[ssfarm]

Well I just had to comment after getting my SE yesterday. I went from a 6+ to the SE. I have to admit I was excited but skeptical at the same time. I got the phone home and set it up so I could let the person take delivery of my old 6+.

The first feeling you get right out of the box is boy it feels good to have a phone that fits the hand again. The performance was excellent. But I will say at first it took a little use to going back to a 4 inch phone. But it took less time to adjust back to the 4 inch phone than it did to adjust to the 5.5 inch phone. The screen is nice so no problems there. I had an element case to put on it and glass protector and after doing that it felt really well in the hands.

After the excitement wore off I had a pause that did I make a mistake. Can I get use to the smaller screen again. Is the keyboard going to be too small. Well there is only one way to find out. So after setting it up and getting the honeymoon over I went about my day. And I have to say the SE was everything I had hoped it would be. I was able to put it in my pocket or place it anywhere I wanted and not have to worry about breaking the thing. Gone was the days of lugging my 6+ around and losing one hand to always having to have a place to put it or carry it. It was easy to put it back in my turtleback holster to carry it around or get in my car and not have this huge case that I had trouble putting my seatbelt on or moving in my seat. I had my life back.

Now I am not condemning the larger phones and I guess I bought mine just like many and it was for the performance of the larger phones. I had lost portability. With the SE I got that back. So after two days now it was like coming home. Making a phone call was a breeze and answering any and all text or email was just like old times. Browsing the web was a piece of cake. And battery life was outstanding. The charging time seems really quick with this model as compared to the old 5s. I think I made a good choice.

But I am curious how everyone else who has gotten one if your SE is everything you remember or if its new to you how your cell phone life with the smaller phone has gone and did you make a mistake?

[JanuarJaguar]

Thank you for sharing your experience, and use the device with joy.

[Ledsteplin]

Great! My eyes dictate the larger screen, but the smaller 4" phone would certainly be easier to carry around. But I haven't really had issues with the 5.5" screen phone. I'm a two handed user, so...

[maverick786us]

Great! My eyes dictate the larger screen, but the smaller 4" phone would certainly be easier to carry around. But I haven't really had issues with the 5.5" screen phone. I'm a two handed user, so...

I love my 6s+ I am used to bigger screens. But in future if there arise a need for a secondary smartphone, it will certainly be SE

[Maljunulo]

iPhone 4 > Nexus 4 > Moto G 2015 > iPhone SE.

I won't go back, but I will get the T-Mobile $3.00 per month deal, just to keep the Moto G alive for a backup.

Redundancy is a good thing.

[Lefty724]

I always ask myself if I've made a mistake with the SE....until I use it again.

The speed and power of this little thing is just outstanding! The only time I doubt my SE is when I'm at home streaming media. While at home, I can easily grab a iPad.

[robertk328]

I think there are those who really like the size of the Plus phones that will really like the smaller phones again. Particularly due to how cumbersome the larger phones are (but manageable) -- not having to worry about it is probably a relief!

[Ariza16]

Great review. I been thinking about the SE since I always considered the iPhone 5S to be the best iPhone size, and style out of their entire line up. Will take your review into consideration, thank you and enjoy your new phone.

[pr1nce]

I stopped by a Verizon store today to test drive the SE. That thing is really fast and smooth, very nice device. I agree with the portability issues some people have with the larger devices. I'm still using my 5s and love the device. I've been thinking about getting a 6s, but the SE is tempting.

[samuellv]

How's the battery life compared to the Plus? I too am on a 6 plus and contemplating on buying the SE. The battery life is one of the major considerations. I can barely get by with the Plus, so the SE for me would have to be on par or better when it comes to battery life before I can consider replacing my current phone. Please let me know. Thanks!

[anon(9602380)]

Welcome to iMore!

So glad you are enjoying your experience with the SE. I would love to be able to use a smaller phone. I currently have the 6, but am moving to the Plus when the 7 is announced. My sight dictates having a larger phone. Well enjoy that new phone and thanks for sharing your experience!

[Lefty724]

How's the battery life compared to the Plus? I too am on a 6 plus and contemplating on buying the SE. The battery life is one of the major considerations. I can barely get by with the Plus, so the SE for me would have to be on par or better when it comes to battery life before I can consider replacing my current phone. Please let me know. Thanks!

There are so many variables on battery life. Everyone has different uses.

When I had my 6+ (not a S), I could get 1 1/2-2 days of battery out of it. I mainly use my phone as a communication device. Text, email, and talk with occasional web surfing and reading forums here and there. I don't do much social media, pics or videos. I do use Strava/Pandora combo 3-4 times a week.

I've really been putting the SE thru the paces and am still ending up with about 40% about 11pm. I usually unplug around 6:30am. So far the battery has been getting better. I'm really impressed so far.

[MaxSmarties]

Well, coming back from 5.5" to 4" was a bold move.... I still think 4.7" is the sweet spot, but for some reasons I would like to buy an even smaller device. No sense in the switch from 6S to a SE, but I will consider a switch from a 6S to an hypothetical SE2

[Lefty724]

Actually, I got rid of the 6+ a long time ago for a Note 5.

I was always bouncing between the Note 5 and iPhone 6 until I got wind of the SE. Once I heard of the SE, I immediately popped my sim back into my 5s to see if I'd like it......and I loved it!

So to be honest, I came from a 4.7" to a 4" screen. But I just like the build and sleeper mode of the SE.

[ssfarm]

As I continue to use my SE daily it certainly reminds me of good old days. It hard to go wrong the second time around as I already know the short comings from before. Battery life is good for me. Also when I put it in the windshield to use it as a GPS my windshield is not longer blocked as before. Accessories are very well priced at the moment. Cases and any accessory I want is very reasonably priced.

I don't miss my 6+ at all. I have no buyer remorse at all. It is fun again to be able to pickup one handed and use it one handed without issue. And if need be I can change the text size should my eyes fail me. lol. So with all the features of high end phones and the portability of SE I think I am set. Probably in future models I am sure they will get closer in features. Probably 3D touch will come to this model if it stays supported. But I can honestly say I cannot come up with one item to fault the phone. It is just a great 4 inch phone.

[nikkisharif]

Nice write up!! I loved my 5S when I had it but messaging was a hassle because of my nails so I couldn't go back. The size of the Plus is perfect & I have no issues with portability. I don't use bulky cases, when I have a case on it, so it fits everywhere I need to put it without a problem.

[libra89]

As I continue to use my SE daily it certainly reminds me of good old days. It hard to go wrong the second time around as I already know the short comings from before. Battery life is good for me. Also when I put it in the windshield to use it as a GPS my windshield is not longer blocked as before. Accessories are very well priced at the moment. Cases and any accessory I want is very reasonably priced.

I don't miss my 6+ at all. I have no buyer remorse at all. It is fun again to be able to pickup one handed and use it one handed without issue. And if need be I can change the text size should my eyes fail me. lol. So with all the features of high end phones and the portability of SE I think I am set. Probably in future models I am sure they will get closer in features. Probably 3D touch will come to this model if it stays supported. But I can honestly say I cannot come up with one item to fault the phone. It is just a great 4 inch phone.

Your note on buyer's remorse is very interesting to me. I have purchased so many phones this year (and returned 98% of them) and I have had that feeling for almost all of them. It's only day 2 for me, but I don't have any buyer's remorse either. To be honest, I'm shocked because by now, I would have had it. Using my phone one handed is refreshing. Even though I have long fingers, I recall my fingers getting tired of one hand use on my 5" and 5.2" screen phones, especially for the latter. The fact that it fits in my pocket, it's powerful, great connectivity all around, and great back camera is a combo I never thought I would have. The price is the kicker but no remorse here. So pleased.

[MaxSmarties]

The lack of 3D Touch probably is the main reason I can't switch from my current 6S to the SE

[maverick786us]

Your note on buyer's remorse is very interesting to me. I have purchased so many phones this year (and returned 98% of them) and I have had that feeling for almost all of them. It's only day 2 for me, but I don't have any buyer's remorse either. To be honest, I'm shocked because by now, I would have had it. Using my phone one handed is refreshing. Even though I have long fingers, I recall my fingers getting tired of one hand use on my 5" and 5.2" screen phones, especially for the latter. The fact that it fits in my pocket, it's powerful, great connectivity all around, and great back camera is a combo I never thought I would have. The price is the kicker but no remorse here. So pleased.

One handed operation is good for browsing, scrolling and other applications. But why on earth would someone use single hand for typing or dialing? Now matter how small the device, is I always use both my hands for typing and dialing. Its for 4 times faster with both the hands.

[ethylove]

I ditched my 5s for a 6s plus before I went on a two week vacation sans laptop. I've been having trouble ever since. The two handed ordeal and never fitting in my pocket, surprisingly, got to me. I simply have small hands and prioritize single handed usage to a monstrous screen. Expensive lesson learned. Oops.

[MaxSmarties]

One handed operation is good for browsing, scrolling and other applications. But why on earth would someone use single hand for typing or dialing? Now matter how small the device, is I always use both my hands for typing and dialing. Its for 4 times faster with both the hands.

It depends on what are you typing.
For a document you're right, but for short messages/ texts, one hand typing is more comfortable imho

[JanuarJaguar]

One handed operation is good for browsing, scrolling and other applications. But why on earth would someone ...

And why not, may I ask?

In one hand, some could hold its phone and texting, while in the other hand she/he holds a cup of coffee or some other delicacy, while enjoying a sunny afternoon by sitting in a park...

Don't put everyone in same category, there is no accounting for tastes.

[Darth_Bane]

I was on a 6 plus, and moved to the SE. I've got no regrets, though, there needed to be a transition period, i.e., typing is more cramped then on the plus. Overall, its been a great decision, and I love my SE

[maverick786us]

It depends on what are you typing.
For a document you're right, but for short messages/ texts, one hand typing is more comfortable imho

And why not, may I ask?

In one hand, some could hold its phone and texting, while in the other hand she/he holds a cup of coffee or some other delicacy, while enjoying a sunny afternoon by sitting in a park...

Don't put everyone in same category, there is no accounting for tastes.

You got a point, but practically speaking. Lets say you are sitting in Starbucks and enjoying delicious coffee and snacks. That time you will prefer to browse, some website and enjoy YouTube. That time you usually avoid sending text, unless its an emergency.

But yes, everyone has his own taste

[libra89]

It depends on what are you typing.
For a document you're right, but for short messages/ texts, one hand typing is more comfortable imho

Thank you, you said my exact answer. However, I come originally from Windows Phone where you have the "Wordflow" option, so I installed SwiftKey keyboard to get that back. I use that a lot and sometimes I actually don't use the "Swipe" at all. I don't feel like I have any struggles though. I tweet, use plurk, pretty much anything that requires typing, I do one handed without any issues.


If the direct skip doesn't work, go to 1:17 to see it in action. It is awesome!

And why not, may I ask?

In one hand, some could hold its phone and texting, while in the other hand she/he holds a cup of coffee or some other delicacy, while enjoying a sunny afternoon by sitting in a park...

Don't put everyone in same category, there is no accounting for tastes.

You just described me. I am one of those people who like to read while eating, or drinking tea. I do it a lot. If I happen to be alone, one can guarantee that I will be doing that. I find that I eat much faster because I'm reading and eating lol.