likewise, I find it extremely odd that you think your opinion of "more than 99% of users would never notice the difference" is gospel. You're acting like you surveyed more than 99% of users. Just stop. That's high school level reasoning.

You don't know how many people care about the speed difference. And no, that wasn't the point at all. The point was that there *is* a speed difference. You shouldn't speak for the OP because you don't know what he values most in an iPhone. Some value a larger phone where others see it as a downgrade. I can assure you that many people who purchase the new SE care neither about the price nor future plans. I'm one of them. All I care about is that I got an iPhone 11 in the body of an iPhone 8. Even if the new SE cost the same as the iPhone 11, I would still opt for the SE because it's smaller.

I question what you refer to as "plenty of personal experience over many years". If that were true, you would definitely notice a difference in speed between small screens and larger ones.

Considering you just joined this forum today I think it's laughable you think your opinion is the majority... Maybe you could do the courteous thing and start your own thread with a poll stating your opinion and how many agree with you that it's a huge factor in choosing between devices instead of filling the OP's thread with off topic discussion? Again, where did he state speed was a factor in his decision?

 

[pérignon]

Considering you just joined this forum today I think it's laughable you think your opinion is the majority... Maybe you could do the courteous thing and start your own thread with a poll stating your opinion and how many agree with you that it's a huge factor in choosing between devices instead of filling the OP's thread with off topic discussion? Again, where did he state speed was a factor in his decision?

Oh, so you think that post count somehow invalidates one's experience and that forum opinion somehow represents what the majority think? - Oh, ok, you're one of those. Got it lol

If you have nothing valuable to add and can't formulate a legitimate argument, it's probably best if you don't comment at all. Considering you joined this forum a long time ago, I think it's laughable that you don't know how this works: if you have nothing constructive to say, don't say it.

Nobody is forcing the OP to take my advice. What advice have you offered other than discounting what other members have posted?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Oh, so you think that post count somehow invalidates one's experience and that forum opinion somehow represents what the majority think? - Oh, ok, you're one of those. Got it lol

If you have nothing valuable to add and can't formulate a legitimate argument, it's probably best if you don't comment at all. Considering you joined this forum a long time ago, I think it's laughable that you don't know how this works: if you have nothing constructive to say, don't say it.

Nobody is forcing the OP to take my advice. What advice have you offered other than discounting what other members have posted?

Just because you don't like what people say doesn't mean we don't have a right to voice our disagreement just like you have the right to dislike or not agree with my opinion/post. I would never expect nor suggest you shouldn't have the ability to contribute opinions/information in any thread whether valuable or not and most here expect the same courtesy.. The only opinion on this thread I commented on is yours, no one else so not sure what you mean by discounting other members

 

[maerz001]

As i 2nd that waiting for the 12 is best, Maybe get a used XS max for 500-600 and sell the X for about 300-400

 

[Septembersrain]

If you're planning to get the 12 for sure, no doubts, then I'd go with the 11 or SE (2020). However, if by any chance you've got a doubt on the 12, the 11 Pro Max will tide you over.

Myself, I'm sitting out the first 5G iteration as I've already had a taste of 5G through an Android. It was terrible on battery and data was unreliable.

Overall it's your call but whatever you choose will be good.

Edit: I've got the 11 Pro Max. It's really quite an amazing device. The battery is beyond superb. Best of any device I've ever had to be honest.

 

[Lekro]

Wait with the X. Clean it up, inside and outside.

 

[Synna]

Don't get the SE. It's new and shiny but you say you value size and Face ID, so it will most likely be a much worse experience for you. Don't get sucked in! (These things are personal - some may prefer Touch ID/a small device, you sound like you don't.)

If you can wait until the 12 series are released, restore your X and set it up as new.

If you really can't, either just buy a 11 Pro Max, or find the cheapest option you'd still enjoy using (6-12 months isn't a short period of time) - have you considered a used/refurbished 11 or XR? If you buy second hand, you'll lose a lot less if you then wish to upgrade when the 12 is released.

Thanks for your input. Maybe I should really look into the XR, as these might be cheaper to get now.

As i 2nd that waiting for the 12 is best, Maybe get a used XS max for 500-600 and sell the X for about 300-400

I would definitely sell the X if I do get a new phone now, so that's a good plan.

If you're planning to get the 12 for sure, no doubts, then I'd go with the 11 or SE (2020). However, if by any chance you've got a doubt on the 12, the 11 Pro Max will tide you over.

Honestly, if I am getting a phone now, taking the 11 Pro Max and skipping the 12 sounds more and more interesting to me. I got the X when it was released and it was nice to be an "early adopter" of the new design, but just with the next generation, they already included the bigger form factor, so waiting one year would have been better. Maybe it's the same with the 12 and the "13".

 

[Jack Neill]

Get the 11 Max now. For all you know the COVIDs will wipe us off the earth and you should live every day to the fullest, enjoying the best of what Apple has to offer at the moment. Sell the Max in Nov and get the 12 Max Pro Plus when it launches.

 

[ScreenSavers]

The 11 is a great value and a fantastic device. I've been using it since launch day, after having the XS Max the year before. Next year, I'll be sure to get an OLED phone, but otherwise it's a perfect size.