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Other PWM crew - SE Plus now rumored for 2023
- Thread starter tonybarnaby
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How’s it going with the phone? I’m getting antsy and am inclined to maybe try the se2.
The most obvious and notable difference is the size: make sure in advance you’re prepared to use a smaller phone.
I do like the form factor for pocketability, but I have to essentially re-train myself to type on it since the keyboard feels more cramped and I end up making more mistakes. I type quite a lot on my phone, including entire blog posts and articles, so I’ll have to see how well this works for professional applications.
The display is more of a mixed bag. It does feel a little smaller than I’d prefer, and it has to be held a little further away so as to appear adequately sharp. However, the colors pop more than on the 8+ and it has a more modern screen calibration.
I do have to say that whatever method Apple’s using to downscale video is impressive, as even 4K HDR can be natively played and looks quite good. In fact, the lower 720p-class resolution is somehow even less apparent in videos than it is on the UI. For the average consumers that don’t understand tech specs they’re basically able to watch 4K video. It looks perfectly fine for games as well.
Beyond that there’s nothing fun or new about iPhone SE. There are no features or surprises to get excited about like there would be on iPhone 12. It’s just an iPhone that works well.
Simply put, I think it’s an iPhone that’s meant to be used as little as possible. Much like the Mini was for tech reviewers this is more of a lifestyle choice than an upgrade. If I wasn’t trying to reduce my reliance on my phone then I wouldn’t have even entertained the thought of iPhone SE.
I think I could possibly create a thread about that experience alone. It makes you want to get on, maybe consume a little content or contact a few people, and get off of the phone within a few minutes. Now for some people this could be frustrating and I’ve seen people “rage quit” using iPhone SE or iPhone 12 Mini for that matter.
After using iPhone SE for less than 48 hours I can say that’s my motivation for continuing to use it rather than generating a return label: as an experiment to see how a more minimalistic phone affects my daily life. If I notice a positive change I may very well keep it. If not, I’ll be stuck waiting for iPhone 13 and hoping Apple addresses PWM.
Edit: This post came out longer than I thought it would be, and I still had more thoughts to add. FWIW I typed it single-handed on iPhone SE.
Great reply! I am not sure what to do. I have no plans to reduce my time on my phone (like you have claimed many times), but I need a phone I can count on. My 8+ back glass is shattered, and my battery health has gone from 97-90% very recently, so I think something is going on. Apple allows free returns, but I don’t want to deal with that issue. I’m curious if the se2 would give me the same headache as the lcd 11. If I order now, it’ll be here tomorrow from Apple.
Thanks, I put a lot of thought into my forum posts.
I’d break it down like this:
Do you want a smaller phone that’s basically a 4.7” 8s?
If yes, then try iPhone SE.
If no, then try one of the other options you’ve mentioned.
IMO it’s unlikely to cause headaches.
Frankly the return policy is in place so consumers can be confident in their decision, it’s perfectly acceptable to use it as a trial period for a phone you have an intention of keeping if it works out. I do feel a little guilty about having returned a handful of iPhones since iPhone X was released, but I don’t have much of a choice. I’ve given every LCD model a chance and I’ve been let down in some way, and the OLED models that I absolutely love give me debilitating headaches.
I was kind of expecting iPhone SE with a bigger and better battery this year. Shame. Also no bezels.
I’m debating trying a second 11, or going for the se2. The small size is a major deterrent to me. My wife and I were at Costco the other day, and I showed her the se. She’s a small woman, and she even commented on how tiny it is. The only reason I’m considering it is because my 11 bothered me. I would happily use the 11 if I could. But it’s also very hard to pay good money for an “old” phone like the 11. Sucks all around
I'm very close to trying an 11 again, in vain the hope Apple send me one that has perfect fit and finish for a change. Will continue to keep my eye on the refurb store now the UK is unlocking so hopefully stock starts to come back.
With new ipad pros coming this month I'm ready to deep dive and treat myself to one and maybe a macbook as well - so really need a phone that keeps up.
With new ipad pros coming this month I'm ready to deep dive and treat myself to one and maybe a macbook as well - so really need a phone that keeps up.
It sounds like iPhone 11 would be the better choice for you. Even I’m considering giving it another go, but I really don’t want to take a step backwards as I’ve already tried it and loved/hated different aspects of it.
How long did you trial it last time?
The human brain is complex, and my assumption is that at a subconscious level the design might be reminding you of iPhone X so its first instinct may be to try to compensate for non-existent flickering. I’ve also noticed my brain wants to react differently to iPhone XR or iPhone 11, but after using one for a while it wasn’t an issue. I definitely did not experience the headaches or migraines I would with an OLED iPhone.
I used it for about 5 days. I know for sure it’s not in my head, because I wasn’t aware that an lcd iPhone could even cause the issue. I was thinking all my issues were over, and then I noticed the unmistakable pwm style headaches.
This is purely a hypothesis, but depending on how long you had used OLED iPhone’s maybe the design of iPhone 11 makes your brain want to compensate for nonexistent flickering.
Any other explanation about why you would be getting PWM-type headaches is just as dubious at best, including the theories involving dithering.
The weird thing is, my work phone at the time was a Moto G7 power. It’s an lcd phone that is incredibly similar in size and looks to an 11. I only used an iPhone XS Max for one weekend, so it’s definitely not in my head. This whole process is a pretty big pain in the ass. I have barely used my 8+ today, and it’s already at 79%. Looks like I need to act ASAP.
Our memory is powerful. My experience with iPhone X changed the way I look at any of the OLED iPhones. I couldn’t even look at a store demo for a second without getting a migraine, and that isn’t an exaggeration.
I wouldn’t mind an iPhone SE Plus in an iPhone 8+ chassis, but the likelihood of that being released is slim to none. I’d also still just prefer either a LCD with the newer design and a 458ppi or a PWM-free OLED.
Maybe Apple will surprise us at the April event, but we’re most likely limited to iPhone SE or iPhone 11.
Yep, I would 1000% support an se plus 5.5” 1080p. 80% of my photo gallery is screen shots, so I don’t need a great camera. I want to have a phone I know will last 5 years and won’t give me a headache. I’d go grab an se from T-Mobile right now, but there is a 50$ restock if it doesn’t work. I could order from Apple, but I’m hung up on it.
If you’re on the fence I think they’d understand if you order and try it for two weeks.
Just keep in mind the size difference is definitely noticeable and will take some getting used to.
T-Mobile charges a restock fee no matter what. I think I’m going to keep my 8+. It’s so hard to spend money on something I don’t “want”
I get that. I think I’d definitively keep iPhone SE if I could just do a straight trade for my 8+, but it’s not enjoyable spending money on a phone you don’t want and knowing that it’s for the most part a two-year commitment.
I was the same way with iPhone X vs iPhone 8+ since I would have preferred to pay $1,149 for a phone I wanted. I suppose I’m still the same with iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 11 vs iPhone SE. Resale and trade-in values make it so the price difference isn’t as huge, so it’s better to just get the phone you want. I’d be happy paying $37/month for iPhone 12 Pro Max.
SE has always been a “budget” line. It was small because it made it so cheap. Same thing as the Apple Watch SE, which is purely a budget watch
I pay cash for my phone, but the money isn’t an issue at all if it’s something I want. I’d pay $1500 for the top storage max phone right now if I could use it. I even considered switching to Verizon (I plan to do that in 2 years) but I’d rather wait so that in 2 years my wife can get the free phone for swapping service. No sense switching now in order to get a free $399 phone. 8+ is now at 67% and I haven’t really used it much today. Cracked bsck means no chance to replace the battery either.
So then if one wants a bigger screen or other "premium" features, then they should move up out of the "budget" line into the "standard" or "pro" lines. But lot of people see the smaller form factor as a feature, not a cost-saving measure.
Could be true. I would imagine most se2 owners have it for the price. If someone really wanted a solid small phone, the iPhone mini wouldn’t have been such a dud.
The SE2 is a solid small phone (had one for a year myself). Also has Touch ID, which many people prefer to Face ID. And in that thread about the iPhone 12 Mini supposedly being a "dud" seemed to be a matter of perspective. The people that bought them sure seemed to be raving about them! I wouldn't say they are in the majority, but neither are they some tiny group in the corner. Personally, I waiver between wanting a larger phone and smaller phone. When I traded in my X for the SE2, budget was the furthest thin from my mind. I was just curious to try out a smaller phone with the latest processor.
iPhone 12 Mini suffered from poor timing. It would have done marginally better if more people could get their hands on one to test in a store.
Also iPhone SE2 being released earlier in the year meant that a lot of people that wanted a smaller phone may have already purchased the SE, and TouchID is currently more valuable to have.
I do think a “mini” phone is associated with budget pricing even if it has all of the modern features and design, so despite people claiming they want a smaller phone they’ll happily pay slightly more for a larger device.
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Hardly any of the Apple Stores (in the U.S.) were open, yet the iPhone 12 Pro Max sold exceptionally well globally.
iPhone 8 was available for sale right up until SE2 was launched, for anyone who wanted a smaller phone.
I think it's time we stop ignoring the obvious evidence the iPhone 12 mini simply wasn't appealing to most consumers.