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iPhone SE vs. iPhone 6s

maflynn

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
Original poster
May 3, 2009
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I was ready to buy the SE but as I move away from the RDF from yesterday's event, I'm considering my needs and I'm not so sure the SE is the best phone for me.

I have a 6 plus which I think is too big, but am I going over board and moving from a 5.5" phone to a 4"?

Here's what the SE does not have.
  • TouchID 2 (Original TouchID).
  • No 5-megapixel FaceTime camera
  • No barometer
  • No 3D Touch display
  • No Dual-Domain pixels
  • No LTE Advanced

Now, I own a 6 plus, so I don't have LTE Advanced, Dual Domain Pixels, and a 5MP Facetime camera. So for 499 I'm basically getting a faster (a9 processor) phone.

For me I think the loss of the barometer is huge, since I work out a lot and I like to be able to use my phone to track my work outs.

Thoughts and opinions on the SE vs. the 6s?
 
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I think that is very extreme going from the plus to the SE. Maybe go in store and play around with a 5S just to see if that will be too drastic. I personally am going from the 6s to the SE, and it is an easy decision. I have wanted a smaller phone for a few months now.
 
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Hal~9000 said:
I have the 6s and am definitely going with the SE.
  • One-handed design
  • Incredible battery life
  • Beautiful 5s design (with no ugly camera bulge!)
  • Great value price
  • No curved screen nonsense so edge to edge protectors work perfectly
Click to expand...

Good points, since I have the 6 plus and struggle with one handedness with that beast, you're saying the 6s (non-plus) is not very holdable as well?

The only thing I'm worried about is the barometer.

mattopotamus said:
I think that is very extreme going from the plus to the SE. Maybe go in store and play around with a 5S
Click to expand...
Agreed its a huge jump, no doubt about it, but my kids have a 5s, so I can use them extensively and get a good feel :)

I find typing on it is ok, but viewing websites less enjoyable. I don't use the phone for surfing, but quick searches so that may be ok. I'll try a couple of my games on their phones to see if I enjoy the form factor.
 
maflynn said:
Good points, since I have the 6 plus and struggle with one handedness with that beast, you're saying the 6s (non-plus) is not very holdable as well?

The only thing I'm worried about is the barometer.


Agreed its a huge jump, no doubt about it, but my kids have a 5s, so I can use them extensively and get a good feel :)

I find typing on it is ok, but viewing websites less enjoyable. I don't use the phone for surfing, but quick searches so that may be ok. I'll try a couple of my games on their phones to see if I enjoy the form factor.
Click to expand...

That is how I use my 6s, quick searches. There are way more pros with the SE IMO. In regards to 1 handed use on the 6S. It is still too large. This commercial is still true to this day.
 
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AustinIllini said:
Are we sure about the SE having incredible battery life? I wouldn't be surprised if it outperformed the the 6S and 6S+ as it has to drive less pixels, but I doubt that small of a phone can match the 6S+ for battery life.
Click to expand...

It looks like it will fall in the middle of the 6s and 6s+
 
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maflynn said:
I was ready to buy the SE but as I move away from the RDF from yesterday's event, I'm considering my needs and I'm not so sure the SE is the best phone for me.

I have a 6 plus which I think is too big, but am I going over board and moving from a 5.5" phone to a 4"?

Here's what the SE does not have.
  • TouchID 2 (Original TouchID).
  • No 5-megapixel FaceTime camera
  • No barometer
  • No 3D Touch display
  • No Dual-Domain pixels
  • No LTE Advanced

Now, I own a 6 plus, so I don't have LTE Advanced, Dual Domain Pixels, and a 5MP Facetime camera. So for 499 I'm basically getting a faster (a9 processor) phone.

For me I think the loss of the barometer is huge, since I work out a lot and I like to be able to use my phone to track my work outs.

Thoughts and opinions on the SE vs. the 6s?
Click to expand...
Mike, did you have a 5 or 5s before your current phone?

If so, think back about how you handled it. Was it comfortable, easy to use in the ways you are accustomed to using the phone? Or were you back then wanting Apple to make a larger phone? Any issues getting it in and out of pockets or the places you put the phone back then? Cases for that size? Etc, etc. Think back.

Specs and usage are great, but we often overlook how the phone will handle. And if it's a phone that you are going to have for a while…
 
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I told myself - when I upgraded from 5S to 6S+ - that I would get used to the larger form factor, and would not be too lazy to just one handed my 6S+. But in the past 6 months, I just keep one-handed typing & controlling it anyways, because it is the instinctive way to use it.

Speaking of your lists of features, since I just use my phone for communication, life managing, musics, reddit and surfing forums, I don't see how I would miss them other than the 2nd generation Touch ID. I did worry for a sec if the Touch ID would degrade like the one in my sold 5S, but on the other hand the one in iPad Air 2 (sold too) was pretty solid. As for selfies, well, I prefer to ask my friends to take one for me, since my selfie skill sucks as always. ;)

P.S. I thought SE was said to support LTE Advanced, just not as fast as 6S/6S+?
 
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Ask yourself this, do I really need the extra features found only on the 6s? If so then you need a 6s. If features xyz are useless to you because you never use them anyway, then there is nothing wrong with saving a few dollars. Lastly, take your time evaluating your needs, no need to rush.

Generally when I purchase anything I don't care if it comes with extras I would never use daily, I only care that it does what I need it to do. Having features just for the sake of having them is pointless unless you utilize them. I think the SE will be good phone and cover most of the needs for basic users at an affordable price. The 6s on the other hand is their flagship device and has features many can't live without.

That said, I am planning on swapping my 6 for an SE..my needs are simple and the smaller size far outweighs the extras found on the newer iPhones. YMMV
 
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I'll say this, I had the 6 for 3 months last year before going to the plus. It's not a one handed phone. I could use it one-handed for most things, but you can't reach everywhere one handed and its slippery.

If you're ideal size is a phone that can be operated one handed, you should get the SE if you can live without the barometer. I honestly don't think you'll miss any of the other stuff, except maybe 3D Touch once it becomes more widely implemented.
 
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If you look on their website they the SE outperforming the 6s in battery life. It has a 1624 mah battery and the 6s has a 1715 mah battery and it has to drive more pixels as well as a bigger display.

Also, only single stream wifi as opposed to MIMO on the 6s and 6s Plus.
[doublepost=1458659578][/doublepost]The 6 and 6 plus have dual domain pixels for better viewing angles. The SE display is still listed at 800:1 contrast ratio vs 1400:1 on the 6s. The SE may still have an air gap between the cover glass and LCD panel as well.
 
eyoungren said:
Specs and usage are great, but we often overlook how the phone will handle. And if it's a phone that you are going to have for a while…
Click to expand...
Agreed, and that's the tough part, projecting how I'll use it, day in and day out.

eyoungren said:
Mike, did you have a 5 or 5s before your current phone?
Click to expand...
Great point, when using my 5c (I loved that phone), I loved the size and form factor, it was great, but I wanted a larger phone because I thought I'd use it more as a tablet, but in actuality, it was just too big, and I still only use the plus for quick searches on Safari, texting, calls and the odd game or two. Nothing really in depth.

BeeGood said:
If you're ideal size is a phone that can be operated one handed, you should get the SE if you can live without the barometer.
Click to expand...
I think the barometer is is really the crucial part. The other things, like dual domain pixels are nice to haves, but I think the lack of barometer may be a deal breaker. I need to do some googling on the M9/Barometer and see if its something that apps I have now are using.

The other major issue, in which @eyoungren and others touched upon is using such a small form factor, especially coming from a 6 plus. The transition from a 5.5" phone to a 4" is more severe then from a 5.5 to a 4.7. At least with this issue, I can easily use my daughter's phone (As long as I can pry it out of her hands :p) and use it for a while to see if the form factor works
 
6S (64GB) - 750.00
SE (64GB) - 500.00

I think the price definitely is on the SE. I think given all the other advantages, I'm going to roll the dice on the SE. The worst that could happen, is that I return the phone during the return period.
 
I think they will sell a TON of these phones. I hear two complaints about iPhones. 1. They won't do as much(which is a separate argument), and 2. They are too expensive. And they are definitely expensive. The SE at $399 is by no means "pocket change," but it's definitely a manageable price in most cases. I think businesses that issue phones will be all over the SE.

For me, I can't decide what size phone I like. I had a 6.4 inch Sony before my 4.7 iPhone 6. I keep an Otter Box on my iPhone because I drop it occasionally. I don't find the iPhone (with the case) THAT much more portable than the Sony. Both phones I have to take out of my pocket when I sit down and both phones require 2 handed use in most cases. My 4s (with an Otter Box) did not. It could stay in my pocket and one handed use was great.

75% of the time the Plus size would be great, but the other 25% I miss my 4s. I thought the 4.7" screen would be a solid compromise, and, for me it isn't.
 
maflynn said:
The only thing I'm worried about is the barometer.
Click to expand...

I tried looking up teardowns but couldn't find much info on the Apple Watch. It appears you have an Apple Watch in your sig, and iMore says that it can count stairs climbed without an iPhone which is what the barometer does: http://www.imore.com/heres-what-apple-watch-can-do-without-iphone

Maybe you could test it to be certain by going for a run up some stairs without your iPhone anywhere nearby or powered off? I imagine the M-series chips probably count steps and stairs while in airplane mode.

Otherwise I have hands that are only slightly larger than average for a man (it was pretty close when I looked it up) and the 6s usually works ok for me. I had the 6 Plus and hated the size over time. The biggest thing I hated was that I couldn't even type one-handed. The 6s is doable—not uncomfortable or difficult—but not as easy as the 4" size. If I grip it so that it rests on my pinky when palming it, I can usually tap the URL bar in Safari, but buttons in the top corners are tricky depending on the hand. So I still have to use the reach-ability shortcut sometimes, which isn't natural for me, so often times I just end up contorting my hand horribly lol. I use a case to get a better grip and so I don't worry about dropping it when I palm it weird. I've never dropped the 6s aside from when it slid off my lap, but it feels good to have the assurance when holding it less securely than the 4" models.

I'd say if your Apple Watch can do it then go for it and save $250. Also remember it doesn't come in a 128GB size if that's an issue for you. For me, the biggest issue would be Touch ID being slower. I didn't realize that was the case on the SE. I love how fast it is now on the 6s! 3D Touch isn't a huge deal breaker but I love using it for selecting text. I don't take a lot of selfies but have recently started taking more with my kid now that the camera is better and it has a decent diffuse flash. It's definitely a tough call but if you have smaller hands then it could be worth it since it's close in specs otherwise and so cheap.
 
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In addition what you listed Maflynn, one has to consider the rear camera on the SE having the older f2.4 lens compared to the f2.2 of the 6s.

For me, its the lens, TouchID and, No Dual-Domain pixels


Edited: f2.4 for the rear camera, selfies will have the f2.4. Not Front. Site I looked at was mistaken. Sorry
 
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3D Touch is the deal breaker for me. However, the fact that it was not included on the SE makes me question how much it is going to become an integral part of iOS vs just being a gimmick. I mean I use it a ton, but it seems like it isn't super useful for most people.
 
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For me it's the dual stream 802.11ac with MIMO. Still an awesome phone at a great price!
 
ABC5S said:
In addition what you listed Maflynn, one has to consider the rear camera on the SE having the older f2.4 lens compared to the f2.2 of the 6s.

For me, its the lens, TouchID and, No Dual-Domain pixels
Click to expand...

Wait. They cheaped out on the lens as well? It is not the same as the 6s?
 
sovereign said:
Wait. They cheaped out on the lens as well? It is not the same as the 6s?
Click to expand...

Yep, they did for the selfies. Its on the Apple store site and mentioned on another site as well. Photos are going to be a little more grainie and dark. Rear camera will have the f2.2
 
Yeah, I guess all of us that like the 4" design should have known that they were going to make this more of a budget/emerging market focused phone. Would have been a really easy decision for me, if they hadn't left so much of the older hardware in the SE. I would have bought it in a heart beat, otherwise.

I still might trade in my 6S for the SE. It's now just a much harder decision.
 
If you like tracking workouts, there are fitness bands out there have built-in barometers. Though, that will just add to costs.
 
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