What It's Like Using an iPhone SE in 2019

[Plutonius]

Thanks, I should check it out. I mean I swapped the XR onto the SE's old no-contract account w/ ATT that's about 65 a month incl taxes with i think 3GB data, after a line discount they give, in hoping that I will go with their Next upgrade deal "some day". But I continue to prefer to bring a paid-up hardware upgrade to the account. So far they still let the discount cruise, it's been at last a couple upgrades I've bought the phone at Apple and swapped it in.

Still, in comparison to that, prepaying for a year for something roughly like you have sounds really good. I'd have to see how T mobile is for out-and-about in the area now, not right here where everything is sketchy but in towns where I shop and meet up with friends. There's some signal around here if you're outside, usually. I noticed once my bro phoned me from his car in my driveway when I failed to notice he'd arrived, and I was surprised he even got enough signal to make that call. So it has got some better since last time I tried a cell call from out there in the yard.

I just use WiFi calling when I'm home and my WiFi is good enough for calling from my yard so i don't even turn airplane mode off unless I'm going somewhere. I have to leave it on here in the house otherwise when I turn my modem router off the stupid thing tries to phone home all night even though it immediately fetches No Service. I guess it's too dumb to realize it hasn't moved and no tower has magically appeared on the horizon, so it keeps trying? I dunno. It runs my batt down unless i power it off or leave Airplane Mode set.

... ok so Mint Mobile does offer plans here and says service is available outdoors, so that's encouraging, should mean where I shop and meet up, everything will be fine. I can't remember right now if my SE is locked to ATT or not. Well that can be fixed if it is

Amazon has a starter kit one can use to test out if Mint Mobile's going to work okay in a given location and with a given phone, it's only five bucks for a basic supply of data, text and call time.

Thank you for the info you provided, it's helpful.

The starter kit is a good idea. If you decide to go with Mint Mobile, they will only take request to port your old number when you activate your new number so it's a good idea to verify your coverage first. They do have a seven day money back guarantee but that's of little help if you have ported your number.

I'm using their $20 three month introductory offer with a new number as my starter kit to see if I like them. If I decide to stick with Mint Mobile, I'll order another SIM for a new activation and port while activating it.

As far as coverage, all networks vary based on your location. In comparison with AT&T network in my area. I found that T-Mobile network has better strength where I usually use the phone but has more dropouts while driving (dead areas).

 

[Jimrod]

Maybe, but it's likely a small number of people, and these people don't seem to have interest buying anything modern anyway, so it's a self-defeating market to serve.

Apple needs to stop selling such old products, drop the dead weight, simplify their line up, and move on. Selling old products just keeps them in a complacency rut.

It's not lack of interest in new products, I've got plenty of money, large hands, really want a new phone but I hate the current giant, heavy phones. I have my phone in my jeans pocket most of the time, the old 6 (before I swapped to SE) was awkward for that and unergonomic to use with slippery shape, power & volume buttons opposing so squeeze together. I don't like having to balance a phone on my little finger to reach the corners, I like to use it one-handed. I tried the X and it was not only big but felt very heavy in comparison.

If Apple, for once, put flagship tech in a smaller phone and gave it an edge-to-edge screen I'd be all over it - I wouldn't care if it was the same price as the large phones, it would be a phone I actually want. I get the impression many others feel the same. I only know one person with an X (let alone XS) as most are now just keeping hold of their older iPhones, not everyone just wants "BIGGER", we have iPads already.

 

[Plutonius]

If you have a different carrier, can you still use the Verizon/TMobile unlocked phones? I'm not exactly sure how it's supposed to work.

The only way you will know for sure is to contact the carrier (either call or look at their website).

 

[zeesix]

The hardware is more like 4-5 years old since it included nothing newer than the 6s when it was released. It’s still a very nice device though. I like it purely due to the size, has nothing to do with price.

 

[tominco]

I realized how nice the size was today as I was using my old iPhone 5, which the "iPod" in my shop, used to stream audio and music while I work. While my 57 year old eyes appreciate the little bigger screen of my iPhone 7, the 5/SE form factor is much more comfortable in my pocket and in my hand, not to mention the price point. Heck, my kids (20 and 23) love their SEs, primarily because of the size.

What we need is an SE2, with the guts of an 8, including the inductive changing (my wife's favorite feature on her iPhone 8). Heck, if they use the same case as the SE, we'll have a headphone jack too!

On a more serious note, with out the SE, the price point of an entry iPhone is steep, especially for kids and younger folks who don't yet have much disposable income. Yeah, as an Apple shareholder, I like the new fancy expensive phones with huge margins, but I also understand that you've got cover the entire price space or face losing customers to cheaper alternatives. That's what the SE is for.

 

[Schrödinger’s]

ALs

I can only speak from personal experience, but it's all about the size for me, not the price point. If Apple offered a variant of the XR hardware in the form factor of the iPhone SE I'd pick one up even at $749.

While I don’t mind carrying a bigger slab with me at all, I completely get the appeal of a smaller phone and hope people can continue buying smaller Apple phones with latest HW in the future.

I believe Apple are milking people with more cash providing latest customer experience with for bigger phones now and will bring SE sized model to the market later. I think SE had to go at this point to get it out of support relatively soon to keep HW consistent for future iOS development and new fetures.

Demand for SE X seems so high that they just have release a small phone quite soon. They can’t possibly be so inept that they’ll crudely ignore their customers wishes, can they? Not Apple, no no.

 

[scoobydoo99]

I loved my iPhone 5s and used it from 2013 until the XR came out last year but I think the true reason for the high demand for the SE has always been a price point that is somewhat justified and getting to be included in the Apple eco system. With so many having first gotten into iPhone using carrier subsidies they are probably many of the last of the hold outs and this price seems fair to them. I think Apple could really benefit from updating this form factor and price a new version around $400 and many would be happy to stay and not go off to Android where they can get a phone free still.

Price has nothing to do with it. The SE is, quite simply, the best phone Apple sells today. Why in the world would you think that SE buyers would want an updated form factor? The current form factor is the REASON people like it. It's made from better materials, feels better in the hand, is more durable, easier to hold (due to flat edges), can be used with one hand, is not infected with 3D Touch or FaceID, and has the lock button segregated instead of opposing the volume buttons. In a perfect world, Apple would update the internals to the latest chip, memory, camera, etc., charge $800-1000 for it, and I'd be first in line. Of course, the world isn't perfect, so R.I.P. iPhone SE.

 

[LizKat]

Price has nothing to do with it. The SE is, quite simply, the best phone Apple sells today. Why in the world would you think that SE buyers would want an updated form factor? The current form factor is the REASON people like it. It's made from better materials, feels better in the hand, is more durable, easier to hold (due to flat edges), can be used with one hand, is not infected with 3D Touch or FaceID, and has the lock button segregated instead of opposing the volume buttons. In a perfect world, Apple would update the internals to the latest chip, memory, camera, etc., charge $800-1000 for it, and I'd be first in line. Of course, the world isn't perfect, so R.I.P. iPhone SE.

I'm with you on that post 100% except for the R.I.P. iPhone SE. Still hoping Apple will bring smaller form option to the X line in next cycle or one after that.

 

[tech3475]

When the SE loses support, my mum will likely be going back to Android.

The SE was the perfect phone for her as it was a size she was comfortable with and it made me happy as it has decent support and easy to backup.

Anything larger than the SE and she’ll reject it, regardless of cost.

 

[Westside guy]

My wife's SE has been acting up lately - so today, after chatting with her, I hopped over to the Apple Store and bought a 128MB SE for $299. She loves the size, and she wants the headphone jack.

Funny thing is - I couldn't navigate to these phones through the store, at least earlier today... but they were/are in stock, and you can get to them via refurb-tracker.

 

[Gogeta-Blue]

the only reason why apple tried to get rid of this awesome phone was because many people still prefers this kind of small phone over an iPhone that look as big as an iPad , apple being apple wants people to buy their latest iPhones which are ridiculously expensive, why apple brought back the SE, because the bad sales they had in china force them to do so, this iPhone is not that old and is not obsolete, so I really don't understand the title, really, many people still use the 5s because still supports iOS updates, so what is like using an iPhone 5s in 2019? duh , not everyone wants to play Pokemon with their phones, some people just want to make a phone call. send a message probably just check their email or browse the web, any of those 2 phones can do that easily. Tim is bending his back now that those fordable phones are out.

no innovation, the passion is gone
apple is just a money grab company

what happened to let make the best products
oh yeah Steve is gone and Tim is the CEO, unfortunately for us

 

[dantastic]

Another very happy SE owner here. I have no interest in getting a bigger phone. The SE is fast enough for everything I do as I don't play resource intensive games on my phone. I still very much use the headphone jack, that's still a major deal-breaker for me.

I would love it if they released a new device with the same form factor as the SE but edge to edge screen when they have figured out how to get rid of that stupid notch. I know they won't ever give me a headphone jack and I think that's what it will all hinge on.

Until then, I'll hang on to my SE.

 

[Jimrod]

Another very happy SE owner here. I have no interest in getting a bigger phone. The SE is fast enough for everything I do as I don't play resource intensive games on my phone. I still very much use the headphone jack, that's still a major deal-breaker for me.

I would love it if they released a new device with the same form factor as the SE but edge to edge screen when they have figured out how to get rid of that stupid notch. I know they won't ever give me a headphone jack and I think that's what it will all hinge on.

Until then, I'll hang on to my SE.

This is a factor for me too (I work in audio and the phone can be handy to use at times), all I can think now is that if I HAVE to get a new, large phone, for the first time since 2008 I'll be switching companies. The Galaxy S10 has a headphone jack, in-screen fingerprint sensor that works and minimal camera cut-outs. All the annoying things about the latest Apple phones (including price) seem to be taken care of. I can't see Apple ever moving away from FaceID as they're immensely stubborn and they'll never bring the headphone jack back - newsflash, not everyone wants to have to charge everything they use all the time, it gets frustrating quickly when you don't have access on a long trip.

 

[nottorp]

I'm still on a SE and mostly happy about it. One handed use. Headphone jack. No stupid notch.

However, I'm getting somewhat old and had to enlarge the fonts, which means stuff started to not fit on my screen. I might have to give up and buy a larger one

 

[TomOSeven]

I think the debate on whether the 4" size should be kept around hinges upon whether one watches porn on their phone or not.

I don't, so I love the 5 / SE size.

 

[tunastink]

I'm an SE guy. I bought a 64GB SE the day it was released... At the time it seemed miraculous -- apple resurrecting an outdated (but superior) design, smaller sized, equivalent specs to the latest gen phones but with even better battery life, and at a much lower price. This was the high-end phone in a small package I was looking for.

What is it like to use an SE in 2019? Day to day use is fine -- everything is still snappy and responsive, especially on iOS 12. I get jealous of the cameras on the newer phones, and the OLED screen on iPhone X is beautiful... But I don't feel like I'm suffering much in terms of functionality.

I can't shake feeling concerned, though. How long can apple keep supporting this phone at this level in OS updates? And I've already started seeing app developers claiming SE usage has dropped below a user base count that means they don't need to test on SE screen size anymore, so I think it won't be long before app quality starts suffering on SE.

It seems like the market has spoken, everyone else wants bigger phones, and it doesn't make sense to dedicate resources to produce a small phone for my niche. And there's even less hope in my place in the niche - I *want* top-end specs, fast processor and best camera tech, and I want it all in a phone with a small screen that can easily be used one-handed.

Anyway, everyone else enjoy your wonderful large screen phones. I just picked up a 128GB SE in this clearance sale, hopefully the extra storage will future-proof this enough to hang on until some new small option comes along. Good luck out there.

 

[stewacide]

I'm on my second SE. Ergonomically it's perfection. I feel like the world has gone mad with all these giant phones you can't use with one hand, are uncomfortable in a pocket, don't have headphone jacks... I own a laptop and an ebook reader, so I don't need my phone compromised by covering those tasks. I want it to be the best phone possible, which the SE is.

 

[Pugly]

I just picked up an SE during the recent clearance drop. I have no complaints. I'm upgrading from a 5S, which was still pretty good considering it's age... iOS 12 was good to that old phone.

The power of the new phones is great and all, but I really don't see the need for it in this sort of thing. I use it in a largely utilitarian/appliance sort of way, and it does everything I need it to do.

Music/Email/Videos/Browsing/Reading/GPS/Hotspot/Calls/Texts... what does a newer iPhone do that really makes any of these things noticeably better?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, the SE is a terrific phone: Small size (for those of us with smaller hands), portability, fits in pockets - trousers pockets, jeans pockets, jack pockets, lovely battery, headphone jack, possible one-handed use - these are all considerable plusses to my mind.

And, I use it as a phone, and for sourcing information online occasionally, and as a map at times. I don't use it for games, or reading, or watching movies - I have the devices (principally my MBA) for that.

What is there not to like?

I shall keep an eye open for a refurb.

 

[kis]

No iOS updates though, right?

 

[Porco]

No iOS updates though, right?

What? The SE? It’s still running the latest version of iOS and should do for a while yet.

 

[kis]

What? The SE? It’s still running the latest version of iOS and should do for a while yet.

If Apple sticks to their update matrix, this year’s iOS update will be the last for the SE - so if this is going to be someone’s 2-3 year investment, it’s probably not a good one.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

If Apple sticks to their update matrix, this year’s iOS update will be the last for the SE - so if this is going to be someone’s 2-3 year investment, it’s probably not a good one.

If you like the form factor, it remains an excellent investment.

 

[Porco]

If Apple sticks to their update matrix, this year’s iOS update will be the last for the SE - so if this is going to be someone’s 2-3 year investment, it’s probably not a good one.

Not sure how you're figuring that. The iPhone 5S, 6 and 6S are all still getting iOS updates too, and they’re still selling SEs.

 

[Jimrod]

It seems like the market has spoken, everyone else wants bigger phones, and it doesn't make sense to dedicate resources to produce a small phone for my niche.

Look at any comment section and there seem to be a lot of people liking the smaller format - and I always hear "The market has spoken", but has it? What small phone options are there? Has a smaller phone ever been given any flagship phone features? It doesn't even need to be thin because the smaller size is easier to hold so you can cram plenty in there (iPhone 3/3G was about 11mm thick wasn't it? Felt great in-hand). The market may sell far more large phones but it's miles from a level playing field to judge that on.