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iPhone SE (2016) SE or wait for 12?

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Wifiartthou

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 19, 2020
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Summary: Daily driver is 6s. Choices are buy SE now or wait for 12.

Current use: 6s works well. I like the size, the aluminum frame/thinness and TouchID. Mainly use this for facebook, internet surfing, some Netflix, reading emails, messaging, conference calls for work. Don't play any games.

Wants: Would like a slightly larger screen for aging eyes. Do not want a huge screen like S10 plus. I want a better camera that can take some night / low light shots. The current camera in 6s is terrible for that. I'm not into photography apart from wanting to take good quality pics and video of kids and family.

Price is not really the issue but I hate overpaying for stuff I won't use. Should I get the SE2 or wait for 12? Do not want to get 11 at this point since i can wait. The dilemma is that SE does not really seem to be a huge step up in terms of screen, camera (processor wise, yes) but 12 may be overkill for what I need.

Comments, thoughts, evisceration welcome :)
 
Look for a 12 or 11 on discount with 2 week trial return policy. Return device if not satisfied.

Photos need a photographer however in the first place to be nice. The camera just makes image quality but not great photos. That’s the job of the human operating the machine. ;)
 
Wifiartthou said:
Current use: 6s works well. I like the size, the aluminum frame/thinness and TouchID. Mainly use this for facebook, internet surfing, some Netflix, reading emails, messaging, conference calls for work. Don't play any games.

Wants: Would like a slightly larger screen for aging eyes. Do not want a huge screen like S10 plus. I want a better camera that can take some night / low light shots. The current camera in 6s is terrible for that. I'm not into photography apart from wanting to take good quality pics and video of kids and family.
Click to expand...
SE has same screen size as your 6s so based on this, it seems you're better off waiting for the rumored 5.4" iPhone 12.
 
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Apple says the SE has the best single lens camera in their lineup, (yes better than XR).

almost everywhere I see talk about the cam in this hey say it’s just the iPhone 8 cam, however, we are in a place where what’s behind the Lens is capable of doing more than an improved lens might do...Rene Ritchie put it this way:

“iPhone SE camera hardware (sensor/optics) are iPhone 8.

iPhone SE silicon (image signal processor) is iPhone 11.

Some bits are new to iPhone SE.

It’s a chimera. :)”

that being said, while it does share the 11’s next gen smart HDR and “portrait” capability, it will take better low light pics than your 6s, but it doesn’t have the night mode found in the 11 series.

The SE may have all you want, except, the screen size is the same as your 6s, so, if that’s a deal breaker, wait, otherwise, perhaps wait for reviews on the SE to see how well the cam does in low light, we should see these as soon as AI and others can get their hands on these.
[automerge]1587309971[/automerge]
I pre-ordered an SE as I still prefer Touch ID at this point.
 
There's no guarantee that the 12 will get a Night Mode camera. That's a "pro" feature that'll likely be reserved for the high end expensive models.

If the 12 is a bump up from the 11, it's not going to be that compelling compared to the SE2 unless you're a fan of FaceID and no home button. The screen on the 12 will be longer than the SE2 but the notch cuts a lot into that.
Also, I know it's a little thing, but the 12 (and 11) don't show the battery charge % on the screen continuously. You've got to swipe down on the screen every time to see it.
 
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lympero said:
iPhone se has an aging form factor with huge bezels. So since it’s 2020, wait for iPhone 12.
Click to expand...

.... which seems to counter what you said, because of how popular the original SE was, Not to mention the beloved 4.7 inch size, so your ‘bezel argument’ probably doesn’t hold any value, given consumers don’t openly discuss ‘bezels’ on an iPhone. [Let alone, I question if consumers even know what a bezel is.....]
 
now i see it said:
There's no guarantee that the 12 will get a Night Mode camera. That's a "pro" feature that'll likely be reserved for the high end expensive models.

...
Click to expand...
All of the 11 models have night mode, not just the pros.
1CE0A11C-5ADC-493B-BD87-A0DDD2719660.png
 
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now i see it said:
There's no guarantee that the 12 will get a Night Mode camera. That's a "pro" feature that'll likely be reserved for the high end expensive models.
Click to expand...

That’s ridiculous. Even $200-300 Xiaomi phones have it. It’s not a “pro” feature- it’s been around for 2 years now and is essential if you’re buying a phone in 2020.

Apple’s own $700 iPhone 11 had it, which wasn’t a Pro phone. So will the 12 of course, as its starting price will most likely be higher than $700 due to OLED, 5G and cost of redesigned chassis.

OP, wait for 12 if you can. There will be 4 phones to choose from and any of them will feel like much more of an upgrade for you than SE.
 
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Based on your preferences, you would benefit from the 12 5.4". Wait for it. It's also the one I'm waiting for. I don't think it's overkill at all. The Pros on the other hand....
 
I was going to wait for the 12 as I didn't get on with the 11 (coming from a 6S Plus) but we found a Vodaphone 2 year contract today for 6GB data that costs £643 over the two years, for the phone and the data package. Subtracting the £12.50 sim only I pay now that’s £300 over the two years and the 128GB SE costs me £343. At that price I’m happy to settle for the SE as I already have an iPad Mini 5 and an iPad Air.
 
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