This SE, and the previous one, are significantly larger. The iPhone 13 Mini is closer to original SE size but still larger (around 8mm longer and 6mm wider).
Currently using the original SE and I'm quite happy with it; as a device it still performs decently too. I don't need more than that for my use so I'm going to hold onto it till it dies out. One issue I've had with the small size is that a lot of websites are not rendering properly with this screen size and make the assumption that my phone's size is larger. It's not the device's problem the websites are broken but it's quite telling that the whole industry moved on to phablets.
A teenager nephew saw my SE recently and he held himself from laughing at it. I take pride in using an old phone.
I wish I still had my first-gen SE, because it actually fit in my small hands, and its nice solid rectangular body made it easy to hold and hard to drop. The home button on that unit was starting to give out after 4 years of heavy service and I didn't want to spend the money for an out-of-warranty repair.
Unfortunately the Gen 2 is also mostly "non-repairable"; I had to get a total phone replacement for something as simple as a dying Thunderbolt port. According to the person at the Genius Bar, the 12 Mini is much more repairable, more like the first-gen SE in terms of its internals.
This SE Gen 3 still has the rounded/slim iPhone 6 body style, so I would expect it to be equally non-repairable. So all things equal, I would still go for the 12 Mini over the SE Gen 2 if I could make the choice over again.
I didn't upgrade my original style iPhone SE until the iPhone 12 Mini came out. It's a little bit larger but still manageable, unlike most other phones that come out these days. No headphone jack though sadly.
I'm kicking myself that when I bought the original SE in 2016 I opted for the smallest memory size. 16GB is just not enough any more, with the size of apps and OS constantly increasing. I'm seriously tempted to buy a used one with a bigger memory card, but am worried about end of life for OS upgrades.
I suppose it depends on your definition of small and powerful. My phone is smaller in width and height than the SE (which is what your gsm arena filters on), but has a larger volume due to being twice as thick and weighs 3g less.
With 6GB of ram and a 8-core (4 big + 4 little) 2GHz MediaTek CPU, it's more powerful than the dual core A9. On the other-hand its 480x854 screen is much lower resolution.
Yep. I don't care if the new one is "only half an inch" bigger than the old SE. That's still half an inch too big. Apple absolutely nailed it with the original SE dimensions, and I will never upgrade until they make another.
Once it was clear that Google was totally done releasing phones that fit in my pocket, I upgraded my Pixel 3 to a 13 mini. It's an amazing phone. Not as small as the OG SE, but I'm not sure I'd want it any smaller.
On one hand, I actually grew to love the current size of iPhones, 13 feels just right.
On the other hand, touch id worked so much better for me. Not only with masks in public, but also the fact that I unlocked my phone as I took it out of my pocket and it was unlocked when it was in front of me.
Seems like such a small difference but I still miss that convenience.
Now with this phone, it's hard to tell which I care about more.
I have had no real issues with Face ID. The Apple Watch integration for masks was great and gave me haptic feedback whenever my watch unlocked it, and the new (beta?) feature allowing it to work without a watch works from the get go >90% of times, with the other 10% asking me to look down so it can better map out the eyes.
In fact, my iPad Mini is the only device that is Touch ID only and I find I expect it to be unlocked by just looking at it, and always have to remember to tap the power button.
>On one hand, I actually grew to love the current size of iPhones, 13 feels just right. On the other hand, touch id worked so much better for me. Not only with masks in public, but also the fact that I unlocked my phone as I took it out of my pocket and it was unlocked when it was in front of me.
Only Sprint offering an amazing upgrade caused me to move to iPhone 13. I really don't like Face ID for the reasons you mentioned.
I like the phone otherwise but really wish that it also had Touch ID. If Apple doesn't want to mar the front with a physical touch sensor, it can put it on the back; I have an Android phone that has this. If iPhone 14 has both I will quickly upgrade to it.
I was pro anti-FaceID because I think as you. Finally I bought 13 mini because I want a decent iPhone and iOS 15.4 public beta has come.
I almost satisfied with it. It's not the best as the best fingerprint sensor, but it works most of the time. Even with mask, it just take like less than seconds. It's pain that sometimes not work well when sunlight shines my face.
I also perfect a smaller phone. I'm ok with the 13 but my biggest issue on size is actually the bezel. It's to small so when i type my left hand palm hits the keyboard and switches it to n3mb34s (like that).
My mom uses an old iPhone 5, and is only giving it up this year because the carrier will no longer support 3G. I am glad the new SE phone is available ... the button and small form factor are really important for her.
The single home button was such a brilliant UX move. It's been weird to watch them ditch it. Such a genius little safety blanket for ordinary users. "WTF is going on?!" Press home—the only button visible on the face of the phone—and you're back in familiar territory.
Am probably older than your Mom (an demographic/actuarial guess) and I am sorely tempted to get it. I have been team Nexus/Pixel for a decade but am miffed at the upsizing of the devices. adding 50% screen space doesn't make up for 5x diminished visual acuity. A random comment I saw somewhere about how bad CarPlay was compared to Android Auto gives me pause. I have become dependent on effortless linking of phone to car.
My mom *hates* her iPhone 12 Mini because there is no more home button.
She often wants to defenestrate it, and I do, too, because I am stuck attempting to explain something that used to need no explanation: How to go back to the home screen.
Bring back the home button with mechanical, tactile feedback in the square form iPhone, please.
This is definitely not for me. In 2022, having LCD display, huge bars and just one camera, when Android phones give me for the same price much better display and cameras, not worth the money.
But it's fine, if I was in the business of buying a new phone and wanted a discount, I would buy an old iPhone XS or 11 Pro or something. I have XS and the speed is great, I care more about screen and cameras than CPU speed. (Which is good enough anyway.)
What's the camera like on this one? I owned the last-gen SE and it's camera was the main reason that I upgraded to the 13 Mini. It was truly awful -- it made my Pixel 2 XL's camera seem WAY, WAY better than what the SE had.
Looking at the press release, I don't see anything about any "new" camera tech. The lens looks pretty similar too. Is anybody able to confirm if this is the same camera as the last gen model?
It’s in the sub-headline, and there’s an entire section about it:
iPhone SE features an all-new camera system powered by A15 Bionic, with a 12-megapixel ƒ/1.8 aperture Wide camera that offers incredible computational photography benefits, including
Agreed, everything else I love about my current SE, but the camera was near zero improvement over my 6. If it’s single lens it’s likely to still be a significant shortcoming. They try to workaround it with better image processing algos but it’s not the same.
Oh, I want this. I "upgraded" from an iPhone 8 to an iPhone 12 two years ago and dislike almost everything new about the 12 -- the size (too large), FaceID (never as reliable as pressing the fingerprint button was). iPhone 8, but faster and with better battery life? Lovely.
I wish they just include a modern Touch ID in their latest phones that's what keeps me away from the latest and almost greatest. Love to have a better camera but it's Touch ID or nothing!
I bought the X and loathed the unlock UX especially if you ever might need to use your phone in the car.
Still not small enough. The 1st gen SE was perfect in size and easy to grip. The iPhone 13 mini is smaller but still easily falls out of my hand if I'm not paying attention. Alas, we live in the age of phablets.
I still use a 6S and was wanting to get an SE, but was worried about the 5G thing. This is such welcome news. My mom has an SE (not sure what year) and it is really nice.
My 6S has held up really well. My boyfriend and I lived at campgrounds for the spring/summer of 2021 and during all this, I would use my phone's hotspot as a mobile router for my laptop/ps4, and had it plugged into a portable power bank all day, and that really killed my battery. Not a good idea. A bit of a non-standard use. While my battery life is quite terrible, it never ceases to amaze me that it is still so usable, that it still gets updates, and it's not terribly laggy (it is better compared to my boyfriend's LG Stylo 4 which he got in 2020 and is kind of a mess despite being a beast; tbf he's lost that thing 3x and it's survived things no phone should). I carry a small battery bank with me if I will be out for more than a couple hours so I am not without a phone, but I know it is a bit silly. I've considered switching to android because of cheaper options, but the longevity thing really has me thinking I want to stay with apple. I will miss the headphone jack, though.
I've been using my iPhone 5 since 2013. I get comments every single day from people who absolutely love it and want to know what model it is. I'm convinced it's the single best product Apple has ever made. Until another true 4 inch screen iPhone exists, this will be it for me.
You must have a lot of trouble buying anything, since I assume you apply your principles consistently? Clothing manufactured in countries that overlook child labor, chemicals / metals in your electronic devices coming from dictatorships, oil in your car coming from environmentally devastated areas?
We definitely need laws that require companies to display this information online as well so that ethical shoppers aren't forced to go to the stores to avoid Made in China products.
If there any confirmation on if this new version is compatible with no sim card? One of the things I enjoy about the pixel budget phones is that it's simless but I was thinking of switching.
The second-gen iPhone SE supports eSim - I use a SIM card for Verizon and then another carrier with eSim. I can have both active at once, make calls, etc. Uses more battery but is super practical.
[+] [-] Nition|4 years ago|reply
Here's everything released since 2015 that's SE size or smaller: https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?nYearMin=2015&nHeightM...
This SE, and the previous one, are significantly larger. The iPhone 13 Mini is closer to original SE size but still larger (around 8mm longer and 6mm wider).
[+] [-] onemoresoop|4 years ago|reply
A teenager nephew saw my SE recently and he held himself from laughing at it. I take pride in using an old phone.
[+] [-] nerdponx|4 years ago|reply
Unfortunately the Gen 2 is also mostly "non-repairable"; I had to get a total phone replacement for something as simple as a dying Thunderbolt port. According to the person at the Genius Bar, the 12 Mini is much more repairable, more like the first-gen SE in terms of its internals.
This SE Gen 3 still has the rounded/slim iPhone 6 body style, so I would expect it to be equally non-repairable. So all things equal, I would still go for the 12 Mini over the SE Gen 2 if I could make the choice over again.
[+] [-] ummonk|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] o_nate|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dangus|4 years ago|reply
It's from an era where we didn't run our lives and businesses on our phones.
About 70% of all website visits come from mobile phones: https://www.perficient.com/insights/research-hub/mobile-vs-d...
The world has changed a lot since the original iPhone 4 and 5 form factor hit the scene.
[+] [-] muppetman|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] aidenn0|4 years ago|reply
With 6GB of ram and a 8-core (4 big + 4 little) 2GHz MediaTek CPU, it's more powerful than the dual core A9. On the other-hand its 480x854 screen is much lower resolution.
[+] [-] incanus77|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ramesh31|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pkulak|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] girvo|4 years ago|reply
The quick detour to the XS just made me angry. I hate the big phone trend (can you call it a trend when its the default now?)
[+] [-] Javipok|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mynameisvlad|4 years ago|reply
In fact, my iPad Mini is the only device that is Touch ID only and I find I expect it to be unlocked by just looking at it, and always have to remember to tap the power button.
[+] [-] paul7986|4 years ago|reply
As a UX professional I strive for the simplest UX(less is more). Maybe Apple doesn't strive for the same thing in this regards?
I do hope they add Touch ID back to all their phones someday.. fingers crossed!
[+] [-] TMWNN|4 years ago|reply
Only Sprint offering an amazing upgrade caused me to move to iPhone 13. I really don't like Face ID for the reasons you mentioned.
I like the phone otherwise but really wish that it also had Touch ID. If Apple doesn't want to mar the front with a physical touch sensor, it can put it on the back; I have an Android phone that has this. If iPhone 14 has both I will quickly upgrade to it.
[+] [-] fomine3|4 years ago|reply
I almost satisfied with it. It's not the best as the best fingerprint sensor, but it works most of the time. Even with mask, it just take like less than seconds. It's pain that sometimes not work well when sunlight shines my face.
[+] [-] dillondoyle|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] cehrlich|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ilamont|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] brimble|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jdhzzz|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hypertexthero|4 years ago|reply
She often wants to defenestrate it, and I do, too, because I am stuck attempting to explain something that used to need no explanation: How to go back to the home screen.
Bring back the home button with mechanical, tactile feedback in the square form iPhone, please.
[+] [-] thatwasunusual|4 years ago|reply
Can you explain this in more detail? I'm pretty sure I misunderstand, but how will a phone upgrade affect the 3G-carrier-link?
[+] [-] jrnichols|4 years ago|reply
this will be a wonderful replacement.
[+] [-] Nextgrid|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] shp0ngle|4 years ago|reply
But it's fine, if I was in the business of buying a new phone and wanted a discount, I would buy an old iPhone XS or 11 Pro or something. I have XS and the speed is great, I care more about screen and cameras than CPU speed. (Which is good enough anyway.)
If someone wants this, good for them I guess.
[+] [-] ydnaclementine|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] freeqaz|4 years ago|reply
Looking at the press release, I don't see anything about any "new" camera tech. The lens looks pretty similar too. Is anybody able to confirm if this is the same camera as the last gen model?
[+] [-] jcoder|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] plaidfuji|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] simpss|4 years ago|reply
Currently, it seems like the iphone SE is alone in the segment?
[+] [-] loeg|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] paul7986|4 years ago|reply
I bought the X and loathed the unlock UX especially if you ever might need to use your phone in the car.
[+] [-] TheDudeMan|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] BigComrade|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] als0|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jazzyjackson|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] vdo|4 years ago|reply
My 6S has held up really well. My boyfriend and I lived at campgrounds for the spring/summer of 2021 and during all this, I would use my phone's hotspot as a mobile router for my laptop/ps4, and had it plugged into a portable power bank all day, and that really killed my battery. Not a good idea. A bit of a non-standard use. While my battery life is quite terrible, it never ceases to amaze me that it is still so usable, that it still gets updates, and it's not terribly laggy (it is better compared to my boyfriend's LG Stylo 4 which he got in 2020 and is kind of a mess despite being a beast; tbf he's lost that thing 3x and it's survived things no phone should). I carry a small battery bank with me if I will be out for more than a couple hours so I am not without a phone, but I know it is a bit silly. I've considered switching to android because of cheaper options, but the longevity thing really has me thinking I want to stay with apple. I will miss the headphone jack, though.
[+] [-] drusepth|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] MrBuddyCasino|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ramesh31|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mleonhard|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] anujdeshpande|4 years ago|reply
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/apple-i...
[+] [-] kepler1|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] legofr|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] madspindel|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Wiseacre|4 years ago|reply
[+] [-] 0x38B|4 years ago|reply
Is this what you were talking about?
[+] [-] ThePhysicist|4 years ago|reply