iPhone SE (2016) SE 2020 or Android Experiment for short term phone?

[bluewooster]

Just curiously soliciting opinions...

I gave my XS Max to my 5 year old to play a game and she had moisturizer on her hands (she has bad eczema) - when I got the phone back the sound was very muffled and quiet (both for making phone calls and playing music). I thought some moisturizer must have gotten in the top speaker so I washed the phone gently with soap and water (which did seem to fix the sound) but, shortly after, the screen developed a bright horizontal strip and then turned off completely! From the time, my daughter played with it to me noticing the issue to complete screen failure was less than one hour!

It still makes sounds (can receive a phone call and ring) but the screen is absolutely fried - will not turn on. I tried turning it off and leaving it off for a period with no success. Then, I put it in DFU mode and restored it (I think) using my MacBook but the screen is still dead. I suspect, between the moisturizer and my washing it, there must be liquid damage (though I'm a bit surprised it happened now - my kid plays with it all the time - and that it died so quickly).

To get it fixed (replaced I suspect) is $1200 as per Apple's website but we are so close to the iPhone 12 release...I think I'll get a temporary phone and then buy the 12 when it comes out.

Now I'm not sure if I should buy an SE 2020 or experiment with an Android device (I think the Galaxy A71 looks good for a "temporary" phone).

Looking at the phones, the A71 is appealing in many ways (I like big screens and it just feels more modern) but I'm not sure if I'm ready to lose my Apple Watch, my AirPods, Apple Pay, the integration with my MacBook, Apple Music, etc...

I'll be coming back once the 12 is released (and I'm honestly not trying to start an Apple vs Android fight - I did have a Nexus 5 way back and liked it) but genuinely curious about what others would do in such a situation.

Stick with the program and get the SE or throw caution to the wind and try the Galaxy? (It's a sad state on my life when switching smartphone ecosystems is enough to get my heart rate up!)

 

[Txguy82]

lol... u stuck in the ecosystem man!!! Best bet is to get the SE20 since it’s the better bang for your $$$

 

[one more]

From what you have described, it would probably be better to go with iPhone SE in the meantime, as you sound certain to want to stay with iOS.

 

[now i see it]

Obviously you haven't used an Android phone before. It's not about the hardware, it's all about the operating system and how everything works.
I have a few older iPhones and one Samsung Android phone I needed to run a side loaded Android specific app.
I can't imagine having to use android all the time. I really don't like it at all.
iOS certainly isn't great, but Android? Yuck.

 

[Expos of 1969]

As you will be "going back" when the 12 is released, buy an SE now (sell it later or keep as a back up phone) AND buy a very cheap Android if your 5 year old absolutely must have a phone for her gaming. In my humble opinion, a 5 year old should not be using a phone for anything, but you and others may disagree

 

[rui no onna]

If the iPhone SE is too small, why not consider refurbished or used XR?

 

[tonybarnaby]

Google pixel 3a xl

 

[bluewooster]

Thanks everyone. Just came back from the store and bought the SE (of course!). My Apple Watch had delivered me a mild zap followed by a text from Apple telling me that was just a warning zap but the next one would be more severe if I ever spoke of leaving again!

 

[Bandaman]

It's pretty much just as fast as the 11. You're not going to find an Android alternative with that kind of oomf for that price.

 

[Caesars]

I would just use a friends old iPhone, although using an android will just remind you why you love Apple so much.

 

[Steven-iphone]

The feature I like about Android is the ability to connect (plug into) my Windows device and transfer music, photos, files. For me this is better since I am multi platform (Android, Windows) - I don't need iTunes or be locked to one OS. Take a look at the Google Pixel 3a or 3a XL - really nice devices.

Plus you can make the launch screen look anyway you desire and not locked into the tic-tac-toe look.

Next phone try a case and screen protector.

 

[frankenhooker]

Don’t pick up the SE if you think you’re going to be away from a charger for any period of time. Was getting a full day comfortably at first, but it fell off a cliff, battery was lasting around ten hours with little use. It could of been a faulty device, but I returned it and picked up something else.

Great little phone, shocking battery life.

 

[bluewooster]

A quick epilogue....

After a few days of using the SE, I still find it very, very small. Typing feels nearly impossible and I rely on swiping for most texts. But, I suspect it is a matter of time before I would grow used to it (I was content with a 3GS at one point after all!).

I love, love, love going back to Touch ID. I disliked Face ID right from the start (and working in a hospital and wearing a mask the past couple months has done nothing to improve that attitude). Even pre-coronavirus I had poor success with it. I've registered my face with and without glasses but it hasn't recognized me once when I get that 1 AM text page and need to open the phone. What a relief to be able to just grab my phone with my thumb on the button and it's open by the time I need it!

Battery life isn't great but not as bad as I feared. I can make it through a busy day of work (barely). However, due to the smaller screen, I find I really just use the phone for calls and texts and not as much of the "trivial" things I used the XS Max for (surfing, email, etc). If I did, I suspect the battery might not cut it.

I don't like the bezels but I didn't like the notch either - wish they could do a compromise with perhaps super slim but symmetric bezels or a hole punch similar to many android phones (it just looks better to me).

All in all - it is a super well built and solid phone for the price!

But, out of curiosity, I tried plugging my XS Max in yesterday....

And the screen came on! I've used it for >24 hours now and it seems just as good as it ever was. I'm a bit confused as to why - I had left it off before for an extended period to dry out and it wouldn't work but maybe it just needed longer?

So if it continues to work well for the next few days, I'll likely return the SE (that's a bit of a jerk move I know but I can't see how I would every need it at this point).

 

[Apple_Robert]

Just curiously soliciting opinions...

I gave my XS Max to my 5 year old to play a game and she had moisturizer on her hands (she has bad eczema) - when I got the phone back the sound was very muffled and quiet (both for making phone calls and playing music). I thought some moisturizer must have gotten in the top speaker so I washed the phone gently with soap and water (which did seem to fix the sound) but, shortly after, the screen developed a bright horizontal strip and then turned off completely! From the time, my daughter played with it to me noticing the issue to complete screen failure was less than one hour!

It still makes sounds (can receive a phone call and ring) but the screen is absolutely fried - will not turn on. I tried turning it off and leaving it off for a period with no success. Then, I put it in DFU mode and restored it (I think) using my MacBook but the screen is still dead. I suspect, between the moisturizer and my washing it, there must be liquid damage (though I'm a bit surprised it happened now - my kid plays with it all the time - and that it died so quickly).

To get it fixed (replaced I suspect) is $1200 as per Apple's website but we are so close to the iPhone 12 release...I think I'll get a temporary phone and then buy the 12 when it comes out.

Now I'm not sure if I should buy an SE 2020 or experiment with an Android device (I think the Galaxy A71 looks good for a "temporary" phone).

Looking at the phones, the A71 is appealing in many ways (I like big screens and it just feels more modern) but I'm not sure if I'm ready to lose my Apple Watch, my AirPods, Apple Pay, the integration with my MacBook, Apple Music, etc...

I'll be coming back once the 12 is released (and I'm honestly not trying to start an Apple vs Android fight - I did have a Nexus 5 way back and liked it) but genuinely curious about what others would do in such a situation.

Stick with the program and get the SE or throw caution to the wind and try the Galaxy? (It's a sad state on my life when switching smartphone ecosystems is enough to get my heart rate up!)

Get a used SE (original) to get you over the hump, until new phones are released.

 

[tt061282]

It’s never about the hardware between iPhone and Android. It’s all about software. For you it sounds like you’re well integrated into Apple’s ecosystem so you have to go SE. On top of that the SE has flagship performance for the next 4-6 months until the 12 comes out. The A71 looks great, but regardless of what anyone wants to say about the chip it runs on which is the Snapdragon 730... it’s not a flagship chip. It’s a fine SOC, but it’s not flagship.

Being integrated in iOS is the main thing here. The fact the SE’s performance will be above the A71 tells me you should go SE.
[automerge]1592774523[/automerge]
After posting this I’ve now went back and seen that you bought an iPhone SE and your XS Max is working better now 😂😂😂

 

[Victor Mortimer]

Just curiously soliciting opinions...

I gave my XS Max to my 5 year old to play a game and she had moisturizer on her hands (she has bad eczema) - when I got the phone back the sound was very muffled and quiet (both for making phone calls and playing music). I thought some moisturizer must have gotten in the top speaker so I washed the phone gently with soap and water (which did seem to fix the sound) but, shortly after, the screen developed a bright horizontal strip and then turned off completely! From the time, my daughter played with it to me noticing the issue to complete screen failure was less than one hour!

It still makes sounds (can receive a phone call and ring) but the screen is absolutely fried - will not turn on. I tried turning it off and leaving it off for a period with no success. Then, I put it in DFU mode and restored it (I think) using my MacBook but the screen is still dead. I suspect, between the moisturizer and my washing it, there must be liquid damage (though I'm a bit surprised it happened now - my kid plays with it all the time - and that it died so quickly).

To get it fixed (replaced I suspect) is $1200 as per Apple's website but we are so close to the iPhone 12 release...I think I'll get a temporary phone and then buy the 12 when it comes out.

Now I'm not sure if I should buy an SE 2020 or experiment with an Android device (I think the Galaxy A71 looks good for a "temporary" phone).

Looking at the phones, the A71 is appealing in many ways (I like big screens and it just feels more modern) but I'm not sure if I'm ready to lose my Apple Watch, my AirPods, Apple Pay, the integration with my MacBook, Apple Music, etc...

I'll be coming back once the 12 is released (and I'm honestly not trying to start an Apple vs Android fight - I did have a Nexus 5 way back and liked it) but genuinely curious about what others would do in such a situation.

Stick with the program and get the SE or throw caution to the wind and try the Galaxy? (It's a sad state on my life when switching smartphone ecosystems is enough to get my heart rate up!)

Send it to Jessa.

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[faraine]

If you're going to buy the Iphone 12 anyway why not giving android phone a chance?
Have you considered the Samsung S10e?