New iPhone SE • Hacker News Board

Re: New iPhone SE

#601

Post by kevin_thibedeau » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 6:57 PM UTC

Nursie wrote: post #183

coldpie wrote: post #161

Yes. I'm an Android user who is absolutely sick of phablets. I have a Pixel 3A (5.6") and it is way, way too big. I've been quite excited about this iPhone SE announcement. However, the lack of a headphone jack is a huge negative, and 4.7" is the absolute largest I think is reasonable. A little smaller would've been ideal. I'm undecided on whether to switch to the SE, but I genuinely hope it sells like crazy. Then ma…

There have usually been smaller androids available. But people didn't buy them in enough numbers to make them a thriving sector AFAICT. Samsung used to do the Galaxy Mini line, Sony always had smaller xperia's... But most folks seem to want a bigger, shinier screen. That's not to say you're wrong in your desires, it's just they might not be widely shared. I also hope this does well. It's a nice looking unit.

The problem with the Xperias is that there are counterfeits out there.

Re: New iPhone SE

#602

Post by dkonofalski » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 6:57 PM UTC

adameast9000 wrote: post #530

ihuman wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It doesn't work when I am not wearing my glasses FaceID works with and without my glasses. I can't remember if it learned this automatically, or if I added it as an "alternative appearance." Does the Pixel 4 have any options like that?

FaceID works with my regular glasses but some of my sunglasses do not work at all (0% unlock rate with over 100 attempts in various lighting). I think it may depend on the shape of the frame and how much of your face it takes up? Not sure.

It has to do with polarization of the lenses and the "Require attention" feature of FaceID. The notch cameras can't determine if your eyes are looking at the camera if you're wearing polarized sunglasses (depending on the type of polarization) so having that setting on will give you a 100% failure rate with something that's covering your eyes.

Re: New iPhone SE

#603

Post by OberstKrueger » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 6:58 PM UTC

sequoia wrote: post #578

According to this: https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?device1=iphoneSE2ndgen... This looks like basically the same phone as the 8 & the 6s. I own a 6s, I'm wondering what the advantage is to buying this phone rather than replacing the battery on my current phone. Hilariously, some of the changes between models seem to be mostly renaming features. 6s: HDR for photos 8: Auto HDR for photos SE: Next-generation Smart…

The A13 chip will be a huge upgrade and guarantee OS support for quite a while, even if a lot of the other specs are the same. If the 6S manages to survive getting OS updates this year, it probably won't next year.

And Apple usually goes for a target battery life that stays fairly consistent across generations. It creeps up slowly over time, but very slowly.

Re: New iPhone SE

#604

Post by unethical_ban » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 6:59 PM UTC

ivraatiems wrote: post #64

As a current iPhone SE user, here's my assessment: Pros: * Feature set in terms of processor, camera, etc., is exactly what I want * Continued presence of Touch ID is a huge plus, I don't like Face ID * Price point is, admittedly, fantastic Cons: * Lack of headphone jack is still unacceptable * Form factor is, candidly, still too big for my tiny hands * Color schemes aren't as nice as the SE's (can I contribute to CO…

I have come to realize that headphone jack advocates in phones really do seem to be a minority.

* If you use wired headphones on your phone, a dongle is just a few inches of cable

* Most who use wired headphones accept the quality and comfort of apple earpods that plug into the lightning port

* Most people in general who use their phones for audio use bluetooth.

Note: I am using the metric of average American consumer, not other countries.

Those are observations. My personal opinion is that you cannot get much smaller in display size than the 2020 SE without reducing UI functionality or having a pen. I am not sure 2020 apps would function well for any significant number of users with an iPhone SE 2016 form factor.

Also remember, this may be a good market for them to get into, but Apple is doing this so they can use existing parts and processes. This is not a top down design of a compact phone.

---

PS: My personal "Why did you do that" is removing fingerprint. They should have moved it to the back, if they cared about borderless display. Face recognition depends on lighting, and me looking at my phone.

Re: New iPhone SE

#605

Post by AnonC » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 6:59 PM UTC

green-bottle wrote: post #595

Due to the planned obsolescence (via stoppage of security updates) of Android phones within 2 years I had been seriously been considering buying an iPhone SE2. But I can't really justify myself buying it at the hefty price tag of $555 in India. (The extra $155 being added due to the high custom duties on imports in India.) Salaries (at least for software developers) here being 1/4th of that of US developer salaries o…

Whenever the COVID-19 travel bans are eased in different countries, you could ask someone to get it for you from the US (if you know someone, which may be an impediment). This phone is also sold in the US in an unlocked variant that can be used with any carrier.

Re: New iPhone SE

#606

Post by harunurhan » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 6:59 PM UTC

sequoia wrote: post #578

According to this: https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?device1=iphoneSE2ndgen... This looks like basically the same phone as the 8 & the 6s. I own a 6s, I'm wondering what the advantage is to buying this phone rather than replacing the battery on my current phone. Hilariously, some of the changes between models seem to be mostly renaming features. 6s: HDR for photos 8: Auto HDR for photos SE: Next-generation Smart…

Well, camera is going to be a lot better than 6s, so as the chip. I think overall it's a good upgrade from 6s, but probably I wouldn't go for it to replace my 8.

Re: New iPhone SE

#607

Post by threatofrain » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 7:00 PM UTC

cptskippy wrote: post #228

reaperducer wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

can I contribute to COVID-19 research without getting a bright red phone? Yes. Write a check. Mail the check. Done.

Exactly. The entire point of the red phone is to shout at other people "look at me, I'm a good person because I supported a charity!" Apple doesn't offer low key signaling. You're either a brow beater or a stealth support of charity.

Larry David would agree.

Re: New iPhone SE

#608

Post by jgust » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 7:00 PM UTC

graeme wrote: post #352

Quick comment about sizes and popularity. This is the size of the iPhone 6/6S/7/8 form factor. There are a LOT of iPhone models of this type. They're bigger than the old SE, but effectively a fair bit smaller than the X/XS/11 Pro format, which has a much larger screen to manage. So, this phone gives those of us who liked the 8 body size an upgrade path. David Smith compiled iPhone usage stats for his app. The iPhone…

This is like the Overton window of phone sizes.

Customer: "We like small form factors, like the SE"

Apple: "Here's a 'small' phone, it's the new SE"

Customer: "Didn't you just make the other phones... larger?"

Apple: "No, this is what small means now. Good day to you!"

Re: New iPhone SE

#609

Post by scarface74 » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 7:02 PM UTC

motge wrote: post #312

developerdylan wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's still viable for most people. Most people will be okay with the included pair of wired headphones.

I use my EarPods with headphone plug on a number of devices. The one with the Lightning connector is only useable with Apple devices, so this is again a vendor lockin. This has to stop.

Yes because people are locked into a complete ecosystem even though there is a $10 adapter...

Re: New iPhone SE

#610

Post by plainOldText » Wed, Apr 15, 2020, 7:03 PM UTC

xenonite wrote: post #544

plainOldText wrote: post #517

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was wondering the same thing. I’m glad I’m not the only one. Plus, the white front would have made it look much more elegant IMO.

I am also glad to hear that. Yes, I totally agree that white is much more elegant. Maybe this outcome is an effect of Johnathan Ive's departure?

It could be. I don't know who designs the iPhones these days, although Jony Ive is claimed to still count Apple as a client of his new company. I don't know if his heart is.

One thing is certain to me, the black front makes the white version incomplete, and noticeably so, as if someone was inching towards "perfection", but then gave up.

I'm still sporting the white iPhone 7, btw.