iPhone SE (2016) X —> SE

[mattopotamus]

Am I crazy for wanting to trade in my X for the SE?

The obvious downgrades are the screen and camera (possibly, yet to be seen).

The improvements are A13, WiFi 6, smaller (personal preference), touchID (personal preference).

The A11 is coming up on 3 years old. Apple is offering $320 for the X, so I’m thinking about capitalizing on this now.

Outside of the screen, am I missing any glaring differences? I don’t watch movies on my phone and won’t be using them side by side, so I will quickly adjust to the screen. Hell I could use the original SE screen just fine.

Edit: 3D Touch also doesn’t concern me since it is being phased out.

 

[Spudlicious]

Am I crazy for wanting to trade in my X for the SE?

The obvious downgradare the screen and camera (possibly, yet to be seen).

The improvements are A13, WiFi 6, smaller (personal preference), touchID (personal preference).

The A11 is coming up on 3 years old. Apple is offering $320 for the X, so I’m thinking about capitalizing on this now.

Outside of the screen, am I missing any glaring differences? I don’t watch movies on my phone and won’t be using them side by side, so I will quickly adjust to the screen. Hell I could use the original SE screen just fine.

Edit: 3D Touch also doesn’t concern me since it is being phased out.

Yes, you are crazy

The downgrade would involve losing a truly excellent LED screen and the massive convenience and reliability of Face ID. For what? An LCD screen such as is used on every trashy pocket-money phone and old-fashioned fingerprint ID such as is also used on every trashy pocket-money phone. You'd be swapping a Bentley for a Fiat, moving from business class to economy. You'd be looking back, and what did the great philosopher Don Henley tell is?

Out on the road today
I saw a deadhead sticker on a Cadillac
A little voice inside my head said:
"Don't look back, you can never look back"

If, as I suspect, you're just itching for a shiny new phone, then move up, not down. Have a nice day, whatever.

 

[alcaje]

I'm in the same position, I have an iPhone X from day 1 and I'm wondering now if I have to buy the new SE.

Pros:
- A13
- better battery?
- lighter, slightly smaller
-

Cons:
- touchID
- screen

Could you please tell us, if you gonna switch from iPhone X to SE if yes, why?

Thanks.

 

[ilikewhey]

I wouldn’t, the thicker Bezel and they use a xr camera with no night mode makes it not worth it

 

[alvincth]

Am I crazy for wanting to trade in my X for the SE?

The obvious downgradare the screen and camera (possibly, yet to be seen).

The improvements are A13, WiFi 6, smaller (personal preference), touchID (personal preference).

The A11 is coming up on 3 years old. Apple is offering $320 for the X, so I’m thinking about capitalizing on this now.

Outside of the screen, am I missing any glaring differences? I don’t watch movies on my phone and won’t be using them side by side, so I will quickly adjust to the screen. Hell I could use the original SE screen just fine.

Edit: 3D Touch also doesn’t concern me since it is being phased out.

iPhone SE (2nd gen) is still lighter and thinner than iPhone X. The smaller screen will provide a bit less information which can distract you. Sometimes the disadvantages can be advantages.

For the camera, it depends on whether you need the tele lens with portrait mode.

As an iPhone X user I recently spent sometime on using my original 4-inch iPhone SE, and I didn't find something missed or worse as I don't need many of the great features on that phone.

 

[SoYoung]

You won’t see any real differences in everyday use between the A11 and A13 unless you watch a side by side video on YouTube and see that some apps will opens an half a second faster. Even for iPhone 8 owners it’s not worth it IMO.

 

[ericwn]

I personally wouldn’t want a smaller screen hence not considering it right now, but if you buy from a reseller with a good return policy, test the new device for yourself in the real world - maybe it suits you better than an older X.

 

[FeliApple]

You won’t see any real differences in everyday use between the A11 and A13 unless you watch a side by side video on YouTube and see that some apps will opens an half a second faster. Even for iPhone 8 owners it’s not worth it IMO.

I agree with this, not worth it to upgrade to the SE if you have an iPhone 8 or newer. You’d be losing the design, which might be preferable to you, but trading it is not worth it, imo. If you want to buy it you can, but I think that the best choice is buying it on top of the X or trading a 7 or older.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

As someone who currently owns a 1st gen SE and has no experience with the X, I can say that my SE fits my needs perfectly (communication device first and foremost with light web browsing, gaming, and entertainment taking a back seat). The 2nd gen SE sounds like a different beast entirely from the 1st gen, but I can imagine the target audience is about the same. If you want a solid pone that works and don't care about the camera, screen, and so on, then I'd say go for it. Otherwise you may want to hold off trading it in.

 

[mattopotamus]

So far it seems like most are pointing to the screen and FaceID (which is a total preference) as the only real difference. The argument for A11 vs A13 not being a big difference is true, for today. In another 1-2 years you will start to see the A11 lag behind. I guess the reason it is so tempting is because it will only cost $100 to make the change.

I also get annoyed with the speed of the camera on the X (feel like I get a lot of blurry photos). Wouldn't the camera on the SE actually be better in this regard?

 

[MrKennedy]

Like you, I'm on an X and somewhat intrigued by this new SE model. Though I don't think we'll notice dramatic gains from the processor at this time. Here are the pros I can see for my situation are:

• smaller + lighter. my hand feels cramped using the X
• theoretically better camera. I agree the X feels "slow" and results in not so great pics
• cheaper cost to repair (YMMV. I've got AC+ on my X and had to use 1 damage claim back in Dec.)

My X still works fine, and cost a pretty penny. Trading it away for the few bullet points above doesn't seem like a good financial move. I'd probably buy the SE outright and sell the X on your own if you want to do this now.

Here's the good news for folks like us that want a smaller phone: the SE will likely be available for a few years, given Apple's history, and the rumored 5.4'' iPhone 12 should arrive by years end. Why not wait for that release and make your decision then?

 

[mattopotamus]

Like you, I'm on an X and somewhat intrigued by this new SE model. Though I don't think we'll notice dramatic gains from the processor at this time. Here are the pros I can see for my situation are:

• smaller + lighter. my hand feels cramped using the X
• theoretically better camera. I agree the X feels "slow" and results in not so great pics
• cheaper cost to repair (YMMV. I've got AC+ on my X and had to use 1 damage claim back in Dec.)

My X still works fine, and cost a pretty penny. Trading it away for the few bullet points above doesn't seem like a good financial move. I'd probably buy the SE outright and sell the X on your own if you want to do this now.

Here's the good news for folks like us that want a smaller phone: the SE will likely be available for a few years, given Apple's history, and the rumored 5.4'' iPhone 12 should arrive by years end. Why not wait for that release and make your decision then?

I feel like I would not lose much getting the SE now and upgrading to the 12 if it tempts me. The resale value of the X will definitely be low when the 12 drops. I wouldn't be surprised to see the trade in value of the SE/X being very close to the same.

 

[robbieduncan]

My wife has a X. The one thing she loves about it is Face ID. So for her the SE is a no go. However if you are happy with Touch ID (and it works well for you: this is the problem for my wife) then the SE is a fine phone.

 

[achappy]

I have an X and the only thing the SE would improve possibly is low light photos even though there is no Night Mode. My son has an XR and in broad daylight our photos look the same. My X is still extremely fast and smooth and I can't tell the difference in day to day when I compare to my niece's phone who has an 11.

I would be giving up:

• Screen size (don't care about OLED vs LCD)
• 3D Touch. Yes I know it's gone but I'll use it for as long as I can
• Telephoto with OIS. I use the 2X lens quite a bit. Photos and Videos and I love the Portrait mode better than the single lens portrait of the XR
• Face ID. It's been mostly flawless for me except when the sun is directly behind me (and of course now with masks)

That's too much to give up.

 

[MrKennedy]

I feel like I would not lose much getting the SE now and upgrading to the 12 if it tempts me. The resale value of the X will definitely be low when the 12 drops. I wouldn't be surprised to see the trade in value of the SE/X being very close to the same.

I guess if you do this now and then want the small 12, you'll just have to shuffle funds + devices around for a second time. Because I've got a perfectly good working phone, I think I'll wait this out.

Let us know if you decide to do it!

 

[marty1980]

Sounds like the primary thing to think about in your case is TouchID vs FaceID.

if you wait until the fall after the new 2020 mainline phones are announced, you’ll potentially have more “small” phone options to choose from that possibly have better camera and screen and all the other specs bumps you might expect. But those will come with FaceID. Cost may be an issue for you at that point. But I doubt the X will lose much trade in value by then. You’re not going to see another TouchID iPhone for a long time, if ever again after this new SE.

I’m kind of niche when it comes to screen preference. After having the X for this long, I really couldn’t go back to those low-res LCD from this high res OLED. I don’t have any performance complaints with my X at this point.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I own the X, and was considering trading it in for an SE. Previously, the 4" SE was one of the most robust phones Apple made, where as the X is one of the most breakable phones that Apple has ever made.

I decided against it, for the following reasons:
1) In day to day use, it's about the same. I won't notice any differences in speed or even the screen (I speak from experience, where I was using the 4" SE up until a few months ago).
2) Even though I'd love TouchID, I can't justify replacing a perfectly good phone for a slightly more convenient biometric sensor.
3) The rumor is that the next flagship iPhone will look more like the 4" SE. Given no glaring reason to upgrade, I'd rather wait.
4) I do want a smaller phone though, really, but 4.7" isn't really "smaller" compared to 4" :\

OP - I know WiFi 6 sounds cool, especially when the upgrade cost is basically $80 ($160 including AppleCare), but how frequently do you plan on transfering multi-gigabyte files (while connected to a Wifi 6 capable router) where you would truely notice any difference.

 

[oVerboost]

I feel like I would not lose much getting the SE now and upgrading to the 12 if it tempts me. The resale value of the X will definitely be low when the 12 drops. I wouldn't be surprised to see the trade in value of the SE/X being very close to the same.

This. If you do get the SE and don’t like it, change when the 12 models come out.

With the SE you’ll get longer support, a brand new battery, a new warranty, a camera that in some ways will be better/ some ways not.

If your not that bothered about the OLED screen, I’d say go for it! It’s going to cost you less than $100 for a brand new device.

Sometimes a step back is actually two steps forward long term...

 

[ray6088]

The only reason I downgraded my 11 to 8 last year is the Touch ID. It is convenient to quick peek and reply messages at office without pickup my phone(always put my phone to mouse on top mouse pad). I will benefit the latest Band 71 and A13

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I would never get rid of my X for the new SE. I don't want those awful bezels and a design that's been around since the iPhone 6. I'll be getting the 6.1 12 Pro when it's released because I'd like a significant/worthwhile upgrade to my phone..

 

[Freakonomics101]

If you like bigger bezels and want to downgrade the camera, I would upgrade.

 

[mattopotamus]

This. If you do get the SE and don’t like it, change when the 12 models come out.

With the SE you’ll get longer support, a brand new battery, a new warranty, a camera that in some ways will be better/ some ways not.

If your not that bothered about the OLED screen, I’d say go for it! It’s going to cost you less than $100 for a brand new device.

Sometimes a step back is actually two steps forward long term...

That is really the tipping point for me. Getting a phone for ~$100 that should have two years more worth of support, and if the 12 doesn't tempt me, I got the most value out of the X in terms of trade in.
[automerge]1587056175[/automerge]

If you like bigger bezels and want to downgrade the camera, I would upgrade.

That camera part is a wait and see at this point. 2X optical zoom may not trump the 11 software paired with the same lens.

 

[silas576]

You are not crazy imo, I also think of getting the new SE for my X.
Reasons: Touch ID (never liked FaceID that much, have the X for 1 1/2 years now),
Size, Classic design (even though I like the 5S/SE(2016) design even more). Don't use the Tele lens and 3D Touch anyway.
Just have to decide between red and white now.

 

[mattopotamus]

You are not crazy imo, I also think of getting the new SE for my X.
Reasons: Touch ID (never liked FaceID that much, have the X for 1 1/2 years now),
Size, Classic design (even though I like the 5S/SE(2016) design even more). Don't use the Tele lens and 3D Touch anyway.
Just have to decide between red and white now.

I've decided to pull the trigger. No harm in testing it for a few days and then either keeping the SE or sending it back.

 

[Zwhaler]

X to SE is a downgrade. If you can't stand the size of the X or can't stand Face ID, get the SE. Otherwise I don't see a reason.