Compared to an SE, $700 is anything but a "budget" option; however the lack of SE updates and two dying 5S iPhones mean we had to settle for two iPhone 8s on the latest VZW BOGO deal. I just couldn't bring myself to buy two SE iPhones that are four years old (in technology terms) vs two iP8s with the most recent technology that come out only slightly more than buying two iPSEs.