Other Who Started Small in the World of iPhone?

[ElPaso]

My first iPhone was purchased in the springtime of 2017, an iPhone SE after I wrecked a Samsung Galaxy Note 4. I knew that the SE was the humblest of iDevices at the time, but in the 18 months I used it I realized that Apple was something special. That little phone was quite a step up from the Android quagmire. Eventually I moved on to an iPhone 8+ for 4 years, followed by a 13.

I'm curious who else started their Apple experience with what would be considered a "humble" model? I tell ya, I was so impressed with the SE that I was not hesitant to get a new 16e a couple of months ago. Anybody else start off small?

 

[goldmac2006]

My first iPhone was an iPhone 5s.

Like the iPhone SE 1st generation form factor.

I never upgraded to any pro max or plus iPhones, nor wore an Apple Watch Ultra due to the fact it’s too big, and ultras are a brick 🧱 on my wrist.

 

[Soondae]

I started out with the 4S, what a great phone and nice form factor. However I didn't care much for the proprietary 30 pin interface. I had a Sony speaker dock in 30 pin and it sounded great, so when I sold the 4S I let the sound dock go with it as I was upgrading to an iPhone 6 (lightening) Loved the 6 super light weight and just a great phone. After numerous upgrades over the years I now have the 17 Pro, honestly I wanted the standard 17 but it was unavailable when I did my upgrade from the 13Pro. Should have waited a couple more weeks but my girlfriend talked me into the pro, she bought the 17 Pro Max.

 

[Nermal]

I started with the first gen iPod Touch so I was already familiar with iOS when I got my first iPhone, a 4S. That was when Apple stopped going crazy with exclusivity agreements and was the first model available from my provider.

 

[RRC]

2G then the 3GS for me...

 

[eyoungren]

If we are talking strictly devices, then the iPod Nano 5th gen, purchased off Apple's refurb store some time in 2010. My sister gave me her old 3GS for Christmas 2011 and I used that to become familiar with iOS when I got the iPhone 5 in 2012.

But I was using older Macs long before this.

I prefer Apple, but it's not something special to me. That's in large part because if you aren't using current devices in the way Apple wants you to use them, Apple tends to exclude you. Past a certain point they deliberately cut you off. It takes an effort to learn how to work around Apple and use your stuff in the way you want.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My first iPhone was an SE, which was a gorgeous form factor; personally, I loathe the current monsters, - they are too large and are uncomfortable to hold, to use, and to carry - and will not buy them under any circumstances.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I started my humble Apple experience with the G4 Mac Mini. Arguably the humblest of all Apple devices.

 

[Paul1964]

My first iPhone was an 1st gen SE issued by work. Personally I stayed on Android until the 13 Pro Max when iOS had sufficiently caught up so that I could customise the home screen the way I wanted.

 

[eyoungren]

I started my humble Apple experience with the G4 Mac Mini. Arguably the humblest of all Apple devices.

The door has now been opened! 😀

2001, Titanium PowerBook G4/450 was my first Mac. Gifted to me at Christmas by my mother who'd acquired it from my sister's then boyfriend.

But I didn't convert fully to Mac until mid-2003. So, this TiBook largely saw minimal use for a year and a half.

 

[eyoungren]

My first iPhone was an 1st gen SE issued by work. Personally I stayed on Android until the 13 Pro Max when iOS had sufficiently caught up so that I could customise the home screen the way I wanted.

I was customizing my homescreen the way I wanted all the way back in late 2011. Jailbreaking allowed me to get around all the stuff Apple didn't want me doing. I stopped in 2020 mainly because jailbreaking had become inconvenient and a hassle and a lot of my older tweaks were breaking.

I'm still waiting for Apple to allow live weather (the animations) to be displayed over wallpaper, like I had for years when jailbroken.

 

[notabitail]

My first iPhone was purchased in the springtime of 2017, an iPhone SE after I wrecked a Samsung Galaxy Note 4. I knew that the SE was the humblest of iDevices at the time, but in the 18 months I used it I realized that Apple was something special. That little phone was quite a step up from the Android quagmire. Eventually I moved on to an iPhone 8+ for 4 years, followed by a 13.

I'm curious who else started their Apple experience with what would be considered a "humble" model? I tell ya, I was so impressed with the SE that I was not hesitant to get a new 16e a couple of months ago. Anybody else start off small?

My first was an iPhone 4 from an estate sale. Costs $3. Then I got a handmedown 5s a few months later.

 

[uacd]

I started it all with iPhone 5. Still waiting for Apple to bring this size again. Because as it turns out, size matters nothing in smartphone world. While I had other iPhones, my current 17 Pro proves that I will jump to my old iMac at any given moment, especially when site doesn’t work as expected on mobile (tiny fonts, small or weird scaling etc). So basically there are still issues with web scaling which is bizarre given humongous size of display that 17 Pro has compared to 5/SE/mini.

I thought that bigger screen size would eliminate all the issues I’ve ever had on the tiny display of my 5, but I was wrong and not a single phone was able to replace iPad or Mac screen for me.

For me iPhone still serves the same cause: FaceTime calls, Google search, WhatsApp messages. And I would have preferred a smaller device for all of that to be able to do all of that more efficient without using headphones or two hands

 

[Cobold]

My first iPhone was the first iPhone and there‘s been just „one size fits all“ 🤪

 

[Macdctr]

My first iPhone is my iPhone 2g 8GB, the original series iPhone that started it all. I still have this iPhone and the original packaging it came with and sits front and center in my iPhone collection which is at my office today. I wish Apple would revisit small compact iPhones again but I suspect after their "failed" mini venture, they won't be coming back to the small form factor.

I skipped the mini when it came out because I bought into the hype and marketing of having to have the Pro/Pro Max series iPhones so I don't "miss out"... what rubbish! I discovered the 13 mini shortly after getting my Air on launch day and since having my mini, realized I really enjoy the small compact form factor and use mine as my backup iPhone to my primary 15 Pro which I also discovered in January and have been using it over my Air and 17 Pro as my full time iPhone.

As nice as the Air and 17 Pro are, I prefer the smaller form factor of the 15 Pro (6.1 inch screen) and my 13 mini (5.4 inch screen) over the larger iPhones you have today but that is my preference.

 

[BotchQue]

My first, and current, iPhone is the SE v2. Battery health is at 78% so I'll probably get a new battery in a couple more years.

 

[eyoungren]

Currently, my first (purchased brand new direct from Apple) iPhone, and my wife's first iPhone are doing system monitoring duties.



Both, iPhone 5.

 

[ElPaso]

My first iPhone was an SE, which was a gorgeous form factor; personally, I loathe the current monsters, - they are too large and are uncomfortable to hold, to use, and to carry - and will not buy them under any circumstances.

I agree with your comment on size - my original SE was perfect for the palm. I wish they still made a model that small.

 

[rui no onna]

I agree with your comment on size - my original SE was perfect for the palm. I wish they still made a model that small.

I didn’t find the square edges on the SE particularly comfortable. It digs into my palms.

Honestly, the only iPhones I found comfortable to hold without case were iPhone 2G to 3GS and 5c.

 

[F-Stop]

My first iPhone was the 3GS…and currently have an Air. The 13 Mini has to be my absolute favourite iPhone and would buy a modern version, if Apple released one, in a heartbeat.

The upcoming Fold/Ultra has piqued my interest/curiosity and could possibly be my next iPhone. However, Touch ID , no MagSafe and no telephoto camera might prevent the purchase of one…time will tell!

 

[ghostface147]

Original 2g with 4 gigs of storage. That’s my start.

 

[Starfia]

My first iPhone was an SE, which was a gorgeous form factor

I agree with your comment on size - my original SE was perfect for the palm. I wish they still made a model that small.

The first-gen SE still looks and feels like the perfect iPhone; the peak to which it rose and from which it descended.

The newest ones are extraordinary – way ahead of what was once considered a pro-level desktop computer in some ways – but goodness, just to hold the SE after using one of those. Move aside, "iPhone Air." Move aside, iPhone 13 "mini."

 

[Luftkopf]

I started with the 1st gen iPod touch, after an array of other iPods. I got a 3GS as soon as they were available to me, and have been using iPhones ever since.

I was one of the people arguing against larger phones when Phablets started coming out, and resisted until I got an iPhone 8 Plus. Turns out I quickly got used to the size, and could no longer go backwards. I still have my iPhone 5, which I still think was the best iPhone design, but even if some magic put the latest hardware inside it, I would still not be able to use it. Every time I fire it up I can't get over how cramped it is. I'm now surprised I ever managed to use it for anything!

Until I recently sold my motorbike, my iPhones 5 and 8 Plus served as GPS speedos for my bike. Now the 8 Plus is for my wife to use Find My when she needs to know where I am, and the 5 and an 11 I need to sell are sitting in my drawer gathering dust until I can think of a use for them.

 

[anakinfan8]

My parents bought me a 3GS back when AT&T had them as the free tier iPhone. This was the summer right before the iPhone 5 released IIRC - at the time I was 13 and coming from one of those underpowered Sprint carrier phones. That thing was a tank! I came in right as iOS 5 was going out the door -- I remember using that one water drop background for a long time. Good times...

 

[-BigMac-]

My first iPhone was a 3G😅