iPhone SE 3rd Gen users?

[tim0409]

Hi,

In the distant past I used to upgrade my iPhone every year from the 3 up until the 7. After that I upgraded to the X, which was an excellent phone up until the point I dropped it in old engine oil whilst servicing my car…I bought a 12 as a replacement and I’ve never really got on with the feel of it (square edges).

My wife brought home an unused iPhone SE (3rd Gen) from her work last night to try out the Three network where we live and I absolutely love the size and feel of it. I assumed it would be old tech but when I checked it against the 12 it has a newer processor, with the obvious screen size difference and touch id, which I actually prefer. It just feels like a lovely phone to hold and use, so I’m thinking of switching as I can’t bring myself to pay the price of the latest iPhone come September. I tend to use my iPad Pro and Magic keyboard quite a lot so I spend less and less time on my phone.

Anyone else with an SE happy to share their experiences?

Thanks.

[towser]

tim0409 said:

Hi,

In the distant past I used to upgrade my iPhone every year from the 3 up until the 7. After that I upgraded to the X, which was an excellent phone up until the point I dropped it in old engine oil whilst servicing my car…I bought a 12 as a replacement and I’ve never really got on with the feel of it (square edges).

My wife brought home an unused iPhone SE (3rd Gen) from her work last night to try out the Three network where we live and I absolutely love the size and feel of it. I assumed it would be old tech but when I checked it against the 12 it has a newer processor, with the obvious screen size difference and touch id, which I actually prefer. It just feels like a lovely phone to hold and use, so I’m thinking of switching as I can’t bring myself to pay the price of the latest iPhone come September. I tend to use my iPad Pro and Magic keyboard quite a lot so I spend less and less time on my phone.

Anyone else with an SE happy to share their experiences?

Thanks.

I have one as I like the physical home button, I prefer a smaller device and it sticks in my throat to pay a kings ransom for a phone.

Had it for 2 years and it's been pretty much prefect.

As usual battery life is now on the slide but nowhere near as bad as the SE 2nd Gen was.

Camera is pretty average by modern standards but good enough for me.

Rumours of a refresh which may dispense with the physical home button and increase size : https://www.macrumors.com/guide/iphone-se-4/

[Klippie]

We were issued with the third gen SE at work, I found it excellent so good in fact I went and bought one for my own use.

Its more than enough for my needs and it takes a decent picture as well, I bought a rubber protective case for it so it should last a while.

I like the home button too.

[MrBen.911]

I have a work supplied one, and it's ok but I find the screen rather small compared to my own, ageing, iPhone XS. Also, using a home button and the lack of FaceID feels like a step backwards now.

[LordGrover]

I'm tempted... Employer supplies my mobile, replaced every couple of years - currently have 14 Pro Max.
I very much like it, but it's a pain to pocket/carry about - it's a big old chunk including case.
Macrumors advises waiting as (maybe) new version soon... click.
And here.

[megaphone]

I went from an SE to a 13 mini, for me the best phone I've had, will be keeping it until it dies. The 13 mini is actually slightly smaller than the SE but screen is bigger. Has Face ID and 5G.

I did hope they make a 'mini' phone in the future as all the others are too big for me.

[dhutch]

Wife had the Iphone 1stGen SE and the SE 2ndgen and was very happy with them.

Although shes now got a 13Pro or something like that, mainly for the camera.

[the-norseman]

I'm an Android man but most of my work colleagues have the 3rd gen SE supplied by work, they gave me a XR rather than SE.

[Mammasaid]

I've got one for work, feels like a toy phone compared to my personal phone (Pixel 8 Pro).

It does nothing badly, but then again it does nothing well either. It's a bit meh.

The camera is ok, but only in daylight. The screen is tiny is comparison and not that bright.

it is lighter, but not as much as you think (150g) and the battery life sucks.

But apart from that...

[mcm87]

I upgraded to a iPhone 13 mini and never looked back - far more capable in every way and a similar size. The SE is getting on now, it’s hard to recommend when you compare to android phones of a similar cost.

[Techno9000]

I bought myself a 128Gb 1st gen SE a couple of years back for little money. As mentioned battery life has been on the slide but a recent battery renewal for £25 has brought it back to 'as new' and it still doesn't quite owe me £100.
I use its capacity to hold all my digital music offline for listening on the move. The OS is still current enough to use all the apps I need. The small size is a benefit to me. All in all a great buy.

[mikiec]

Just gone from a SE (2nd) to refurbed 12 mini and much prefer the 12. Smaller, lighter and screen is far superior plus better camera.

[tim0409]

Thanks for all the comments.

Having used both phones for a couple of days, I think I actually prefer my 12. Whilst the SE is a lovely phone to hold and I really like the overall size, using it against the 12 you really notice the screen size difference and quality . I’ve put the 12 in a thin case and switched the film screen protector for glass and it feels so much better to use now. Its battery is at 85% capacity so when it drops I will replace it and continue to use it for a few more years.

[paolow]

tim0409 said:

Thanks for all the comments.

Having used both phones for a couple of days, I think I actually prefer my 12. Whilst the SE is a lovely phone to hold and I really like the overall size, using it against the 12 you really notice the screen size difference and quality . I’ve put the 12 in a thin case and switched the film screen protector for glass and it feels so much better to use now. Its battery is at 85% capacity so when it drops I will replace it and continue to use it for a few more years.

I have been an iphone SE fanboi for years - they are great but i must say the battery life isnt that great. I started with and SE and then every iteration past that and have an SE3 currently. Dont get me wrong, its been alright for me - but I guess it depends what you are using it for?you do mention battery life - it seems not amazing from my experience but I do really use it - radio, pokemon, etc etc, but the battery drop off is noticeable now - i need to charge it really quite frequently - as in it certainly wouldnt last a day?

[Jimbo.]

If I may add another twist to this question.

I have an iPhone SE 2020. Serves as my only “device” for all the life stuff; banking, emails, shopping etc. and it does everything just fine, although heavy use for said life things does show the limited battery life.

I figured I’d skip the SE 2022 and just replace the battery as there wasn’t enough to warrant the extra outlay. However, I’d be tempted by the (speculated) next-generation SE so long as the battery is better.

That said, it’s reasonably to assume a new iPhone SE will be c.£500-600. For a similar amount you can get an Apple-refurbished iPhone 14 assuming they’re available. The refurb bit doesn’t bother me. Would a 2 y/o model be a good bet over an eventually new SE, considering Apple support longevity etc?

[Nezquick]

megaphone said:

I went from an SE to a 13 mini, for me the best phone I've had, will be keeping it until it dies. The 13 mini is actually slightly smaller than the SE but screen is bigger. Has Face ID and 5G.

I did hope they make a 'mini' phone in the future as all the others are too big for me.

That's exactly what I did and I have no regrets. The 13 mini is all the phone you could ever need IMO.