I got my SE2 last week. To me, it was an easy decision due to the newer processor in the SE, which means better long-term support for the device.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 8/Plus Would you buy the SE2 or 8 plus?
- Thread starter dj1891
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The iPhone 8 Plus is a more well rounded device. In terms of iOS support, it'll last for at least the next 3 years through 2023. Given it has 3GB RAM, it might be longer than that.
Apple has drawn a line between A12 and everything that came before it. Anything from Xr/Xs and forward would be recommended for longevity and access to latest features in iOS. The iPhone 8+ is A11 and so that puts it on the side of the line with “old” devices. 2020 SE (2) is A13 which is on the other side of the line with the “new” devices.
It’s my belief that people on the internet exaggerate the battery life problems of phones. The SE is no exception. It’ll be fine. Don’t worry.
Overall, your decision is going to be based on yours (and maybe your son’s) preferences of what is more important in a new iPhone.
* if battery life is the main concern, maybe 8+
* if screen sizes is important, bigger (8+) or smaller (SE)
* if support and features are important, SE
etc...
It’s my belief that people on the internet exaggerate the battery life problems of phones. The SE is no exception. It’ll be fine. Don’t worry.
Overall, your decision is going to be based on yours (and maybe your son’s) preferences of what is more important in a new iPhone.
* if battery life is the main concern, maybe 8+
* if screen sizes is important, bigger (8+) or smaller (SE)
* if support and features are important, SE
etc...
Same here. Had me confused as well.
If anything, Apple held the "line" at A9 given iOS 14 supports A9 and newer.
The A11 was the first with a Neural Engine. That's why all the chips from A11 onward are called Bionic.
Not sure what the Mac DTK has to do with iPhone longevity.
There’s something different about the A11 and A12 I haven’t found a resource yet. If I run across it I will try to remember to share.
I did find that ARKit 3 features are only on A12 and newer. There’s that if anyone cares 🤷🏼♂️
It depends on the carrier, since the SE2 has newer/wider support. I personally would do the SE2 for both the carrier support and size (I didn't like the + size after using the 7+ for a year). YMMV for size
Early reports with the iOS 14 beta are showing that the 8 is Fairly sufficient in terms of battery management and subtle issues with the performance. When you start looking at iOS maturity in terms of Apple’s ‘A-Series’ processors, we have to stop looking at ‘lifespan‘ sequences, [Plus it really depends how you’re using your iPhone usage.]
The lifespan of iOS devices is not increasing dramatically... it increases by a year every 2-3 or so years, and the longest support we've got so far is the 5S which is equaled by the 6S... Unless the 6S gets iOS 15 then there has been no increase in longevity since the 5S.
The 8 is most definitely part way into its lifespan and Apple fairly regularly arbitrarily cuts device support.
Apple tend to cut support once the updates are too taxing for the devices capabilities. I can’t see Apple cutting support for the iPhone 8+ if it’s still capable of running the OS. Developers would cotton on to that one very quickly if they did.
I think the idea is that an entire generation of A9 to A13 devices has benefited from 5 years of major iOS support. Before A9, the expectation was 4 years of support while the iPhone 5s was an outlier.
We went for the SE in the end. A big worry was the battery life but we've been pleasantly surprised, easily lasts a day. I have an XR and to be honest I am thinking of getting myself an SE, there is a lot to be said for the small form factor
Glad it all worked out and he is happy. That was the most important part. SE2 is a great device. (Current owner).
It depends on the carrier, since the SE2 has newer/wider support. I personally would do the SE2 for both the carrier support and size (I didn't like the + size after using the 7+ for a year). YMMV for size
I’m not getting the carrier support argument. Which carrier is the SE2 working with that the 8+ isn’t? And by that I mean real world carrier examples rather than looking at theoretical LTE band discussions.
For me personally I would buy the 8 plus. It might not have the most current internals but it has a bigger display, 1080p resolution and has the telephoto lens for better portrait photos.
However it depends on what your son wants.
However it depends on what your son wants.
I would say if he likes newer devices and current trends then go for the SE2
8 plus is a great phone with a bigger screen and longer battery charge
Both are going to be fluent in performance and likes
8 plus is a great phone with a bigger screen and longer battery charge
Both are going to be fluent in performance and likes
Agree. I have them both and for normal use (mail, surf and stuff like that) I can’t tell them apart speed wise.
Side by side, yes, the SE2 is faster, but it’s nothing to write home about.
If you you like big phone and longer battery life and much better screen, then go for the 8 plus.
If you like small handy phone then go for the SE2. only issue with SE2 is battery life. But for me was a battery case the solution to use when needed.
Frank