iPhone SE (2016) Those who have gone from bigger, newer phones to SE - why? Thoughts so far?

[ssledoux]

My SE was delivered yesterday. I almost forgot how much I love a device that doesn't feel like a brick in my pocket (11 Pro). I traded in an old 8 that my wife doesn't use anymore since T-Mobile was giving $200 off the SE with eligible trade in.

I love the size and form factor and have enjoyed using it thus far, but I'm not rushing to sell my 11 Pro. I'm going to use the SE exclusively this weekend and go from there. Most likely I'll keep the device as a backup, especially since my 11 Pro houses a good amount of apps that I use for work (especially now that I'm working from home indefinitely).

I had really been struggling with the decision to go all in with my SE, even after I listed my 11 for sale. Today when the 11 sold, and I was preparing to box it up, I couldn't believe how much bigger and heavier it seemed after using the SE for only a few days, and I've been using big phones since the 6+.

I think I'm really gonna enjoy having a smaller device, and the way I figure it is, if I decide it's just not for me, I go back a little bigger in the fall and give the SE to my granddaughter.
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I think SE2 is gonna be my daily driver for a while coming from XR

I'll miss XR battery life, but I wonder how much its gonna be an issue. That's the main thing honestly. The rest, eh.

Though I prefer home button + swipe up (jailbroken, pre-X form), full screen-ish is nice for video

Also not in a rush to toss my XR either, I may want to switch it up occasionally / like to not be boxed in

Coming from 11, I do think the battery is something I may miss, and getting used to not swiping for certain things may take me a little more time, but overall I'm pretty darn happy with this SE.

 

[nburwell]

I had really been struggling with the decision to go all in with my SE, even after I listed my 11 for sale. Today when the 11 sold, and I was preparing to box it up, I couldn't believe how much bigger and heavier it seemed after using the SE for only a few days, and I've been using big phones since the 6+.

I think I'm really gonna enjoy having a smaller device, and the way I figure it is, if I decide it's just not for me, I go back a little bigger in the fall and give the SE to my granddaughter.

I feel that is what I should do with my 11 Pro. Especially since I have an 11" iPad Pro and 13" MacBook Pro. Maybe using the SE each day will make me fall back in love with the size and form factor. But I know as soon as I look at the OLED screen of my 11 Pro, I'm not going to want to part ways with it.

 

[imrazor]

Until reading this thread it had somehow escaped me that the 2020 SE has a ... gasp!...home button. And that comes with the goodness that is Touch ID. Face ID works pretty well, but in this day of masks and face coverings, Touch ID is more convenient. And it always was a pain trying to unlock my XR while it was lying flat on a table or desk.

I also still struggle with the gesture system that was introduced with the iPhone X, so I would welcome a return to the good ol' home button. I'm now seriously considering trading in my iPhone XR for one of these devices.

 

[SapperMike]

I feel that is what I should do with my 11 Pro. Especially since I have an 11" iPad Pro and 13" MacBook Pro. Maybe using the SE each day will make me fall back in love with the size and form factor. But I know as soon as I look at the OLED screen of my 11 Pro, I'm not going to want to part ways with it.

That is exactly what happened to me. Put away the 11 pro for 5 days and only used the new SE. I love the SE form factor but once I turned on my 11 Pro , the display was night and day (especially outdoors). I would gladly pay a little more to have the same display technology as the 11 Pro to be put on the SE.

 

[thadoggfather]

That is exactly what happened to me. Put away the 11 pro for 5 days and only used the new SE. I love the SE form factor but once I turned on my 11 Pro , the display was night and day (especially outdoors). I would gladly pay a little more to have the same display technology as the 11 Pro to be put on the SE.

is that the only thing holding you back from going SE2 instead of 11 Pro?

If so, that's pretty awesome

 

[compwiz1202]

I've had a + since the 6 as well, and from my 8+ I went to the XR then 11, so I've had bigger ones as well (couldn't keep my XS Max - OLED issues, so I didn't even try with the 11 pro max), but I've thought for a while it would be fun to have a small phone again.

I'm still in limbo too because I am having trouble keeping a good grip on it. I'm ready for a case to arrive. Overall I really like it though.

After a few days I am getting more used to the size so not fumbling it anymore. Still wish they would have made the SE+ at the same time though. Didn't try for 8+ since all the carriers were sold out and I wasn't sure how much slower it was. The SE2020 is definitely fast.

 

[SapperMike]

is that the only thing holding you back from going SE2 instead of 11 Pro?

If so, that's pretty awesome

Pretty much. The iPhone 8 was my favorite phone for the longest time. I have no problems with the SE whatsoever. I just got spoiled by the 11 Pro display , along with its rather compact size. Either phone is a winner to me.

 

[thadoggfather]

Pretty much. The iPhone 8 was my favorite phone for the longest time. I have no problems with the SE whatsoever. I just got spoiled by the 11 Pro display , along with its rather compact size. Either phone is a winner to me.

I know the Pro Max is a battery beast, but isn't the regular 11 Pro as well?

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I'm really digging my se2 coming from XR.

 

[JamiLynee]

I wish they'd make a model like this with the single camera, OLED screen and Face ID. I have no issues admitting I am not an avid photographer, and have no aspirations of being one. I love the truly black screens and Face ID but this multi camera thing feels a bit over the top for me. I really wish they would scale it down for the average user.

 

[scotsmandc]

I’m waiting for the 5.4” iPhone 12. Hoping that will be the perfect one hand phone with little compromises.

 

[sawah]

I’m just really tired of big phones! I buy and sell and trade phones so I’ve basically had everything. Some more than once! I currently went back to the iPhone X after using the Pixel 3a and xl. Going to be picking up an se I think.
Oddly I also own a first gen se with 100% battery life, but it only has 16gig.
I just think I have a phone problem...
Product red anyone?? Cheers!

 

[limesmoothie]

White 64gb SE has arrived. This is actually going to go to my mum (replacing original SE), but I am going to give it a shot for the next month or so to see if I can switch down from an 11. I have an illness which causes slight mobility issues in my hands/arms and the 11 is not comfortable to hold for me.

First impressions - it is so small! Was the 8 really this small? I bought an 8 Plus (pre-illness), so never used the original 8.

I love the form factor, the screen seems absolutely fine - I have an iPad Pro, so this really is for calls, texts, photos and instagram. So comfortable to hold. Pocketability factor is high!

If the camera is as good as the reviews seem to suggest, I might well get a 128gb unit, and pass this one onto my mum as intended.

 

[ssledoux]

White 64gb SE has arrived. This is actually going to go to my mum (replacing original SE), but I am going to give it a shot for the next month or so to see if I can switch down from an 11. I have an illness which causes slight mobility issues in my hands/arms and the 11 is not comfortable to hold for me.

First impressions - it is so small! Was the 8 really this small? I bought an 8 Plus (pre-illness), so never used the original 8.

I love the form factor, the screen seems absolutely fine - I have an iPad Pro, so this really is for calls, texts, photos and instagram. So comfortable to hold. Pocketability factor is high!

If the camera is as good as the reviews seem to suggest, I might well get a 128gb unit, and pass this one onto my mum as intended.

I am loving my white one - I'm coming from an 11 as well, and have had plus sized phones for years (since the 6+). It really does seem small, but what is really crazy is how yesterday I pulled out my 11 to prepare it for shipping to the buyer, and it truly felt like a brick after not holding it for a few days. It's funny what you get used to, and how quickly you get used to it.

I'm super excited to have something small/light again. It's a nice change.

 

[thadoggfather]

I am loving my white one - I'm coming from an 11 as well, and have had plus sized phones for years (since the 6+). It really does seem small, but what is really crazy is how yesterday I pulled out my 11 to prepare it for shipping to the buyer, and it truly felt like a brick after not holding it for a few days. It's funny what you get used to, and how quickly you get used to it.

I'm super excited to have something small/light again. It's a nice change.

oh wow you're already set on tossing the 11? That was quick

 

[ssledoux]

oh wow you're already set on tossing the 11? That was quick

Honestly, I figured if I wind up not liking it, worst case is I keep it til fall when the new ones come out then pass it on to my granddaughter. I'm loving it so far, so even if I wind up frustrated with the size or something a few months from now, I'll only have a few more months before I could replace it if I wanted to.

The 11 is only gonna get less valuable as we get closer to new releases, so I figured it was better to sell than let it sit in a box.

Really when I get my Loopy case in, I think I'm gonna love the SE2 even more. The only thing right now that's the least bit frustrating is feeling like I'm gonna drop it when I'm using one hand to type - the Loopy will solve that, and one-handed use will be amazing!

 

[thadoggfather]

Honestly, I figured if I wind up not liking it, worst case is I keep it til fall when the new ones come out then pass it on to my granddaughter. I'm loving it so far, so even if I wind up frustrated with the size or something a few months from now, I'll only have a few more months before I could replace it if I wanted to.

The 11 is only gonna get less valuable as we get closer to new releases, so I figured it was better to sell than let it sit in a box.

Really when I get my Loopy case in, I think I'm gonna love the SE2 even more. The only thing right now that's the least bit frustrating is feeling like I'm gonna drop it when I'm using one hand to type - the Loopy will solve that, and one-handed use will be amazing!

good point. a time will come when XR is valued much less as well. I think sometime in the middle of the summer it will be there. still not in a rush, going to wait it out a bit longer

 

[macrumors newbie]

I have a Galaxy S8. It's too large. The screen is too tall, yet it is a small Android phone by today's standards. A phone should be comfortable for one-handed use. Adding phablet quality gives the worst of both worlds. I have an iPad, a computer, and I want a smartphone that doesn't attempt to be either. Even the iPhone 11 has the issue of a screen that is too tall. Those top corners looks fancy, but reaching into them to access the menus is anti-ergonomic.

I came to the S8 from a Galaxy S3. It had the perfect form factor, but received only 24 months of updates. I only chose the S8 because there wasn't a smaller Samsung on the market. Any smartphone screen larger than the Galaxy S3/iPhone SE is an anti-feature, for me. The iPhone SE 2020, I expect, will have a longer software update lifespan.

I'm returning to the form factor I prefer, and sacrificing nothing, all for an incredible price.

 

[ssledoux]

good point. a time will come when XR is valued much less as well. I think sometime in the middle of the summer it will be there. still not in a rush, going to wait it out a bit longer

True - it's already somewhat less valuable than the 11, but hey, I just got my grandson an XR - couldn't beat $1/month with ATT. Yeah I had to commit to another line, but I was gonna have to do that with anything I bought him. I wish I would've waited though - he loves having a "big" phone, but this SE2 would've been perfect for him. That red on the XR is stunning though - he loves it.

 

[thadoggfather]

True - it's already somewhat less valuable than the 11, but hey, I just got my grandson an XR - couldn't beat $1/month with ATT. Yeah I had to commit to another line, but I was gonna have to do that with anything I bought him. I wish I would've waited though - he loves having a "big" phone, but this SE2 would've been perfect for him. That red on the XR is stunning though - he loves it.

128GB still yields close to $500 on swappa. I consider that pretty good. If I can get near that or in the 400's I'd be happy.

I think I paid $500ish after trading In my 7+ at launch over a year and a half ago now.

 

[DevinNj]

I know the Pro Max is a battery beast, but isn't the regular 11 Pro as well?

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I'm really digging my se2 coming from XR.

@thadoggfather I had returned my first Pro Max for a Pro and while I only had it a week, the battery was on par with my XS Max, I was charging it every other day. It really did have great battery life, I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[ssledoux]

128GB still yields close to $500 on swappa. I consider that pretty good. If I can get near that or in the 400's I'd be happy.

I think I paid $500ish after trading In my 7+ at launch over a year and a half ago now.

Yeah that's still a great price - I didn't do a ton better with my 128gb 11. I probably could've sold it for a bit more elsewhere, but I like selling on here - good people. I've had some crappy eBay experiences (plus even though you get more money, you lose a good bit to fees), and I've never had any luck at all on Swappa.

 

[thadoggfather]

Yeah that's still a great price - I didn't do a ton better with my 128gb 11. I probably could've sold it for a bit more elsewhere, but I like selling on here - good people. I've had some crappy eBay experiences (plus even though you get more money, you lose a good bit to fees), and I've never had any luck at all on Swappa.

yeah I usually do craigslist for cash on the spot. Maybe offerup, since it is like craigslist but has user reviews too

I just use Swappa as some reference of what things are going for

 

[RobbyIdol]

Recently switched from the iPhone 11 Pro to the new SE.

Honestly, it's REALLY small to me. Not necessarily in a good way. But not a deal breaker either ($1000+ price tags are deal breakers for me now.)

This is ironic because I had an iPhone 8 for about 3 years and loved it. Then last Fall I got the 11 and found it too big and unwieldy, though I loved the display and battery life. Went back to my 8 and was fine with it, felt good to be back honestly. But the battery was dying, and I was training for a marathon, and my phone was dying mid-run (NOT acceptable when running alone in the mountains). So I bit the financial bullet, and bought the smaller 11 Pro. Loved the camera, loved the display and battery life. And the size was relatively comparable to the 8. So I was good for a few months, as long as I didn't think about how much $$$ I had spent on a phone.

When the SE was announced, I realized I could sell my 11 Pro and buy my wife and I new phones with the money. Financially, it felt better to upgrade my wife who was struggling on her ancient 7 Plus. I knew I used to love the original 8, so I thought it would be an easy transition.

And somehow the new SE feels like a toy phone it's so small. I can't believe the 8 was this small, and I loved it for years - even after briefly owning the much larger 11. Coming from the smaller 11 Pro to the SE should be fairly easy, but the SE is so tiny! I'll get used to it. But it definitely doesn't feel "premium" like the 11/11 Pro do. But again - at $399 - it's not supposed to be.

I'll keep the SE for a while and get used to it. But it's weird that coming back to the 8 form factor I used for years now feels so inferior. And I've never been a fan of big phones, but I think the 11 Pro size is probably my sweet spot now.

 

[oVerboost]

Coming from the smaller 11 Pro to the SE should be fairly easy, but the SE is so tiny! I'll get used to it. But it definitely doesn't feel "premium" like the 11/11 Pro do. But again - at $399 - it's not supposed to be.

You can’t say the SE doesn’t feel premium but an 11 does... both have LCD, aluminium frame and the same glass back.

 

[NickName99]

Recently switched from the iPhone 11 Pro to the new SE.

Honestly, it's REALLY small to me. Not necessarily in a good way. But not a deal breaker either ($1000+ price tags are deal breakers for me now.)

This is ironic because I had an iPhone 8 for about 3 years and loved it. Then last Fall I got the 11 and found it too big and unwieldy, though I loved the display and battery life. Went back to my 8 and was fine with it, felt good to be back honestly. But the battery was dying, and I was training for a marathon, and my phone was dying mid-run (NOT acceptable when running alone in the mountains). So I bit the financial bullet, and bought the smaller 11 Pro. Loved the camera, loved the display and battery life. And the size was relatively comparable to the 8. So I was good for a few months, as long as I didn't think about how much $$$ I had spent on a phone.

When the SE was announced, I realized I could sell my 11 Pro and buy my wife and I new phones with the money. Financially, it felt better to upgrade my wife who was struggling on her ancient 7 Plus. I knew I used to love the original 8, so I thought it would be an easy transition.

And somehow the new SE feels like a toy phone it's so small. I can't believe the 8 was this small, and I loved it for years - even after briefly owning the much larger 11. Coming from the smaller 11 Pro to the SE should be fairly easy, but the SE is so tiny! I'll get used to it. But it definitely doesn't feel "premium" like the 11/11 Pro do. But again - at $399 - it's not supposed to be.

I'll keep the SE for a while and get used to it. But it's weird that coming back to the 8 form factor I used for years now feels so inferior. And I've never been a fan of big phones, but I think the 11 Pro size is probably my sweet spot now.

I switched from an XS to the new SE, and it feels so small and light in my hand! I love it. The battery life is way better, as is as the camera. It took a day to get used to the home button interface again.

I could see switching to a 5.4” iPhone 12 in the fall, but I’m happy for now.