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ahostmadsen

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Dec 28, 2009
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It seems with new promotion from T-mobile I can get a free iPhone SE if I trade in my iPhone 7. What is not clear to me is what I get out of it. iPhone 7 and SE seem very similar. I checked the comparison on Apple’s website, and the only advantage seems faster processor (not really interesting to me) and wireless charging (nice to have).
 
In addition:
  • wireless charging
  • dual SIM (eSIM + Nano SIM)
  • Wi-Fi 6
  • Bluetooth 5.0
Personally, in addition to getting a fresh battery, these improvements to connectivity are the main driving reasons that I upgraded from iPhone 7 to SE.
 
Excellent points all of them. I forgot about memory: I only have 32Gb and always run out of memory, 64Gb will definitely make a difference.

I’m temped to do it, if it is indeed free. I didn’t see the official conditions yet on t-mobile’s website.
 
a fresh battery

maybe a better color situation

more capacity if you went low and want more

True Tone

1 extra gb of ram for apps and tabs

way longer iOS support

way better pictures
In addition:
  • wireless charging
  • dual SIM (eSIM + Nano SIM)
  • Wi-Fi 6
  • Bluetooth 5.0
Personally, in addition to getting a fresh battery, these improvements to connectivity are the main driving reasons that I upgraded from iPhone 7 to SE.
Considerably faster LTE, too.
 
Considerably faster LTE, too.
I've done speed tests and honestly, I'm not seeing a difference despite AT&T's fake 5GE logo.

I didn't do any recent tests on my Verizon iPhone 7. Last one was several months ago. That one was 50Mbps down/10 Mbps up (tested in the same time window). Meanwhile, 5 minutes ago on the Verizon iPhone SE is 25 Mbps down/5 Mbps.
 
If you're happy with the form factor of your phone, 7-SE would be a pretty solid upgrade. Only thing you'd lose is 3D touch but that's dead and buried now and haptic touch is fine IMO.
 
I've done speed tests and honestly, I'm not seeing a difference despite AT&T's fake 5GE logo.

I didn't do any recent tests on my Verizon iPhone 7. Last one was several months ago. That one was 50Mbps down/10 Mbps up (tested in the same time window). Meanwhile, 5 minutes ago on the Verizon iPhone SE is 25 Mbps down/5 Mbps.
Almost-the-same pictures that are a little bit better in low light.

Double the LTE speed from my iP7 on AT&T.
Yeah, it'll vary depending on where you are, as these two posts illustrate. But at least in theory.

I've seen the iPhone SE sticky photo thread, and the photos are definitely better than "almost the same" as my iPhone 7.
 
Almost-the-same pictures that are a little bit better in low light.

Double the LTE speed from my iP7 on AT&T.

Are you trying to imply photos aren’t much better on the SE? Because if you are, you are wrong.

They are much better. Better dynamic range, better details, less noise. Plenty of reviews online or videos on YouTube. It’s comparable with the best main pens camera on the market.
 
iPhone 7 vs SE in typical indoor lighting. The SE looks brighter and sharper but over-exposed and grainy to me. Make of it what you will.

IMG_5776.jpeg


IMG_5776 (1).jpeg
 
iPhone 7 vs SE in typical indoor lighting. The SE looks brighter and sharper but over-exposed and grainy to me. Make of it what you will.

View attachment 917456

View attachment 917457
Oddly enough, the photo, taken by iPhone 7, looks better than the one taken by iPhone SE (2nd Generation).

I don’t know if anyone else thinks the same or am i the only one who thinks like that. 😃
 
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It seems with new promotion from T-mobile I can get a free iPhone SE if I trade in my iPhone 7. What is not clear to me is what I get out of it. iPhone 7 and SE seem very similar. I checked the comparison on Apple’s website, and the only advantage seems faster processor (not really interesting to me) and wireless charging (nice to have).

Well clearly you should of checked even further. The differences between 7 and SE in some areas are big ( and more depending on future OS updates)

EDIT: they only look similar on the outside
 
Go for it! I picked up my 128gb black SE from walmart yesterday for $267 (taxes included).

Today I sold a near mint jet black 128gb 7 on swappa (net proceeds $201), and sold my 6s 64gb on eBay (net proceeds $60). Hitting up a verizon store tomorrow to pay off the new SE, as you can only get the $200 walmart discount by purchasing the device on an installment plan.

Glad I made the move to the SE. Everything is faster on this phone. Curiously, Touch ID works way better on the SE than it did on the 7. I'm thinking it has something to do with the A13 processor. My iPhone 7 Smart Battery works flawlessly with the SE.

If anyone is in a position to get a free SE or sell old tech to make it a "wash purchase" like I did, you should make the jump, you won't regret it.
 
It seems with new promotion from T-mobile I can get a free iPhone SE if I trade in my iPhone 7. What is not clear to me is what I get out of it. iPhone 7 and SE seem very similar. I checked the comparison on Apple’s website, and the only advantage seems faster processor (not really interesting to me) and wireless charging (nice to have).

I think just to simplify things in terms of what you’re purchasing, is the continued form factor with extended performance from the A13 processor. They basically gets you 4/5 more years of iOS updates and you still can have the continued experience to use the phone with Touch ID as the familiarity point. That’s really what you’re purchasing, essentially you’re finding a Phone for half the price, I’d say it’s worth the upgrade for that alone.
 
Well I went from an 11 to an SE2 and I am not disappointed. Of course, I think I was just really done with the large phones, and ready for something more manageable. I've had large phones for a long time.

If the rumored 5.4 comes out in the fall and it's not much heavier, it's probably gonna be my ideal phone at this point, although I must admit to really liking and missing Touch ID on my phone.
 
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It seems with new promotion from T-mobile I can get a free iPhone SE if I trade in my iPhone 7. What is not clear to me is what I get out of it. iPhone 7 and SE seem very similar. I checked the comparison on Apple’s website, and the only advantage seems faster processor (not really interesting to me) and wireless charging (nice to have).

The new SE is just an updated iPhone 8.

If your iPhone 7 is working well, I would probably stick with it until it's not running well or is no longer supported.
 
The new SE is just an updated iPhone 8.

If your iPhone 7 is working well, I would probably stick with it until it's not running well or is no longer supported.

I don't think you should wait until the device gets no longer supported, as the trade-in value will considerably dip after that. Currently you are getting the device free or if there is some hidden cost, an almost free upgrade.

As per me, you should do the trade unless you want to wait for iPhone 12 or something. Apart from the amazing upgrades mention above, remember the new iPhone SE will have better resale value than iPhone 7 in another two years or so. You will kind of have a double profited deal!
 
In my opinion, it's almost a non-upgrade (not worth the trade in values etc) unless you need a new phone right now and plan on keeping that phone for several years (i.e. in 2022 you will be keeping the SE2020 and not trading it in or selling it), because the A10 and A13, while there is a large power difference, on iOS 13 it is so well optimized that A9 and A10 phones run fantastic on it. You won't seen differences in power for years, if any.

I think waiting for the new iPhone 12 series will be beneficial, or at least with the 11 series you get the modern design and improved battery

SE 2020 is a solid phone, but it is not a departure from the 7

Again, just my opinion. Others will disagree and recommend it being a solid upgrade but you need to determine if the $ is worth those differences for yourself

Just keep in mind that while the T mobile upgrade deal is nice (I wish we had something comparable in Canada), the $ difference is also what else goes into that...is your monthly bill going up? Are they absolute bill credits or are you still subsidizing the payments in some way (i.e. if your monthly bill is going up), is the trade in deal (meaning the trade in deal plus any differences in cost over 2 years of contract changes) better than selling it privately and buying a new SE 2020?

If its simply a free SE 2020 with no changes to your monthly bill (or even cheaper!) for the next contract term and you get credits that equal the full value of the SE 2020, then that very reasonable as it is a 400$ USD phone that you won't be paying more for
 
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In my opinion, it's almost a non-upgrade (not worth the trade in values etc) unless you need a new phone right now and plan on keeping that phone for several years (i.e. in 2022 you will be keeping the SE2020 and not trading it in or selling it), because the A10 and A13, while there is a large power difference, on iOS 13 it is so well optimized that A9 and A10 phones run fantastic on it. You won't seen differences in power for years, if any.
I agree that the 7 remains a solid phone (have one for work and another for personal). But I cannot agree about not seeing a difference in power. I have an iPad Air, and my wife has an iPhone Xs, both A12 devices. The difference from an A10 to an A12 is readily apparent. (The A12 is probably indistinguishable from the A13 for most tasks at this point.)
 
Since this is free (I still have to see the fine print from T-mobile, though), I could get this phone, and then if I really want an iPhone 12 when it gets out, I can give the SE2 to my son, who has an SE1. The cost either way is noting (again, have to read fine print).
 
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I agree that the 7 remains a solid phone (have one for work and another for personal). But I cannot agree about not seeing a difference in power. I have an iPad Air, and my wife has an iPhone Xs, both A12 devices. The difference from an A10 to an A12 is readily apparent. (The A12 is probably indistinguishable from the A13 for most tasks at this point.)

I went from an iPhone 7 (still use as an iPod) to an 8 plus to now a 2020 SE. I can notice a difference between the two older processors and A13. Not much, but apps open faster and everything is more smooth when scrolling.

Between my Air 3 and SE, not much. The A12 and A13 are really close.
 
Since this is free (I still have to see the fine print from T-mobile, though), I could get this phone, and then if I really want an iPhone 12 when it gets out, I can give the SE2 to my son, who has an SE1. The cost either way is noting (again, have to read fine print).
I assume you still have to pay tax and maybe activation but yeah, the cost would be minimal.
 
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