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iPhone SE (2016) New or old SE

S

sailor720

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 28, 2007
35
1
I have a 1st gen SE that has been servicing me well other than shorter than desired battery life. It recently developed an issue with the charge connector and was under warranty so I sent it in for repair. Apple says they found unspecified accidental damage. I am using an old android that is on its last legs as a temp so need a new phone ASAP. I can buy a new SE from apple for $269+tax but this price is silly.
Considering the following options:

Another Gen 1 SE from swappa for ~$100
Pros: Cheap and I prefer small
Cons: worn phone, battery life, future update potential.

A new SE from a store
Pros: New, long support, faster
Cons: Price, size

I am torn, I really like the gen1 se size but the battery life on ios13 is lacking a they are starting to get a bit laggy. I am curious about the 5.4 iphone 12 but it is unlikely to be worth $600+ to me. Anyone moved from an SE 1 to 2 and regretted it?
 
Get the new one. You will have several years of theoretically problem free service. I have upgraded several of my family members who had sworn to never get a “plus” size phone to either iphone 11 or XR(one of them from a 1st gen SE). They love them, the extra size is only noticeable if you have rather small hands or pocket your phone. Back when the six plus came out I swore to never have one of those “giant tablet phones”. A 6+, 8+, and a XS Max later I would never go back to a small screen phone. Just use it for too many things to justify the “convenience” of a smaller form factor over the extra screen real estate. My .02 cents of course. Everyones experiences will be different.
 
I have them both. Carrying the original right now, used in combination with a recently acquired iPP(2nd gen), and for being mobile, NOTHING beats the 2016 SE.

My only dislike of the 2016 vs. the 2020 is the camera. The camera on the original SE stinks without image stabilization, for me at least.
 
Another vote for the second gen. SE. Yes you’re paying more, but the device will last you a good while (and will be supported by Apple longer than the OG SE).
 
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parker5011 said:
I had the first gen SE. for me it was getting a little slow. I bought the new SE and wouldn’t go back. Better in every way.
Click to expand...

100% agree! I didn't think I would like the size of the new SE, but I have found I like it more than the size of the original SE. Everything is easier to read and navigate as well as the typing on the new SE is flawless (where as I would hit the wrong key multiple times on the original). Another plus (and a huge plus!) is the battery life. My original was only getting about a day (maybe a day and a half) before it needed to be recharged, where as the new SE I can easily get four days (sometimes five) before I need to recharge.
 
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I bought another 2016 on swappa for $80 shipped with 97% battery health. My phone needs to be disinfected with alchohol every time I go to work due to corona and I would rather kill another cheap phone than an expensive one. The camera and battery life upgrades would be nice but not 5x better.
 
sailor720 said:
I have a 1st gen SE that has been servicing me well other than shorter than desired battery life. It recently developed an issue with the charge connector and was under warranty so I sent it in for repair. Apple says they found unspecified accidental damage. I am using an old android that is on its last legs as a temp so need a new phone ASAP. I can buy a
Click to expand...
What have they said it will cost to fix this "unspecified accidental damage"? It is on warranty you say so it is rather convenient that Apple says they have found unspecified accidental damage, implying that they won't repair it under warranty. You have omitted to provide key details: what is Apple offering?
 
parker5011 said:
I had the first gen SE. for me it was getting a little slow. I bought the new SE and wouldn’t go back. Better in every way.
Click to expand...

Did you put Little11 JB tweak on there? X gestures, its awesome
also what's the name of the tweak that lets me quick reply from lock screen? thanks
 
Apple did not tell me what damage they found in my repair report or when I asked on chat. The issue I had was the charge not connecting unless I held the cable up towards the screen, charge pins appeared bent down in the socket. Pphone was otherwise in excellent condition 1 year old and used with a case and screen protector. No water damage on the indicator. Apple offered me a new 2016 SE 32gb for $269 which is close to double the market price.

I requested my phone back with no repairs and received yesterday and now it will not connect to a charger at all or power on. I am pretty pissed as I send them a mostly working phone and got a dead one back so I can't use it as a backup, do I have any redress?

Northern Man said:
What have they said it will cost to fix this "unspecified accidental damage"? It is on warranty you say so it is rather convenient that Apple says they have found unspecified accidental damage, implying that they won't repair it under warranty. You have omitted to provide key details: what is Apple offering?
Click to expand...
 
sailor720 said:
I have a 1st gen SE that has been servicing me well other than shorter than desired battery life. It recently developed an issue with the charge connector and was under warranty so I sent it in for repair. Apple says they found unspecified accidental damage. I am using an old android that is on its last legs as a temp so need a new phone ASAP. I can buy a new SE from apple for $269+tax but this price is silly.
Considering the following options:

Another Gen 1 SE from swappa for ~$100
Pros: Cheap and I prefer small
Cons: worn phone, battery life, future update potential.

A new SE from a store
Pros: New, long support, faster
Cons: Price, size

I am torn, I really like the gen1 se size but the battery life on ios13 is lacking a they are starting to get a bit laggy. I am curious about the 5.4 iphone 12 but it is unlikely to be worth $600+ to me. Anyone moved from an SE 1 to 2 and regretted it?
Click to expand...
I hoping for a 5.4” iPhone 12 Pro and if Apple release I be will to pay the same as the 6.5” Pro!
 
I would be contacting apple and throwing a fit. They haven’t told you what the “unspecified damage” is, AND they sent you a phone back in a different condition than you sent it. Thats more than a small problem.
 
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Relentless Power said:
I don’t think ‘demanding’ really will get you that far, if you be persistent and respectful, I think usually you can find the answers you’re looking for. Apple tends to respond much more effectively in those circumstances.
Click to expand...
I think that sort of approach applys to all problems or issues consumers have. In my time i have found the aggressive approach to have the opposite effect!
 
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If you cough up the dough for the SE you won’t regret it. Coming from a 6 to the SE was a major upgrade. I knew the performance and battery life weren’t good on the 6 near the end but the performance of the SE was eye opening.

The lesson for me may be to not wait 5 years to upgrade again. I’m thinking 3 but if they continue the SE on a 4 year cycle I may do that.
 
MarkX said:
I think that sort of approach applys to all problems or issues consumers have. In my time i have found the aggressive approach to have the opposite effect!
Click to expand...

Conversely, I started out being Mr. Sweetness ‘n’ light when it came to situations like this. What I have found is, being demanding, but keeping ones mouth in check. Is usually the best bet. You give any of these corporations reason to believe you won’t be a thorn in their side, they will just wave you off without a second thought. Just my $.02.

Edit* when real customer SERVICE, was still a thing, I might have tended to agree with you. In 2020... better be willing to demand what your owed, or you will not get it. Either way OP IS owed an explanation as to what is going on with the phone...
 
I called apple today to complain and finally got some answers. They said the accidental damage was bent pins and debris in the charge connector due to forcefully plugging and unplugging the phone. I countered that my usage was normal although I charge multiple times per day due to the short battery life and bent charge pins were a design defect because the pins should be strong enough or on the cable that is cheap to replace like every other cable design used. I was able to convince them to replace my phone so I am happy with the outcome but wish it was the standard policy on this issue not an exception. When I receive the replacement I should have 2 functioning 2016 SEs to hold me over for a while with a real one hand use phone. Hopefully apple switches to USB-C and this issue goes away.
 
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