iPhone SE (2016) Would anyone still buy the SE?

[thadoggfather]

I love my SE1 to death

Though I don’t put a sim in it really anyMore I love fiddling around with it

Sometimes when my 7+ was my daily driver before x I swore I preferred se1 ina lot of moods/ circumstances but depends.

7+ is obviously a superior video playing device but

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Hi everyone, just wondering whether is it worth buying the SE with the current specs? Think I read somewhere on-line that ios 12 might slow down the SE and essentially be a step to far. I understand future software updates affect all phones but considering the SE is getting on a bit would it be wasting money? I can’t afford the X or the 8 and in my part of the world the 7 is still pricey (actually they all are).
Thanks in advance everyone, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

All the current rumors are that iOS 12 will mostly fix bugs, improve security, and speed up older devices by optimizing iOS a bit better. If the SE meets your needs I think it will be powerful enough to use for the next 12-24 months, at the least, and might even survive iOS 13.

 

[44267547]

Thanks for everyone's opinion. The SE is still one of the best phones available for a cheaper cost. I will definitely scour the the net for a good deal.

Check Swappa. Reliable site and you can find an SE in many price points (Pending condition) you're looking for.

 

[SteveOfTheStow]

The SE has the 6S SoC, designed for a 4.8in screen, inside a body with a 4in screen and 95% of the battery of a 6S. That thing should keep screaming along for a long while; I wouldn't worry. Just upgraded my mum from a 4S running iOS 8 to a SE and my dad, who was fed up with his Android phone, was jealous so now he's got an SE too!

 

[Mokiwi]

The SE has the 6S SoC, designed for a 4.8in screen, inside a body with a 4in screen and 95% of the battery of a 6S. That thing should keep screaming along for a long while; I wouldn't worry. Just upgraded my mum from a 4S running iOS 8 to a SE and my dad, who was fed up with his Android phone, was jealous so now he's got an SE too!

Alluring qualities of the SE is having similar internals to the 6S. Just hope future software upgrades don’t reduce it.

 

[UL2RA]

The SE has the 6S SoC, designed for a 4.8in screen, inside a body with a 4in screen and 95% of the battery of a 6S. That thing should keep screaming along for a long while; I wouldn't worry. Just upgraded my mum from a 4S running iOS 8 to a SE and my dad, who was fed up with his Android phone, was jealous so now he's got an SE too!

It screams on iOS 11 as well. It's a great phone.

 

[urkel]

If the rumors are true about an SE2 coming pretty sure the prices will be high. Can’t exactly blame Apple though, all phones are becoming ridiculously expensive.

Actually, you can almost entirely blame Apple for phones becoming ridiculously expensive.

Apple is the mindshare leader and Tim Cook knows it so he constantly raises prices on everything. Those profit margins are ridiculous for such short term devices.

That said, the SE is a great phone for those who aren't asking for much. They are feature packed and often go on sale. I got one just for nostalgia and I was surprised at how well the design held up over the years.

 

[jav6454]

Actually, you can almost entirely blame Apple for phones becoming ridiculously expensive.

Apple is the mindshare leader and Tim Cook knows it so he constantly raises prices on everything. Those profit margins are ridiculous for such short term devices.

That said, the SE is a great phone for those who aren't asking for much. They are feature packed and often go on sale. I got one just for nostalgia and I was surprised at how well the design held up over the years.

Then vote with your wallet.

 

[44267547]

Alluring qualities of the SE is having similar internals to the 6S. Just hope future software upgrades don’t reduce it.

That's like trying to avoid the inevitable. Eventually all iPhones are going to be reduced or prohibited after a certain while with iOS updates. It's the nature of tech in general.

 

[T909]

Hi everyone, just wondering whether is it worth buying the SE with the current specs? Think I read somewhere on-line that ios 12 might slow down the SE and essentially be a step to far. I understand future software updates affect all phones but considering the SE is getting on a bit would it be wasting money? I can’t afford the X or the 8 and in my part of the world the 7 is still pricey (actually they all are).
Thanks in advance everyone, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

iPhone SE is getting cheaper and cheaper. It's a lot cheaper than my iPhone 5s was in 2016. Maybe it depends on the country / store.
We don't know if iOS 12 will slow it down. We don't know what rumours about iOS 12 are true and what aren't. There are rumours that iOS 12 will fix iOS 11 bugs, so any new features planned for iOS 12 will be postponed to iOS 13. There's a chance that iOS 12 will support even the iPhone 5s, which means it shouldn't slow iPhone SE down.
Once again, there are so many rumours and they're all different for some reason. We don't know much about iOS 13 yet.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I bought an SE for my daughter going to secondary school back in September. Great little device, perfect for her little hands and eagle eyes. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. One can always wait for something newer, but you can also have a great device at a great price today.

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

Part of the reason, is the iPhone SE has less pixels to push then a larger display like the iPhone X, therefore it can display information quicker on a smaller display.

Oh, I realize about there being less pixels to push. The point is that it is not a lesser device in terms of user interface performance and usability. Render a 4K video, sure the iPhone X will win that with all those extra cores. But in terms of day to day use, the iPhone SE is no penalty box.
[doublepost=1517694668][/doublepost]You may want to see if the newly for sale refurbished iPhone 7 and 7plus will serve your need. Looks like the starting price is $499. (www.apple.com)[/QUOTE]

I would like to see the iPhone SE come out on the refurbished store, not just in the U.S., but in CANADA too, eh!

I would buy a refurb SE on the first day it was available.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I would if I had a form smaller form factor or financial need.

 

[missyagogo]

I used to use the original SE, loved it so I have no problem going back to it as long as it can possibly last more than a year.

With the A9 chip, it should last a year, even if you choose to stick with iOS 11.

Thanks for everyone's opinion. The SE is still one of the best phones available for a cheaper cost. I will definitely scour the the net for a good deal.

If you can wait a few weeks (although since we never know what Apple will do, and which rumors will pan out), you might be able to time your purchase with Apple's next announcement.

I am holding out to see if an upgraded SE comes out soon.

I am hoping for this myself!

 

[MartyvH]

The benefit of a new model is evaporating to that of one to buy if you have no functioning phone, with no leak of a new model yet, with the leak of 3 giant new models coming later in the year, and the capability of the current model.

 

[44267547]

The benefit of a new model is evaporating to that of one to buy if you have no functioning phone, with no leak of a new model yet, with the leak of 3 giant new models coming later in the year, and the capability of the current model.

Typically iPhone part components for the new iPhones for fall 2018 will start surfacing/leaking around April or May. And then iPhone "Production models" leak around the iPhone manufacturing during July and August.

 

[Tsuchiya]

I’m debating one for my younger sister. It would be her first phone and a natural progression from her iPod touch which she used for iMessage.

I’m concerned about longevity though, she’ll probably have it for years, and I don’t want it to dramatically slow down anytime soon.

The design is still absolutely lovely though and it feels great in the hand. I really feel like Apple knocked it out of the park with that series.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

I’m debating one for my younger sister. It would be her first phone and a natural progression from her iPod touch which she used for iMessage.

I’m concerned about longevity though, she’ll probably have it for years, and I don’t want it to dramatically slow down anytime soon.

The design is still absolutely lovely though and it feels great in the hand. I really feel like Apple knocked it out of the park with that series.

A used SE with a new battery might be a more cost effective option, in case Apple updates the SE this year as rumored. But even new it's 1/2 the cost of a new iPhone 8, and it's processor is only 2 generations old (iPhone 7 being the one generation between the SE and 8).

With iOS 12 being focused on security, reliability, and optimization for older phones, the SE as it stands is probably okay to use for another 2 years. But if iOS 13 in 2019 makes the SE run as bad as a 4s on iOS 9 then it's toast.

 

[jav6454]

I’m debating one for my younger sister. It would be her first phone and a natural progression from her iPod touch which she used for iMessage.

I’m concerned about longevity though, she’ll probably have it for years, and I don’t want it to dramatically slow down anytime soon.

The design is still absolutely lovely though and it feels great in the hand. I really feel like Apple knocked it out of the park with that series.

I wouldn't worry about longetivity on a smartphone that uses the same CPU as the 6S. The 6S isn't going anywhere soon.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not only would I still buy an SE, it's actually the only iPhone I would buy or have any interest in.

The small form factor is my #1 criteria

 

[Freddy Fruitfly]

Would anyone still buy the current SE after the latest rumors of no new iPhones until second half of 2018?

 

[Juicy Box]

Would anyone still buy the current SE after the latest rumors of no new iPhones until second half of 2018?

Why not?

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

I just bought one for my daughter. I did not get it at the store. I found one on kijiji that was sealed, and never activated. My kid is happy, and so am I. She should get four more years out of it.

 

[BMcCoy]

Would anyone still buy the current SE after the latest rumors of no new iPhones until second half of 2018?

Yup. It’s still the best iPhone currently available, best value and best design.

 

[Juicy Box]

Yup. It’s still the best iPhone currently available, best value and best design.

I have to agree.

I downgraded to an iPhone SE from a 6s Plus, and have been very, very happy with it. I had an iPhone 5s prior to the 6s Plus, and was happy to go back to that design.

Still not as nice as my iPhone 4s, I wish I could get modern internals on that phone.