From quote “the iPhone SE is covered in the same hardy glass used on the iPhone 13”, and I thought I heard that in the launch, however from the Apple web phone comparison page the SE 3rd Generation has ‘glass front and back’ while the iPhone 13 and pro have ‘Ceramic Shield Front’ - different metal backs. Underselling the SE’s on their site if it’s the same?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone SE Reviews: Impressive Performance in a 'Tired Design'
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
You CLEARLY don't understand the target audience for this. Some of us want this design specifically for the TouchID and one hand operation. Its perfect in many ways. XR is literally the opposite of what some of us would want.
Also, why would you want XR style and you already have that option?
I have the SE from 2020 and I bought this one for my partner. Its the perfect phone for our usage and a massive bonus is that its so cheap.
This will sell like hot cakes and the design is not over done. You just don't understand the market for this
Also, why would you want XR style and you already have that option?
I have the SE from 2020 and I bought this one for my partner. Its the perfect phone for our usage and a massive bonus is that its so cheap.
This will sell like hot cakes and the design is not over done. You just don't understand the market for this
After using an iPhone 11 since it was released, I may grab this SE. it’s the only non-OLED display left, and Touch ID is more convenient for me.
A design that is only 10 years old hasn't earned the title of classic. It's earned the title of tired.
Regardless of market, the design is overdone and ugly with oversized bezels.
Those same people have VHS players at home.
Alright Mr.Smartpants - how would you solve the design when a lot of people want TouchID and one hand operation. Please, I'm listening.
The bezels are there for uniformity and visual balance. The TouchID needs room and all screen display wouldn't make it one hand.
The bezels are there for uniformity and visual balance. The TouchID needs room and all screen display wouldn't make it one hand.
While the top bezel is too big, I still prefer Touch ID in an iPhone over Face ID. I own a 12 Pro Max with Face ID BTW.
I guess the good news with these is that all the older TV shows and movies with older iPhones will remain "current" for longer. Unfortunately, the trope of people unlocking other people's iPhones with Touch ID while they're passed out will remain a thing.
I guess the good news with these is that all the older TV shows and movies with older iPhones will remain "current" for longer. Unfortunately, the trope of people unlocking other people's iPhones with Touch ID while they're passed out will remain a thing.
Now that Dieter Bohn has left The Verge there is no reason to visit that site any longer as he was the last good thing about it. It’s now just 75% tech politics and 20% culture, with 5% concentrating on actual tech. Dieter at least understood the concept behind the SE. It’s a budget phone and the “tired design” is part of the point. We’d all be gobsmacked if reviews were saying the SE is the best designed iPhone ever.
Agreed. These reviews seem to miss the fact that this phone is not designed for them.
People like the SE because is smaller.
If it works it works, why spend money on a new small design when have a perfectly good case that works.
I specifically do not want larger phones, and I am the target market.
For people that want larger phones then have the 13 Pro Max etc.
If it works it works, why spend money on a new small design when have a perfectly good case that works.
I specifically do not want larger phones, and I am the target market.
For people that want larger phones then have the 13 Pro Max etc.
What bothers me about these reviewers is that they all say the same thing, complain about the same thing, review the same topics, praise the same things, never anything original in their reviews.
The phone is fine for a ton of people who want a cheaper iPhone that’ll last years and are okay with an “older” design.
The phone is fine for a ton of people who want a cheaper iPhone that’ll last years and are okay with an “older” design.
Last edited:
I’d much rather have the SE1 design with modern internals than the SE2 and SE3.
A “tired” design is not tired for everyone. Without a home button and Touch ID, the new design creates more problems than it solves, IMO.
A “tired” design is not tired for everyone. Without a home button and Touch ID, the new design creates more problems than it solves, IMO.
After having my first “all screen” iPhone with Face ID in the iPhone 13 Pro Max, my opinion has changed since my purchase. This is completely my personal opinion, so take it as you will, but I think I prefer a more square screen rather than the rounded corners. While I don’t hate the notch and find it unobtrusive, I don’t care for it and would prefer a bezel at the top of my screen instead, even at the expense of screen real estate. This surprises me as much as anyone else, but as I’ve looked at the SE there’s something about that design that works for me. I won’t be buying it as I need a better phone, but there’s something to be said for it, IMO.
I'll never understand the compulsive need that many people have for every device to look the same. Apple still sells an iPad and iPhone with a home button? Scandalous! "Since I don't want one, then it shouldn't exist. The fact that it exists is a personal insult to me" 
Wouldn't it have been awesome to have an in-screen Touch ID with a full-screen panel with a hole-punch front camera?
Yeah. They made an ad for that point, too. Then, two years later, they introduced the iPhone 6 and hoped nobody would remember.
I think the market has shown that most people like phones to be bigger. They've simply become a more central part of our lives than even Steve Jobs had anticipated, and some stuff (such as typing) is too finicky when the screen is just 3.5 inches. However, we've kind of lost that sweet spot where the entire device can be controlled with just the thumb. (The Apple Watch isn't quite big enough for that.)
I get tired of people who say "Tired Design" or say they want a redesign without saying what they want changed. Just a change-or-the-sake-of-change. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it annoys me a great deal. So it pleases me that they actually said what they want changed.
The thing, too, is that not everyone wants a huge screen. I'm sure that there are some people who like the smaller screen. Whatever floats your boat.
I owned an XR and switched to the SE in 2020. They are completely different form factors. The XR is heavy and thick. It's a big phone. The SE is more pocketable and much easier to use for one handed operation. Also, some people just prefer the home button and Touch ID.
I am not saying the XR is a bad phone. But, there are people that select the SE precisely because it does not have the latest form factor and the same design influence as the XR.
Every time I pick up my wife’s 12 and try to use it I am happy I still have an 8+.
If Apple would offer an SE+ I would plop down good money on that tired design.
not only that, but for people that want a more modern design and better screen there is the mini lineup.
The Macintosh Classic earned the title and it wasn’t yet 10 years old. Then of course they made the Classic II and one had to ask, wait, what?