After not being aware of iOS changes for a while, I happened to look and noticed that iOS 14.8 and iOS 15 are out. I have an original iPhone SE. I looked at the iOS 15 feature list, and it looks like most of the big-ticket items are only available for newer phones. Is there anything worth upgrading for on this phone, or should I stick with 14?
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Upgrade iPhone SE (2016)?
- Thread starter James Gryphon
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I would stick with what you have. You didn't say how much storage your original SE has but most were purchased with 32 Gb and maybe 64 GB. iOS 15 requires more space and more power. Besides that, it will be a lot harder on your battery.
I picked mine up with 128GB, so I'm not worried about space so much. I'm very glad you mentioned the battery, though; that's a major concern. A while back I set up a shortcut to permanently turn on low-power mode, as well as dim the screen, whenever the phone's not plugged into a power source, because using it in anything like 'regular' settings would drink through the battery. The last thing it needs is another thing to drain it.
My wife’s SE needs a new battery so I will hold off on upgrading it to iOS 15 until she either gets a new battery for it or finally caves and decides to get the new SE.
The original SE is iconic and she loves it. It is a tough sell to get her to upgrade!
The original SE is iconic and she loves it. It is a tough sell to get her to upgrade!
I'm staying with 14.4.2 on my SE 2016, updated my ipad air to 15 (big mistake slow sluggish and 15 is a memory hog) ... wanted to downgrade it but apple blocked user from downgrading from 15 (apple does still sign 14.8 ... weird move by apple !)
iOS 15 is a lot harder on the battery in my 12 Mini than previously with 14.8 and earlier. I can imagine it will be the same with the SE 2016 and the SE 2020 models.
It seems newer versions of iOS work best with the larger phones that have bigger and more powerful batteries.
It seems newer versions of iOS work best with the larger phones that have bigger and more powerful batteries.
Don’t update.
I have an SE 2016 in 14.3 and a 7 in 15.
7 in 15 is slower following your touch input and even opening apps like the camera, very very noticeable. That, being a newer phone than the SE, is upsetting.
And 7 has worse battery life since I had to upgrade from 14.3 to 15 because I bought an apple watch. I hate I had to upgrade to be allowed to pair.
I have an SE 2016 in 14.3 and a 7 in 15.
7 in 15 is slower following your touch input and even opening apps like the camera, very very noticeable. That, being a newer phone than the SE, is upsetting.
And 7 has worse battery life since I had to upgrade from 14.3 to 15 because I bought an apple watch. I hate I had to upgrade to be allowed to pair.
My iPhone SE 1st gen with 98% battery health on iOS 15.0.1 lasted 4hr 21 mins on my walk. From full using GPS continually, screen on all the time and taking/uploading photos it seemed to last ok.
I have upgraded my iPhone SE 1st gen to iOS 15, and didn't notice any performance or battery changes, except for the first week or so, when the system was running some background operations all the time. (But my battery is already at 85%, so it discharges relatively fast).
However, I find new Safari usability poor, and Focus — simply confusing. If I knew that, I wouldn't upgrade. I cannot use any new features like on-device dictation anyway. My iPad 6th gen is still on iPadOS 14.8, and will remain so.
UPD: There is a noticeable battery drain during the night, but it may have happened before upgrade as well. Not sure about that.
However, I find new Safari usability poor, and Focus — simply confusing. If I knew that, I wouldn't upgrade. I cannot use any new features like on-device dictation anyway. My iPad 6th gen is still on iPadOS 14.8, and will remain so.
UPD: There is a noticeable battery drain during the night, but it may have happened before upgrade as well. Not sure about that.
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I like the Safari address bar at the bottom. Works for me, great for one handed use as the thumb doesn’t have to stretch up anymore.
I understand your wife perfectly! My original SE is so small and cute- and square kkkk . Love it. But the battery is gone and I´ll probably have to buy a new SE- as long as they don´t make it over 6 inches...
I've installed iOS 15.1 to my 1st Gen SE and it seems to be performing better. The storage reporting issue has sorted itself out, many apps are now scrolling correctly again and it appears that battery life might have actually improved a little.