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Montezuma666

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 7, 2018
3
1
I would like to buy a new iphone and am not sure which one to take. I have an old 4 right now but its battery life is really short and I can no longer update software, it's no longer practical. I was waiting for the X for a year but as it turns out this thing is ridiculously large, I don't want to walk around carrying a brick in my pocket. The 8 is the alternative but I tried one and it feels too large for me as well. What I am looking for is the smallest iphone with the maximum capacity. So, what I consider doing now is to purchase an old 5 for now and wait until Apple releases a smaller iphone X version. Any chance that this will actually happen this year or is it just wishful thinking?
 

4RunnerHeaven

Suspended
Nov 24, 2017
400
203
I would like to buy a new iphone and am not sure which one to take. I have an old 4 right now but its battery life is really short and I can no longer update software, it's no longer practical. I was waiting for the X for a year but as it turns out this thing is ridiculously large, I don't want to walk around carrying a brick in my pocket. The 8 is the alternative but I tried one and it feels too large for me as well. What I am looking for is the smallest iphone with the maximum capacity. So, what I consider doing now is to purchase an old 5 for now and wait until Apple releases a smaller iphone X version. Any chance that this will actually happen this year or is it just wishful thinking?

iPhone SE is still available and would be the perfect size for you I believe. You can get them for $150 at Best Buy from AT&T Go Phone and activate it on AT&T main plans, or other providers have similar ones.
 
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djinn

macrumors 68000
Oct 4, 2003
1,850
369
Montezuma, you are in the same boat as a lot of people that love the compact iPhone size. There has been speculation that maybe, just maybe, the next SE (or whatever) version coming out with similar iPhone X all screen design and functionality. It's a waiting game to see what Apple releases. My recommendation is for you to look at the 5s or SE. At least with those phones you get the iOS 11 experience and better performance.

Just my thoughts....
 

eyoungren

macrumors Penryn
Aug 31, 2011
29,659
28,433
iPhone SE is still available and would be the perfect size for you I believe. You can get them for $150 at Best Buy from AT&T Go Phone and activate it on AT&T main plans, or other providers have similar ones.
^^^Second that.

iPhone SE comes in 16, 32, 64 and 128GB. My son has the 64GB model to replace the iPhone 5 he was using (which went to his sister).

The SE is slightly larger than the 4/4s, but it's now the smallest size Apple makes.

PS. Be interested to know what you think about the plus models if the regular models are too large for you. ;)

If the X is a brick to you, carrying around my 6s+ would probably be a concrete block. :D
 
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macTW

Suspended
Oct 17, 2016
1,395
1,975
Montezuma, you are in the same boat as a lot of people that love the compact iPhone size. There has been speculation that maybe, just maybe, the next SE (or whatever) version coming out with similar iPhone X all screen design and functionality. It's a waiting game to see what Apple releases. My recommendation is for you to look at the 5s or SE. At least with those phones you get the iOS 11 experience and better performance.

Just my thoughts....
There have been zero rumors of X features on the rumored SE refresh.
 

BugeyeSTI

macrumors 604
Aug 19, 2017
7,244
9,089
Arizona/Illinois
Montezuma, you are in the same boat as a lot of people that love the compact iPhone size. There has been speculation that maybe, just maybe, the next SE (or whatever) version coming out with similar iPhone X all screen design and functionality. It's a waiting game to see what Apple releases. My recommendation is for you to look at the 5s or SE. At least with those phones you get the iOS 11 experience and better performance.

Just my thoughts....
The only SE update rumors imply a minor change in features. It’s more inline with iPhone 7 specs, no where has iPhone X specs have been rumored. Possible upgrades to cpu gpu, cameras and touch id is all I would expect to see.
 

Supermacguy

macrumors 6502
Jan 3, 2008
424
733
I have an SE and it's great. It will be a huge upgrade from a 4, speedwise, and storage. I have an iPhone X because of work but I really do not like it - too big, and FaceID is kind of crappy.
If Apple doesn't update the SE and keep it nearly the same as before, I'm upgrading to a 128gb so I can put almost all my music on my phone and retire my old iPod.
 

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
The iPhone SE is a wonderful phone. I was shocked to look at my photos and see how well they compared to those taken by my 7Plus and even my 8 Plus for that matter, especially in good light. I just don’t know how it’s running on iOS 11. Mine was on the last version of iOS 10 when I put it away. iOS 10 bogged it down at first, then updates put it back where it was supposed to be. iOS 9 was the best for that little phone, at least to me.
[doublepost=1515343926][/doublepost]
I have an SE and it's great. It will be a huge upgrade from a 4, speedwise, and storage. I have an iPhone X because of work but I really do not like it - too big, and FaceID is kind of crappy.
If Apple doesn't update the SE and keep it nearly the same as before, I'm upgrading to a 128gb so I can put almost all my music on my phone and retire my old iPod.
I didn’t think it was too big after using Plus sized iPhones for years. But it is very heavy. It’s been actually a relief to be back on the lighter 8 Plus.
 

jeyf

macrumors 68020
Jan 20, 2009
2,173
1,044
I would like to buy a new iphone ... what I consider doing now is to purchase an old 5 for now...

i own an iPhone5 and like the 4 not able to update it. It meets my needs but just barley:
-this summer the iPhoone5 would lock out any type of voice phone activity (Verison). data was ok. I called Verizon tech support, wound up connected to some engineer in NJ. He found the tower i use in Colorado and did some sort of profile rebuild. It was a 3 hour tech support phone call.
-at this point not all GPS applications work.
-i dont dare install any new applications, likely none are available
-some times the user interface graphics becomes unstable 4example would not exit land scape mode last night.

buy what you want but an iphone8 alternative is a red iPhone 7/7+
-the Red Special Edition not your color, likely not see the red anyway with a case
-recall introduced mid year march 24th 2017 so less wear tear on the battery and mechanicals
-electrically same as the previous 7/7+
-the better iPhone7/7+ Qualcomm modem chips (model# A1660 & A1661) can be found in Verizon, Sprint, and SIM-unlocked iPhones. Devices on other networks are using the bad Intel modems (model# A1778 & A1784).
-Also testing shows the iPhone7/7+ 32GB iPhones, processing speeds are slower than the 128GB or 256GB models.

buy a red iPhone 7/7+ with 128/256 GB
 
Last edited:

maerz001

macrumors 68030
Nov 2, 2010
2,537
2,449
i own an iPhone5 and like the 4 not able to update it. It meets my needs but just barley:
-this summer the iPhoone5 would lock out any type of voice phone activity (Verison). data was ok. I called Verizon tech support, wound up connected to some engineer in NJ. He found the tower i use in Colorado and did some sort of profile rebuild. It was a 3 hour tech support phone call.
-at this point not all GPS applications work.
-i dont dare install any new applications, likely none are available
-some times the user interface graphics becomes unstable 4example would not exit land scape mode last night.

buy what you want but an iphone8 alternative is a red iPhone 7/7+
-the Red Special Edition not your color, likely not see the red anyway with a case
-recall introduced mid year march 24th 2017 so less wear tear on the battery and mechanicals
-electrically same as the previous 7/7+
-the better iPhone7/7+ Qualcomm modem chips (model# A1660 & A1661) can be found in Verizon, Sprint, and SIM-unlocked iPhones. Devices on other networks are using the bad Intel modems (model# A1778 & A1784).
-Also testing shows the iPhone7/7+ 32GB iPhones, processing speeds are slower than the 128GB or 256GB models.

buy a red iPhone 7/7+ with 128/256 GB
What does the color of the 7 make a difference? It's too big for him
 

jav6454

macrumors Core
Nov 14, 2007
22,303
6,264
1 Geostationary Tower Plaza
I am for smaller size phones. That’s a main selling point as to why I get the non-Plus versions.

I find that the SE form factor is too small, but the regular (6,6S&7) form factors are a tad (slightly) too big. Hence I base my decision on that.

That said, after having used from the 6 to the 7, I can endorse this form factor and feel obliged that you try it out as well. It’ll sell you.
 

maerz001

macrumors 68030
Nov 2, 2010
2,537
2,449
Don't buy 5 or 5s. It's too slow with ios11. Just a SE now or maybe an updated SE2 in spring
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,495
And wait until Apple releases a smaller iphone X version. Any chance that this will actually happen this year or is it just wishful thinking?

No chance of an iPhone XSE. I think Apple reserves the iPhone X to a larger variant with a rumored 6.1 LCD and 6.5 OLED model for 2018, alongside the Already 5.8 OLED model. Where as the iPhone SE size phones are more specific for a target demographic that wants a smaller form factor. At most, Apple might update the iPhone SE2 for a possible spring keynote.
 
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bodonnell202

macrumors 68030
Jan 5, 2016
2,634
3,485
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Agree with what many have said. The SE sounds like the best option for you and regardless it will be a big upgrade from your 4 and comes at a great price too. I wouldn’t expect iPhone X features to come in an iPhone any smaller than the current X this year (but there will most likely be a larger version released in the fall).
 

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
I would like to buy a new iphone and am not sure which one to take. I have an old 4 right now but its battery life is really short and I can no longer update software, it's no longer practical. I was waiting for the X for a year but as it turns out this thing is ridiculously large, I don't want to walk around carrying a brick in my pocket. The 8 is the alternative but I tried one and it feels too large for me as well. What I am looking for is the smallest iphone with the maximum capacity. So, what I consider doing now is to purchase an old 5 for now and wait until Apple releases a smaller iphone X version. Any chance that this will actually happen this year or is it just wishful thinking?
I would get the SE. My mum was using the iPhone 4 that she’d had since 2011. It finally kicked the bucket in 2017 and she got the SE. She loves it.
 

Zagor13

macrumors regular
Jan 25, 2016
116
49
SE 2 is out in Feb latest April conformed form friends from Asia; You wouldn't want most new features from X anyway as they are annoying and slow you down
 

bodonnell202

macrumors 68030
Jan 5, 2016
2,634
3,485
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Updated SE 2? Won't happen. That is a rumor made up on this site. If anything, the SE will be discontinued.
I think there are pretty good odds that there will be an updated SE (4" iPhone model) in the spring, but the rumors of it being a mini X are bogus. Expect another rehash of the 5 series with CPU and camera upgrades, and probably not much else.
 

Montezuma666

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 7, 2018
3
1
Thank you all for your advise. I will consider the SE; although it a more expensive option than the 5 perhaps it would be the best choice for now considering that there are no clear indications that apple is planning a smaller X version or other alternative (which is a shame because I like the full screen display). I think the 5 and SE are still pretty good looking as well, not as good as the 4 but still quite nice.
[doublepost=1515366163][/doublepost]
If the X is a brick to you, carrying around my 6s+ would probably be a concrete block. :D
It's like a Game Boy pocket, but higher and less thick
 
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Reno Raines

macrumors 65816
Jul 19, 2015
1,473
777
Speaking as one who uses a SE daily it sounds just like the phone you may want. You can get them pretty cheap new. They are fast and still have the headphone jack which for some is a good thing. I recommend it. If you can wait a little longer maybe wait and see if the SE2 materializes. The original SE came out in either late March or April 2016 so I would assume Apple would follow that pattern with a new SE.
 

maerz001

macrumors 68030
Nov 2, 2010
2,537
2,449
Thank you all for your advise. I will consider the SE; although it a more expensive option than the 5 perhaps it would be the best choice for now considering that there are no clear indications that apple is planning a smaller X version or other alternative (which is a shame because I like the full screen display). I think the 5 and SE are still pretty good looking as well, not as good as the 4 but still quite nice.
[doublepost=1515366163][/doublepost]
It's like a Game Boy pocket, but higher and less thick
The 5 was released 2012. Of course it's cheaper than the 2016 SE for a reason. Buy it used if money is your main concern.
But a 5 makes no sense cos it's dead on arrival. Than u just can stay with ur 4
 
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