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

[maerz001]

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).

For me who uses a phone much more than a Laptop i would put the Money in the 13 mini or above

 

[vvvvvv]

The mini should be around in refurb form for a couple more years.

Really would not count on this.

 

[sdfox7]

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.

Agreed. The SE 2 in my collection is a beast on iOS 15! Most of the major apps still get updates. And the ones that don't update still work and can be downloaded via the "last compatible version" method.

A mountain has been made out of a molehill on the SE 2 "battery life" but I notice no such issue. Seems these days people on the internet regurgitate what they read on reddit or by technology reviewers instead giving first-hand real-world experience. The SE 2 was an outstanding value at $399.

 

[rwh63]

And the mini is not as mini as the SE1. Heck, I would still be using the 4s if I could.

 

[throAU]

And the mini is not as mini as the SE1. Heck, I would still be using the 4s if I could.

If you’re talking se1 as in the iPhone 4 chassis. No. Not quite. But it’s a much much newer device.

 

[James6s]

Personally I would go with a refurb 13 Mini direct from the Apple certified refurbished store, more future proofed with a modern design.

The iPhone SE3 maybe a good choice if you want a smaller iPhone that still has a good few years of support at least left in it using the A15 chip like the 13 Mini.

Apple recently replenished stock of the refurbished 13 Mini here in the UK.

The dimensions aren’t hugely different between the SE1 vs 13 Mini, and the 13 Mini is a much better device in every way.

 

[geta]

Personally I would go with a refurb 13 Mini direct from the Apple certified refurbished store, more future proofed with a modern design.

The iPhone SE3 maybe a good choice if you want a smaller iPhone that still has a good few years of support at least left in it using the A15 chip like the 13 Mini.

Apple recently replenished stock of the refurbished 13 Mini here in the UK.

The dimensions aren’t hugely different between the SE1 vs 13 Mini, and the 13 Mini is a much better device in every way.

It’s not a huge difference on paper, but it's noticeable in the hand.

 

[James6s]

It’s not a huge difference on paper, but it's noticeable in the hand.

That’ll be the real test how they feel in hand I guess. My brother has a 13 Mini and it feels tiny in hand vs my 16e. It’s a long time since I had my SE1 back in 2016, loved it!

The 13 Mini is the last truly small iPhone Apple is likely to make. If you prefer small devices then get one while they’re still available 😁

 

[geta]

That’ll be the real test how they feel in hand I guess. My brother has a 13 Mini and it feels tiny in hand vs my 16e. It’s a long time since I had my SE1 back in 2016, loved it!

The 13 Mini is the last truly small iPhone Apple is likely to make. If you prefer small devices then get one while they’re still available 😁

As much as I like small phones, where I live I can’t find refurbished 13 Mini from Apple, and a used one plus new battery cost too much… so for now it seems I won’t have a choice but swallow the bullet and jump on the 16e train. 🤷‍♂️

 

[ayephoner]

I've never understood buying older phones. sure, you spend less, but the depreciation of value actually increases as phones age. I'd recommend investing in a new 16e and then upgrading every 3 years or so (or however that product cycle works out). Your initial investment will be more, but trade-in value will offset that moving forward. That's what makes sense to me anyways.

 

[sdfox7]

I've never understood buying older phones. sure, you spend less, but the depreciation of value actually increases as phones age. I'd recommend investing in a new 16e and then upgrading every 3 years or so (or however that product cycle works out). Your initial investment will be more, but trade-in value will offset that moving forward. That's what makes sense to me anyways.

You only live once, and everyone has different priorities, right?

The tech industry depends on people upgrading their technology frequently. Yet not everyone buys a phone for resale or trade-in value. If you do an upgrade every year you have no equity in the phone, you're just paying for the convenience of using the phone. And carrier "deals" can lock you into an expensive plan. No one believes a carrier is going to give us a "free" phone out of the goodness of their heart, do we?

My opinion is that you should always look at the total cost of ownership instead of looking at the monthly payment. The focus on monthly payments is a well-known trap that finance companies including car dealers use. You might get a good monthly payment, but at the cost of an extended loan and interest payments.

I buy my phones outright and unlocked so that I am not hostage to any particular carrier. The cell phone market is saturated and the advances in cell phone technology have plateaued. "AI" is the next big thing but TO ME is just a gimmick. The typical phone can easily last 10 years if you consider extended iOS updates and app support.

If you bought an SE 1/2 at $399 + tax when it was released and you get 10 years out of it, that's $40-50 per year. You'll have more money in your bank account and the environment will thank you.

 

[ayephoner]

You seem to be ignoring a lot of what I posted, and just making up random stuff to respond to.

I didn't post anything about upgrading every year. I actually said every 3 years. I said nothing about carrier deals. You can trade in directly to apple now. I said nothing about monthly payments (but I'm pretty sure all monthly payments are 0% interest with cell phones, at least all that I know of).

I agree that cell phones technology has largely plateaued, but we're posting in a thread where the OP is trying to decide if using a nearly decade old phone is a good idea or not. I think 10 years is a bit much for the life expectancy of a phone, especially when iphones just got 5G radios with the 12 series.

And while it's completely obvious that upgrading more often will cost more money, my point is that upgrading every 3 years (or so) will maximize your trade-in value and prevent your tech from becoming painfully outdated.

 

[sdfox7]

You seem to be ignoring a lot of what I posted, and just making up random stuff to respond to.

I didn't post anything about upgrading every year. I actually said every 3 years. I said nothing about carrier deals. You can trade in directly to apple now. I said nothing about monthly payments (but I'm pretty sure all monthly payments are 0% interest with cell phones, at least all that I know of).

I agree that cell phones technology has largely plateaued, but we're posting in a thread where the OP is trying to decide if using a nearly decade old phone is a good idea or not. I think 10 years is a bit much for the life expectancy of a phone, especially when iphones just got 5G radios with the 12 series.

And while it's completely obvious that upgrading more often will cost more money, my point is that upgrading every 3 years (or so) will maximize your trade-in value and prevent your tech from becoming painfully outdated.

Good points. I was using the one-year upgrade as a lead-in to my carrier upgrade example where they want you to upgrade every year.

Although, would you agree you get a better return if you sell the phone yourself vs using a trade-in program? Apple’s trade-in offers are usually underwhelming.

 

[ayephoner]

Yes, you absolutely do get a better return that way.

I use carrier promos to get a better deal on trade-ins though (which is actually unreal, truly). But, it is only a great deal for me because I'm on a family plan with a several family members, so my monthly access is pretty cheap. I realize that isn't the case for most people though. But if you're with one of the big 3, it does make good sense to get on the newer trade-in promo cycle.

 

[geta]

I've never understood buying older phones. sure, you spend less, but the depreciation of value actually increases as phones age. I'd recommend investing in a new 16e and then upgrading every 3 years or so (or however that product cycle works out). Your initial investment will be more, but trade-in value will offset that moving forward. That's what makes sense to me anyways.

I never understood why I "need" to upgrade my phone every 3 years or so if I can continue use it much longer... also trade in a perfectly working and relative new iPhone for peanuts is a joke, and I never understood why some people thinking iPhones are investments. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Andeddu]

You only live once, and everyone has different priorities, right?

The tech industry depends on people upgrading their technology frequently. Yet not everyone buys a phone for resale or trade-in value. If you do an upgrade every year you have no equity in the phone, you're just paying for the convenience of using the phone. And carrier "deals" can lock you into an expensive plan. No one believes a carrier is going to give us a "free" phone out of the goodness of their heart, do we?

My opinion is that you should always look at the total cost of ownership instead of looking at the monthly payment. The focus on monthly payments is a well-known trap that finance companies including car dealers use. You might get a good monthly payment, but at the cost of an extended loan and interest payments.

I buy my phones outright and unlocked so that I am not hostage to any particular carrier. The cell phone market is saturated and the advances in cell phone technology have plateaued. "AI" is the next big thing but TO ME is just a gimmick. The typical phone can easily last 10 years if you consider extended iOS updates and app support.

If you bought an SE 1/2 at $399 + tax when it was released and you get 10 years out of it, that's $40-50 per year. You'll have more money in your bank account and the environment will thank you.

I guess I fall in the old-fashioned camp where I prefer to own my things rather than using them as equity to purchase other newer things.

I keep all my iPhones but I will pretty much use them up until they’re no longer usable. My iPhones enter a conveyor belt where they go from being a daily driver prior to becoming a secondary Wi-Fi only device in the house. Some of these iPhones have been retired, such as my 6S & OGSE which are in their boxes as collectibles (I would never sell as they’re both immaculate and absolutely worthless in the open market) whereas my 8 is my current secondary device (which I am using to type up this post).

If Apple decide to change the look of the iPhone significantly this year, I may decide to upgrade to the 17 Air or Pro and my 13 will become my secondary device. The 6S, OGSE and 8 are all worthless anyway so they’ll be boxed up and kept in the cupboard as retro collectibles.

 

[ayephoner]

I never understood why I "need" to upgrade my phone every 3 years or so if I can continue use it much longer... also trade in a perfectly working and relative new iPhone for peanuts is a joke, and I never understood why some people thinking iPhones are investments. 🤷‍♂️

When I bought my 15 pro max, I traded in my 12 pro max for $830. I don't think that's peanuts. I got a $1200 phone for $370, and in 3 years, I will repeat that process. I don't really think there is a "need" to upgrade after 3 years, but (in my humble opinion) there is a sweet spot right there on trade-in value. Investments? What is with posters putting words in my mouth?

 

[rwh63]

Well, it arrived. Moment of. truth. Besides because my 64 gb SE1 has a damaged screen, I tapped into a Comcast promo that gives me 12 months of internet for $30/mth with a free phone line. And they give you a $200 virtual debit card after activating the phone.

So I have to go to T-Mobile and make sure everything, esp. voicemails, transfer over to the new phone. Use it a few more days, then transfer over to Comcast service.

Easiest and cheapest way was a new SE1. It will be the last time I will have a new SE1.

 

[rwh63]

i note the date on the box: 2024.

 

[rwh63]

This is my 2017 128 Space Gray box and cracked screen phone. I had just replaced the battery before it broke

 

[Andeddu]

i note the date on the box: 2024.

That’s insane, can you show us your new SE once it’s out the box? It’s very difficult to get a new SE1 these days. I spent 2-3 weeks hunting one down back in 2022 when I got mine which I purchased from a reseller who obtained a number of them from a phone carrier as new old stock. My SE1’s serial number was from July 2016.

 

[rwh63]

It probably has the A18 chip inside! Apple does make small phones, but they don’t advertise it….

 

[Andeddu]

i note the date on the box: 2024.

Results for Apple serial number DX3VRBX0HTVK

This 'iPhone SE' was made in week 48 of 2017.

Click here to see what an Apple iPhone SE may be worth (via previously sold items on eBay)

Apple model name= iPhone SE
Apple serial format= 2010 onward
Date of manufacture= Week 48 of 2017


It must be an official Apple refurb given the box date?

Edit: The decoder may have been mistaken given that serial numbers are decoded differently after 2020.

I now believe your SE was manufactured at Foxconn Vietnam in 2023. This makes sense given the date printed on the box.

 

[rwh63]

At T-Mobile now. Doing data transfer between phones.

 

[Andeddu]

At T-Mobile now. Doing data transfer between phones.

Which iOS did it come pre installed with? iOS 15?

Looks gorgeous! Nothing nicer than a brand new OGSE. You got it at a great price, I have been searching eBay (out of curiosity) and I can only find sealed new old stock for twice the price you paid.