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noanker

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 30, 2015
133
101
One week into ownership of my iPhone SE, I wanted to post some thoughts and impressions and hopefully garner some responses from others who'll volunteer their input as well.

Overall Satisfaction: Very satisfied. Non-issues are the lack of a barometer and 3D touch.

Standout areas of improvement: As I've never upgraded to a larger phone there was no having to adjust to a smaller screen, etc. An improvement over my previous 5S' battery life, although the 5S was no slouch. The A9 processor is probably the best part of this phone, it boots up quickly, apps open and close quicker than with the 5S. Again, the A7 was a solid performer but over time I noticed some lag creeping in. In all likelihood, the A9 with additional iOS upgrades will probably go the same direction, but I've doubts as to how noticeable it would be given the increase in RAM over the A7.

The camera is another area of definite satisfaction, love the improved photos.

Always-on "Hey Siri." Finally I am putting Siri to work.

Needs Improvement: OK, so as with many other early adopters, I've noticed the slight rattle from the power button, but then I'm not in the habit of shaking my phone so quickly to have this be an issue. But it could've been addressed in a pre-release Q/A review. It isn't a show stopper nor had I wanted to even comment on it initially, but since the release of the SE, much ire has been expressed in this forum regarding it and feel obligated to comment as such.

RAM. Yes, I know I just praised the A9 for having 2gb over the A7's 1gb, but would love to see Apple have a A9 processor family standard of 4gb RAM across the board. If only to assist in absorbing future iOS versions with features that may tax an otherwise RAM weakened processor.

Summation: This phone reminds me of the days when Detroit would use last year's body and style but drop in a larger engine with a nice rear axle ratio. This phone is quick and efficient, with a style and form that I am accustomed to but with a price that wasn't too egregious. No buyer's remorse here. Am I averse to new styles? No, but I do profess a high level of affinity with the older styling.

So far the feeling is this may be the best iPhone I've owned yet.
 

koolmagicguy

macrumors 6502
Feb 19, 2012
375
335
New York
"Don't fix what ain't broken!"

Battery life and camera quality are indeed great, especially for a 4" phone.

Call quality is superb and I use Hey Siri every day. Very cool feature. I can "text" while driving legally!
 
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MrGuder

macrumors 68040
Nov 30, 2012
3,049
2,024
Great review.

Has anyone noticed that something changed...on my 6s when I plugged in my headphones I would get the iTunes logo at the bottom of the screen from the lock screen, now with the SE when I plug in my headphones the iTunes logo no longer appears, did that go away? I thought that was all part of the new iOS that knows more about what your doing and helps you with actions it knows what you want to do before you do it.
 
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CYKBC

macrumors 6502
Oct 15, 2014
349
173
I don't like how far back the lcd screen sits behind the glass on the older 5. It looks and feels dated. Sorry. I'd be a buyer if they updated the chassis.
 

DSTOFEL

macrumors 65816
Feb 11, 2011
1,063
817
One week into ownership of my iPhone SE, I wanted to post some thoughts and impressions and hopefully garner some responses from others who'll volunteer their input as well.

Overall Satisfaction: Very satisfied. Non-issues are the lack of a barometer and 3D touch.

Standout areas of improvement: As I've never upgraded to a larger phone there was no having to adjust to a smaller screen, etc. An improvement over my previous 5S' battery life, although the 5S was no slouch. The A9 processor is probably the best part of this phone, it boots up quickly, apps open and close quicker than with the 5S. Again, the A7 was a solid performer but over time I noticed some lag creeping in. In all likelihood, the A9 with additional iOS upgrades will probably go the same direction, but I've doubts as to how noticeable it would be given the increase in RAM over the A7.

The camera is another area of definite satisfaction, love the improved photos.

Always-on "Hey Siri." Finally I am putting Siri to work.

Needs Improvement: OK, so as with many other early adopters, I've noticed the slight rattle from the power button, but then I'm not in the habit of shaking my phone so quickly to have this be an issue. But it could've been addressed in a pre-release Q/A review. It isn't a show stopper nor had I wanted to even comment on it initially, but since the release of the SE, much ire has been expressed in this forum regarding it and feel obligated to comment as such.

RAM. Yes, I know I just praised the A9 for having 2gb over the A7's 1gb, but would love to see Apple have a A9 processor family standard of 4gb RAM across the board. If only to assist in absorbing future iOS versions with features that may tax an otherwise RAM weakened processor.

Summation: This phone reminds me of the days when Detroit would use last year's body and style but drop in a larger engine with a nice rear axle ratio. This phone is quick and efficient, with a style and form that I am accustomed to but with a price that wasn't too egregious. No buyer's remorse here. Am I averse to new styles? No, but I do profess a high level of affinity with the older styling.

So far the feeling is this may be the best iPhone I've owned yet.
Great review!

I'm seriously considering selling my 6 plus now, buying the SE and skipping the iPhone 7 altogether! I really miss the "pocket-ability" of the smaller phones.
 
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ecschwarz

macrumors 65816
Jun 28, 2010
1,435
356
Has anyone noticed that something changed...on my 6s when I plugged in my headphones I would get the iTunes logo at the bottom of the screen from the lock screen, now with the SE when I plug in my headphones the iTunes logo no longer appears, did that go away? I thought that was all part of the new iOS that knows more about what your doing and helps you with actions it knows what you want to do before you do it.

That's the Suggested Apps features in iOS 9 - basically your old phone "learned" that typically when you had headphones plugged in, you'd listen to the Music app. I suspect with the SE, it may take a bit to learn that (mine went from suggesting Podcasts when I plugged it into my car to Music, just because I was using that more when I first set up the SE - I think it will adjust over time). You can also ensure Suggested Apps is turned on under Settings > General > Handoff & Suggested Apps.
 

MrGuder

macrumors 68040
Nov 30, 2012
3,049
2,024
That's the Suggested Apps features in iOS 9 - basically your old phone "learned" that typically when you had headphones plugged in, you'd listen to the Music app. I suspect with the SE, it may take a bit to learn that (mine went from suggesting Podcasts when I plugged it into my car to Music, just because I was using that more when I first set up the SE - I think it will adjust over time). You can also ensure Suggested Apps is turned on under Settings > General > Handoff & Suggested Apps.
Thanks mine was not turned on just turned handoff on. I must have turned it off by mistake playing around in setting.
 
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