Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I had a dream last night that I bought the A53 and had so many issues with it. I have been reading this thread far too long. ??

I might still buy it though, at least to test drive for two weeks.
 
Sometimes you have people who can't accept the truth, so you have to beat it into their head through repetition.
Even if I agreed with this statement -- which I most emphatically do not -- I would still hasten to point out that you didn't actually answer either of my questions. (They were not rhetorical, in case you were thinking that... I really do want to know.)
 
Even if I agreed with this statement -- which I most emphatically do not -- I would still hasten to point out that you didn't actually answer either of my questions. (They were not rhetorical, in case you were thinking that... I really do want to know.)
Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy A53

There isn’t a huge difference between these two phones, and many of the differences are things that will ultimately come down to personal preference, like the Galaxy A53’s expandable storage or the iPhone SE’s wireless charging. But we’ve crowned Samsung’s Galaxy A53 5G our overall winner thanks to that octa-core processor, larger full HD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate, beefy battery with 25W fast charging, and expandable storage

 
Even if I agreed with this statement -- which I most emphatically do not -- I would still hasten to point out that you didn't actually answer either of my questions. (They were not rhetorical, in case you were thinking that... I really do want to know.)
There's just a twenty dollars price difference between the base iPhone SE and Galaxy A53, yet Samsung's phone comes with 128GB storage at that tag. Thus, you don't even have to think which phone is better as there is an extra ultrawide camera on the A53, a two-day battery inside, and a much larger and pleasant to look at OLED display.

Not that the main camera on the iPhone SE (2022) doesn't produce great results, or that its chipset is second to none at the moment, yet in other areas that count more in your everyday interaction with your phone, the Galaxy A53 is a winner.
 
Dude... could you just step out of the echo chamber for a second? You keep repeating the same opinions over and over again, to the point where now more than half of your entire activity in this forum is represented within this one thread. Haven't you figured out yet that you're not going to change anybody's mind on this? Let alone affect Apple's manufacturing plans.

Just answer me this: Why on earth does the very existence of the SE3 bother you so much? Why is it such a big deal to you?

It's just a phone.
Haven't you figured out yet that you're not going to change anybody's mind on this? Let alone affect Apple's manufacturing plans"
"

"Apple is reportedly slashing its iPhone SE orders in an attempt to deal with unexpectedly low demand, according to a report. The company is said to be increasing iPhone 13 orders as a result"


"Apple has cut the production of its new iPhone SE by 20%, according to a Nikkei Asia report. The device is aimed at its more thrifty customers who don’t want to break the bank, or prefer a smaller 4.7" screen,"
"
 
Officially, they offer "at least four years" of software support, while Apple officially offers five years... but even that one year difference doesn't tell the entire story, as Apple routinely goes beyond their "official" support lifespan and Android manufacturers hardly ever go even a day beyond -- and many Android manufacturers have offered even shorter support cycles, including Alphabet with their own hardware.

But don't just take my word for it. You don't have to be reading the reports here at MacRumors to find people who are unimpressed with Android manufacturers' support for their platform; try reading a few articles over at Ars Technica, for example. Here's one to start you off: After three years, Google ends Pixel 3 support with February patch
If Apple positioned iPhone SE as security focused phone and nothing else, then your arguments would fly, but since Apple are marketing SE just as any other iPhone, albeit a budget one, then focus on OS support time cant be its main selling point, because, aside from that, theres nothing else in SE that price conscious buyers might want, SE offers very little even to Apple users(integration with other Apple devices and longer OS updates, thats it). Touch ID and generations old design - thats certainly not going to sell well in next iteration if they keep. So whom will they try to sell it then?
Redesign and camera upgrades are long overdue for SE, but Apple went all greedy on current 6/6s/7/8 users to milk them.
But my main point being - MacRumors deliberately kept out numbers to paint worse picture of A53 than it really is. Its not about other Android brands, its about Samsungs A series we are talking here since its the one being compared to SE, so you bringing in other OEM's and Android as such is pointless.
Samsung have upped their game in regards to OS upgrade length and security patches and for average modern consumer 4 years of major OS and 4-5 years of security patches is long enough.
 
If Apple positioned iPhone SE as security focused phone and nothing else, then your arguments would fly, but since Apple are marketing SE just as any other iPhone, albeit a budget one, then focus on OS support time cant be its main selling point, because, aside from that, theres nothing else in SE that price conscious buyers might want, SE offers very little even to Apple users(integration with other Apple devices and longer OS updates, thats it). Touch ID and generations old design - thats certainly not going to sell well in next iteration if they keep. So whom will they try to sell it then?
Redesign and camera upgrades are long overdue for SE, but Apple went all greedy on current 6/6s/7/8 users to milk them.
But my main point being - MacRumors deliberately kept out numbers to paint worse picture of A53 than it really is. Its not about other Android brands, its about Samsungs A series we are talking here since its the one being compared to SE, so you bringing in other OEM's and Android as such is pointless.
Samsung have upped their game in regards to OS upgrade length and security patches and for average modern consumer 4 years of major OS and 4-5 years of security patches is long enough.
If you were comparing flagship phones such as the 13 Pro Max and S22 Ultra(I own both BTW) it would be a fair fight. In this case of budget phones, the SE doesn't quite stack up. Apple's idea of repackaging an old design was a disaster from the start. If you want to do a budget phone, design a budget phone from the ground up. The SE in 2022 is just not cutting it as it did in 2020 or 2016. 4.7" 720P LCD's and single lens cameras, are things from yesteryear.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VaruLV
So, you get a bigger, better screen, you get more storage, and you can even expand it, and you get a ton of cameras which are better at least on paper. Fair enough, and if that's what defines a good smartphone for you then Samsung's value proposition is much, much better. Really, if that's what you are in the market for then the A53 probably is one of the best offers you can get.

However: what does a 120hz screen really do for you if the SoC struggles to drive it? Do you actually "feel" the value if what you are holding is cheap plastic? Does a phone really satisfy you when it vibrates like it's from the early 2000's? Is your browsing experience really that much enhanced when your pages take notably longer to render? Is face recognition that is actually so much of a security concern that you can't use it for anything else than unlocking your phone - and that at your own peril - even a feature? Is having to notably wait for your fingerprint sensor worth the additional screen real estate?

If you can answer those questions with "yes" then I guess this is the phone for you, but I also guess we diametrically disagree on what makes a good device - and I'm happy Apple see's it my way as these are corners Apple is not willing to cut. Is the SE design dated? I would argue it's ergonomically still the best Apple has come up with, but hell, yes, it is. Could Apple have done a better job with it, like taking a 10 or 11 series chassis with a power button fingerprint sensor? Clearly. Could they sell it for 300 bucks and still make a healthy profit? You bet. But I actually dare competing smartphone manufacturers to get the above mentioned points right and still deliver that at 400 bucks. And I'm rather confident you'll see them then compromising on similar things Apple does with the SE, most notably cameras and screen quality and size.

So, with all the anti-hype surrounding the SE and what other phones do better at similar price points I would like people to consider the overall product and what the SE actually still does notably better than competing models and not forget about that in face of shiny on-paper specs that hardly translate to real world use.

That being said: Someone owning a 2020 SE has no reason to upgrade, and if all you want is a phone with the 6/7/8 form factor you might consider buying a used 8 for half if not less the price. So Apple really needs to up their game if they actually want to sell the SE 2024 - if there ever will be such a device. Because a point well taken is that Apple has no clear intention to even sell the SE to that many customers when what they really want is for you to buy the iPhone 14 Pro Ultra Max Duo Gigachad Edition. And I think Apple should follow this path at their own exceptional peril. A lot of the appeal of the Apple eco system is that it is well supported despite iOS being a proprietary island solution. And this support would eventually wane if Apple has no attractive entry level offering and hence will lose overall user share.

It is precisely by considering the whole package that the SE is considered to be poor value for the money. The A53 isn't especially great on paper. It has an OK processer using an OK amount of RAM powering an OK screen and OK cameras. It is a well balanced device that doesn't suffer from bottlenecks. The SE is an extraordinary processer with OK RAM powering a poor screen and a poor camera. You are paying for the A15, but having your experience limited by the screen, ergonomics, and cameras. For example, the reviews consider the photos from both devices to be roughly equal. The SE uses processing power to compensate for its camera. But the A53 doesn't have an expensive processor, so it can afford a more versatile system. So the phones may produce photos of similar quality, the A53 is also allowing you to get those results at different zooms and in low light. Both devices "cut corners". The A53 just cuts them evenly.

Are there people who need a fast processor without caring about the full user experience? Sure. And it is good they have an option like the SE. But for the average user, the A53 is simply a better bet. It has the power it needs to do typical activities on a decent screen with almost 2 days of battery life and plenty of storage.
 
  • Disagree
  • Like
Reactions: Chidoro and VaruLV
I guess I don't understand why you needed an iPhone at all
Like I said in another thread - it's for the eco system. Taking pictures on my phone and them going directly to my icloud and instantly available on my mac? Maybe because my watch needs an iphone? Because I like responding to texts on my mac when why phone isnt near me? Because it's nice to type text into my ATV? I could go on, but the integration apple has is just perfect.

BTW - I went back to an old lanline for a few years, it cost just as much or more per month than I pay now and couldnt take it anywhere, and the text function from spectrum was really janky and not worth using.

I guess I could go back to using an Andriod. I have an LG Note in a drawer (I like the siae because it actually fits my hands) but Android is as bad as windows with bloatware that no one wants. And most of the phones feel cheap - and the cheap ones don't last long (my sone and I were still using an original SE and 6s till last month).

Lastly, the only game I play on my Tablet is Summonwers War. If I am going to game, I am going to play real games, notgames that are a step below console games which are a dozen steps below computer games. That is unless you think like Blizzard "you all have phones, right?"
 
I had a dream last night that I bought the A53 and had so many issues with it. I have been reading this thread far too long. ??

I might still buy it though, at least to test drive for two weeks.
The biggest issue with the A53 is actually the removal of the headphone jack and charger from the box.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VaruLV
If you we

r

If you were comparing flagship phones such as the 13 Pro Max and S22 Ultra(I own both BTW) it would be a fair fight. In this case of budget phones, the SE doesn't quite stack up. Apple's idea of repackaging an old design was a disaster from the start. If you want to do a budget phone, design a budget phone from the ground up. The SE in 2022 is just not cutting it as it did in 2020 or 2016. 4.7" 720P LCD's and single lens cameras, are things from yesteryear.
Apple didn’t intend for the SE to sell a lot anyway. They only did the bare minimum. The SE is a product to upsell people for the higher tier iPhones. Apple doesn’t really want people to buy the SE as Apple has higher margins on the higher and more expensive iPhones.
 
The biggest issue with the A53 is actually the removal of the headphone jack and charger from the box.
My biggest concern is the performance. Now, I don’t play any games, but I should be able to scroll the web smoothly for years to come. For years to come! I am typing this from a four year iphone that has no issues with performance, just poor battery life. In one of the videos for A53, I don’t see scrolling as being smooth at all. This particular YouTube creator had stutter when scrolling, but he had video wallpaper, video lock screen, etc., and other useless features, all of which take up continuous processing.

My second concern is the back of the phone. At this price range, one can only expect plastic. Which is completely fine. But only black seems to be available in the U.S., and in some of the videos, I see it being a grease magnet. Lighter colors might attract dirt, etc.

Third, the cameras look terrible. I am not speaking of camera picture quality, but exterior-wise. Samsung didn’t tint the exterior cameras like they did with S22, like Apple does in iPhone lines. This makes it seem like a purposeful effort to make the phone look terrible from Samsung’s premium line.

Anyhow, I might still try it to see what Samsung has to offer at this price point. ?
 
My biggest concern is the performance. Now, I don’t play any games, but I should be able to scroll the web smoothly for years to come. For years to come! I am typing this from a four year iphone that has no issues with performance, just poor battery life. In one of the videos for A53, I don’t see scrolling as being smooth at all. This particular YouTube creator had stutter when scrolling, but he had video wallpaper, video lock screen, etc., and other useless features, all of which take up continuous processing.

My second concern is the back of the phone. At this price range, one can only expect plastic. Which is completely fine. But only black seems to be available in the U.S., and in some of the videos, I see it being a grease magnet. Lighter colors might attract dirt, etc.

Third, the cameras look terrible. I am not speaking of camera picture quality, but exterior-wise. Samsung didn’t tint the exterior cameras like they did with S22, like Apple does in iPhone lines. This makes it seem like a purposeful effort to make the phone look terrible from Samsung’s premium line.

Anyhow, I might still try it to see what Samsung has to offer at this price point. ?
The smoothness shouldn't be an issue. The bottleneck of mid range Android were eMMC and no performance cores. As long as the device uses UFS and have SoC with performance cores (core A7x), longevity smoothness shouldn't be an issue, barring software bugs. The trick is to shorten the animation via developer setting as the default animation speed is too slow. Of course, Android is like Windows, the user has to be proactive as well in keeping the phone lean (eg. Not installing a bunch of crap, disabling unnecessary notifications, etc).

I have a Poco X3. It has snapdragon 732, and I have no issues with smoothness. The A53 should perform even better. Samsung also has better track record on OneUI than other OEMs.

Luckily Samsung offers complete color selections in my country. I have the S21 which is also plastic, but in white. Fingerprints is easily taken care of with a case as well.

Camera tint is cosmetic. And yes, this is intentional by Samsung to give the Galaxy S line more premium look. You can easily compare the punch hole front facing camera, where Samsung didn't bother tinting the front facing camera of their mid range devices and lower so the camera dot is more obvious (vs the Galaxy S models). It's the same reason why Apple keep the old design for the SE. In the end, the intention is to make the more expensive models look more appealing so people would spend more money.
 
Apple didn’t intend for the SE to sell a lot anyway. They only did the bare minimum. The SE is a product to upsell people for the higher tier iPhones. Apple doesn’t really want people to buy the SE as Apple has higher margins on the higher and more expensive iPhones.
Your analogy is wrong on so many levels. The SE was made to lure 1st time iPhone buyers and people shopping for mid range phones. Just just underestimated the market and nobody wants those poor specs in 2022.

"With 5G capabilities, the powerful A15 Bionic chip, and camera improvements, analysts believe this low-cost iPhone is aimed at first buyers and could push shipments globally whether or not Apple keeps the same price point."
 
Your analogy is wrong on so many levels. The SE was made to lure 1st time iPhone buyers and people shopping for mid range phones. Just just underestimated the market and nobody wants those poor specs in 2022.

"With 5G capabilities, the powerful A15 Bionic chip, and camera improvements, analysts believe this low-cost iPhone is aimed at first buyers and could push shipments globally whether or not Apple keeps the same price point."
Google the term decoy effect or asymmetric dominance effect. It is commonly used in marketing strategies.

Apple is the master of upselling. They get to become trillion dollar company for a reason.
 
The smoothness shouldn't be an issue. The bottleneck of mid range Android were eMMC and no performance cores. As long as the device uses UFS and have SoC with performance cores (core A7x), longevity smoothness shouldn't be an issue, barring software bugs. The trick is to shorten the animation via developer setting as the default animation speed is too slow. Of course, Android is like Windows, the user has to be proactive as well in keeping the phone lean (eg. Not installing a bunch of crap, disabling unnecessary notifications, etc).

I have a Poco X3. It has snapdragon 732, and I have no issues with smoothness. The A53 should perform even better. Samsung also has better track record on OneUI than other OEMs.

Luckily Samsung offers complete color selections in my country. I have the S21 which is also plastic, but in white. Fingerprints is easily taken care of with a case as well.

Camera tint is cosmetic. And yes, this is intentional by Samsung to give the Galaxy S line more premium look. You can easily compare the punch hole front facing camera, where Samsung didn't bother tinting the front facing camera of their mid range devices and lower so the camera dot is more obvious (vs the Galaxy S models). It's the same reason why Apple keep the old design for the SE. In the end, the intention is to make the more expensive models look more appealing so people would spend more money.
This is what I am speaking of. Look how terrible the cameras look. Would have been much better if they were tinted, especially since this is Samsung's main selling model. And also notice the grease/smudges in the back.

Capture.PNG


Source : Frandroid – Anthony Wonner
 
Last edited:
This is what I am speaking of. Look how terrible the cameras look. Would have been much better if they were tinted, especially since this is Samsung's main selling model. And also notice the grease/smudges in the back.

View attachment 1987982

Source : Frandroid – Anthony Wonner
Like I said, the non-tinted lens were intentional, to give the Galaxy S models a more premium and desireable look. The idea is to upsell people to the more expensive models. The fact that the A5x is Samsung's main selling model can only mean majority of people don't really care. ;)

The smudges on dark matte finish is not unique to Samsung. My black iPhone 7+ also hold smudges. It's the nature of the finish/texture and color. This is why I opted for white on my S21. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: HalfFullmoon
Like I said, the non-tinted lens were intentional, to give the Galaxy S models a more premium and desireable look. The idea is to upsell people to the more expensive models. The fact that the A5x is Samsung's main selling model can only mean majority of people don't really care. ;)

The smudges on dark matte finish is not unique to Samsung. My black iPhone 7+ also hold smudges. It's the nature of the finish/texture and color. This is why I opted for white on my S21. :)
So I assume you are not using a case on your S21?
 
Or nostalgic! I don't mind thick bezels and I'll gladly trade the screen for the Apple ecosystem.

Indeed, with lots of products at some moment in time it becomes antique, then nostalgic and then suddenly retro (and new) again. It all depends on the brand (their marketing department) and the fanbase.
 
You can keep a phone for years if you get a flagship phone. A phone such as the SE is already outdated from day one regardless of the A15 chip.
And with the SE, I can keep a phone for years without having the cost of a flagship phone. As long as it works and is receiving security updates, it's not outdated.
 
Screen is
And with the SE, I can keep a phone for years without having the cost of a flagship phone. As long as it works and is receiving security updates, it's not outdated.
Screen outdated resolution and technology(LCD) outdated. Camera outdated(now optical zoom, wide angle or night mode. Screen to body ratio waaaaay outdated.


  • Old, mediocre quality cameras
  • Dated display with huge bezels
  • No mmWave support
  • Disappointing battery life

Our Verdict​

It’s long past time for Apple to move the iPhone SE past this dated iPhone 8 design and all the old hardware that goes along with it. Together with a $30 price hike, it’s not the bargain it used to be.
 
Screen is

Screen outdated resolution and technology(LCD) outdated. Camera outdated(now optical zoom, wide angle or night mode. Screen to body ratio waaaaay outdated.


  • Old, mediocre quality cameras
  • Dated display with huge bezels
  • No mmWave support
  • Disappointing battery life

Our Verdict​

It’s long past time for Apple to move the iPhone SE past this dated iPhone 8 design and all the old hardware that goes along with it. Together with a $30 price hike, it’s not the bargain it used to be.
given what the comp are doing at this price point it is a shame apple have delivered what they have here. they can get away with it as it runs iOS and iMessage so people will still buy it. people buying these phones aren't bothered about the greatest tech they want an iPhone basically.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DEman19901
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.