Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What It's Like Using an iPhone SE in 2019

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,510
30,785



Apple discontinued the iPhone SE in September when iPhone XS and XR models were released, but in January, Apple started selling off its remaining stock via its clearance site for $249.

Every time Apple restocks the clearance site, available iPhone SE models go quick, suggesting there's still quite a lot of interest in the 4-inch device. We recently picked up an iPhone SE to see just what it's like using one in 2019.


The iPhone SE was Apple's last 4-inch iPhone, and compared to a 5.8-inch iPhone X, a 6.1-inch iPhone XR, or a 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max, it's tiny. Coming from one of these phones to the iPhone SE almost makes the iPhone SE feel like a toy.

On the plus side, it's so small and light that it's easy to use one handed, something you can't necessarily do with Apple's biggest iPhones. With its aluminum backing, the iPhone SE is more durable than Apple's new all-glass smartphones.

The iPhone SE pre-dates Face ID, of course, so it's using a Touch ID Home button, which is great for those who continue to prefer fingerprint sensors to facial recognition.

There's also a headphone jack, which has been eliminated from all current iPhones (and the most recent iPad Pro models), and it has separate volume up and down buttons along with a power button at the top of the device instead of a side button.

Apple released the iPhone SE in 2016, so it's using three-year-old hardware. It has an A9 processor, which was also used in the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus back in 2015, along with 2GB RAM (vs. 3 in the XR and 4 in the XS).

iphonesevsiphonexsmax-800x450.jpg

You might think it'd be noticeably slower than newer iPhones, but, surprisingly, for built-in apps it's speedy. When using Mail, Messages, Calendar, FaceTime, and other similar built-in apps, the iPhone SE is as speedy as 2018 iPhones.

It's not, however, able to hold up when using apps built for newer iPhones with more modern processors, nor does it have the same augmented reality capabilities. The camera is fine and is the same camera in the iPhone 6s, but it's lacking the improvements made over the last three years.

If you don't care about camera quality, prefer a smaller screen, and don't need to use processor-intensive apps and games, the iPhone SE is a compact, easy-to-hold smartphone that still holds up even in 2019.

Apple's clearance site continues to have iPhone SE models in stock that are unlocked, but ship with Verizon and T-Mobile SIMs. The iPhone SE with 32GB of storage is priced at $249, while the iPhone SE with 128GB of storage is available for $299.

Ahead of when the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR were released, there were some rumors suggesting Apple was working on a second-generation version of the iPhone SE 2.

Some of that information was conflated with iPhone XR rumors, though, and since the 2018 devices launched, we've heard no more about another 4-inch iPhone except for some chatter suggesting Apple has nixed all plans for a new iPhone SE.

At this point in time, it looks like the iPhone SE will continue to be the last 4-inch device available from Apple.

Article Link: What It's Like Using an iPhone SE in 2019
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/28/using-iphone-se-in-2019/
  • Like
Reactions: solarmon, strix4, u+ive and 1 other person
N

neoelectronaut

Cancelled
Dec 3, 2003
3,417
2,093
Really hopeful we get a iPhone SE followup someday. The iPhone SE I purchased back in March 2017 is still going strong and probably will last me until 2021, but I'm dreading the day when I'm forced into a bigger phone.

I don't watch video or play games on my phone, so it's the perfect size. No bigger than it needs to be but is still quite capable of everything I need it to do.

Edit: I fully expect this thread to be full of "God I couldn't imagine going back to the iPhone SE!" posts, so here's a premptive response to those: Please don't misinterpret iPhone SE owners' laments about the lack of a followup to the iPhone SE as them asking you to use one. Nobody is asking you to, chill out.

Edit 2: Also, what a bizarre-ass post. MacRumors is acting like this is a phone from a decade ago or something.

"What's it's like using an iPhone SE in 2019?"

...you mean a phone that was available to purchase new at Apple's retail stores not even six months ago and that was last updated in 2017?

So weird.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jonblatho, cdcastillo, Fangio and 108 others
M

MarkIII

macrumors newbie
Nov 18, 2015
20
33
I loved my iPhone 5s and used it from 2013 until the XR came out last year but I think the true reason for the high demand for the SE has always been a price point that is somewhat justified and getting to be included in the Apple eco system. With so many having first gotten into iPhone using carrier subsidies they are probably many of the last of the hold outs and this price seems fair to them. I think Apple could really benefit from updating this form factor and price a new version around $400 and many would be happy to stay and not go off to Android where they can get a phone free still.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jovijoker, antonrg, redboy1 and 5 others
itsmilo

itsmilo

Suspended
Sep 15, 2016
3,985
8,728
Berlin, Germany
It’s funny how fast you get used to things. I remember back when the iPhone 5 was released. The screen seemed so big to me. Later I updated to the iPhone 6 and even that feels tiny now. I gave my iPhone 5 to my mum and had to use it for a bit recently and omg did the keyboard drove me nuts, so tiny
 
  • Like
Reactions: kdarling, xxray, JonnyBlaze and 2 others
C

coolfactor

macrumors 604
Jul 29, 2002
7,053
9,725
Vancouver, BC
I loved my SE as my main driver, believing it was the perfect size. But it was giving me Lightning charging issues, so I jumped on the XR as it came zero-down from my carrier. It's a beast, bigger than I like, but I do love the larger screen real estate! Going back to my SE, which I do once or twice a week makes the SE feel SO TINY! I'm trying to imagine how I used it! The keyboard is puny! But it's still a great device. I think if they blended the SE with the XR, it would be the perfect device!
 
  • Like
Reactions: IndyRobb, ateslik, anthony guerriero and 1 other person
S

stillone

macrumors member
Oct 27, 2010
67
68
I have owned the 5SE since it came out and I have no plans on getting a new phone until this one fails. I am not alone in disliking the size of newer phones. I prefer a small phone with no case that easily fits in my front pockets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: falcn, ijbond, sososowhat and 33 others
N

neoelectronaut

Cancelled
Dec 3, 2003
3,417
2,093
ALs
MarkIII said:
I loved my iPhone 5s and used it from 2013 until the XR came out last year but I think the true reason for the high demand for the SE has always been a price point that is somewhat justified and getting to be included in the Apple eco system. With so many having first gotten into iPhone using carrier subsidies they are probably many of the last of the hold outs and this price seems fair to them. I think Apple could really benefit from updating this form factor and price a new version around $400 and many would be happy to stay and not go off to Android where they can get a phone free still.
Click to expand...

I can only speak from personal experience, but it's all about the size for me, not the price point. If Apple offered a variant of the XR hardware in the form factor of the iPhone SE I'd pick one up even at $749.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fangio, S G, falcn and 45 others
deebinem

deebinem

Suspended
May 7, 2017
720
1,480
I just switched mine to a 7... I loved the size of this thing but was missing the barometer in it for tracking these hilly runs (kind of moot once I upgraded to the AW4) and eventually the headphone jack went out (again, moot with AirPods). Recently it had started to get this strange rapid battery draining that it didn't used to have. Battery was still rated at 89% so I was confused but the 7 feels like it is running laps around it. The 7's screen has a much better color gamut.

Still, it served as such a nice one handed device to text while hanging on for dear life during packed subway commutes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: catean
JGIGS

JGIGS

macrumors 68000
Jan 1, 2008
1,818
2,075
CANADA!
Still hoping other countries get a shot at buying one or even better an actual refresh. I remember when Apple used to think different and now they just follow what the majority of the market wants. They could really do both easily. Really miss smaller phones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: catean, ijbond, aylk and 3 others
N

neoelectronaut

Cancelled
Dec 3, 2003
3,417
2,093
chinito77 said:
Can't understand most of Macrumors readers' obsession with the SE? Who wants to read books, news, emails or consume media on that thing? If you want a small phone to just text and answer calls, I get it. Anything else, larger displays is the way to go.
Click to expand...

You kinda answered your own question in your post there.

I don't want to read books, news, or watch media on my phone, so I don't need a big phone.

I would however like to be able to make phone calls, send text messages, browse the web when necessary, use map applications, take pictures, and other smartphone things, none of which require a tablet-sized display.

macdos said:
Uh, no. Some of us don't need more than that (we have computers for processor power), and we will hold on to it for as long as possible.
Click to expand...

I passed along my launch day 5c to my mom when I picked up my SE in 2017 and she still uses it to this day. Does everything she needs to in a phone (and more, really)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ladybug, unsharptooth, iShater and 35 others
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom