iPhone SE Now Available as First Pre-Orders Delivered to Customers

[stinkhorn9]

I’ve mentioned this in a couple of posts already: I was very excited when I learnt about the new se - I was looking at refurbished 8s with a grim lack of enthusiasm, having become fed up with the lagginess of my 5. Then I was given a 6 with a new battery - and it’s still amazing (for me)! If I hadn’t been given it I’d have pre-ordered the se straight away, but I’m now unsure how much better (or necessary) it would be for me. I obviously want to be blown away by positive reviews I think, because I’m still hovering around here 🙂

 

[satchmo]

I get it's a new budget iPhone release but as basically a parts bin model, a 3-year old iPhone 8 with updated internals, does the SE really truly deserve the huge amount of column inches it's getting? Even calling it a "special edition" is typical hyperbole. It's basically an incremental 8S or 9 if you're being generous. Yawn.

I think the attention it’s received has more to do with the price than anything else.

Yeah, it’s not exciting for many of us here, but getting into the iPhone ecosystem for $400 is a big deal for many who could never afford to.

 

[jzuena]

This is obviously not a phone meant for people who have any of the most recent flagship phones. I don't think even Apple would expect you to consider this to replace your current phone.

Not so sure on that. I had an iPhone 6 that I thought about replacing with an Xr when they came out, but they were bigger than I wanted. The Xs was a good size, but more than I wanted to spend. Then last year the 6 was finally dropped from iOS support, so I looked at the 11... still too big. I bit the bullet and got an 11 Pro and since I had outgrown 64 GB, I upgraded to 256 GB (the next step up, but way more than I needed). If the SE was available in the fall, I would have happily gotten a 128 GB one. I’ll check out my wife’s SE and see if it is good enough, especially since I’ve now also got a work 11 (still think it’s too big, but with the otterbox case they gave me it will take its chances in my back pocket) I’ll think about switching. Don’t really need a flagship in addition to the 11, so an SE might be a good second phone to keep my personal stuff separate. The large price difference I could pocket selling the 11 Pro would be nice as well.

 

[ingik]

I‘m living in the EU so my current iPhone SE also has them but I still had to check because in all the years that I had this phone (or other Smartphones/iPhones) I never consciously noticed them. I guess we’re in Europe are already so used to them that we don’t notice anymore.

Same here, had to look at the back of my phone to see if it was there

 

[leanddjbbdbbchdabcdes]

was anyone able to see a live map of the UPS truck once the phone went out for delivery? I don't always get the option to look at a live map with UPS and it seems to happen randomly. The app just changed the status to "out for delivery today" but once I click on the tracking number the most recent update is just a destination scan with no map yet

 

[Aeryn]

If I recall, Apple is allowing all products that are purchased in this timeframe to be returned as they regularly would be 14 days from the re-opening date of their stores. In other words, it’s indefinite right now. Don’t quote me on this though ahah, if someone else can corroborate that’d be awesome.

Exactly, that's the last data point I saw as well...in mid/late March, and mostly in response to items purchased *before* closures, wasn't sure if that still applied now to items purchased mid-closure.

 

[NickName99]

Basically Apple just polished an old turd and called it new and folks went ape doo doo for it.

Your profile pic matches your post so well!

I bet it bugs you a little that the latest $399 iPhone is pretty much as powerful as your $1449 iPhone.

 

[efktd]

I get it's a new budget iPhone release but as basically a parts bin model, a 3-year old iPhone 8 with updated internals, does the SE really truly deserve the huge amount of column inches it's getting? Even calling it a "special edition" is typical hyperbole. It's basically an incremental 8S or 9 if you're being generous. Yawn.

Not only is it a 3 year old iPhone 8, but also a:
6 year old iPhone 6
5 year old iPhone 6s
4 year old iPhone 7

 

[tkukoc]

Went on walmart's website this morning just to see if their deal for the upgrade was still available.. of course it's been sold out the last few days.. and it isn't like I need this phone or not. If I ended up getting it I'd just give it to a friend of mine who needs an upgrade. Well they had 6 red 256gb's in stock so I grabbed one. So if you still have not purchased an SE and want the best price, walmart's website.. waiting and refreshing.. you can get one. And that deal goes through July so there's lots of time for them to keep adding random amounts. To those who get their devices today.. have fun! I'm looking forward to surprising a friend in a few weeks, going to drop it off, case and all at their doorstep.. gotta spread some cheer these days.

 

[Cosmosent]

 

[walmyr.buzatto]

There's also this: there appears to be some consensus that this new SE would be attractive to people that have held out on purchasing an iPhone due to price, and perhaps to to people who have been holding on to the old SE for its size. These are people that have probably not purchased an iPhone in a few years. It's not a new market, but a less active one. How will they take the new SE?

Also, it's the first iPhone Apple has put out with Touch ID instead of Face ID in a couple of years. It's a throwback: how will users and the market react? Is there an untapped nostalgia for Touch ID? Or has Face ID (and the full screen) really put the older style to bed? I think there are some interesting things to be written about this new SE.

Face ID doesn’t like masks...

 

[johnnylarue]

No thanks sticking with my 512GB I phone 11 Pro Max.

I have the 2TB iPhone 11 Pro Max Plus but I’m still upgrading to the SE.

 

[mthomas184]

No thanks sticking with my 512GB I phone 11 Pro Max.

Well considering this phone wasn't designed to replace the iPhone 11 Pro, dont really think Apple expected you to anyway

 

[scupking]

If I was in the market for a new phone this would be on the top of my list. Top of the line processor, above average cameras, great price, no stupid notch or hole punch in the screen ( I would take bezels all day over a notch or hole punch) and it doesn’t have a candy bar screen aspect ratio (can’t stand that trend). Only issue is the small screen size.

 

[wa2be]

My wife and I will be upgrading our current old-model SE and iPhone 7 to these new SE's in a few weeks. I think it's a great price for a phone that will be able to handle several more years of iOS updates given that it has the A13 chip. With my trade-in on my 7 I can get a 64 gig version of the SE for $279 (before Apple Care). That's a heck of a good deal for a new iPhone!

 

[Spungoflex]

My wife and I will be upgrading our current old-model SE and iPhone 7 to these new SE's in a few weeks. I think it's a great price for a phone that will be able to handle several more years of iOS updates given that it has the A13 chip. With my trade-in on my 7 I can get a 64 gig version of the SE for $279 (before Apple Care). That's a heck of a good deal for a new iPhone!

Out of curiosity, why upgrade the 7? It will likely have 2 more years of iOS updates.

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

I'm very out of the loop, what's the return policy on these since the stores are (mostly) all closed? My original plan was to test drive the SE with the possibility of it replacing my beloved 6s but heading straight to the store on Day 13 if I wasn't over-the-moon impressed.

*Unlocked, paid-in-full phone since I think that matters in terms of returnability.

I wouldn’t worry about not being over the moon... I mean, if you woke up this morning and your beloved 6S had a brand new battery in it, a much better camera, more RAM, more storage, the fastest mobile processor on the planet, and suddenly supported wireless charging- would you be happy or sad?
I feel like it’s a no-brainer that you’re going to be well pleased with this phone!

 

[wa2be]

Out of curiosity, why upgrade the 7? It will likely have 2 more years of iOS updates.

The battery is having issues. I bought the 7 the first week that they came out, so it's been in use for quite awhile now. I could pay to get a battery replacement, or I can pay for this SE that will be able to handle several more generations of iOS updates beyond what the 7 may be able to handle. Also, my 7 is a 32 GB model, and I'm always juggling the storage and needing to offload pics and videos to my iPad to keep from overflowing it. The 64 GB SE will work a lot better for my needs.

 

[Pootie Tang]

You know what’s even worse right here in the good old USA? Having to look at those damned labels on everything stating that the state of California has determined that whatever’s in there to be cancer causing. And I mean EVERYTHING!

Amen. My wife came with those labels.

 

[jntdroid]

Out of curiosity, why upgrade the 7? It will likely have 2 more years of iOS updates.

The battery is having issues. I bought the 7 the first week that they came out, so it's been in use for quite awhile now. I could pay to get a battery replacement, or I can pay for this SE that will be able to handle several more generations of iOS updates beyond what the 7 may be able to handle. Also, my 7 is a 32 GB model, and I'm always juggling the storage and needing to offload pics and videos to my iPad to keep from overflowing it. The 64 GB SE will work a lot better for my needs.

I'm in the same boat and I even have an 8. Had it since day 1 and it's showing signs of wear, especially in the battery department. I'm happy with it otherwise, and I've never liked the larger form factor or Face ID as much as the 4.7" size and Touch ID. So getting a new "8" at a good price with better specs/camera and longer support is pretty much the perfect upgrade in my situation.

 

[phenste]

Not only is it a 3 year old iPhone 8, but also a:
6 year old iPhone 6
5 year old iPhone 6s
4 year old iPhone 7

Completely different method of construction. 6/6s/7 were a single machined piece of metal with a glass panel on top; the 8 and SE use two glass panels and a metal band. I imagine the reason this phone is so well-priced is because the latter manufacturing process is so efficient by this point (especially given they use the same glass panel/band design for the 11, 11 Pro, XS/XR, etc).

What ought to be changed about it, the front face? They did that with the X and beyond. It’s a model for people who don’t want that to be changed. The iPod classic looked practically the same from when the click wheel was introduced and beyond, for the simple reason that it was a good design; same case here.

 

[Rocko99991]

I get it's a new budget iPhone release but as basically a parts bin model, a 3-year old iPhone 8 with updated internals, does the SE really truly deserve the huge amount of column inches it's getting? Even calling it a "special edition" is typical hyperbole. It's basically an incremental 8S or 9 if you're being generous. Yawn.

The fastest processor with a $399 entry point for Apples ecosystem? Yes.

 

[ani4ani]

I’ve mentioned this in a couple of posts already: I was very excited when I learnt about the new se - I was looking at refurbished 8s with a grim lack of enthusiasm, having become fed up with the lagginess of my 5. Then I was given a 6 with a new battery - and it’s still amazing (for me)! If I hadn’t been given it I’d have pre-ordered the se straight away, but I’m now unsure how much better (or necessary) it would be for me. I obviously want to be blown away by positive reviews I think, because I’m still hovering around here 🙂

I am in the same boat and was looking forward to the release; I have a 6S and it is "perfect" in the sense it does everything I need and still fast and smooth to operate. Alas, in the UK the SE is £419 / £469 and I just dont see the point for something [that for what I need, e.g. calls, banking and messages, no use of camera etc] that I probably won't see the benefit of.

 

[sirozha]

No thanks sticking with my 512GB I phone 11 Pro Max.

Smartest comment I’ve ever seen.

 

[wa2be]

I'm in the same boat and I even have an 8. Had it since day 1 and it's showing signs of wear, especially in the battery department. I'm happy with it otherwise, and I've never liked the larger form factor or Face ID as much as the 4.7" size and Touch ID. So getting a new "8" at a good price with better specs/camera and longer support is pretty much the perfect upgrade in my situation.

I feel the same way. Why on earth would I pay $1000 plus for an iPhone that has the A13 chip when I can get one with the A13 for less than $400? It just makes good financial sense! I could care less about the upgraded camera and Face ID on the 11's. And I really like the size of the 7/8/SE. Fits well in my pocket, but isn't so small that it's hard to see anything on the screen. I think Apple hit a home run with this phone, at least for people like me who do not want to dive into the shallow end with cheapo Android phones just to stay on a family-friendly budget.