What It's Like Using an iPhone SE in 2019

[Scepticalscribe]

For people with smaller hands (women, some teenagers, many Asians, and indeed, quite a few males) who want a portable, powerful phone, that has a headphone jack and that does all you ask of it, this is superb.

Not everyone wants phones masquerading as monsters, - for these functions, we have computers, we have iPads if we want them, and for some, phablets are ideal - no matter what Apple says is the fashionable way of the future.

 

[Porco]

If you like the form factor, it remains an excellent investment.

Yep. I rarely do much that I’d care about being out of date now anyway, unless there were serious security issues, which I think Apple may be more ready to fix than in the past. My SE may last 5 years. That’s the proverbial ‘one cup of coffee’... a week. Pretty sound investment. But if Apple brought out another little miracle phone... fine. Win-win!

Also Apple Pay changes the calculations IMHO. Every user using Apple Pay is continually making Apple money. They might be silly but they're not completely stupid.

 

[arkitect]

What is it like?
A great experience.
I can listen to music, get route instructions via Google Maps, use ApplePay, take photos, send emails… do my banking…

And a few extras? It fits in my jeans' back pockets. It has a fingerprint reader for security. And a headphone jack.

Oh, and it feels great in my hand. No case. No skins… just a small very nicely designed device that doesn't slip out of my hand faster than a bar of soap.

A financial investment that I don't agonise over because OMG! I might drop it! It might get a scratch! It might get a smudge! Oh the humanity! Just look at the agony aunt threads here on MR about people driven insane with care for their monster phones.

The SE is not exactly ancient technology… Perhaps if you had asked "What is it like using an iPhone 2G in 2019?" it might be better.

Thanks for asking though.

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.

Well said! Often it seems proponents of phablets think they'll have to throw away their massive slabs and be forced to use these miniscule (in their eyes) ancient devices.

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.

Absolutely. Not one of MacRumours' finest efforts.

 

[foodandart]

No iOS updates though, right?

Mine just took the iOS 12b2 update yesterday morning. Totally updated with the most current release of the OS.

 

[ruka.snow]

The only Apple phone my fiancé can hold in his hand. Thats all that matters to him, he needs a iPhone and the newer models are far too heavy.

 

[yadmonkey]

I think some of the SE haters are actually jealous. Personally I have an XS Max and I love it. I'm not prone to envy, but part of me wishes I wasn't so dependent on this big thing - beautiful as it is - and just carried around a little SE, living a life where I looked at my phone far less.

 

[kis]

Mine just took the iOS 12b2 update yesterday morning. Totally updated with the most current release of the OS.

Oh I believe it - but this year’s major update is likely going to be the SE’s last one. If you buy the phone as a multi-year investment, it’s probably not going to be a good one.

 

[Porco]

Look at any comment section and there seem to be a lot of people liking the smaller format - and I always hear "The market has spoken", but has it? What small phone options are there? Has a smaller phone ever been given any flagship phone features? It doesn't even need to be thin because the smaller size is easier to hold so you can cram plenty in there (iPhone 3/3G was about 11mm thick wasn't it? Felt great in-hand). The market may sell far more large phones but it's miles from a level playing field to judge that on.

Yeah, the market didn’t decide, the market was flooded with large phones and the small models were left to drown. But the SE is wily and cunning, and is still happily swimming, quietly navigating the choppy waters whilst the phablets prefer to jump the shark.

That watery analogy got a little out of control, but you get the idea.

 

[laptech]

I've got an SE and main purchasing reason was it's size. I had an iphone 4 and enjoyed using that phone very much and thus i wanted something that was very similar in size and design but with updated hardware and the SE fitted that requirement.

 

[radogado]

SE user here. I don't understand big phones. Obviously there is a market for them, but to me they are ridiculous and unusable. Not just big, but also heavy. I have an iPad, MacBook Pro and iMac and use each for what it's good at. Would love a modern small iPhone. So AAPL, small phone owners actually spend more, think about it.

 

[TechRunner]

I embraced bigger phones when they appeared, worked my way through a couple models, and was enjoying my Note 4 immensely...until I took up hiking/backpacking.

The Note 4 was simply too big for hip belt pockets, and felt uncomfortable carrying it in a front pocket for quick access. So I sold it and bought a first gen Pixel. That phone fits better in the hip belt pockets of my packs, but is just big enough to occasionally be a PITA to remove when I'm in a hurry to grab a quick photo.

I would definitely consider a refreshed SE for hiking/backpacking. In fact, it might be the perfect phone for that use case...

 

[joueboy]

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.

I read books on my Kindle, MacBook for emails and my 4K TV for movies and tv shows. Don't tell me you watch movies on your phone even the XS Max still tiny for movies.

 

[laz232]

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...

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.

I would add to this that any experienced performance shortcomings are entirely the fault of Apple - I had my battery replaced under the replacement program after ca. 18months as I noticed significant slowdown in opening normal apps etc - which Apple later, somewhat sheepishly, admitted was due to their throttling. Now - after 12 months the new battery is experiencing the same issues.
Battery -> Battery Health indicated 95% Health (and <300 cycles)- yet the iPhone is in "throttling" mode due to unexpected shutdowns. In my professional opinion, Apple are using batteries that are not fit for purpose if they no longer have a sufficiently low ESR to allow my phone to operate at more than 40% of its design speed after a single year.

The SE was my first iPhone and combined with the reliability issues of my 2018 MBP (compared to my 2011 and 2013 models) I am slowly moving away from this new Tim Cook Apple...

Note that I live in Scandinavia - so it's not like the device is baked in the sun on a regular basis.

 

[chatin]

The SE is in no way the answer to Apple's iPhone problems. Customers with constrained resources have constrained ideas.

 

[honglong1976]

I use an iPhone SE. It's small, gives me iPhone 6S power for peanuts! Games are great, phones super quick.

Best phone I have ever had. When it dies I will go for a newer model.

 

[tunnoton]

Another SE owner in Scandinavia; I love the compact form factor and ability to use a phone one-handed (comfortably). It is still powerful enough for most use cases. I'm in my mid-30s, use glasses and so far no squinting required. SE is very close to a "perfect phone" for my taste and needs.

 

[pika2000]

Look at any comment section and there seem to be a lot of people liking the smaller format - and I always hear "The market has spoken", but has it? What small phone options are there? Has a smaller phone ever been given any flagship phone features? It doesn't even need to be thin because the smaller size is easier to hold so you can cram plenty in there (iPhone 3/3G was about 11mm thick wasn't it? Felt great in-hand). The market may sell far more large phones but it's miles from a level playing field to judge that on.

The comment section here is far from representing the market.
Look at Android, and count how many phones are smaller than 5”. Even budget phones are sporting 5-6” screens. Sony, the last holdout for a compact phone, is not even interested in continuing the Xperia compact model.

 

[kingax1]

If Apple sticks to their update matrix, this year’s iOS update will be the last for the SE - so if this is going to be someone’s 2-3 year investment, it’s probably not a good one.

My 5S is still up to date, so I doubt they drop drop the SE after this year. (I have the X just use the 5S as backup and extra phone for travel.)

 

[christian_koehler]

I even use a much smaller smartphone:
The jelly pro. It has a 2.45 inch screen. Yes, 2.45 inch.

Obviously this isn't my daily driver. But it's very useful when going out for a run etc. The thing weighs almost nothing. With a special band it can be worn like a watch.

Of course, this is entry level hardware, but it has 2 GB Ram, 16 GB flash and runs on a fairly recent android version (8.1). It has 4g/LTE and wifi 2.4 and 5 GHz, bluetooth, cameras, GPS and everything.

Since all my contacts are on Facebook messenger and WhatsApp now, it is much more useful than one these "just call and text phones".

Ironically most simple phones are bigger and heavier than the jelly pro these days because they are designed for older people.

The phone is also useful as a spotify player and to check public transport schedule.
Yes, the onscreen keyboard is difficult to use, but chatting works quite well when using voice input. Performance in benchmarks is very low, but ok in real world.

Fun fact: Originally it had android 6, it received updates to 7 and 8.1. Not bad for a 129€ device. Many android devices that are way more expensive don't get that level of sport.

Yes, small phones are still useful. Even phones smaller than SE.

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.

 

[kingax1]

The iPhone SE is a great phone, but I still think the iPhone 4S was the perfect phone. My main criticism of the SE is that it is too big and heavy. If they could keep the screen size, but give it the iPhone X treatment so space is not wasted at the top and bottom it would be great. A bit thinner as well. Then the icing would be waterproof and rugged - the iPhone Sport!

For those that criticise what you can do with an iPhone SE - I use mine for a lot more than what most people I know do with their iPhone 8/X, etc.

iPhone SE 4.0oz vs iPhone 4S 4.8oz. Also the SE is thinner.

 

[jellyjeff]

I have an SE and i love it. If there is no iphone available at that size with a headphone jack when it finally dies i'll jump ship to android.

 

[DrJR]

Ray Charles could see the mess Apple is making of itself. Also, Tim, get your goddamn politics out of the Apple agenda. On the SE: The watch is making my phone fairly obsolete. I’m hoping it will replace it entirely. I’m not very into communicating though and leave phone behind so only urgent matters get attended to. I also despise social media am over 35 and don’t walk around like an automaton with a screen in my face or watching life pass by through my phone’s camera. Your lucky I’m even posting this. You are welcome.

 

[ZStech]

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.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

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).

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

I'm very satisfied with my SE. It's compact, has good battery life and doing att my daily tasks.

 

[Zeke D]

I have four SEs in use. They do everything that I need to do, and paired with iPhone 5 otterbox cases, they stay pretty clean. I use point of sale apps on my phones, so the headphone jack is a must. (yes, I have the lightning adapter for my iPhone 7) I'm perfectly happy with the SE, and I'm also in favor of another 4-inch iPhone.

 

[jakebrosy]

I get that people think price point is the key factor for most people. I guess I'm not most people. The primary deciding factor for me is form size and durability. I would have no problem paying more for an iPhone SE replacement: why not offer iPhone XR specs in an iPhone SE body, price them comparably, and truly learn what phone people want?

3 days after the SE came out, I traded my iPhone 6 in. The 6 just didn't fit as neatly into the hand or pocket and, for the first time since the iPhone 4s I had cracked a screen (that all-glass 4s design was just stupid).

It's been 3 years and I haven't cracked the SE screen yet. There is something to be said for the case design of the iPhone 5 and iPhone SE: they're the mobile phone equivalent of the bullet-proof 123-body MBs.

All that said, I did just replace my iPhone SE

With our recent move back to Manhattan my Sprint service just wasn't cutting the mustard. I wanted to switch to Verizon since they have great service even in (most) of the subways but was disappointed to learn my stupid Sprint phone couldn't migrate to Verizon: I thought I was stuck...until the SEs came to the Refurb store a couple weeks ago.

I spent about 3 hours in the VZW store Wednesday getting my number ported over to my NEW iPhone SE.

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.