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How is it not old? It's over a year old and the processor is over a year and a half old. Nothing wrong with buying one, but IMO, Apple should have dropped the price by 100 bucks, or at least 50 bucks, after a year. Instead they removed the power brick effectively increasing the price by 30 bucks or whatever it costs to buy a power brick.
The A13 Bionic in the SE2 may be 1 and half years old, but it’s more powerful than current android flagship chips like the SD888. Combine the A13 with the lower res 4.7“ 326ppi screen and you have a very snappy phone. Yes, it’s an old design we all know that, but it’s reliable and refined. Your right about the power brick, but Apple will never sell the SE2 for less than £399 on their own site, but other retailers may drop the price slightly.
 
If it launched at $499 I agree. At $399, I feel like if it dropped any more it could affect their “brand”. Like it or not, an iPhone is still a status symbol to the vain people out there. But maybe I’m way off
I agree whole heartedly that at least in the US, there are many who see the iPhone as some form of status. But I’m not sure the same holds true for the old style phones anymore. If people are eye balling phones, I’d think they are looking for the notch. The big bezeled phones have been retired long enough now that I don’t think even the most vain see an iPhone with a home button as status. Of course, this is purely my speculation and nothing more.
 
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I agree whole heartedly that at least in the US, there are many who see the iPhone as some form of status. But I’m not sure the same holds true for the old style phones anymore. If people are eye balling phones, I’d think they are looking for the notch. The big bezeled phones have been retired long enough now that I don’t think even the most vain see an iPhone with a home button as status. Of course, this is purely my speculation and nothing more.
True. I am hopeful for the day we can use the newest and greatest iPhone with no pwm
 
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If it launched at $499 I agree. At $399, I feel like if it dropped any more it could affect their “brand”. Like it or not, an iPhone is still a status symbol to the vain people out there. But maybe I’m way off
Exactly. iPhones hold their value so well if Apple were to drop the price they would be unnecessarily depreciating iPhone SE.

They do however hold a number of promotions for all of their products with retailers and carriers.
 
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Exactly. iPhones hold their value so well if Apple were to drop the price they would be unnecessarily depreciating iPhone SE.

They do however hold a number of promotions for all of their products with retailers and carriers.
Most promotions require a new line, so I don’t count those
 
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Most promotions require a new line, so I don’t count those
My mother needed a new phone so she got an iPhone SE essentially for free after $300 off (carrier promotion for existing customers) and applying $100 device dollars.

It is slightly funny since she wanted a blue or gold phone so I told her to get iPhone 12 Mini or Pro, but she barely wanted to spend $399 on iPhone SE.

It makes me think that if iPhone SE hadn’t existed then she would have been forced to get an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12, so in that sense Apple is losing sales for those devices. She pays a fortune for service through Verizon, but barely even wanted to upgrade her first-gen iPhone SE.
 
I think I'm set on yet another battery for my 7 Plus to get me through until iphone 13. No matter how much time I spend (and waste) agonising on my two choices between SE 2020 or 11, neither can bring me to spend my cash.

The 11 is likely the best current choice because of the screen size but as it's now 18 months old I don't think it's worth £650 right now especially as we are half way through this year's cycle.

This will also have me holding off on an ipad purchase this Friday. 😞 bummed out.
 
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I think I'm set on yet another battery for my 7 Plus to get me through until iphone 13. No matter how much time I spend (and waste) agonising on my two choices between SE 2020 or 11, neither can bring me to spend my cash.

The 11 is likely the best current choice because of the screen size but as it's now 18 months old I don't think it's worth £650 right now especially as we are half way through this year's cycle.

This will also have me holding off on an ipad purchase this Friday. 😞 bummed out.
Why hold off on an iPad if you’re not getting the phone? I agree it’s hard to decide to spend money on something “older” and that you may not really truly want. My $264 android phone scratched the itch, but I have an extra line. I wouldn’t want it to be my only phone
 
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I think I'm set on yet another battery for my 7 Plus to get me through until iphone 13. No matter how much time I spend (and waste) agonising on my two choices between SE 2020 or 11, neither can bring me to spend my cash.

The 11 is likely the best current choice because of the screen size but as it's now 18 months old I don't think it's worth £650 right now especially as we are half way through this year's cycle.

This will also have me holding off on an ipad purchase this Friday. 😞 bummed out.
Jimmy, Amazon UK currently selling the Ipad Air 4 for £529, so £50 off RRP. Go on you know you want to ;).
 
Why hold off on an iPad if you’re not getting the phone? I agree it’s hard to decide to spend money on something “older” and that you may not really truly want. My $264 android phone scratched the itch, but I have an extra line. I wouldn’t want it to be my only phone
If series 13 doesn't bring an iphone I can use then I don't want to pump more money into Apple gear, like an ipad pro for example, as I will move to Android. My phone is the linch pin of my tech as I use it for everything. If I have to go Android for a phone then I will get the watch and tablet to match the eco system as well.

Jimmy, Amazon UK currently selling the Ipad Air 4 for £529, so £50 off RRP. Go on you know you want to ;).
Like the iphone, I would like the best ipad and can afford it. The upcoming 12.9" with it's mini led display would be the one. I ring fenced cash to buy the whole suite of Apple hardware like the watch, ipad, macbook this year but was deterred by not being able to upgrade to any flagship phone. I held off to see if we got an SE Plus but this didn't happen. So I'm still holding off until I can sort my phone (and also to see what software is coming).

As I read this back it does look like I'm cutting my nose off, but I've waited so long it feels like the norm now sadly. Always waiting for the next.....
 
My Moto work phone compared to my wife’s 11 pro. So far I’m enjoying this for $264, but it can’t compete with even my iPhone 8+ in terms of smoothness. Hopefully 2023 I’m back with a flagship iPhone without pwm or any headache issues.
 

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like the size of the SE 2020 ! so a plus wouldn't interest me tbh (may as well just get a reg 12)

if the current SE a bigger battery would be close to perfect

although got my eye on the mini tbh
 
Impressively my 8+ feels outdated after using the SE for a little over a week. I have a lot of thoughts to share regarding comparisons to iPhone 8+, iPhone 12, and even Apple TV:

The performance difference is night-and-day with the 8+ feeling sluggish by comparison. iPhone SE performs as well as any of the latest iPhones, especially since it has less pixels to render. It is incredibly smooth and quick, even noticeable when simply scrolling through the Home Screen (autocorrect capitalized that so I guess that’s how Apple wants it stylized) or lists.

The display on the 8+ feels almost twice as large in some instances, although as I adjusted to iPhone SE I don’t really miss the larger size. That’s odd because I found myself wanting a larger display with both iPhone X and iPhone 11. I suppose the new design with the notch and the wider aspect ratio just lends itself better to a larger display. Although as an aside when I held the 6.1” iPhone 12 Pro in an Apple Store I was surprised at how large it felt partially because I was coming from the SE. It felt large enough for a phone, and the Max seemed massive in comparison.

Also slightly surprising was that iPhone 12 Mini is essentially the same body size as iPhone SE. I think there’s still a market for this and that COVID negatively impacted sales. The simple fact iPhone SE was released a few months prior took potential buyers away from the Mini since many customers that want smaller phones (such as my mom) are just as happy getting iPhone SE for almost half the price, or free with carrier promotions.

Back to the display since that’s the most important aspect for me: iPhone SE definitely has a more vibrant display than iPhone 8+ with a modern color calibration (warmer with accurate colors that pop, bright whites, and dark blacks for a LCD). There is a difference in detail and sharpness when put side-by-side with an 8+ and I will admit text can look a little fuzzy if I hold the phone too close, but it has a similar color calibration to iPhone 11 with better contrast that makes videos look incredibly natural. While I don’t feel it’s possible to comfortably watch YouTube for as long due to fatigue from having a smaller display (which may not necessarily be a con) I feel the display looks better than the Samsung 4K LED TV in our living room. A literal Apple TV, which Apple was working on a few years ago, could have been amazing but profit margins are razor thin in that industry and it would have taken up a lot of inventory space at stores so it’s understandable why they didn’t go that route. If they ever were to release a television it would likely be double the cost of its closest competition.

The display for watching videos has been the biggest surprise to me: it almost feels like 4K HDR even when it’s not. 4K HDR content looked absolutely breathtaking on iPhone 12 Pro Max, but iPhone SE isn’t as far behind as specs and display technology would imply. Also the speakers aren’t as lacking as I expected, and feature some degree of stereo widening.

iPhone SE is by no means perfect (although anybody coming from an iPhone 6-8 or a first-gen iPhone SE would likely see it that way) but it definitely punches above its weight.
 
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For example, this 4K HDR movie clip is practically a 10/10 on iPhone 12 Pro Max but still a strong 8/10 (maybe even 9/10 if I was being generous) on iPhone SE:


Edit: It looks so much better on iPhone SE than it does on iPhone 8+, which doesn’t support HDR, that it’s also a night-and-day difference.

If I didn’t know better I’d think it was almost a native 4K display, for video at least.
 
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I was having second thoughts about keeping iPhone SE, but those are mostly just commitment issues. Side-by-side with the 8+ it is definitely the better phone with a superior display, and it is possible to get used to the smaller size.

My other alternatives are to try iPhone 12 Pro and deal with migraines for two weeks, go back to iPhone 11 which beyond the camera isn’t really better, or hold onto my 8+ hoping iPhone 13 is PWM-free and likely ending up disappointed.

For my life right now and my commitment to spend less time on my phone I think iPhone SE is probably the right choice.
 
I was having second thoughts about keeping iPhone SE, but those are mostly just commitment issues. Side-by-side with the 8+ it is definitely the better phone with a superior display, and it is possible to get used to the smaller size.

My other alternatives are to try iPhone 12 Pro and deal with migraines for two weeks, go back to iPhone 11 which beyond the camera isn’t really better, or hold onto my 8+ hoping iPhone 13 is PWM-free and likely ending up disappointed.

For my life right now and my commitment to spend less time on my phone I think iPhone SE is probably the right choice.
Why commit to less time on your phone? I see you say that a lot, but I’m curious why. I limit my video gaming due to my family, but I’d play 8+ hours a day if I were single lol. If you like your phone, use it to death man.
 
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Why commit to less time on your phone? I see you say that a lot, but I’m curious why. I limit my video gaming due to my family, but I’d play 8+ hours a day if I were single lol. If you like your phone, use it to death man.
I’d say I spend too much time on my phone (although aren’t we all spending 7-8 hours per day, or half our waking time on our devices?) and I’m trying to transition into the “real world” so to speak. Dates in person instead of over text. Driving my car, even aimlessly at times, instead of spending time on enthusiast forums. Visiting retail stores and malls instead of shopping in an app. Maybe even making money at a job outside of the house, instead of only using my phone (which is impressive and convenient in itself but gets lonely). Going to class instead of reading about it on the internet. There’s a longer list and the entire point of what I’ve been working on over the past year is to hopefully seamlessly complete that transition.

Still, I am having a bit of buyer’s remorse with iPhone SE now that I’m outside of my return window. I think there is a time and place for enjoying a nice phone. Unless iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro is so drastically better than iPhone 12 Pro Max I’d still consider it to be unusable. There’s simply no workaround that can resolve PWM headaches. I hate the idea of paying for a phone that’s not a definitive upgrade, but it’s really my only choice unless I keep the 8+ (which has a display that’s closer in quality than I initially realized: I’ve noticed that at the same brightness levels iPhone SE appears brighter which may have given it an advantage) and wait for iPhone 13 only to probably be disappointed again.
 
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I’d say I spend too much time on my phone (although aren’t we all spending 7-8 hours per day, or half our waking time on our devices?) and I’m trying to transition into the “real world” so to speak. Dates in person instead of over text. Driving my car, even aimlessly at times, instead of spending time on enthusiast forums. Visiting retail stores and malls instead of shopping in an app. Maybe even making money at a job outside of the house, instead of only using my phone (which is impressive and convenient in itself but gets lonely). Going to class instead of reading about it on the internet. There’s a longer list and the entire point of what I’ve been working on over the past year is to hopefully seamlessly complete that transition.

Still, I am having a bit of buyer’s remorse with iPhone SE now that I’m outside of my return window. I think there is a time and place for enjoying a nice phone. Unless iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro is so drastically better than iPhone 12 Pro Max I’d still consider it to be unusable. There’s simply no workaround that can resolve PWM headaches. I hate the idea of paying for a phone that’s not a definitive upgrade, but it’s really my only choice unless I keep the 8+ (which has a display that’s closer in quality than I initially realized: I’ve noticed that at the same brightness levels iPhone SE appears brighter which may have given it an advantage) and wait for iPhone 13 only to probably be disappointed again.
I feel the same way, but I wouldn’t put any hope in the fact one 12 model will work when you know the one you tried didn’t
 
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I've got a day off work tomo so I can book in for a new battery in my 7 Plus with Apple = £50
OR go for an brand new 8 Plus = £400 (and hope it been built well as I cannot get a full refund if not). Torn decision, and this maybe the last sealed and new iphone 8 plus in the UK!

I'm thinking this year's 13 series will still have terrible PWM as the Samsung phones do. So I need to be good for the next 18 months with my decision today.
 
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I've got a day off work tomo so I can book in for a new battery in my 7 Plus with Apple = £50
OR go for an brand new 8 Plus = £400 (and hope it been built well as I cannot get a full refund if not). Torn decision, and this maybe the last sealed and new iphone 8 plus in the UK!

I'm thinking this year's 13 series will still have terrible PWM as the Samsung phones do. So I need to be good for the next 18 months with my decision today.
I’m thinking you should get the new battery and be done with it. The 8 Plus was not leaps and bounds better than the 7 Plus. Knowing how sensitive you are to the feel of the phone in your hand, I can visualize the situation where something feels sharp, or off in some way that disappoints you. Given the 7 Plus has lasted this long without bothering you visually or physically, you may as well stay with it.
 
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I’m thinking you should get the new battery and be done with it. The 8 Plus was not leaps and bounds better than the 7 Plus. Knowing how sensitive you are to the feel of the phone in your hand, I can visualize the situation where something feels sharp, or off in some way that disappoints you. Given the 7 Plus has lasted this long without bothering you visually or physically, you may as well stay with it.
While the new 8 plus is a good deal, especially as I can get a further discount with cashback - I think your right and know me well on this matter. Will book in for a battery and come back for the dance in Sept/Oct. Then if that doesn't work out, wait for the SE 3 again. 🤦‍♂️


"Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Good things come to those who wait, Better things come to those who try. ... Patience is learned through waiting."


Now I just have to talk myself off the ledge with the iPad Pro pre-orders tomo.........
 
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While the new 8 plus is a good deal, especially as I can get a further discount with cashback - I think your right and know me well on this matter. Will book in for a battery and come back for the dance in Sept/Oct. Then if that doesn't work out, wait for the SE 3 again. 🤦‍♂️


"Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Good things come to those who wait, Better things come to those who try. ... Patience is learned through waiting."


Now I just have to talk myself off the ledge with the iPad Pro pre-orders tomo.........
I feel ya. It’s such a crappy situation and I really don’t expect the 13 to be different. Would the iPad Pro allow you to scratch the proverbial itch a bit? Or would it trigger feelings about not have the complete ensemble of modern (pro) Apple products?
 
I feel ya. It’s such a crappy situation and I really don’t expect the 13 to be different. Would the iPad Pro allow you to scratch the proverbial itch a bit? Or would it trigger feelings about not have the complete ensemble of modern (pro) Apple products?
It would be a bit of a trigger and I'm not sure I can really convince myself the 12.1" with MK is really worth the price especially when the MK material wears so easily and the ipadOS still feels like a big phone. But I've no doubt the screen would blow me away! I know if you don't pre order the chances of getting one this year will be tough.

My phone is still my go to even when I used to have an ipad years ago. So the ipad is complimentary which makes getting and Air or a 11" 2020 on sale most likely the better/smarter option. Or maybe holding for the redesigned Macbooks which are now due late this year would be even smarter as an ipad 12.9 with MK ends up being used like a laptop anyway, just with an inferior trackpad and OS.

Or maybe my expectations are just too damn high now, and actually I just prefer seeing my money resting in my account!
 
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