I disagree. Apple stuck an outdated 1.3MP front camera on the SE and used the same modem as iPhone 6 (Snapdragon X5) with 1x1.
The SE2 is more well rounded. Much more reasonable 7MP front camera and the same modem as iPhone 11/Pro.
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iPhone SE (2016) IPhone SE 2 seems more popular than iPhone 12 mini - implications?
- Thread starter Adelphos33
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I disagree. Apple stuck an outdated 1.3MP front camera on the SE and used the same modem as iPhone 6 (Snapdragon X5) with 1x1.
The SE2 is more well rounded. Much more reasonable 7MP front camera and the same modem as iPhone 11/Pro.
Exactly. I feel my SE 2 is a no compromise device. At this price point you really get a fantastic phone that is future proof and will certainly hold its own until the SE 3 is released. I love this form factor. Some think it’s outdated but for me it’s timeless.
Well, we'll have to agree to disagree then. I don't consider front camera or modem areas of high importance, certainly not compared to rear camera, overall design or battery life.
Yup, and in all actuality, that phone has a cult-like following of die-hard fans still using them daily. That speaks volumes for the OG SE.
I'm probably weird, I don't know.... But I switched back from the 12 Mini to the SE 2020 and returned the 12 Mini.... Don't misunderstand, the 12 Mini is a great iPhone, it would clearly be the only one I could identify with out of the flagships. But somehow there's a connection between the SE lineup and me xD.
It's just classic, looks great and the usability is subjectively perfect for me. It is absolutely sufficient for my needs. So I am a proud owner and sympathizer of the SE lineup.
It's just classic, looks great and the usability is subjectively perfect for me. It is absolutely sufficient for my needs. So I am a proud owner and sympathizer of the SE lineup.
I did the same exact thing. For me it was a better feel in hand. Maybe not for everyone but for me it’s the quintessential one handed device. And as I keep on saying I just like Touch ID better than face unlock. Some call the SE 2020 outdated but I agree that this is a classic look.
Well the thing is though the modem is one of the top areas of high importance, especially since the 12 lineup switched right back to Qualcomm and since Intel Modems suck in every area compared to Qualcomm’s modems then yes modem technology is vastly of importance
don’t forget Apple is making they’re own modems so that will be interesting to see
as of front camera even a 7MP front camera is still good and a decent quality. The 1.2MP ones (even as far as iPad 8th Gen because it has the A12 Processor and still with that processor it still had that **** camera) are garbage and shouldn’t be made anymore
Not sure about a different physical design idea for any SE product, as so far Apple have been “recycling” their previous designs with that line (iPhone 5S > SE, iPhone 8 > SE2). IMO, the SE line, if it continues, will remain the cheapest entry point into Apple’s ecosystem. Why build a physically distinct SE device when Apple can continue selling their existing popular models at a lower price? After all, they still sell both XR and 11, with XR costing just a 100$ more than SE2.
Not a different design per se but small, cost-saving tweaks to the existing design (ala-iPad 10.2" vs Pro 10.5" and Air 10.9" vs Pro 11").
I LOVE the 12mini, however - there are certain areas where I find it just too small. It is a bit narrow for my big hands while typing. I came from 11 (6,1") and I keep mistyping months into my ownership. The extra 3+ mm width on the SE2020 actually improves this somewhat even though I did not expect it too.
Photos are small on the 12 mini as well, the notch plus narrowness make them feel a bit too small overall. The 12s extra width make it much better for viewing videos, pdf's and photos. Text is also more readable.
The SE2020 is a bit more expensive in Europe than US, but still - you get a lot for your money.
With my discount the SE2020 is 460 USD vs 785 for the 12 mini at todays best prices. That is a 70% increase.
There was a good offer for the SE2020 here in Switzerland. Although only in 64GB, but since I use iCloud with 200GB, this should not cause any problems for me.
I personally enjoy every single bit of my mini, but could probably drop-off FaceID for TouchID in the power button, a-la iPad Air 4. However, this would also make more work for Apple making it, as well as risking TouchID fans to move away from Apple’s more expensive offerings towards the lowest cost model?
Like you, I also moved to 12 mini from 11, but got used to it by now. I just need to pay more attention while typing, but then I swipe type most of the time anyway. ?
6.1” screens are too big for my liking, but I would happily use anything up to 5.8” (as X, XS or 11 Pro) if the size increase is inevitable.
1st world problems overall, and I restate - I LOVE the 12 mini, but it is not perfect.
5,8" would probably be a sweetspot size-wise. I am just saying, the SE2020 is very good bang for the money. Especially if you`re just using it for phone calls, text and that sort of stuff.
my SE 2020 is very much an ideal device. I use it for work but it isn’t too small for work for example reading e-mails and general app browsing. Certainly easier than say my 12 pro max.
While I would love to go back to a small phone, I think I'll be on the SE train for as long as Apple makes them. You really just can't beat the value for the money, especially for an Apple product. It's already a steal at $399... but you can always find deals for it too. For example, if you're on Verizon postpaid, you can get the SE from Walmart.com for $6.21/mo over 24 months... that works out to $149. That's an absolutely insane bang-for-your-buck.
As others have said, I suspect the next-gen SE (not including any processor updates the current one may get) will be the XR/11 form factor.
As others have said, I suspect the next-gen SE (not including any processor updates the current one may get) will be the XR/11 form factor.
I refuse to use anything bigger than my SE 2020. Perhaps in a year or two the mini will be turned into a new SE? As I’ve mentioned before, if the mini had Touch ID I would have stayed with it despite my preference for the 4.7 inch screen.
I'm an original SE owner. It was the perfect phone for me and I love the form factor. Just before it was introduced, I nearly bought a 5 that was still around at the time and am very glad I stuck it out for the SE.
Covid kept me from buying a SE2020 last spring. I had not been following rumors for awhile and was thrilled when I heard about the 12 Mini. It's considerably more than I want to spend but I feel it's a great phone and will be more future-proofed than the SE2020 (only my opinion)
I'm not a big fan of face id but putting both a Mini and SE2020 in my hands tells me the Mini is the one I want. Slightly smaller with a bigger screen. The camera is a bonus - if I'm out taking pix I always take my actual camera along so it wouldn't have been a deal breaker if the camera was "just ok".
I do agree Apple split the market with their timing on both phones. If I'd managed to by an SE2020 a year ago, I would have really regretted it come fall when the SE2020 was announced.
Now I'm still limping along with my original SE because I'm hoping the rumors of a 13 Mini are indeed true. I'm going to guess a third update to the SE will not make it smaller. If the phones were a couple hundred less, I'd update more frequently honestly!
I just ordered an SE. My carrier knocked $100 off the 256gb model so even though I prefer big phones, I couldn't resist. Gonna use it for at least a week and see if I can adjust to a small phone. I figure if I hate it, my mom is due for a new phone anyway so I'll give it to her. I quite like the 'outdated' design too, it's the classic iPhone design and I don't get why something being older is bad or undesirable. Face ID and gestures are great but I miss the simplicity of a home button. I'll be all over it if they bring out an SE+ next year with an 8+ design.
I had the 12 Mini for a couple of weeks (bought outright), and just couldn't justify the £699 cost for that size device so after much deliberation I returned it. Whilst I prefer the full screen/FaceID design, the £300 less price tag for the SE is just too appealing and I expect many feel the same.
There will always be a demand for smaller form factor devices. I've tried so many times to 'get along' with a larger screen device but devices like the X/XS, 11/12 and 11 Pro/12 Pro (not to mention the Max models) are just too heavy and bulky for me. I'm always conscious of them and they're just awkward.
I think there's a big chance the current SE form factor will continue next year simply due to many people wanting to use TouchID over FaceID.
Although for me, I'd like the see the 12 Mini form factor/size become the SE 3 - even if they swap out the OLED for an LCD. Price it around £400 and that'll be a big seller.
There will always be a demand for smaller form factor devices. I've tried so many times to 'get along' with a larger screen device but devices like the X/XS, 11/12 and 11 Pro/12 Pro (not to mention the Max models) are just too heavy and bulky for me. I'm always conscious of them and they're just awkward.
I think there's a big chance the current SE form factor will continue next year simply due to many people wanting to use TouchID over FaceID.
Although for me, I'd like the see the 12 Mini form factor/size become the SE 3 - even if they swap out the OLED for an LCD. Price it around £400 and that'll be a big seller.