iPhone SE (2016) Have an X, but just ordered an SE - think I'll regret it?

[Anthony T]

I have an iPhone X and I think it's great, but I really miss the smaller phones. I have a few months left until the lease on my X is up, then I can buy it out. But I just ordered an SE 128gb in space gray from Apple's clearance site, and am planning on selling my X if I decide to keep it to pay off the balance and cover the cost of my SE.

Has anyone else went from an X/Xs or any of the larger phones down to an SE and not regretted it?

I guess I can return the SE or sell it if I'm not happy, but just wondering how other people feel about this.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

That's a nice upgrade, you're getting Touch ID and a headphone jack.

 

[catean]

Back to the future !

 

[Juicy Box]

Has anyone else went from an X/Xs or any of the larger phones down to an SE and not regretted it?

Not an X, but I went from a 6s Plus to an SE.

Here is a link describing my observations in switching to a smaller phone:
My iPhone downgrade story, 6s Plus to SE

 

[Kendo]

You're just excited because it is a new phone. Let's be real, it is a phone we used many years ago in the form of the iPhone 5 and 5S (and arguably the 4 and 4S since they are "similar" in style).

 

[JPack]

Among other things, you'll have to convince yourself Gen. 1 Touch ID is somehow better than Face ID.

 

[EM2013]

Among other things, you'll have to convince yourself Gen. 1 Touch ID is somehow better than Face ID.

I used a 6 plus for a couple months and its Touch ID was horrible. First gen Face ID is wayyyyy better than first gen Touch ID.

 

[s54]

I went from 8 to X to 8 to SE. in that order. Never once regretted it.

I now own three SE’s, two of which are still factory-sealed. I absolutely refuse to buy any of the big brick phones again and will continue to use the SE for years to come.

 

[coney718]

You will probably regret it. Only benefit I see is you'll get Touch ID back as some ppl prefer it over FaceID otherwise its a downgrade in every single way. After owning an X you have to get used to viewing things and typing on a much smaller screen. You will also notice a huge drop in screen and camera quality going to an SE. Yes the SE is the smaller more compact device but the X is still small enough to use one handed and fit in pockets comfortably.

 

[sdwaltz]

Makes zero sense to me.

 

[mreg376]

Makes zero sense to me.

It can make sense, but only if the OP's primary use of the phone is calling and texting. Any reasonable use of apps or websites will be a chore compared to the X.

 

[vmac556]

Among other things, you'll have to convince yourself Gen. 1 Touch ID is somehow better than Face ID.

with face id half the time you end up using your passcode anyway cuz it works spotty

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I have an iPhone X and I think it's great, but I really miss the smaller phones. I have a few months left until the lease on my X is up, then I can buy it out. But I just ordered an SE 128gb in space gray from Apple's clearance site, and am planning on selling my X if I decide to keep it to pay off the balance and cover the cost of my SE.

Has anyone else went from an X/Xs or any of the larger phones down to an SE and not regretted it?

I guess I can return the SE or sell it if I'm not happy, but just wondering how other people feel about this.

I think the X is the perfect size. SE is too small. I still have my 5S and people laugh at me.

 

[Regular_User]

I have just recently upgraded from SE to X and had to adjust to the bigger phone which was my main concern as SE was really small. After using X for like only 2 weeks I would never go back to SE again (unless it is "SE2" and get some upgrades and I guess the 4.7 would be more optimal screen factor for next upgraded Apple smaller phone).
I would maybe consider going back to 8 but when compared the actual size specs of both phones (X and 8) for me there is not that huge difference as X has just different screen "distribution" without bezels - so now Im 100% sure I will stick to X for longer time. But everyone should choose phone in accordance to current needs.

 

[JPack]

with face id half the time you end up using your passcode anyway cuz it works spotty

Touch ID 1.0 works less than half the time.

 

[3:16]

SE screen size is just too small for today’s standards.

 

[44267547]

SE screen size is just too small for today’s standards.

Not really. It depends what you are considering a ‘standard’, but for those who just want a 4” display with the portability of a small form factor, the SE executes that. Anyone who purchases the SE, knows exactly what they’re getting, and they’re obviously willing to sacrifice the technology/display size from a larger phone to having a smaller phone, because they don’t want the burden of carrying a larger phone.

 

[s54]

Touch ID 1.0 works less than half the time.

Experiences will vary. My Face ID used to work about 75% of the time. Not to mention I found it extremely annoying to have to pick the phone up and point it at my face to unlock it. My phone is laying down on my desk half the time when I’m at work.

The Touch ID on my SE works 99% of the time. The only time it doesn’t work is when my hands are wet. What’s more, I can unlock the phone from any position, which is a huge plus. When it’s in my pocket or jacket, I unlock it by the time it’s out of the pocket.

So no, you cannot possibly argue that Face ID is a definitive “upgrade”. That’s simply false. For many, it’s a downgrade in every regard. That’s a fact.

Also, comparing Touch ID 1.0 to 2.0 is a moot point. I never noticed the difference. And even if there is a difference of several hundred nanoseconds, it’s still a lot faster than using Face ID, not to mention the time it takes you to position the screen directly in front of your face in order for Face ID to work.

With my X, I found myself typing in the passcode half the time. Super annoying.

To conclude, there’s a reason why Samsung put Touch ID under the screen in their new Galaxy phones. And there’s a reason why Apple is bringing it back to the iPhones.

Argument closed once and for all. This clearly means that Touch ID is more practical. Otherwise, they would stick to Face ID only.

 

[scotsmandc]

I'm replacing my x with the SE. I keep thinking how awesome it would be to have a true one handed phone again. What I'm thinking in my mind vs reality could be vastly different. I'll give a trial run and if its not what I thought it would be I'll just return it. If I like it then I get some money back when I sell the X.

 

[macintoshmac]

I went from 8 to X to 8 to SE. in that order. Never once regretted it.

I now own three SE’s, two of which are still factory-sealed. I absolutely refuse to buy any of the big brick phones again and will continue to use the SE for years to come.

I am reasonably sure you have an iPad to supplement your other heavy-duty requirements of messaging and typing. When I had an iPhone 5s and iPad, I saw no need to upgrade my 5s to anything larger since majority of my typing and gaming needs were being met by the iPad. iPhone became a companion device for calling, that's it, and mostly just viewing when I am out and about.

When I sold off my iPad, I started feeling the need for a larger device, primarily due to the cramped keyboard. I have an 8 now, and that is fine. X or Xs is the largest size I am willing to get for a phone. However, I feel no need for the X/Xs just yet. 8 is adequate for me while it lasts.
[doublepost=1550762306][/doublepost]

I think the X is the perfect size. SE is too small. I still have my 5S and people laugh at me.

Inwardly, they would still be in love with that design and the singlehanded usability. Outwardly, they will cringe at you only to be more socially acceptable.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Experiences will vary. My Face ID used to work about 75% of the time. Not to mention I found it extremely annoying to have to pick the phone up and point it at my face to unlock it. My phone is laying down on my desk half the time when I’m at work.

The Touch ID on my SE works 99% of the time. The only time it doesn’t work is when my hands are wet. What’s more, I can unlock the phone from any position, which is a huge plus. When it’s in my pocket or jacket, I unlock it by the time it’s out of the pocket.

So no, you cannot possibly argue that Face ID is a definitive “upgrade”. That’s simply false. For many, it’s a downgrade in every regard. That’s a fact.

Also, comparing Touch ID 1.0 to 2.0 is a moot point. I never noticed the difference. And even if there is a difference of several hundred nanoseconds, it’s still a lot faster than using Face ID, not to mention the time it takes you to position the screen directly in front of your face in order for Face ID to work.

With my X, I found myself typing in the passcode half the time. Super annoying.

To conclude, there’s a reason why Samsung put Touch ID under the screen in their new Galaxy phones. And there’s a reason why Apple is bringing it back to the iPhones.

Argument closed once and for all. This clearly means that Touch ID is more practical. Otherwise, they would stick to Face ID only.

Touchid is not coming back to Apple flagship phones, if your going to say that let’s see some credible sources and I don’t mean spotty articles from unverified outlets or bloggers, and don’t use Apple filing a patent for in screen touchid because they literally have thousands of patents they don’t use......

 

[1050792]

Touchid is not coming back to Apple flagship phones, if your going to say that let’s see some credible sources and I don’t mean spotty articles from unverified outlets or bloggers...

How do you know it's not coming back? Are you a reliable Apple source now?

To the OP, it was a terrible choice going from a X to an SE, total downgrade in everyway.

 

[conteaparis]

Coming from X, this is probably a significant downgrade. I only got SE because I was coming off of a 5s on its last legs, and I prefer the smaller form factor and price tag. I recently bought an XR for my dad. Wow, that phone is (and I'm assuming the X is as well) on a completely different level. Awesome battery and super fast everywhere else. I actually really like FaceID (thought I would definitely hate it before trying), but I still find TouchID quicker for me. Trying the Xs in store, I was surprised to find that it's not that much larger than the SE in terms of overall size...it's almost useable with one hand, so it might not be as big a difference as you'd expect.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

Touchid is not coming back to Apple flagship phones, if your going to say that let’s see some credible sources and I don’t mean spotty articles from unverified outlets or bloggers, and don’t use Apple filing a patent for in screen touchid because they literally have thousands of patents they don’t use......

I think the most powerful argument for Apple reintroducing Touch ID in the future, is that Samsung just launched the Galaxy S10 line with in-screen fingerprint scanning.

 

[s54]

Touchid is not coming back to Apple flagship phones, if your going to say that let’s see some credible sources and I don’t mean spotty articles from unverified outlets or bloggers, and don’t use Apple filing a patent for in screen touchid because they literally have thousands of patents they don’t use......

Oh the irony

But you know for a fact that Touch ID is never coming back to the iPhone?

LOL

[doublepost=1550768857][/doublepost]

I am reasonably sure you have an iPad to supplement your other heavy-duty requirements of messaging and typing. When I had an iPhone 5s and iPad, I saw no need to upgrade my 5s to anything larger since majority of my typing and gaming needs were being met by the iPad. iPhone became a companion device for calling, that's it, and mostly just viewing when I am out and about.

To answer your question, no, I don't have an iPad. Never had one.

My SE is my primary device for texting and calling people. I don't use my phone for gaming or other ridiculous tasks like animated emoji's or constant social media updates. I guess one could argue that I have a life. That's why I sold my X. It literally did not offer one thing extra over what I'm already doing on the SE.

To me, the SE is:

• smaller (ergonomically friendly, offers true one hand maneuverability, and fits in almost any pocket - I couldn't fit my X into most pockets of training shorts at the gym - true story)
• lighter (much lighter)
• easier/faster to unlock; uses Touch ID as opposed to Face ID (much more practical in every way)
• snappier than my X (faster to navigate between screens)
• comes with a headphone jack (translates to higher quality sound)
• cheaper to replace (I can buy three new SE's for the price of the X)
• better looking (no ridiculous notch, awkward placement of side buttons, no shiny chrome-like sides, and no protruding camera so it can lay down flat)
• less slippery due to square-like chamfered design

Believe it or not, those are all upgrades in my book.

I don't live by the "newer is better" or "bigger is better" mentality that manufacturers often brainwash us with. It's no different in the car world. Is every new car better than an old one? - No. That's why you have people who are religiously into older muscle cars or Porsches and it's not because they cost less (because often they don't). Many car enthusiasts believe the new cars are too big, too heavy, and no longer as fun.