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iPhone SE (2016) iPhone SE(2020) vs iPhone XS

S

solemntrance

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 26, 2020
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I was checking around the forum to see if anyone had a similar situation to no avail, so I was wondering if a 256GB XS would be worth it as compared to an SE 128GB for roughly the same price?

My main usages would be for taking videos outdoors and sharing videos to social media and recording music I write with voice memos and listening to music.

I wanted to know how the battery life compares on the two from anyone who's had experiences with both and if the XS would hold against Apple's tests of time with it's A12 chip and how the cameras may compare?
 
solemntrance said:
I was checking around the forum to see if anyone had a similar situation to no avail, so I was wondering if a 256GB XS would be worth it as compared to an SE 128GB for roughly the same price?

My main usages would be for taking videos outdoors and sharing videos to social media and recording music I write with voice memos and listening to music.

I wanted to know how the battery life compares on the two from anyone who's had experiences with both and if the XS would hold against Apple's tests of time with it's A12 chip and how the cameras may compare?
Click to expand...
Its hard to say as most reviewers stare the XR was the device in the line up that blew other phones out the water with battery life as the 11 was then modelled upon that mold. I'd expect a great camera in comparison, maybe slightly better battery with the XS (although I've not seen the capacity) but a slightly slower cpu that's not as efficient.

I will be in a bit of a dilemma as I'd much like the size of the XS and 11 pro. But really want the latest... the SE certainly fits that bill..
 
The XS only has the A12. Best get the design from 2014 as in another 5 years you might be able to tell it has a newer chip /s
 
The A12 is the chip that’s in the XR, a current model.
It’s a bit slower than the A13 but would not be noticeable under most usage.
The A12 chip should be almost as good for upgrades as the A13, I would say it will be good for 4yrs at least
The XS also has 4GB of RAM compared to 3GB in the SE2
I’m sending my SE2 back to Apple as I found a great deal on a 512GB XS, which is much more phone than the SE in many ways
Stainless Steel frame
Better camera
2mtr water resistant
Huge OLED screen
Stereo Speakers (loud!)

I guess it depends on what size you are comfortable with but the XS is not really that much larger than the SE2 and only 40gram heavier....

For your uses I would say the XS would be the better choice as it has double the storage and a better camera plus a much better screen for your video taking...
 
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Got a XS max day 1 when it launched phone still going strong the A12 Bionic is a beast you'll barley notice a difference between the A12 and A13.

You'll most likely get 3-4 years software updates for the XS.

If you can find one in good condition and at a decent price I would buy it.
 
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solemntrance said:
I was checking around the forum to see if anyone had a similar situation to no avail, so I was wondering if a 256GB XS would be worth it as compared to an SE 128GB for roughly the same price?

My main usages would be for taking videos outdoors and sharing videos to social media and recording music I write with voice memos and listening to music.

I wanted to know how the battery life compares on the two from anyone who's had experiences with both and if the XS would hold against Apple's tests of time with it's A12 chip and how the cameras may compare?
Click to expand...

I would honestly forget both and get XR instead, it would suit best in terms of Battery Life and Media balance. But if you are adamant on one of them I’d say the SE might serve you better it seems to have better battery life than the XS. A12 Bionic is still a fine chip, if you can I’d even say stretch to a XS Max if you want a beast of a phone for media.

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If software longevity is an absolute must, then the SE. But in terms of overall features, construction and camera, I would opt for the XS.
 
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I don’t think the SE will outlast XS and XSM. If anything they will die together. But XS and XSM have 4gb ram, I would think that is helpful if you were looking at the hardware angle. Who knows, it’s all purely speculation on my part.
 
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That’s a decision that completely comes down to the screen/size. Do you want a smaller phone or a phone with a big better screen?

Performance/camera will be a near wash. My wife has the XS and you can’t tell the difference between photos. There are a zillion apps to add portrait to all objects, so that’s irrelevant IMO.

battery: took my SE off the charger yesterday morning and won’t need to juice until noon today. 5ish hours of screen on time
 
I have found the reachability feature is very easy to invoke on the SE vs the Xs. When I had the Xs, I found the feature to be frustratingly inconsistent to invoke. Not so with the SE, which uses a simple double tap on the home button.
 
I'm not entirely concerned with form factor, and I'm upgrading from a 6S that dies within 1 hour of Screen on Time (handed down from my mom and she always had it on the charger) haha so either one is a strong upgrade; but the battery life of both are definitely concerning to me as I've been reading poor reviews of the battery for the XS but I'm not really sure what an average Screen On Time looks like. And I'm definitely leaning towards the XS just because it looks nicer overall and I'm just curious more so, but besides battery life, isn't the XR a downgrade in most other aspects?
 
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Yes, XR has a similar battery to XSM. Other than that, out of the three that is the lower end.
 
Iphone SE2 has 2x2 MIMO VS the XS which has 4x4 MIMO
What does this mean for every day use? Would this be a reason to get the XS over the SE2?
 
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Wait, you can get a 256GB Xs for the same price as a 128GB SE? Are we talking about a new Xs or used?
 
BigDO said:
Wait, you can get a 256GB Xs for the same price as a 128GB SE? Are we talking about a new Xs or used?
Click to expand...

I live in Canada too, from my provider I could get a 128GB SE for 690 plus tax, or a 256GB XS Max for 681 plus tax on a promotional deal, the 64GB XS was 720 and tax, the only memory size they had left. This is on a new device. Not certified preowned.
 
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solemntrance said:
I'm not entirely concerned with form factor, and I'm upgrading from a 6S that dies within 1 hour of Screen on Time (handed down from my mom and she always had it on the charger) haha so either one is a strong upgrade; but the battery life of both are definitely concerning to me as I've been reading poor reviews of the battery for the XS but I'm not really sure what an average Screen On Time looks like. And I'm definitely leaning towards the XS just because it looks nicer overall and I'm just curious more so, but besides battery life, isn't the XR a downgrade in most other aspects?
Click to expand...
same. I like how slim the XS is. But I’m not sure about battery life. The 11 pro is slightly thicker and heavier and would take care of any battery concerns. But it is expensive as well.
 
XS is definitely a better phone in every aspect except the cpu/gpu and if the reports are true about the SE cpu being underclocked then the difference is even less important. XS would be my choice
 
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BugeyeSTI said:
XS is definitely a better phone in every aspect except the cpu/gpu and if the reports are true about the SE cpu being underclocked then the difference is even less important. XS would be my choice
Click to expand...

It’s not under clocked, it’s literally the RAM difference giving the different figures. In benchmark 5 tests which aren’t so intensive (more like how a regular person uses their phone) it’s matched to the 11 and in some cases, slightly better.

Camera also looks better than the XS using just the main lens on both. And battery life is actually better when tested on a browsing test as well...

 
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The SE2 app areas to be a very nice phone. I think a lot of people struggle to like it because it’s the classic design without seeing what it offers from the tech point of view. Considering it’s only £429, you get the full iOS experience and up to date tech for a decent price!
 
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