iPhone SE
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
The iPhone SE is a polarizing entry-level device valued for its compact form factor and as an affordable gateway into the iOS ecosystem. While long-term users praise its durability and portability, there is significant pushback regarding its aging design, including large bezels and the physical home button. Recent sentiment is increasingly critical of price hikes, with many users arguing that the 'budget' label no longer fits if the price exceeds $500.
Pros
- Excellent portability and one-handed usability
- Durable build quality that can survive drops and extreme temperatures
- Affordable entry point for the Apple ecosystem
- Reliable performance for basic tasks using older but capable chips
- Long-term software support compared to similarly priced competitors
Cons
- Outdated design with large bezels and a small screen
- Poor battery life, especially on the 2nd and 3rd generation models
- Limited camera capabilities (single rear lens)
- Base storage (historically 16GB) is insufficient for modern firmware and apps
- Lacks modern features like Face ID
Caveats
- The original SE no longer receives software updates
- Users report the device can become glitchy after 5+ years of use
- Pricing varies significantly by region, with some international markets seeing 'budget' models priced near flagship levels
Best for
- Users who prefer small, pocketable phones
- Those on a strict budget who require iOS
- Retro enthusiasts who prefer a physical home button
Avoid if
- You require all-day battery life under heavy use
- You consume a lot of video content or need a large display
- You want the latest camera technology and multiple lenses
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older (median age ~427 days) and reflects a mix of perspectives on various SE generations.
Sentiment
20 positive (51%) · 5 mixed (13%) · 14 negative (36%)
Trust + time weighted score: +16% · raw score 15%
What redditors said (10 of 39)
I would just love a new SE version, but with the form factor of the mini. That would be perfect.
Hello, my iphone SE start to die slowly so I need to change my phone.
My first iPhone Was SE, used it straight away 6 years.
I am currently using an iPhone SE (the basic model they came out with in the early days of the pandemic) but it's five years old and becoming increasingly glitchy.
I would also avoid any of the iPhone SE models. At this point in time, these just are not really great picks for 2025 smart phones. The original doesn't even get updates anymore... the second and third generation models have terrible battery life, iPhone 6 era displays, and iPhone 8 era cameras.
I literally needed to buy an iPhone SE too because my 16 GB iPhone SE wasn’t enough storage to hold anything other than the firmware and maybe three apps & 3gb of Photos.
If you have strict budget - take SE
If you like the form factor get an se.
iPhone SE is my initial rec.
Parent context: Iphone SE i would ignore it due to its size makes it really outdated in terms of battery and quality of screen. Reply: Sidenote for the SE, i do quite enjoy smaller phones the screensize isnt much of an issue but if the battery is bad or the phone is generally laggy and fuckywucky ill avoid it!!
Compare
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