iPhone SE (2016) Is the new SE worth it?

[adrianlondon]

Interesting phone. I bought the 11 last October for 820CHF (one-day sale) to replace my 6S, and the new SE is 450CHF here. If I was buying now I'm not sure which I'd pick, although with my typically too-dry or too-wet thumbs I'm really happy to have FaceID. Love it. I really like my 11.

My 6S still works, but as it was the 16GB model I'd basically run out of space.

 

[shadow puppet]

After viewing this side by side comparison, I'm going to pass on the new SE.

I've already waited this long and since the new SE's screen will be the same size as my current 6, it's a definite #nope from me. I want the larger screen and additional camera options.

 

[Scarpad]

I have an iPhone XS Max and was thinking about getting the SE wondering how big of a downgrade it would be

 

[shadow puppet]

I have an iPhone XS Max and was thinking about getting the SE wondering how big of a downgrade it would be

Try the side by side comparison. It really helped me.

iPhone SE

A superpowerful chip. A superstar camera. A leap in battery life. A fast 5G connection. A pocket-size 4.7” design. All for $429.

www.apple.com

 

[Homme]

I preordered this, upgrading from a XR. Yes I feel like I’m downgrading in terms of size but I don’t like FaceID, I don’t like tapping the side button twice to make a purchase (when touchID is too simple to make purchases), this SE had a better intel modem than the garbage apple put in the XR, and the XR’s screen Size is too big for me

 

[Jack_SB]

You completely misunderstood my point.. I wasn’t considering buying those at all, I was making the point that the 8 would definitely still be available even now that the SE came out when there are still 6s’s and 7’s being sold.

Maybe used or really old stock.
Cause Apple doesn’t sell 7 and stopped selling 8 too.

 

[glambutnerdy]

Maybe used or really old stock.
Cause Apple doesn’t sell 7 and stopped selling 8 too.

I said in my post before that it isn’t sold directly from Apple, but from local stores.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Do I think the 2020 SE is worth $399? Yes I do.

 

[pérignon]

I have an iPhone XS Max and was thinking about getting the SE wondering how big of a downgrade it would be

In terms of screen size, it's a huge downgrade.

In terms of everyday practicality, it's a huge upgrade.

The new SE is much smaller, thinner, and lighter than the XS Max. But to each his own. If there's one thing we learned over the years is that nobody can convince anyone about what iPhone they will enjoy most. Some prefer the latest and largest, while other prefer the smallest. In the case of the new SE, it's for those who prefer the smallest and latest. Since you're coming from the XS Max, I'm going to assume that price isn't the driving factor at all.

The diehard big-screen-is-best crowd appears to have a hard time understanding why some of us prefer a smaller phone. And we have never been able to come to terms with them. They think that bigger must be better. It's kind of like the people who argue that everyone should drive a big SUV or pickup truck. Heaven forbid you prefer smaller cars, which are not only more economical, but also faster and more agile.

Years ago, I went from iPhone 8 to X to 8 to XS to 8 to 11 Pro (recently) and back to 8. And now I pre-ordered the new SE. Yes, as crazy as it sounds, I went back to the iPhone 8 three times in recent years. I always convinced myself that I needed the latest iPhone because of upgraded cameras and specs. However, I could never adapt in the end. They were all too big for me, which is quite ironic because I'm 6'1" with big hands. Still, I find that the 8/SE are the largest smartphones I can use one-handed, comfortably. Additionally, I find Touch ID to be faster and more convenient than Face ID, especially amidst the hysteria currently surrounding us (Face ID won't work with a mask on and I believe masks will become commonplace as they have in Asia, ages ago).
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Maybe used or really old stock.
Cause Apple doesn’t sell 7 and stopped selling 8 too.

That's not true. Apple will continue to sell the iPhone 8 in their clearance section, just as they've done to every phone they discontinued in the past. The iPhone 8 will appear on Apple clearance page within a few weeks or months.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

At Canadian pricing, the new iPhone SE is not worth it.

$599 CAD for 64GB? Yeah no thanks.

If the base SE is that much in Canadian, I can only imagine how expensive that rumoured 5.4" iPhone 12 will be...

 

[pérignon]

At Canadian pricing, the new iPhone SE is not worth it.

$599 CAD for 64GB? Yeah no thanks.

If the base SE is that much in Canadian, I can only imagine how expensive that rumoured 5.4" iPhone 12 will be...

It's more or less even.

1 USD = 1.41 Canadian
399 USD = 561 Canadian

Now factor in any fees or import taxes associated with iPhones imposed by your country and you can see that the new SE is similarly priced in Canada and US.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

It's more or less even.

1 USD = 1.41 Canadian
399 USD = 561 Canadian

Now factor in any fees or import taxes associated with iPhones imposed by your country and you can see that the new SE is similarly priced in Canada and US.

True but still too much.

I’ve seen used iPhone XS’s go for around that much.

 

[oilers780]

At Canadian pricing, the new iPhone SE is not worth it.

$599 CAD for 64GB? Yeah no thanks.

If the base SE is that much in Canadian, I can only imagine how expensive that rumoured 5.4" iPhone 12 will be...

Probably close to $1000 CAD. It's $979 CAD right now for the 11.I couldn't imagine dropping between $1650-2000 CAD for the S20 or S20+.

Best ways to buy phones, at least in Canada, are on sales, buying a generation or two older device, or buying a budget device (Huawei, LG, Samsung, etc).

Even spending $1000 CAD on a phone is ridiculous given how weak the Canadian Dollar is, the sign of the times, and the concept of spending 4 figures worth of $ on a device.

 

[slooksterPSV]

Short answer upgrade to new SE.
Longer answer: due to the A13 chip the faster speed will help battery life. Since it’s not constantly under high load. It can also only power on what it needs. Let’s get even more real here. WiFi Bluetooth and Cellular are the bigger battery drainers here. However my 11 handles really well where I’m getting over 14 hours a day off the charger. I use Bluetooth headphones and have an Apple Watch series 3. Heck some days I still have 42% by 11pm and it was off the charger at 6am.
Lots of things to look into overall.

 

[adrianlondon]

True but still too much.

I’ve seen used iPhone XS’s go for around that much.

You're comparing a brand new phone to a second hand one? Get a second-hand SE in 6 months' time.

 

[shokoman]

I do not even know. I was really looking forward to this phone, but when I saw it, I was a little disappointed.

 

[Sam in SoCal]

In addition to the A13 chip you’re all missing that it has overall better connectivity. It now has gigabyte LTE over advanced LTE. It now has Wi-Fi 6. Bluetooth 5.0. And of course the latest LTE bands. Not to mention Dual sims. Last thing I’ll mention is that it will have a minimum of 5 years of software support

 

[MrGunnyPT]

In addition to the A13 chip you’re all missing that it has overall better connectivity. It now has gigabyte LTE over advanced LTE. It now has Wi-Fi 6. Bluetooth 5.0. And of course the latest LTE bands. Not to mention Dual sims. Last thing I’ll mention is that it will have a minimum of 5 years of software support

It's a great deal for 399$ if you don't care about the screen that much tbh

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

The SE won’t give u a good battery experience. You’re better off buying the new 11 or 11 Pro

I have the reg size pro model and it has great battery life!! X and prior iPhones have ****** battery life

I think a major draw of the SE in the past has been the physical size of the device and it’s price point. The 11 is quite big by comparison and the 11 Pro is £650 more expensive! You could buy a decent iPad with the change lol.

It is disappointing Apple haven’t improved the battery on the SE2 though. My wife’s iPhone 8 has appalling battery life and for a phone that is less than 2 years old. My 8+ has always been fantastic.

 

[Nishant]

Ordered SE's for my in laws, using the Walmart deal. It will be nice upgrade from their 7's. Considering the price point, you really can't go wrong

 

[CrazyForCashews]

Best ways to buy phones, at least in Canada, are on sales, buying a generation or two older device, or buying a budget device (Huawei, LG, Samsung, etc).

Or buying used too, I've gotten amazing deals on Apple products from buying "used".

You're comparing a brand new phone to a second hand one? Get a second-hand SE in 6 months' time.

Yeah I'm comparing them to put things in perspective. The iPhone XS is arguably a better phone than the SE and getting one second hand could be more enticing than spending retail + tax on a phone that's inferior.

 

[rui no onna]

Or buying used too, I've gotten amazing deals on Apple products from buying "used".

Yeah I'm comparing them to put things in perspective. The iPhone XS is arguably a better phone than the SE and getting one second hand could be more enticing than spending retail + tax on a phone.

That usually means wear and tear on the device (even if it's just battery). There's also the possibility of the device being reported stolen months down the line. Not exactly a route I'm willing to take on my daily driver. It's either new from authorized seller or certified refurb directly from Apple for me.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

That usually means wear and tear on the device (even if it's just battery). There's also the possibility of the device being reported stolen months down the line. Not exactly a route I'm willing to take on my daily driver. It's either new from authorized seller or certified refurb directly from Apple for me.

Just do your homework when buying used and you won't have any issues (ask questions, look at pictures, check the condition, check the battery, ask for the receipt, prioritize devices with warranty remaining, don't buy from sketchy people/places, etc).

As I've said before I've had tons of great deals buying used and no regrets (in fact I've made a lot of money from flipping used Apple products). Just simply being smart and diligent prevents any future headaches. If Apple Canada sold refurbished iPhones in their store I would've seriously considered getting a phone from there, but they don't unfortunately.

 

[kamran9558]

Short answer upgrade to new SE.
Longer answer: due to the A13 chip the faster speed will help battery life. Since it’s not constantly under high load. It can also only power on what it needs. Let’s get even more real here. WiFi Bluetooth and Cellular are the bigger battery drainers here. However my 11 handles really well where I’m getting over 14 hours a day off the charger. I use Bluetooth headphones and have an Apple Watch series 3. Heck some days I still have 42% by 11pm and it was off the charger at 6am.
Lots of things to look into overall.

That is very interesting. Could you please expand on your average use in a day? How is the cellular service in your area?

 

[oilers780]

Or buying used too, I've gotten amazing deals on Apple products from buying "used".


Yeah I'm comparing them to put things in perspective. The iPhone XS is arguably a better phone than the SE and getting one second hand could be more enticing than spending retail + tax on a phone that's inferior.

For me, I try to avoid buying used. A Craigslist, Kajiji, eBay, and Swappa carry a lot of different risks. That's why I didn't mention it.