Apple iPhone SE

Technical specifications

I have owned this phone since March 2018. Bought new, 32GB model. The only thing that irritates me is the battery. I replaced the iPhone with a Realme phone, but after a year with a different phone, I started using the Apple device again. It would be great if the battery could be replaced. I really like the size of the phone because it does not take up much space. The system is stable and despite its age, it still receives updates and works without major problems. Call quality is also good. Despite the issues with the small battery, I recommend it.

This was my first iPhone and out of sentiment, after using other Apple models, I returned to it out of curiosity. It was purchased second-hand in very good condition with a new battery for a staggering 400. I will say this: it is the most comfortable and most beautiful iPhone ever released. My comparison mainly concerns the ease of use and the camera, as these are most important to me, and I must say it still performs well, especially considering its age. The only thing that truly falls short compared to the latest models is the video camera, which shakes significantly without stabilization as if on an off-road trip;) however, the camera itself in good and medium lighting conditions is really decent. And I am comparing it with the IP 8, 8+, XS, and even the 13 Pro models. Of course, there is some grain in darker areas, but I actually like it; it reminds me of analog photography and one can achieve truly pleasant photographs with it. I will definitely stay with it for a while, because it undoubtedly has something special about it.

My dear and sturdy little device, tiny, lightweight, durable, and still very capable. Oh, there is nothing better. It fits in a shirt pocket, does not obstruct in trousers during summer, is loud, durable, and reliable. After 5 years, I gave it a surprise and bought a new battery. I have been testing it for 4 months (RepairPro, about 80 PLN, Desay cells). The battery is better than the original; the little device has started a new life. iOS 15.7.2 is still running smoothly, and honestly, all the applications work. I have nothing to find fault with, seriously. A BRILLIANT phone! It is a pity that the new SE models have become heavier and larger; I also have an SE2020, but I often return to the 2016 version because it is smaller and performs the same tasks. LTE via tethering provided to a computer achieves exceptional results, seriously; I do not know if the link will be accepted here, see for yourself:

[...]

To be honest, modems and other gadgets are not needed. The only downside is that Apple iOS conflicts with Windows 10 and 11; often Windows does not recognize the tethering provided from the iPhone, but Windows 7 or 8 as well as every Linux version do so without any problem.

As for the quality - it is a perfect choice. There are probably no more durable phones, and the modest 2 GB of RAM behaves in this model like 6 GB on Android. There are no problems with operating on many applications simultaneously. I have the 128 GB version, so with offline maps and many other things, I have about 40-50 GB of free space left. That is easily enough for everything. I have had it since it was new, bought abroad, and there have never been any problems with it or its predecessors (5S and 5). It is truly worth paying even 600 PLN today for one in good condition (used) if it has 128 GB; seriously, I would not hesitate for a minute. Over several years, I have not managed to damage it, neither the touch function nor the screen. Everyone in my circle uses this model; I convinced my whole family, so we have about 30 of them, and everyone would say the same thing. The best model in the world, there is nothing better, and there is no point in speculating about the quality of the modest camera which supposedly has only a few MPX. The Sony sensor in this model records very excellent videos in 4K 30 fps H265 quality (it was H264 before the update), and the camera takes photos like those 20-30 Mpx from other non-Apple phones. Quality is felt at every step. It has never failed, never! Only Polish networks are not adapted to it; for example, despite active VoLTE in Plus, VoLTE does not want to work, but on Play and Orange cards it already works, and abroad too. I love this phone for its dimensions, weight, GPS quality, and screen quality; the GPS is so strong that it catches satellites very quickly even inside the house by a closed window, while Android devices wait even when held outside the window. The App Store is a nice thing; there are many interesting applications, and they all do everything they were created for; they simply work! As long as it works, I will not replace it with another, and Apple should consider implementing a new iPhone SE2023 in the same housing and with the same screen, but in a version already equipped with DualSIM, eSIM, a FLIR camera, and at least 3-4 GB of RAM. Then it would be another perfect success. 100% positive rating for this model! Seriously!

[...] In my case, the original Desay battery ceased to function only after 4.5 years, so I do not understand the issues mentioned in the comments. The "telefonino" is brilliant, extremely durable, light, small, very handy, and the new batteries already mentioned here (Repairpro) give it new life. Currently, iOS 15.7.7 is installed and all applications work perfectly. The phone itself performs excellently but... only outside of Poland. Unfortunately, according to official information obtained from the Plus, Play, and Orange networks, it is not on the list of phones supporting VoLTE. Poland is Poland, a country with technology from an extremely outdated era, which is why it is as it is. However, abroad (Italy WINDTRE, Germany T-Mobile, Czech Republic T-Mobile, Russia MTS-RU or Megafon), the phone operates very efficiently on VoLTE, it has no issues, and SMS/MMS and calling in 4G work without problem (from iOS 15.2 and up). Regarding the quality of the iPhone SE, this "telefonino" will for a long time surpass every budget device even if equipped with 4GB RAM and mythical features such as 3 cameras, because the quality of the Sony 13MPX lens in the iPhone is comparable to XXYYZZ 40MPX in Huawei. If iPhone released a new version in an identical casing and with an identical appearance, for example, SE 2024 but with 6GB RAM, 50MPX, 5G+4G+3G, DualSIM + eSIM with a Retina screen of minimum 2K, I would pay even 7000 PLN for it without hesitation. It is the best phone in the world, considering weight and dimensions versus capabilities. This marvel is superior to any low-quality device based on Android manufactured between 2018-2022, seriously. My wife's second SE was stolen on a bus, she had the 64GB version, and without hesitation, I bought an identical one but with 128GB and I do not regret it, and I bought it literally 6 months ago for as much as 650 PLN. It is worth it, I recommend it, there is nothing better, it fits everywhere, works everywhere, and functions in a way that makes life enjoyable.

I am currently using it in 2024. This is because my Motorola g100, which I had previously used for a few months, was stolen. And I will say this. This iPhone SE from 2016 works very well for such an old phone. Despite 2gb ram, everything operates very smoothly. In terms of operating speed, it significantly outperforms all the old models like the lg k10 2017 and similar. Everything simply works faster on the iPhone. The only problem is the small 4 inch display; websites are not displayed perfectly. And the battery is already weak, lasting me no more than 3 hours when I am using the phone. Other than that, zero problems. I do not regret the purchase for the 150 zł I paid for this phone.

Apple is acting against its own interests. I do not know the purpose of the new, large, and heavy products like the Se2020 and Se2022. It would have been sufficient to provide the SE2016 with 4GB RAM, install a newer processor, the iOS18 system, include a Sony camera with at least 20MPX and support for 5G + Volte VoGr BoWifi networks, while leaving the rest (casing, appearance, weight) as it was. I would have immediately purchased two units. The most beloved phone in the world. I miss it. Unfortunately, LTE cat.4 made this phone obsolete.

I used this phone for several years and was very satisfied. I will not elaborate on the pros or cons because everything has probably already been said. However, I wanted to point out that the good times have come to an end- the YouTube application no longer works on this phone because it requires iOS 16, and this is not available for this model. So I had to buy a newer one... unfortunately, because this SE, despite many drops and a cracked screen, functioned perfectly :)

It is 2025... In the autumn, the premiere of iOS 19 along with the iPhone 17 line will take place, and I am still using the SE 2016 daily! It has iOS 15, on which social media, games, or Google applications can be installed without any issues. On the positive side, it has a very efficient processor and a wonderful camera. The display is also excellent, although small. The only downside is the small battery, but with a power bank outdoors, it is manageable :)))

My SE is 6 years old and I replaced the battery this year, it fell from a height several times and nothing happened to it. Small, sleek, and light, it is intended for making calls, and perhaps taking a photo, which is quite good. All applications function very well. It fits into a very small lady's handbag. And this is my second iPhone in my life, the first was a 3s, hmmm it is still working. It serves as a backup.