iPhone SE: What a little beast!

[EugW]

Any hopes of an improved iPhone SE this year? I haven't heard any rumors, but if the 8 is too expensive or i'm just not really impressed then I wouldn't mind getting an SE. I have had my 6 Plus for three years and i'm wanting to go back to a smaller phone.

We'd just be speculating on that, but I'm not expecting a new SE this year. My guess is maybe mid-cycle in early 2018 at the earliest. That pushes people to buy the iPhone 8 / 7s / 7 this fall and at Christmas, and then they can catch the budget conscious stragglers in the spring.

One reason I say this is because IMO there isn't any compelling reason from a technical point of view to update this budget friendly model right now. It has 2 GB RAM and A9, which is the same as the 6s, and it is within spitting distance of the iPhone 7. Same amount of RAM, but with a slower processor. It also supports hardware decode of both of 8-bit and 10-bit HEVC and HEIF in iOS 11 like the 6s and 7, something that even the 2016 MacBook Pros don't have.

I think the iPhone SE is in some ways analogous to the iPad 2. Apple kept it around for a very long time at the low end, just because it a was a good entry point. Apple didn't bother updating it, but people just kept on buying it because of its price point. Consequently, developers developed software with this model in mind just like I think they will for the current SE and iPhone 6s.

 

[turbineseaplane]

For my money, I am happy with the same design and just continual spec bumps every 2 years (assuming they refuse to ever make another sub 4.7" sized phone)...

Isn't it nuts how anal Apple was about small phones being "the right size for the human hand" and they've gone ASP crazy and just basically refuse to even bother making a small version of the newest/latest/greatest?

It's totally bonkers. There was a time when electronics that were small and minimal was actually a premium product, at least optionally. There's definitely a market there and I hope they start serving it again some day.

Until then - SE forever..

 

[Magneat-O]

For my money, I am happy with the same design and just continual spec bumps every 2 years (assuming they refuse to ever make another sub 4.7" sized phone)...

Isn't it nuts how anal Apple was about small phones being "the right size for the human hand" and they've gone ASP crazy and just basically refuse to even bother making a small version of the newest/latest/greatest?

It's totally bonkers. There was a time when electronics that were small and minimal was actually a premium product, at least optionally. There's definitely a market there and I hope they start serving it again some day.

Until then - SE forever..

How is the SE on iOS 10? I don't want to skip the 8 and get an SE only for the SE to start slowing down with iOS 11.

 

[turbineseaplane]

How is the SE on iOS 10? I don't want to skip the 8 and get an SE only for the SE to start slowing down with iOS 11.

On 10?
Totally perfect - Racehorse fast...
Thing flies, get's awesome battery life..

 

[TheBrokenBee]

I love everything about the SE apart from its vibration motor. It sounds like a chainsaw inside.

 

[44267547]

I love everything about the SE apart from its vibration motor. It sounds like a chainsaw inside.

My iPhone SE sounds nothing like that. The vibration motor is stronger than my other iPhones, but it certainly isn't to loud or causing me to take notice to it like a "Chainsaw."

 

[Lopes]

My iPhone SE sounds nothing like that. The vibration motor is stronger than my other iPhones, but it certainly isn't to loud or causing me to take notice to it like a "Chainsaw."

Actually the thought of having a "chainsaw" like vibration is kinda funny and interesting, I'd be willing to rock that just because!

iPhone 7+ here, former SE owner, but am curious about it again now that it can go up to 128gb. Something about that design and size is just perfect. The iPhone's design has left a bad taste in my mouth ever since the 6/6+. Too slippery and just a boring slab of metal.

 

[TheBrokenBee]

My iPhone SE sounds nothing like that. The vibration motor is stronger than my other iPhones, but it certainly isn't to loud or causing me to take notice to it like a "Chainsaw."

I was just being ridiculous buts loud and 'raw' as comapred to the taptic engine.

 

[Cloudane]

Just recently got this myself. Love it. Fortunately I've not had anything ultra new like the 7, otherwise I'd probably have gotten used to things like that taptic or haptic or whatever it's called, and the SE would feel like a step backward - but as I've not it's fine. After having giant phones it's nice not having one sticking halfway out of my pockets again and being able to use it one-handed. Of course, the price was a major factor too. Can't really be doing with £700+ phones when one that cost me £290 does a good enough job (without resorting to Android! Okay I quite like Android, just has a few flaws of its own)

 

[EugW]

I just received the SE. I am a little surprised, but yes, the SE is very fast. In fact, I get the impression it may be faster than the 6s in terms of OS navigation. If true I guess it's because the SE's screen is much smaller than the 6s' screen.

Charges quick too.

 

[kkh786]

I have grabbed a 16gb SE for £102 (O2 refresh deals). Was worth a punt to calm my iOS itch! It's been a dream so far but miss that iPhone 7 home button!

 

[Legionnaire]

on my way to best buy to buy a 32gb space grey for 199. woo. 5se crew here i come. (4 years with iphone 5s) but i dont reallyneed to upgrade works fine. Just want too. Occasional hiccup and crash.

 

[Phonesurfer]

This phone is perfect... It's powerful, it's fast, it fits in one hand, and you can reach the processor thru Siri when in the car.... . It fits easily in my jeans... And while the retail price is relatively very low to begin with, I found a great deal so it was even less... . What an awesome deal !! I'll take the $ I saved on not getting a 7 and put it towards an iPad Pro that can deliver on more complex tasks.​

 

[fillilutten]

I just love this phone! Wished it had 2nd gen Touch ID and 3D Touch and it would almost be the 10/10 perfect phone. Battery life is insane and usability great!

 

[Zaft]

My mother in law still has the iPhone 5. Playing around with it I kind of miss how small it is compared to my 7 Plus. And I can reach all corners of the screen with one hand easily. I may get the SE just for fun.

 

[iloveallgadgets]

I can't decide on whether to upgrade to an SE 32GB for $26/month on my carrier or wait for the 7S which might cost around $50/month which is kind of out of my budget already. I'm on a 5S right now.

 

[danpass]

How would you compare the Samsung S5's camera to the iPhone SE? I'm deciding between the two myself.

I would call them comparable in nearly every way, except that I found the SE to have a wider (optically) lens, which I find to be more useful.

 

[Volgin]

The SE is a beast. I love it.

 

[actcyclist]

Price is down to AU$399 (inc tax) in Australia. Telstra, but free to unlock
I think Apple is discounting before releasing a new one.

 

[Populus]

Hey guys! Just a quick update to my experience with the iPhone SE I purchased in December: It's still rocking like the little beast it is!

Wow, it is amazingly fast, battery is always over 10 hours, I barely notice it on my pocket, have been dropped few times and no problems (I have it with a compact case)... I have it on 10.2, and I think if I update to iOS 10.3.3 maybe will lose that amazing battery life, or that solid performance. What do you say? Should I update it to before it's too late? (not going to update it to iOS 11 for now).

I think I've never been this satisfied with an Apple product, in addition to my old 2010 13" MacBook Pro

 

[Donfor39]

Wonder if my SE will be delivered with 9.3.3. Tues.

Think have had excellent use from iPhone 6 64gb -with +50gb storage unused past few years.

Thought why not have a small upgrade.

 

[Volgin]

Wonder if my SE will be delivered with 9.3.3. Tues.

Think have had excellent use from iPhone 6 64gb -with +50gb storage unused past few years.

Thought why not have a small upgrade.

The SE I bought from cricket last month came with iOS 9.3.2 or 9.3.3. The only reason I updated was because my Apple Watch was on OS3 so I had to update the SE to pair it to the watch.