iPhone SE (2016) New SE1 vs. Apple Refurb 13 mini

[rwh63]

i've needed a replacement phone for a while (damaged screen). it is an SE1. i waited for the SE4, which turned out to be a 16e, for $600. There weren't any mini's in the refurb shop, so I ordered a new unopened SE1 128 gb for $150 off ebay. now, the mini appears at the refurb shop. at $400 for 128 gb. it's a big enough price difference to stick to the SE1, but the mini has a longer supported life than the SE1. i like a physical home button and headphone jack, which the mini lacks.

the impression i get reading here is the SE, with a full battery, should be very usable for a couple of years. i like a small phone. on the fence about returning the SE1 and paying more for the mini to buy more future useage.

thoughts?

 

[User #07242024]

When your old SE1 is fixed, you’ll end up with 2 SE1. Why not get SE3 instead of 13 mini because you like Touch ID button and safe keep it until the SE1 is lost on support?

 

[Andeddu]

You can use the SE1 until it’s completely unsupported which will likely be within 1 year or 2 years maximum. You will already find that some banking apps are no longer supported on the SE1 due to the termination of security updates for the device.

The 13 Mini, on the other hand, is a complete powerhouse and will be usable until 2029/30. That’s obviously where the value lies if you’re not interested in purchasing new up-to-date phones.

If I were in your shoes, I’d just purchase a new 16e and be done with it. That device will be fine until 2034/35. You won’t have to worry about upgrading for a LONG time.

 

[Reverend Benny]

The SE1 is unsupported when it comes to SW updates. It hasn't been updated for 8 months and the last update didn't have any security updates what so ever.

I'd go for a 13 mini if you want a smaller size phone but with "modern" hardware, the SE3 is similar in terms of connectivity and speed.

You'll quickly get used to not having a home button (I was very skeptical but it took me a day) and the headjack converters are working fine and are cheap.

 

[Paddle1]

I wouldn't be investing in an SE 1 in 2025. It's stuck on iOS 15 and the current release is iOS 18. Many apps will soon become unsupported if they haven't already.

I find Bluetooth freeing with no cord to get caught on things, but I also purchased a headphone adapter for when I want to use a wire.

The 13 mini or even SE 3 are over 5 years newer and have a lot more longevity. There's no comparison really.

 

[rwh63]

When your old SE1 is fixed, you’ll end up with 2 SE1. Why not get SE3 instead of 13 mini because you like Touch ID button and safe keep it until the SE1 is lost on support?

Not fixing the damaged SE1, buying a new replacement with double the storage.

New SE3 probably would run about the same as a refurb mini. I would have stepped up to the mini.

 

[rwh63]

I wouldn't be investing in an SE 1 in 2025. It's stuck on iOS 15 and the current release is iOS 18. Many apps will soon become unsupported if they haven't already.

I find Bluetooth freeing with no cord to get caught on things, but I also purchased a headphone adapter for when I want to use a wire.

The 13 mini or even SE 3 are over 5 years newer and have a lot more longevity. There's no comparison really.

Even though I do use Bluetooth, a lot of my headphones and vintage audio I use with mini jack cables.

 

[subjonas]

I suppose it depends on what apps you need to use. SE1 has lost and will continue losing support for some apps. 13 Mini likely will have full support for several more years. I like the SE1 hardware better too but it’s all tough trade offs for small phone/headphone jack/home button lovers at this point. I am in that group too, as well as being a Touch ID lover, despite now being a 16PM user lol. I don’t like it but Apple doesn’t sell any even remotely small phones now, so I’m just seeing if a big phone can also replace my iPad Mini (it only partially does).

 

[subjonas]

You'll quickly get used to not having a home button (I was very skeptical but it took me a day) and the headjack converters are working fine and are cheap.

They only big annoyance I still have with no home button (besides not having Touch ID) is that swiping up from the bottom of the screen changes depending on the orientation of your UI, which sometimes changes unexpectedly. For example when I’m lying down on my side and my phone is in portrait orientation relative to me and I’m on Home Screen, down is where I expect. But if say I open an app that supports landscape but I forgot to lock orientation, then suddenly down is to my side and depending on the app I have to think for a moment about which edge to swipe from to go home so that I can lock orientation to portrait (some apps like some games take longer to realize the orientation than others, also some apps are just black screen for a moment at launch so you have to wait). And it’s especially annoying if I accidentally opened the app. But it can also happen if I locked orientation or if I’m sitting upright, because some apps force you into one orientation or the other no matter what orientation you are actually in (eg. some video apps). So in these situations it takes me a second to register which way is down before I can swipe up, which was never a thing with the home button. It’s not a dealbreaker of course, but it is one somewhat annoying trade off, at least for me.

 

[Parowdy]

You can use the SE1 until it’s completely unsupported which will likely be within 1 year or 2 years maximum. You will already find that some banking apps are no longer supported on the SE1 due to the termination of security updates for the device.

The 13 Mini, on the other hand, is a complete powerhouse and will be usable until 2029/30. That’s obviously where the value lies if you’re not interested in purchasing new up-to-date phones.

If I were in your shoes, I’d just purchase a new 16e and be done with it. That device will be fine until 2034/35. You won’t have to worry about upgrading for a LONG time.

Where are those numbers coming from? 10 year software support is a myth if anything.
Don’t forget that the iPhone X is missing out on iOS 18, it received 6 software updates.
The iPhone that introduced non-changeable Lock Screen buttons will be the only one stuck with them. I don’t see Apple becoming more generous than that.

 

[Tripps9000]

If you really like the home button the se3 is a good choice to get being there are lots of accessories for that design of that phone being the 8 se2 where also the same design the se1 yes nice design but support is so limited and the 13 mini is a good phone but battery life is a downside of that phone even the se3 does not have a big battery lol the best choice would be se3 or 13 mini in my opinion 👍🏻

 

[Andeddu]

Where are those numbers coming from? 10 year software support is a myth if anything.
Don’t forget that the iPhone X is missing out on iOS 18, it received 6 software updates.
The iPhone that introduced non-changeable Lock Screen buttons will be the only one stuck with them. I don’t see Apple becoming more generous than that.

I am talking about usability, not the number of years the device is officially supported. If you read the original post, you’d have acknowledged that the OP is still using an OGSE which officially became unsupported back in 2022 however is still compatible with the vast majority of apps. iPhones don’t suddenly become e-Waste after their last official update, you can continue using them for many years as they’ll receive security updates.

The OGSE received its last security update in Sept 2024 however it’ll still be usable for another year.

That’s a 10 year lifespan.

 

[Reverend Benny]

I am talking about usability, not the number of years the device is officially supported. If you read the original post, you’d have acknowledged that the OP is still using an OGSE which officially became unsupported back in 2022 however is still compatible with the vast majority of apps. iPhones don’t suddenly become e-Waste after their last official update, you can continue using them for many years as they’ll receive security updates.

The OGSE received its last security update in Sept 2024 however it’ll still be usable for another year.

That’s a 10 year lifespan.

I think the last update for iOS 15 was June 2024, so its quite a while back. Considering all the security fixes released for iOS 16, 17 and 18 I’d say iOS 15 is due a massive update to patch things up. Don’t think Apple will release any more updates if it isn’t an official CVE with a high score.

It’s a shame security updates aren’t being released cuz people obviously like the devices and are using them.

 

[Andeddu]

I think the last update for iOS 15 was June 2024, so its quite a while back. Considering all the security fixes released for iOS 16, 17 and 18 I’d say iOS 15 is due a massive update to patch things up. Don’t think Apple will release any more updates if it isn’t an official CVE with a high score.

It’s a shame security updates aren’t being released cuz people obviously like the devices and are using them.

So the last security update for iOS 15 was on the 16th September 2024.

Phones on iOS 15 and iOS 16 are officially at the end of their life and will receive no further updates.

iPhone - End of Life

 

[maerz001]

once u use a phone without home button u wont go back. It’s really a no brainer.

And for like $5 u can get lighting/usbc to headphone jack Adapter.

SE1 is a dead horse

 

[padams35]

Getting a couple more years out of an original SE is rather optimistic. How many people still use a 5s or 6 with iOS 12?

The oldest phone still used by anyone I know personally is an iPhone 7, same iOS 15 as an original SE, and that user has complained that app compatibility has gotten bad in the past year.

Meanwhile I replaced an 8 with an SE3 last year so SE3 is my biased vote as the best option.

 

[Reverend Benny]

So the last security update for iOS 15 was on the 16th September 2024.

Phones on iOS 15 and iOS 16 are officially at the end of their life and will receive no further updates.

iPhone - End of Life

Just curious where you get that date from. As far as I know the last iOS 15 version is 15.8.3 (19H386) and that was released July 29, 2024.
Has there been one after that?

 

[Andeddu]

Just curious where you get that date from. As far as I know the last iOS 15 version is 15.8.3 (19H386) and that was released July 29, 2024.
Has there been one after that?

You appear to be correct. I picked the date from the link provided which suggested that updates for iOS 15 were completely discontinued on 16th September 2024, which happened to be the release date for iOS 18.

Either way, iOS 15 & 16 are both completely unsupported now.

 

[Reverend Benny]

You appear to be correct. I picked the date from the link provided which suggested that updates for iOS 15 were completely discontinued on 16th September 2024, which happened to be the release date for iOS 18.

Either way, iOS 15 & 16 are both completely unsupported now.

Yea, its s shame no more patches are being released.

Its not much we can do but my 5 cent is that they could have made it easier for themselves not dropping a few devices for every OS being released.
There was a jump between 12 to 15 where no devices were dropped. They could have done the same thing between 15 to maybe iOS 18. That way it would have been easier to release patches for older devices.

 

[geta]

once u use a phone without home button u wont go back. It’s really a no brainer.

And for like $5 u can get lighting/usbc to headphone jack Adapter.

SE1 is a dead horse

I don't mind losing the home button, but I still prefer TouchID.

 

[Parowdy]

I am talking about usability, not the number of years the device is officially supported. If you read the original post, you’d have acknowledged that the OP is still using an OGSE which officially became unsupported back in 2022 however is still compatible with the vast majority of apps. iPhones don’t suddenly become e-Waste after their last official update, you can continue using them for many years as they’ll receive security updates.

The OGSE received its last security update in Sept 2024 however it’ll still be usable for another year.

That’s a 10 year lifespan.

Fair enough. I have a 2016 SE around so I know about the security updates but that didn’t come to mind. However, considering there was a security update recently for iOS 18, I was wondering when and if the SE will get an update too.

 

[Andeddu]

Fair enough. I have a 2016 SE around so I know about the security updates but that didn’t come to mind. However, considering there was a security update recently for iOS 18, I was wondering when and if the SE will get an update too.

The 6S, OGSE, 7, 8 and X are completely unsupported legacy devices now and are not likely to receive any future updates.

Like I said, I think the 6S/OGSE still have another full year of use in them before the major apps start discontinuing support for them.

 

[rwh63]

once u use a phone without home button u wont go back. It’s really a no brainer.

And for like $5 u can get lighting/usbc to headphone jack Adapter.

SE1 is a dead horse

i personally wouldn't go that far. the SE1, as of today, is still a good device. i can use the apps i need, watch video's, take pics/videos, send email, text, play music, make calls, etc. i have decent size hands, and i rest it on my lower finger and use my thumb to reach all 4 corners, and i like the home button. it's a nice device.

i've had an SE1 since 2017. the size is great, battery ok, fits in any pocket fully. my first was a space gray 128 gb. it suffered a bad screen situation (though still partially functions). i purchased a friends 64 gb version in that emergency ( they had bought a 13 mini). now the 64 somehow suffered a right side vertical screen issue, so i have activated a 32 gb SE1 i had recently inherited. 32 gb is way too small, and the battery is headed to 90%.

so, choices were a new SE1 128 for $150, a refurb 13 mini 128 gb for $400, or a new 16e for $600. so far, decided and ordered the SE1. it will have good storage, a factory battery (sealed box), and all the built-ins i use. maybe it will buy me another 12-24 full use months. by then, i may grab a refurb mini.

for this year, i will use the 128 gb as my primary number and protect it, and the 32 gb as my work phone.

 

[throAU]

Having owned both a 2020 se and 13 mini… 13 mini without a doubt. Every time. It’s a much better phone.

Much better cameras, much better display, bigger, better quality screen, better battery life (larger battery capacity) and smaller physical size.

I originally bought the se to retain faceid.

I was mistaken. I’ll never go back.

 

[rwh63]

I agree that the mini is the better future choice. I want to put the $250 cost difference towards a new laptop. The mini should be around in refurb form for a couple more years. Maybe in 6–12 months I can grab a mini and retire the 32 gb phone, and use the new SE1 and mini as my pair. And I will have a new MacBook Pro to boot (still using my 2011 pro).