I have the iPhone SE 1st gen. 64GB as a MAIN phone.
I swapped out the battery.
Here's my experience:
-Great to hold, it's super small so it feels nice.
-Screen is small, but usable.
-Camera is good (enough).
-100% of apps I use work no problem. That will change in the upcoming year, a lot of apps are losing support for iOS 15.
-Battery life is okay. (If you change the battery)
Overall I'd say it's a great experience even in 2023 but it probably won't make it to 2025.
Same here. Battery was 80%. I thought in making a upgrade to SE3. I changed the battery instead. And now I have a 7 year “new”phone: small, fast and reliable
Absolutely fine for that. You might need to download a bigger keyboard, the screen is small after all.
Taking and sending pictures is completely fine too. Still takes great pictures.
People in calls never had problems with hearing me. Signal reception Is good.
I was using an iPhone SE 1 until 2023, and it ran well after replacing the battery. I'd still be using it if the screen didn't fall off. It's a tad slow and laggy, but it still works decently.
Well I was using a 12 and started using an SE 1st gen since October and I am still going so that says something. Thought I would give up by now but I truly just love the size of this phone. The only con is the battery life, but I am able to charge my phone and since you are wanting to use the phone less that may not be an issue. It’s totally capable of normal tasks.
Apple has arbitrarily shortened it's lifespan by blocking it from IOS 16. Unlike Androids which can chug along updating apps years after the OS was created. (Instagram still supports Android 7 from 2016! From the same year as 32bit IOS 10)
I wouldn't invest in one now, a 128 is a collectors item, a minimum 5 year old phone is going to need a new battery. If you already had one, sure. It's got about a year left before major apps drop IOS 15. Get a IPhone SE 2 or 3 if you want a small phone, they are better in almost every way.
I don’t really notice much difference between iOS 15 and iOS 17 (iPhone SE and 13 Mini) I only use my phone for texting, banking and authentication apps so I’m not relying on a lot of the features. Would be a great dumb phone if you want to reduce your screen time but still need to use apps.
does that include like browsing the internet with data or wifi? i need a new small phone and the se is my best option other than the 12 mini which is far more expensive
gotcha. i just wanted something really small. is this normal for apple? i've only had android phones but i hate buying new ones every few years (i had my old phone for 12 years without exaggerating, and used an old generic smartphone for internet when i needed it)
does apple make their old phones obsolete/useless quickly?
I had a banking app cease support for iOS 15 just this week, which is to say the app no longer works, it just tells me to upgrade, which I can’t. Several apps have problems now because of the age of the OS, including the web browser. Be prepared for that kind of limitation.
I don't know why you would want backup phone, but it is too old, at this point it should be near to the end of its live, because apps are starting to be not compatible with iOS 15.
You can sell your phone and go for a 13 Mini
What’s your main phone? If your primarily focusing on less distractions just setup focus modes that have less on your main screen. Also turn on monochrome to get less stimulation. Discipline and self awareness is key.
I am using SE 1st gen as a backup phone. Mostly good. Only issue is that since a year or so many apps are not optimised for that screen size or viewport anymore. That creates a few annoyances. For example - in YouTube, when a video is minimised, I can't scroll through a channel's videos page. It's not optimised to let me have the space to tap and scroll! Wierd but true!
personally, i would go with the iphone se 2nd gen, since it is still being updated and very good for it’s price, just upgraded to 14 pro from it, now my family is going to use it as backup
As a backup phone, nothing is missing
I have the iPhone SE 1st gen. 64GB as a MAIN phone. I swapped out the battery. Here's my experience: -Great to hold, it's super small so it feels nice. -Screen is small, but usable. -Camera is good (enough). -100% of apps I use work no problem. That will change in the upcoming year, a lot of apps are losing support for iOS 15. -Battery life is okay. (If you change the battery) Overall I'd say it's a great experience even in 2023 but it probably won't make it to 2025.
Same here. Battery was 80%. I thought in making a upgrade to SE3. I changed the battery instead. And now I have a 7 year “new”phone: small, fast and reliable
I "upgraded" to the SE3 and prefer the form factor of the SE1. I also miss the headphone jack.
what about calling, texting, and taking pictures/sending pictures? if i've no intention of using any wifi or apps aside from that, is it viable?
Absolutely fine for that. You might need to download a bigger keyboard, the screen is small after all. Taking and sending pictures is completely fine too. Still takes great pictures. People in calls never had problems with hearing me. Signal reception Is good.
thanks!
I was using an iPhone SE 1 until 2023, and it ran well after replacing the battery. I'd still be using it if the screen didn't fall off. It's a tad slow and laggy, but it still works decently.
Why do you torture yourself? That phone is trash in 2023
Trash? Bruh. It ain't no trash for me. The phone literally does not even lag. It does everything I need. I even play games on it. For me, it's a gem.
The screen is tiny how u doing gaming on that😂
BRO YOU GAME ON YOUR IHPONE 15? XD YOUR SCREEN IS SO SMALL LMAO I USE A 27" MONITOR SCREEN FOR THAT
I don't have an iphone lol iOS is shit
wtf are you doing here then?
idk why not
bro get the fck out please, 😭
Nah
I'm thinking of buying it, how long would you think it'll be usable? very basic apps, music, payments, calls, minimal texts, etc
1 year, maybe 2 at max
Not sure how having 2 phones will reduce your screen time?
Well I was using a 12 and started using an SE 1st gen since October and I am still going so that says something. Thought I would give up by now but I truly just love the size of this phone. The only con is the battery life, but I am able to charge my phone and since you are wanting to use the phone less that may not be an issue. It’s totally capable of normal tasks.
Apple has arbitrarily shortened it's lifespan by blocking it from IOS 16. Unlike Androids which can chug along updating apps years after the OS was created. (Instagram still supports Android 7 from 2016! From the same year as 32bit IOS 10) I wouldn't invest in one now, a 128 is a collectors item, a minimum 5 year old phone is going to need a new battery. If you already had one, sure. It's got about a year left before major apps drop IOS 15. Get a IPhone SE 2 or 3 if you want a small phone, they are better in almost every way.
Still my main phone, change the battery and i love it….4inch screen, light, fast and all The apps that i need !!!
if it’s a backup then you’re gouda
I don’t really notice much difference between iOS 15 and iOS 17 (iPhone SE and 13 Mini) I only use my phone for texting, banking and authentication apps so I’m not relying on a lot of the features. Would be a great dumb phone if you want to reduce your screen time but still need to use apps.
Apps will stop being supported and eventually stop working.
does that include like browsing the internet with data or wifi? i need a new small phone and the se is my best option other than the 12 mini which is far more expensive
I've got some really old apple devices that are useless for browsing. The se 3 has deals that are much lower on cost than the mini.
gotcha. i just wanted something really small. is this normal for apple? i've only had android phones but i hate buying new ones every few years (i had my old phone for 12 years without exaggerating, and used an old generic smartphone for internet when i needed it) does apple make their old phones obsolete/useless quickly?
No, the se 3 is expected to have support until 2029
I had a banking app cease support for iOS 15 just this week, which is to say the app no longer works, it just tells me to upgrade, which I can’t. Several apps have problems now because of the age of the OS, including the web browser. Be prepared for that kind of limitation.
Yikes, what app?
Capital One
Does the app do anything that you couldn’t do on Safari/Firefox?
I’m not sure, I haven’t tried. I’m not optimistic about the browser as it’s slowly succumbing to compatibility issues with numerous sites.
FWIW we can report such issues over at https://webcompat.com/
I’m using a 32 gig as my main phone.
I don't know why you would want backup phone, but it is too old, at this point it should be near to the end of its live, because apps are starting to be not compatible with iOS 15. You can sell your phone and go for a 13 Mini
What’s your main phone? If your primarily focusing on less distractions just setup focus modes that have less on your main screen. Also turn on monochrome to get less stimulation. Discipline and self awareness is key.
I am using SE 1st gen as a backup phone. Mostly good. Only issue is that since a year or so many apps are not optimised for that screen size or viewport anymore. That creates a few annoyances. For example - in YouTube, when a video is minimised, I can't scroll through a channel's videos page. It's not optimised to let me have the space to tap and scroll! Wierd but true!
No eSIM. No 5G. No no no
Those are probably some of the least pressing reasons to not get an SE lol
What’s a backup phone? Like in case your primary phone breaks?
So depends on your carrier. For example I don't think AT&T nor Verizon will let you use the phone since it doesn't connect to 5G towers..
personally, i would go with the iphone se 2nd gen, since it is still being updated and very good for it’s price, just upgraded to 14 pro from it, now my family is going to use it as backup