iPhone SE 3
iOS = 16.7
Purchase Date = 08/2023
Modem Firmware is the same as my wife's 13 mini.
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iPhone SE (2022) The SE3. My goodness.
- Thread starter JM
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iOS = 16.7
Purchase Date = 08/2023
Modem Firmware is the same as my wife's 13 mini.
Interesting, same as mine.
Lets see if there’s someone with a different modem firmware for iOS 16.
Thanks for sharing!
iPhone SE3
Purchase Date 03/22 (can’t recall but it was purchased on launch)
iOS 16.7.1
Modem Firmware 2.80.01
Purchase Date 08/23
iOS 17.0.3
Modem Firmware 3.06.01
Purchase Date 03/22 (can’t recall but it was purchased on launch)
iOS 16.7.1
Modem Firmware 2.80.01
Purchase Date 08/23
iOS 17.0.3
Modem Firmware 3.06.01
I got this case for my SE and it works with our Belkin MagSafe car charger/dock.
Yriklso for iPhone SE 2022/iPhone SE 2020/iPhone 8 Magnetic Case, Built in Magnets Compatible with MagSafe, Translucent Matte Hard PC Back Cover for iPhone 8/SE 2/SE 3（4.7"）-Matte Purple
Particularly designed for iPhone SE 2022/iPhone SE 2020/iPhone 8, the phone case is compatible with Magsafe chargers and other Qi Wireless chargers without signal influence. Built-in strong magnet, the iPhone 8/SE2/SE3 will not fall off no matter how it rotates with super adsorption capacity. The...
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Well, then now could be a great time to update… if it wasn’t because of the bugs. Honestly, I prefer to wait until the system is more polished, even with the risk of batter life worsening again.
Also I’ve read that the predictive keyboard is still not too polished (I've read people complaining) so hopefully Apple will improve it as well on the next updates.
But thank you for your feedback!
Thank you.
Today I checked the SE3 of a family member, and indeed it has the same modem firmware as mine: 2.80.01 So… I guess the Qualcomm X57 uses the same firmware as the iPhone 13 modem. That’s the only conclusion I can extract.
Hi! I’m reviving this thread after 10 months of use to share some thoughts.
After almost a year with my SE 3, and 7 years with a 4,7” iPhone (previously with my great iPhone 8), during the past few months I’ve been considering a “newer” iPhone, especially with the 16 around the corner (A18 + 8GB of RAM with Apple Intelligence). It’s tempting, for sure.
HOWEVER, after ruminating about the new form factor, either the 14 or the 15/16, recently I went to my local store, and was able to, once again, hold the new iPhones on my hand. I think I do this every year… only to reach the same conclusion: there’s nothing like the smaller, compact, robust design of the iPhone SE 2/3.
After 30 minutes holding in my hand the iPhone 15 and 15 pro (which is slightly narrower), and “getting used to” it’s weight, and holding/using it with one hand, trying to convince myself that this design is the present and the future of the smartphone, I was almost “okay” using it doing equilibrium with my right hand to put it horizontally and snap a picture without dropping it…
Then, I took my SE 3. Oh, my goodness. After 30 minutes holding that brick in my hand (and it wasn’t even the plus or max model), feeling the smooth, robust , small and light body of my SE 3 felt like truly a technological advance! It didn’t feel older but quite the contrary! Something handy to pick up when needed, with ease, with one hand.
I mentioned robustness, and not in vain. During the almost 6 years I’ve used my iPhone 8, I’ve dropped it to the floor quite a few times. Most of them with a flimsy thin silicon case, and no screen protector. And sometimes, even bare (I take off the case in some rare occasions). Never, ever, until today, has had anything broken aside from maybe a light scratch in some aluminum corner. Same with my current SE 3. I know OLED displays can get damaged easier with drops, even if the glass doesn’t broken (e.g. vertical green lines). Not with my iPhone 8 or SE 3.
But what I wanted to really stress with this post, is the lightweight of this design. It’s incredible how light it feels on hand after using one of the current iPhones.
That’s why I’m thinking about getting a second unit, even if it’s again from the second hand market, just to keep it in case this one fails some day.
I know the main downside: it will eventually get obsolete, especially now that apparently all new iPhones are coming with minimum 8GB of RAM, and this one has only 4GB. But I trust that without Apple Intelligence, this iPhone will last at least until iOS 20. That’s 2027, and then until 2029 with security updates. So I think I’ll be good for at least 5 more years… Let’s hope smartphones don’t get EVEN BIGGER during that time.
I’m happy for you, and I love that form factor as well, but I’m here to talk about the marvelous iPhone SE 3. Once again. My PWM sensitivity prevented me from having a 13 mini.
After almost a year with my SE 3, and 7 years with a 4,7” iPhone (previously with my great iPhone 8), during the past few months I’ve been considering a “newer” iPhone, especially with the 16 around the corner (A18 + 8GB of RAM with Apple Intelligence). It’s tempting, for sure.
HOWEVER, after ruminating about the new form factor, either the 14 or the 15/16, recently I went to my local store, and was able to, once again, hold the new iPhones on my hand. I think I do this every year… only to reach the same conclusion: there’s nothing like the smaller, compact, robust design of the iPhone SE 2/3.
After 30 minutes holding in my hand the iPhone 15 and 15 pro (which is slightly narrower), and “getting used to” it’s weight, and holding/using it with one hand, trying to convince myself that this design is the present and the future of the smartphone, I was almost “okay” using it doing equilibrium with my right hand to put it horizontally and snap a picture without dropping it…
Then, I took my SE 3. Oh, my goodness. After 30 minutes holding that brick in my hand (and it wasn’t even the plus or max model), feeling the smooth, robust , small and light body of my SE 3 felt like truly a technological advance! It didn’t feel older but quite the contrary! Something handy to pick up when needed, with ease, with one hand.
I mentioned robustness, and not in vain. During the almost 6 years I’ve used my iPhone 8, I’ve dropped it to the floor quite a few times. Most of them with a flimsy thin silicon case, and no screen protector. And sometimes, even bare (I take off the case in some rare occasions). Never, ever, until today, has had anything broken aside from maybe a light scratch in some aluminum corner. Same with my current SE 3. I know OLED displays can get damaged easier with drops, even if the glass doesn’t broken (e.g. vertical green lines). Not with my iPhone 8 or SE 3.
But what I wanted to really stress with this post, is the lightweight of this design. It’s incredible how light it feels on hand after using one of the current iPhones.
That’s why I’m thinking about getting a second unit, even if it’s again from the second hand market, just to keep it in case this one fails some day.
I know the main downside: it will eventually get obsolete, especially now that apparently all new iPhones are coming with minimum 8GB of RAM, and this one has only 4GB. But I trust that without Apple Intelligence, this iPhone will last at least until iOS 20. That’s 2027, and then until 2029 with security updates. So I think I’ll be good for at least 5 more years… Let’s hope smartphones don’t get EVEN BIGGER during that time.
I totally understand how the lighter weight feels better....and the rounded sides. I am envious of the SE users, I just don't know if I could comfortably use a 4.7" display again. I wish they would make the upcoming SE based on the Xr but the rumors say they won't.
I picked one up on Swappa recently - great used prices there for the SE3 (just buy from a good seller). Not every device is a great deal used, but the SE3 is in the sweet spot of depreciated price for a device that's solid and won't be obsolete any time soon.
Not going to lie - I might use it as a trade in for one of the newer models when the 16 line comes out, because at times I miss the higher default resolution and I don't have PWM issues (though LCD has always been a hint easier on my eyes).
I think the SE3 is kind of the Toyota Corolla of phones right now. Smaller, can have some nice bells and whistles, won't excite anybody, but is a rock solid affordable option.
Yeah, I get you, I don’t think I would be able to go back to the OG iPhone SE 4” screen either.
As for the edges, for a long time I was a defender of the squared edges of the new models, and actually I think they help to use more the screen space in the same overall dimensions. But there’s something about rounded edges that makes it feel so comfortable while holding it in hand… maybe without a case they are slippery, yes, but with a case it is more comfortable to hold.
Nice @CarAnalogy
For me, it’s not as much as the affordability (which still, is an important factor for many), as it is for the ease of use thanks to its compact size and light weight.
Honestly, I already have an 11” M2 iPad Pro that I carry with me most of the time, so I don’t rely as much on my iPhone, but that doesn’t mean I don’t use it for a lot of things. Today’s posts on this thread are written from my SE, with one hand.
By the way. One more reason I’m so happy with my SE3, is that after installing the build 21G93 of iOS 17.6.1 it runs so well! And almost the same battery life. The A15 SoC is a great chip, and the SE 3 is a great device… until Apple stops optimizing for A15 devices.