After five years of mostly reliable service, I’ve replaced the second-generation iPhone SE.
The second-generation iPhone SE, released in 2020, was my sixth cell phone and second iPhone when I purchased it in early January 2021. It replaced an iPhone 6s, which I bought in May 2019 as my first foray into the world of iPhones after several poor experiences with cheap Android phones.
As a broke college student, I was initially hesitant to switch to the iPhone in 2019 largely because of its price. In 2017, I was forced to switch carriers after Virgin Mobile (RIP) began only supporting iPhones. AT&T Prepaid sold, and supported, a variety of cheap (<$150) Android phones that I could actually afford.
However, the saying “you get what you pay for” applied to those phones. The only Android phone I had with AT&T, a Samsung Galaxy Express Prime 2, only lasted a year before I was forced to replace it due to reliability issues. As I wrote back then, it began missing and dropping calls frequently. It was really slow, sometimes taking well over 30 seconds just to open the camera app. But it was only $99 new.
My prior experiences with other cheap phones were about the same. The only exception seemed to be my very first cell phone, a LG Optimus Elite from 2012, that lasted into 2015 when I replaced it with a Nokia Lumia 635 that ran a mobile version of Windows 8.1. (That phone also lasted only around a year, but I was glad to upgrade since the Windows Phone operating system was a mess incompatible with most apps. From what I remember, the Lumia 635 only cost $40.) They all had poor build quality, poor battery life, poor camera quality and, sometimes — especially around the year mark — poor reliability. But it was all I, a poor high school/college student, could afford.
When I got the 6s, it was a completely different experience from the very beginning. Despite being the cheapest iPhone on sale at the time due to being four years old (released in September 2015) and officially discontinued by Apple less than a year prior (in September 2018), it was still plenty snappy and had a decent camera. Even past the year mark, as I wrote in May 2020, the 6s was a “stellar performer” that did everything I needed it to do. While most of my previous inexpensive Android phones were wearing down and crapping out by that point, the 6s continued to chug along with decent battery life, snappy performance and a decent camera.
The biggest downside to the 6s, however, was its 32GB of internal storage. Unlike the cheap Android phones, like the Samsung before, iPhone models lack a microSD card slot — meaning the internal storage is all you have. While I wrote that I never filled the 32GB except when shooting long videos, it was far from future proof.
Then Apple released the second-generation SE in April 2020, an inexpensive yet relatively contemporary model that could replace the 6s. The SE had double the internal storage, an extra gigabyte of memory, an improved rear-facing camera, and an A13 system-on-chip that was faster and more powerful than the A9 in the 6s. Specs aside, the SE retained the same form factor — including the Home button — as the 6s. (Though, like every iPhone after the 6s, the SE lacked the 3.5mm headphone jack.)
Exit survey: Final thoughts on the 2020 SE
In January 2021, I pulled the trigger and upgraded to the second-generation SE. I lucked out and got the phone on sale at Walmart, who sold it for $250 compared to the Apple/AT&T MSRP of $399. Unlike Apple of today, the SE came with the then-traditional pack ins, such as (Lightning) EarPods, charging cable, power adapter for charging and a document pouch that included the popular Apple stickers.
I paired the SE with an OtterBox Defender Pro case, which consisted of a rigid plastic shell and rubber coat that fit over the shell.
The phone has been a solid, reliable performer since first use. Even five years later it remains snappy. The camera takes great photos, even better than its predecessor. The battery will last an entire day — even with heavy use, being forced to charge in the middle of the day was never an issue. It has never dropped calls. Audio quality is pretty good.
Since rejoining the Macintosh bandwagon full time later that year with the purchase of a M1-powered Mac mini, I’ve embraced the “Handoff” features that enable me to respond to texts using my Mac. It also allows me to “share” my browsing history and open tabs between devices, along with many other features.
In 2022 I bought a car that has a stereo with Apple’s CarPlay, allowing hands-free use of the phone. I also stream music using Apple Music on long trips and use Apple Maps for navigation while driving.
The only major problem I experienced with the SE occurred a couple years back, when it wouldn’t turn on or respond to anything. The stock battery had died, necessitating its replacement. It actually took a little while to trace down the issue as the battery had been working fine to that point and showed no signs of dying.
Just like other technology like computers and phones, time eventually got even with the SE. Its 64 GB has long been filled to capacity, meaning I haven’t been able to download an iOS update in quite some time. (The SE is still stuck at iOS 17.6.1.) Many apps are also outdated. The OtterBox Defender Pro has seen better days, especially since the rubber outer shell wore out and was discarded since it wouldn’t stay on — resulting in the case being down to its ugly white plastic shell.
Thus, in the past year, I started exploring replacement options. Then my dad’s phone — my old 6s, which is still working after seven years of continual use — started acting up, causing me to take replacing the SE more seriously.
The saga, continued: iOS or return to Android?
The old saga from 2018 returned during the search, but this time it was the opposite: Should I stick with iOS (iPhone) or make the return to Android?
Over the past couple years, Apple has made some questionable decisions on multiple fronts. Their UI design has seen better days, and form has remained over function in some aspects. There are also sociopolitical qualms about Apple and other players in Big Tech, including Microslop (Microsoft) and Google. All three have went full bore on the AI bandwagon, along with capitulating to a fascist regime. Google has privacy concerns (although Apple isn’t completely trustworthy either) and is actively trying to close the Android platform — completely the opposite approach of community-based FOSS projects such as Debian and most Linux operating systems.
The question gained more focus after I installed Debian (Linux) on the W541, which is my secondary daily driver. I announced my intention to ditch macOS as my main operating system at the end of the Mac mini’s lifespan, which will probably be around 2030. I intend to switch to a free, open-source operating system — likely Debian with the KDE Plasma desktop environment — running on hardware I have greater control over. (My hope is I can build my own PC at that point, which will be a first and something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while now.)
While iOS and iPhones play well with macOS, the same is true for Android and Linux-based computers. KDE has “KDE Connect,” their version of Apple’s “Handoff” feature that allows your Android phone to communicate with your computer. Just like in Handoff, KDE Connect pipes text messages, clipboard contents, browser data and other content between your mobile device and your desktop computer. Google, Samsung and other companies have their own versions of cross-platform communication infrastructure, too. KDE Connect not only works with KDE Plasma, my favorite Linux desktop environment at the moment, but other DEs and even other operating systems such as Windows and macOS.
I did have concerns with Android’s compatibility with things I’ve got used to since entering Apple’s “walled garden” years ago. CarPlay would be an issue, since it’s only compatible with iOS devices. (Google’s Android Auto can supposedly be installed on some stereos instead, but I’m not sure if my car’s stock stereo is one of them.) And I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stream my Apple Music library from an Android device, but I did learn that Apple does offer Apple Music access from other, non-Apple operating systems.
Going back to Android would require transferring all my contacts back to Android and starting fresh, just like I did when I made the switch to iOS. Transferring from iPhone to iPhone is far easier, almost completely automated. I wanted something with a seamless transition that would be up and running without much fuss.
Hardware was another tricky issue. There are plenty of Android phones — in all different makes, sizes, colors, specs and prices — to pick from. Apple, on the other hand, has a far more limited selection. Android phones with similar specs to their iPhone counterparts are much cheaper, but that reminded me of the issues encountered with the bottom-tier Android phones of my past.
Priorities of mine were reliability, battery life, camera quality and storage.
I narrowed my search to two models: Google’s Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e.
Reviews online heavily preferred the 9a as a much better value than the 16e, which is a cost-oriented, watered-down version of the flagship iPhone 16. The 9a is half the cost of the 16e yet has better specs across nearly the entire board. The Google Pixel platform has a reputation nearly as good as the iPhone in terms of reliability and camera quality. However, the 16e — and sticking with iPhone — still meant an easier upgrade process and ensured compatibility with CarPlay, Apple Music and my desktop Mac.
My decision kept going back and forth to the point I posed the question on Reddit, despite a hypothesis that most users would tell me to make the switch and go with the 9a. That wasn’t the case, as there were some users favoring an iPhone — albeit not the 16.
I ended up on a slightly different path, basing my approach on two different comments. One suggested going with the iPhone for another cycle, which will likely end around the time the Mac mini becomes obsolete and I look to switch to Linux full time for my desktop. Once I make the switch to Linux, then explore going back to Android. I’m hoping open-source alternatives to Android, such as LineageOS and Sailfish OS, are more mature and readily available by that point. (At this point in time, those alternative operating systems can only be installed on certain devices. The process to transition to those alternative operating systems can also be cumbersome, and reliability can be questionable with some features lost.)
Another comment recommended exploring refurbished or used phones, such as a refurbished flagship iPhone 16.
Those two comments led me to pursue an option I hadn’t considered before: the iPhone 16. After some contemplation and research, I clicked “Add to Bag” and shoveled out $650, after tax, for a refurbished iPhone 16 directly from Apple. I also had to pay an additional $25 for the USB-C charger that Apple no longer includes with their phones. The iPhone 16 is, by far, the most expensive phone I’ve ever purchased — but also the first “flagship” phone I’ve ever owned.
First impressions: iPhone 16
Compared to the 6s and SE, the iPhone 16 didn’t come with much in the box. Besides the phone itself, you just get the USB-C charging cable and a single card with regulation information. No EarPods, no stickers and no charger. Those accessories must be purchased separately.
Also gone is the SIM tray removal tool, which was used to install a SIM card in previous iPhone models like the 6s and SE. There’s a reason it’s been removed: There are no physical SIM cards with newer iPhone models. Instead, newer models like the 16 use an eSIM.
Setup of the 16 was easy. To transfer everything from the SE, I just aimed its camera to a pattern displayed on the 16 to start the process. It wirelessly moves over your contacts, photos, apps, preferences and everything else. You are also prompted about setting up an eSIM with your carrier, which is also mostly done automatically.
There are lots of major differences between the SE and newer iPhone models like the 16. Most notably, there’s no home button. The “forehead” and “chin” bezels have been removed, making the entire face of the phone the display. The front camera and sensors have been isolated to a “dynamic island” in the middle of the screen, eliminating even a notch. A couple new buttons do appear on the sides, one as a customizable “Action Button” (that silences the phone by default, but can be changed to do a number of other things) and the other as a “Camera Control” button that can launch the camera app, pull up a camera settings menu and take photos. The Lightning port has been replaced with the USB-C standard, rendering existing Lightning cables and accessories obsolete.
Speaking of the camera, the iPhone 16 has not one but two lenses. One is a 48-megapixel, wide-angle lens and the other is a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. You can also use “photographic styles” for automatic lighting and color adjustments to your photos. While I haven’t had much of a chance to truly test the camera on the iPhone 16, I did manage to snap some outside shots using both the ultrawide and wide lenses. The zoom ranges from x0.5 (the ultrawide lens) to x10, but it’s still all digital zoom on the standard 16. Thankfully, likely due to the improved “neural engine” in the A18 chip, the digital zoom is slightly better than on the SE.
The 16 has a larger display, 6.1 inches diagonally compared to 4.7 inches on the 6s and SE, thanks to the smaller bezels and lack of a home button. This display is bright, crisp and smooth.
Getting used to no longer having the home button was a concern at first. However, I quickly acquiesced to it.
Performance seems to be on par with that of my SE. However, the 16 has more than double the memory — 8 GB versus 3 GB. The 16’s A18 system-on-chip runs at 4 GHz and is based on a 3nm process, whereas the SE’s A13 runs at 2.66 GHz and uses 7nm technology. There are six “standard” cores (two performance, four efficiency) and eight “neural engine” cores in the A13. The A18 has the same number of “standard” cores but double the number of “neural engine” cores. The neural engine was highly touted by Apple, who used the 16 to promote its artificial intelligence technology, “Apple Intelligence.” The A18 has an additional graphics processing core, totaling five, than the A13. There are 15.2 billion transistors in the A18, nearly double the 8.5 billion found in the A13. By comparison, the M1 system-on-chip powering the Mac mini I’m writing this on only has 16 billion. (For historical scale, the Motorola 68000, which powers my Macintosh Classic — the least powerful computer I own, has only 68,000 transistors.)
As with my previous iPhone upgrade in 2021, the 16 has double the storage of its predecessor. The 6s had 32 GB, the SE had 64 GB and the 16 has 128 GB. All three were the lowest end of their respective models, having the least amount of storage Apple offered.
Like performance, battery life so far seems to be on par with that of the SE. Apple advertises the 16 can support up to 22 hours of video playback on a single charge, whereas the (second generation) SE can only handle 13 hours. I have not had much of a chance to truly test out the 16’s battery life, but it seems to only drop to around 90 percent by the end of the day. (However, in my case, the comparison isn’t fair. The SE saw use throughout an entire day, whereas my current job doesn’t allow personal cell phones to be brought in so it only sees use in the evenings.) Even with regular use, the SE had pretty decent battery life itself.
To protect the 16, I picked up a generic case from Walmart that is translucent, showing off the beautiful teal phone inside. The 16 is also available in “Ultramarine” (blue), pink, white and black. This case also supports another 16 feature the SE lacked — “MagSafe” wireless charging. However, unlike the more expensive (yet superior) OtterBox cases, this generic case lacks a screen protector and has more parts of the phone exposed.
With the 16, I am running the latest version of iOS. I was loathing the upgrade because preview screenshots didn’t look great — especially with the monochrome icons. Thankfully, icons on my phone are full color and appear just as they did in iOS 17. Personally I don’t mind the aesthetic of the “liquid glass” design language, which is similar to Windows’ “Aero” design language that I grew up with in Windows Vista and 7.
The biggest downside, so far, to the iPhone 16 is the lack of Touch ID. I was a huge Touch ID user with the 6s and SE and even my MacBook Pro, preferring a fingerprint reader over facial recognition. I have not, and probably will not, configure Face ID on the 16. Instead I’ve gone back to using a simple passcode all the time. The passcode is annoying when trying to get into the phone in a hurry or, especially, when checking out at a place that supports Apple Pay.
All in all, the iPhone 16 is a nice improvement over the aging SE. The 16 should last another five or so years, at which point I’ll be readdressing the question of Android versus iOS/iPhone.
You may be asking what will happen with the 6s and SE? The 6s has been officially retired after seven years of continuous use, and I gave the SE to my father to replace the 6s.