Other Which IPhone To Buy Soon?

[ronniejoe]

Hi. I am using an old iphone SE that is very old... almost 5 years old I believe. When i first got it, it was amazingly fast and I like it. Few years ago I had to get battery replaced at apple store and after that, battery was very good for a while. I got the battery change few years ago. So for the last year or so, my battery has been very bad. I checked my battery health and its 85%. That is really low and I need a new battery or new iphone right? I remember years ago when i had the battery change at apple, I don't think it was even this low.



Now i bought this old iphone SE almost 5 years ago and paid I believe 400+tax. I'm not sure exact amount. I bought it because I wanted smaller size iphone and the price was good. But even if the price was same as other ones, I still probably would have bought this old SE years ago.



I check apple and see there are few options and see a new iphone is going to be out. The thing about me is I don't really care about the new iphone and things like that. For example if my current old iphone SE battery was very good and it was like it was when i first got it... I would continue to use it. But besides the battery being poor, i notice my iphone is a bit laggy as well. That happens after using an iphone for this long right? I will buy a new iphone sometime next month or afterwards.



Now what is the best iphone option for me? Some people suggested buying the new iphone SE as it would cost 400+tax and much cheaper compared to the other iphones. Do you agree on this? I can't imagine paying thousand dollars for an iphone. I mean I could... but that to me is a lot.



I see one could still buy an iphone 11, 12 or the upcoming 13. But I don't want no big phone. I like the size of the old iphone SE and didn't even want to go bigger. But that is no longer an option with the current iphone right? Smallest seem to be the new iphone SE? But it seem only 50 dollar more for the 11 compared to the new SE... so which is better?



Also if it matters, i have 64gb of storage and at the moment, I used up half of it. And remember this is like almost 5 years. So if i get any new iphone, would you recommend paying an extra 50 dollars or whatever to get 128gb of storage or that is absolutely unnecessary?



I like to also mention I will be using this iphone outside the US. So it obviously needs to be unlocked... then again all iphones bought on apple site is unlocked right? I will be using the same old sim card i have in my old iphone SE in it.

 

[now i see it]

Check out Apple refurbished iPhones on their Store App. The phones get new batteries, new screen and new outer casing and are thoroughly tested. They look identical to new and come with a 1 year warranty (and 14 day free return period).
Good savings on non current phones.
That's the route I've always taken. Zero complaints

 

[PeteBurgh]

I would start by clarifying what your priorities are.

Aside from not wanting something too big or expensive, you don’t really say what is important to you. Do you care most about battery life? How important is it to have the best possible camera? Do you think you would use Magsafe? 5G? Touch ID vs Face ID?

Recommending to a price conscious friend, I’d suggest that a refurb 2020 SE or a refurb 12 would both be good value, but without knowing more about your priorities, it’s hard to say what’s best for you.

 

[maerz001]

The smallest new iPhone is the 13 mini.
you get 128gb standard and a much better battery life than the 2020 SE while being more compact despite the bigger display

 

[ronniejoe]

Okay so I will not buy a refurbished phone.


I mean I could buy the most expensive iphone but the thing is I don't need it and to me its a waste of money. That is why a while back I bought the iphone SE because it was the cheapest one 5 years ago and I liked the size.


Battery life to me is important. I honestly do not care about the camera. I have no idea about magsafe or what that is. I prefer to unlock my iphone, to use a pin. You could still do that right with the new iphone? Or it has to be touch id or face id? I prefer touch id if that is the case.


Now it seems iphone 11 cost 100 dollars more than the new SE. Would you say that is the worst option of all?


Also.. how is the battery on the new iphone SE compared to the old SE? From checking online, it seems to be the same? Again my old iphone SE battery is very bad now... 85% health battery and i changed the battery i believe two years ago.


The thing is I use data quite a bit on my iphone and with my current iphone SE, because of how bad the battery is... it wears out a lot when im tethering. Is that similar with the new iphones now?


One thing for sure is i would not get that iphone 13 max because that is way too big. Again, the iphone SE screen size to me is fine. I don't want a big phone.

 

[RRC]

From everything you’ve said, the regular iPhone 13 or for a more portable device the 13 mini would be great for you.

 

[LFC2020]

Since you like small phones, one of these. 👇 been hearing really good things about the iPhone 13 mini battery life.

 

[Taz Mangus]

If you have a limited budget. The new iPhone SE is not going to give you great battery life. The linked video below will give you some idea on battery life, including the iPhone 11 and new iPhone SE. I would say go for the iPhone 11 for $499. It has a much bigger screen and battery than the new SE. And you will get at least 5 years of software updates because it is a current model Apple is selling.

 

[ronniejoe]

Anyone else?

 

[Tmacc47]

13 mini, without a doubt. If you like smaller phones, the 13 mini will give you the small form factor, with the performance of a bigger phone. Also good battery life!

 

[Bethanie21]

I’d say either the current iPhone SE or maybe a 12 mini. Both can be purchased straight from Apple.

 

[ronniejoe]

Okay so whats the difference between last year's iphone SE and the one from five years ago? From checking it... the battery life is the same? I remember my iphone SE battery five years ago being really good for like a year or so before it got worst.


Also if money wasn't an issue, it would be ridiculous to buy an iphone 13 pro or pro max right? Since the screen size for the max is ridiculous?


Again I could pay that much for an iphone pro max... but its just the thought of paying that much for a phone seem a bit ridiculous to me.

 

[rambo47]

The newer SE has a ton of improved internal components vs the older SE.

My daughter has the original SE and paid $50 to have Apple install a new battery. She loves it and will only upgrade when her trusty SE is pried from her cold dead fingers. She doesn't care about any of the new features. Yeah, she's a little odd.

 

[ctjack]

Okay so whats the difference between last year's iphone SE and the one from five years ago? From checking it... the battery life is the same? I remember my iphone SE battery five years ago being really good for like a year or so before it got worst.

I had both, when fresh i could squeeze 6 hours out of each but usually 5-5.5 hrs. Then i got 12mini - i can squeeze 7 hours. So 1.5-2 hours more security.

Also if money wasn't an issue, it would be ridiculous to buy an iphone 13 pro or pro max right? Since the screen size for the max is ridiculous?

If money is no object - then 13PM(13 hours of screen time) is the best iphone you could get and it is well worth the price. If money is no object - but you strictly prefer smaller phones, then 13mini is ideal.

Again I could pay that much for an iphone pro max... but its just the thought of paying that much for a phone seem a bit ridiculous to me.

Try to think from the other side - my wife got $1100 12PM and sold it to Apple for 790+tax, basically $845 she got back. We added $324 and upgraded her to 13PM with no hassle. If you calculate the overall expenditures, person upgrading once in 3 years is spending only $100 less - and gets to use 2 phones, 1 of which for 3 years. While the person upgrading every year, spends $100 more but get the latest every year and only holds it for 1 year.

In the meantime, Apple gives only $400 for my 12 mini. The price drop is the same $300(or $330 because it was $730 actually). Money wise it is the same $300, but percentage wise it is a big drop.
So overall, Pro Max models hold the best value.

 

[Tmacc47]

Okay so whats the difference between last year's iphone SE and the one from five years ago? From checking it... the battery life is the same? I remember my iphone SE battery five years ago being really good for like a year or so before it got worst.


Also if money wasn't an issue, it would be ridiculous to buy an iphone 13 pro or pro max right? Since the screen size for the max is ridiculous?


Again I could pay that much for an iphone pro max... but its just the thought of paying that much for a phone seem a bit ridiculous to me.

The 2016 iPhone SE had the form factor of the 5S with a 4" screen. The 2020 iPhone SE has the form factor of the iPhone 8 with a 4.7" screen. While the 2016 SE had great battery life with iOS 9, it faltered after that. The 4.7" screen iPhones always had poor battery life, the battery is too small.

 

[JCCL]

Anyone else?

iPhone 12 mini or 13 mini, does are in the size you want and have much better rates. I wouldn't get the new SE, much bigger and outdated form factor.

12 mini is 599 and 13 mini is at 699, but has 128 GB. If you like the original iPhone SE's size, you'll love either of the Minis, and both should last you for many years.

 

[ctjack]

All the calculations are true for US and US prices/taxes/trade-in values. All the data are from trade-in values on Apple.com.
Results are pretty obvious, so everyone decides for themselves.
The case represents buying Iphones so that every group should get a new iphone at the year 5.
$500 every year to have a new iphone annually seems like a no brainer, given that you are only overpaying $42-$500 depending on comparable case. Which leads to annual overpayment of $8 in the best case when compared to not yearly upgraders, and $100 annual overpayment in the worst case.

 

[rambo47]

I like having the newest so I'm assured of tech support and of receiving all the incremental improvements Apple provides over time. If not the newest, then "new-ish." One or two generations old at most. OS and feature updates can be major or minor. But if your iPhone is too old you're shut out, no matter how cool the new features may be. Security updates are always important.

Clearly my daughter and I disagree. "Meh - its fine" seems to be her mantra.

 

[fischersd]

I'm very happy with the battery life of the 13 mini - it's better than it was on my X. Perfect size (I held onto my 5s for quite awhile - felt it was the perfect size). (also replaced the battery in the X a year ago - so it's very comparable to what it would have been new)

Only point of envy is the better camera in my girlfriend's 13 Pro Max

 

[RRC]

I'm very happy with the battery life of the 13 mini - it's better than it was on my X. Perfect size (I held onto my 5s for quite awhile - felt it was the perfect size). (also replaced the battery in the X a year ago - so it's very comparable to what it would have been new)

Only point of envy is the better camera in my girlfriend's 13 Pro Max

Is it actually a better camera? I had the 13 Pro for a while moving from my 12 mini and actually returned it because the photos were no better than my 13 mini and in some cases actually had worse focus and delivered a softer image in identical lighting.

You lose the telephoto, the rest I actually prefer the 13/13 mini or 12 Pro Max images personally.

 

[ronniejoe]

So the best value you would all say is the iphone 13 mini then for my situation?


Thus the pro and max not only cost more, but the size would be way too big since i like the size of the old iphone SE right?


Also I heard several people mention they waiting for the iphone 14. Since I don't really care about the new iphones etc, I assume don't care about this? I see it will come out in a year. But is there something really important about the iphone 14 compared to the 13 which lot of people seem to be waiting for instead?

 

[xraydoc]

So the best value you would all say is the iphone 13 mini then for my situation?


Thus the pro and max not only cost more, but the size would be way too big since i like the size of the old iphone SE right?


Also I heard several people mention they waiting for the iphone 14. Since I don't really care about the new iphones etc, I assume don't care about this? I see it will come out in a year. But is there something really important about the iphone 14 compared to the 13 which lot of people seem to be waiting for instead?

Anything about the iPhone is pure speculation at this point.

The iPhone 13 mini will be most similar in size & weight to your original iPhone SE. It’s a fine device and should serve you well for as long as your old phone did. Starts at 128GB storage and goes up from there. Unlocks with PIN code and/or FaceID (you specified you like the pin code). Uses MagSafe for fast and convenient wireless charging if you want, or just continue to charge with a Lightning cable like your original SE.

I have a 13 mini and I’m very satisfied.

 

[bergedse]

It sounds like you don’t want a big phone. In that case you only have the iPhone 13 mini, 12 mini or second generation iPhone SE (2020) to choose from. They are all a bit bigger than your old SE, but not huge like most phones are today. The 12 and 13 minis are the smallest phone bodies but still offer a bigger screen than the SE. If you have the money, the 13 mini seems like really good phone, and seems to offer better battery life than the others. Personally, I got the 2nd gen SE because it had everything I really needed, was on sale, and just really good value.

 

[azhava]

The newer SE has a ton of improved internal components vs the older SE.

My daughter has the original SE and paid $50 to have Apple install a new battery. She loves it and will only upgrade when her trusty SE is pried from her cold dead fingers. She doesn't care about any of the new features. Yeah, she's a little odd.

A friend of mine is still using an iPhone 5. Who knows what version of iOS he has on it, and he's not a techie guy so he doesn't care about all the upgrades and wouldn't know how to use them anyway. He could easily afford to pay cash for the latest phone and not blink an eye about it so money isn't the issue - he just isn't in the least bit interested in upgrading. The phone does what he needs it to do, and that's good enough for him.

 

[rambo47]

A friend of mine is still using an iPhone 5. Who knows what version of iOS he has on it, and he's not a techie guy so he doesn't care about all the upgrades and wouldn't know how to use them anyway. He could easily afford to pay cash for the latest phone and not blink an eye about it so money isn't the issue - he just isn't in the least bit interested in upgrading. The phone does what he needs it to do, and that's good enough for him.

That sounds so much like my daughter. She drives a 2006 Saab and loves her iPhone SE. She's not a technology plebe like my wife (who knows NOTHING), she has a good job and could buy a new car and new iPhone, but just doesn't care about that kind of stuff. The Saab just works and that's fine with her. Same with her iPhone SE.