iPhone SE (2022) Anyone upgrade from iPhone SE 3 to iPhone 17e?

[Faize]

I picked up a 17e for $500 the other day, and am currently on the fence about whether or not to keep it. On the one hand, with skyrocketing memory and storage prices it'll probably be years before another deal like that comes along, but on the other hand I'm not sure if I'd enjoy using a "small" phone that would've been called a phablet 10 years ago.

So I'd be grateful if anyone who's made the jump could share their experience. TIA!

 

[James6s]

I haven’t made this jump…. So this may or may not be helpful.

But the e iPhones are the new SE iPhones and what you’ll have to get used to if you want a new good value future proofed iPhone now, which has the smallest screen size in the lineup.

The SE3 whilst getting on now is still probably performing not too bad on iOS 26, maybe battery life is taking a hit?

If you can adjust to the size then you’ll enjoy much better performance, battery life, camera & display. And get the latest software & features for years to come.

Apple won’t be releasing another iPhone with the same form factor as the SE3. You could keep your SE3 for as long as you can if you really can’t deal with the size of the 17e, but sooner or later you’ll have to make the jump!

With the rumoured price hikes coming I’d try and stick with your 17e that you’ve got a good deal on now.

 

[NUFC2025]

I have just done this.
I was in two minds about doing it because I would need a new battery for the SE3 but when I got the 17e I came to the conclusion that it was the correct thing to do.
It’s much faster on 26 than my old phone as the storage starts at 256 and not 64 and will be supported for many years. The SE3 will maybe lose support an a year or two.
The best part of the upgrade for me is -
1 MagSafe charging and accessories.
2 storage.
3 much better and bigger screen.
4 Battery life.

Hope that helps.

 

[BradleyinDC]

I went from an SE 3 to a 13 Mini

 

[speedyraf]

We bought our iPhone 17e's to replace our SE 3s: still eligible at this point to get money back (probable price increases a factor as well), doubled storage, better screen, and more RAM. On the other hand, we miss touch ID although FaceID does work, gestures take some time to remember and the phone feels bulkier.

 

[NUFC2025]

We bought our iPhone 17e's to replace our SE 3s: still eligible at this point to get money back (probable price increases a factor as well), doubled storage, better screen, and more RAM. On the other hand, we miss touch ID although FaceID does work, gestures take some time to remember and the phone feels bulkier.

I do miss Touch ID to be honest but things change.

 

[gregmac19]

The battery in my SE2 needs to be replaced, and therefore I pondered getting a 17e. However, I cannot bring myself to buy a phone where low frequency PWM may control the brightness of the screen. Thus, reluctantly and regrettably, I am considering getting my first Android phone, since Apple doesn’t want to adequately address this issue.

 

[speedyraf]

I read that one can disable PWM on the 17e by using Settings - Accessibility - Display and Text - choose Display Pulse Smoothing. It's off on my 17e now and I'll see what happens.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

If all goes to plan I'll be upgrading from the 16e to the 17e soon.

 

[gregmac19]

I read that one can disable PWM on the 17e by using Settings - Accessibility - Display and Text - choose Display Pulse Smoothing. It's off on my 17e now and I'll see what happens.

I’m surprised you have the “Display Pulse Smoothing” option with a 17e, as I thought it was only available with the 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and Air Phones. Regardless, this option has had mixed results for PWM-sensitive people.

 

[Reno Raines]

I will keep my SE 3 for as long as I can as I like the home button and I prefer a physical sim.

 

[geta]

The 17e is a wonderful phone! but SE3 has one advantage which is Touch ID.

 

[scandinavia3]

I just "upgraded" from SE3 to iPhone 17. I'm prone to issues with PWM, but so far, it's been bearable. That said, I miss my SE3. I don't feel like the iPhone 17 has been much of an upgrade. The battery life actually seems the same, if not worse (and my SE3 battery health is down around 80%). And I really miss the touch ID. Thinking about whether I should switch back and just get a new battery for the SE3.

 

[NUFC2025]

I just "upgraded" from SE3 to iPhone 17. I'm prone to issues with PWM, but so far, it's been bearable. That said, I miss my SE3. I don't feel like the iPhone 17 has been much of an upgrade. The battery life actually seems the same, if not worse (and my SE3 battery health is down around 80%). And I really miss the touch ID. Thinking about whether I should switch back and just get a new battery for the SE3.

I would have kept my SE3 if it wasn’t for my wife dropping it so the home button wouldn’t work anymore so no Touch ID, plus it was due to need a new battery.
I got the 17e to replace it but I might see how much it would cost to repair it but it might not be worth it.
One good thing about the SE3 is that it does not have Apple Intelligence.

 

[Nicholle2002]

honestly the jump from an SE3 isn't as dramatic as it sounds once you actually have it in hand. touch ID is what really sticks with you, but you're past that pretty quick. at that price it's probably worth a shot

 

[rui no onna]

Not the 17e but my mom went from SE3 to 16e early 2025. Even with a battery replacement, battery life on the SE3 just wasn't good. She's adapted to it.

Personally, I went from SE3 -> Air -> 17 -> Air. The Air's larger screen size is more comfortable for my aging eyes. I just use it either 2-handed or with a MagSafe phone grip.

I still keep the SE3 for the SIM card slot. eSIM isn't always available and the roaming providers tend to be more expensive than local SIMs if you need a lot of data.