Current Events > Is the iPhone SE the best bang-for-your buck phone?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I've never had a smartphone so I don't know much about them. I don't want to get a $1k phone or anything but $400 seems reasonable enough if it lasts for some years.

---

No. Apple phones are overpriced. I only get Android

Pixel 5a is like $40 more with a 6.34 modern screen vs the claustrophobic 4.7 SE.

---

You can get $100-200 android phones that will last years

---

Kombucha posted...

Pixel 5a is like $40 more with a 6.34 modern screen vs the claustrophobic 4.7 SE.

intredasting

---

I am using my se now. Its a pretty good phone since I got small hands, only need one camera, and I like my home button. I ultimately want to get the ROG phone tho

---

Are prepaid plans the best way to go for a single line? Contracts cost like $80 a month.

---

sutree posted...

Are prepaid plans the best way to go for a single line? Contracts cost like $80 a month.

If you are in the United States I think prepaid plans are cheaper. I pay $60 for 32GB of data before it becomes unusable at 256kb/s through Metro. Unlimited talk and text. You can probably find cheaper plans if you just need a few GB.

---

Also the cheapest plan I know of if you basically are always on WiFi is Google Fis $20 for unlimited talk and text, then $10 per GB. So if you dont really use data outside of WiFi it ends up being very cheap.

---

Kombucha posted...

Also the cheapest plan I know of if you basically are always on WiFi is Google Fis $20 for unlimited talk and text, then $10 per GB. So if you dont really use data outside of WiFi it ends up being very cheap.

I'm looking at verizon's prepaid plans which go down in price the longer you use them. So 5g of data is only $25 a month after 10 months. I have no idea how much data I'll be using though. I won't be streaming video or music outside of wifi.

Like let's say you are browsing reddit for an hour and not opening any videos. How much data would that use?

---

I get cheapo phones from Motorola and don't have any issue with them. Currently have the One Vision which just got the Android 11 update.

---

Darmik posted...

I get cheapo phones from Motorola and don't have any issue with them. Currently have the One Vision which just got the Android 11 update.

Yeah I might go with something cheaper, I dunno. What do you use it for?

---

sutree posted...

Yeah I might go with something cheaper, I dunno. What do you use it for?

Just browsing the internet/Reddit while listening to Spotify. Don't bother with mobile games anymore.

---

Darmik posted...

Just browsing the internet/Reddit while listening to Spotify. Don't bother with mobile games anymore.

What kind of plan do you use? Do you find you need a lot of data or do you mostly use wifi?

---

bump

---

The iPhone SE is the iPhone 11 but in a smaller body with some extra things stripped and slightly underclocked.

The next best phone would be the Pixel 5A, but remember, Google is not as generous. The SoC inside the 5A is about the equivalent of something between the Pixel 3 and 4.

The SE SoC will 100% last you longer and is the absolute best bang for the buck out there as long as you're ok with the screen size. Add that with the several years of updates to sweeten things.

Android has simply not been able to compete on that level and I'm someone that's mostly Android and would love some S20/S21 level devices for $400.

If you're thinking about something lasting long, other Androids in the $400 and below range are several magnitudes weaker than the SE.

Zikten posted...

No. Apple phones are overpriced. I only get Android

Why would you post something so uninformed and stupid?

---

archedsoul posted...

The iPhone SE is the iPhone 11 but in a smaller body with some extra things stripped and slightly underclocked.

The next best phone would be the Pixel 5A, but remember, Google is not as generous. The SoC inside the 5A is about the equivalent of something between the Pixel 3 and 4.

The SE SoC will 100% last you longer and is the absolute best bang for the buck out there as long as you're ok with the screen size. Add that with the several years of updates to sweeten things.

Android has simply not been able to compete on that level and I'm someone that's mostly Android and would love some S20/S21 level devices for $400.

If you're thinking about something lasting long, other Androids in the $400 and below range are several magnitudes weaker than the SE.

Why would you post something so uninformed and stupid?

How important is the chip really?

---

archedsoul posted...

Why would you post something so uninformed and stupid?

Why post something so simped and obviously catered? (:

---

sutree posted...

How important is the chip really?

Not very if you're just doing the basic browsing and social media.

Important if you're playing games. Very important if you're looking to go as far as possible with the phone.

If you're planning on upgrading again in like 2-3 years, than weaker stuff shouldn't be that much of problem.

My recs are the SE or 5A. Other stuff is just short changing yourself unless you get a deal on like the S20 for $400, which is not impossible.

---

ShyOx posted...

Why post something so simped and obviously catered? (:

I know it's Friday, but are you drunk? Because that made no sense.

---

No. In general, 30% of the price for apple is for 5 letters. Peace of mind. "Big Daddy Jobs will take care of me and not sell my data to non-affiliates"

---

archedsoul posted...

Not very if you're just doing the basic browsing and social media.

Important if you're playing games. Very important if you're looking to go as far as possible with the phone.

If you're planning on upgrading again in like 2-3 years, than weaker stuff shouldn't be that much of problem.

My recs are the SE or 5A. Other stuff is just short changing yourself unless you get a deal on like the S20 for $400, which is not impossible.

Okay I'm leaning towards the 5a.
Another question: how much worse is super cheap phone like a Samsung A42 5g?

---

I guess the A42 retails at like $400.
But I meant how much worse is a ~$250 phone

---

archedsoul posted...

I know it's Friday, but are you drunk? Because that made no sense.

You were being awfully deluminative for no reason other than to kinda simp for apple;

I've used 40$ phones, I've used 800$ phones, and I've never seen much reason to spend more than 40-100$ on one. As it is, if you're spending 100$ you're buying a used apple product, or a new android product. You undoubtedly get more on the dollar for android new, and the lifespan is longer

HOWEVER

As a hardcore windows/linux guy, the phones are awesome and sleek and if you can get one for a price, the iPhone is still living up to the legend. I dislike how they baby hand everything, but the phones are excellent. I'm using a 6s my gf upgraded from, before that an 8x with a cracked screen before it bugged out that I obv also got used.

It's not worth the premium for new or a contract, but considering it still works with my crap Cricket phone service for cheap, yeah I love it. The platform is optimized very well.

Android is more for your money, no doubt. The apple phones are still the industry standard. Do with that what you will and what is within budget. Apple doesn't nickel and dime quite as hard as originally as they've had to keep pace.

Fuck buying a laptop, but the phones are ace.

---

sutree posted...

I guess the A42 retails at like $400.
But I meant how much worse is a ~$250 phone

The A42 has the 750 and the 5A had the 765. There's not much difference. If you can get that for $250, you're still getting a good deal.

As I said, if you're only gonna be browsing some sites and checking Facebook and Instagram, you should be good with most low end. It's just not going to be the best bang.

ShyOx posted...

You were being awfully deluminative for no reason other than to kinda simp for apple;

I've used 40$ phones, I've used 800$ phones, and I've never seen much reason to spend more than 40-100$ on one. As it is, if you're spending 100$ you're buying a used apple product, or a new android product. You undoubtedly get more on the dollar for android new, and the lifespan is longer

HOWEVER

As a hardcore windows/linux guy, the phones are awesome and sleek and if you can get one for a price, the iPhone is still living up to the legend. I dislike how they baby hand everything, but the phones are excellent. I'm using a 6s my gf upgraded from, before that an 8x with a cracked screen before it bugged out that I obv also got used.

It's not worth the premium for new or a contract, but considering it still works with my crap Cricket phone service for cheap, yeah I love it. The platform is optimized very well.

Android is more for your money, no doubt. The apple phones are still the industry standard. Do with that what you will and what is within budget. Apple doesn't nickel and dime quite as hard as originally as they've had to keep pace.

Fuck buying a laptop, but the phones are ace.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. He said they're overpriced when they're most definitely not when it comes to phones. They are always offering the best internals that beat out all the other competition. Why is a $400 SE more powerful than the $1000 S20?

There's not a single Android competitor that has been able to match the SE. They can, but they refuse to.

I own like 50 Android phones. There's obvious differences between low end, mid end, and high end. If you require the work load of something high end, you're an idiot for cheaping out and going low end.

---

archedsoul posted...

The A42 has the 750 and the 5A had the 765. There's not much difference. If you can get that for $250, you're still getting a good deal.

As I said, if you're only gonna be browsing some sites and checking Facebook and Instagram, you should be good with most low end. It's just not going to be the best bang.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. He said they're overpriced when they're most definitely not when it comes to phones. They are always offering the best internals that beat out all the other competition. Why is a $400 SE more powerful than the $1000 S20?

There's not a single Android competitor that has been able to match the SE. They can, but they refuse to.

I own like 50 Android phones. There's obvious differences between low end, mid end, and high end. If you require the work load of something high end, you're an idiot for cheaping out and going low end.

This post is so full of bullshit I'm surprised you swallowed even a fraction. You own 50 phones, regardless of brand lol? Why do you own 50 androids if you simp for apple?

OP has stated he wants to spend 250$, roughly. Therefore he goes old apple or not at all, so half the argument is irrelevant?

---

ShyOx posted...

This post is so full of bullshit I'm surprised you swallowed even a fraction. You own 50 phones, regardless of brand lol? Why do you own 50 androids if you simp for apple?

OP has stated he wants to spend 250$, roughly. Therefore he goes old apple or not at all, so half the argument is irrelevant?

I'm not simping for Apple. I'm stating facts. The fuck are you on about? As I asked, how drunk are you? The SE is the best bang for the buck because it's basically a $1k phone for $400. That's a fact. Not simping. I'm literally helping TC find the best Android if that's what he wants.

And I've bought 50 Android phones over the years and still have them. They're mostly Samsung, Google, LG and Moto. Again, I'm not sure what point you're going with that.

I'm a phone enthusiast and use several at a time and the guy wants facts on the best deals. Not some "simping" crap.

Take the L and go to sleep bro.

---

archedsoul posted...

I'm not simping for Apple. I'm stating facts. The fuck are you on about? As I asked, how drunk are you? The SE is the best bang for the buck because it's basically a $1k phone for $400. That's a fact. Not simping. I'm literally helping TC find the best Android if that's what he wants.

And I've bought 50 Android phones over the years and still have them. They're mostly Samsung, Google, LG and Moto. Again, I'm not sure what point you're going with that.

I'm a phone enthusiast and use several at a time and the guy wants facts on the best deals. Not some "simping" crap.

Take the L and go to sleep bro.

Dude I already think you took that loss LOL

Anyways you mentioned one android as a buy, and then immediately began the simp dialogue for the SE

TC already said 250, but you keep trying to upsell like a car salesman. Who is paying you for this, lol?

---

ShyOx posted...

Dude I already think you took that loss LOL

Anyways you mentioned one android as a buy, and then immediately began the simp dialogue for the SE

TC already said 250, but you keep trying to upsell like a car salesman. Who is paying you for this, lol?

The topic is literally "Is the iPhone SE the best bang-for-your buck phone?"

And yes, it literally fucking is. This is a fact. Not an opinion.

And where am I upselling? TC said "But I meant how much worse is a ~$250 phone"

That's the only time he mentioned $250 and I literally responded by saying "yeah, if you can get that for $250, go ahead. It's not that much better than the 5A". Not single mention of the SE.

You're embarrassing yourself now.


---

archedsoul posted...

The topic is literally "Is the iPhone SE the best bang-for-your buck phone?"

And yes, it literally fucking is. This is a fact. Not an opinion.

And where am I upselling? TC said "But I meant how much worse is a ~$250 phone"

That's the only time he mentioned $250 and I literally responded by saying "yeah, if you can get that for $250, go ahead. It's not that much better than the 5A". Not single mention of the SE.

You're embarrassing yourself now.

Dude you've bought 50 android smart phones? And that doesn't include apple products? Honey, come on

Come back to the light, you sound like a psychopath.

---

ShyOx posted...

Dude you've bought 50 android smart phones? And that doesn't include apple products? Honey, come on

Come back to the light, you sound like a psychopath.

Why would you continue to embarrass yourself and get defensive?

I don't know what you want? I buy almost every flagship from both. What, do you want to see pictures or something? Sure.

Is it too hard to believe there's people out there that enjoy smartphones on the whole and can give advice on both without being a fanboy? Please tell me this isn't what you're implying.

---

This is the lamest argument

---

yeap

---

archedsoul posted...

Why would you continue to embarrass yourself and get defensive?

I don't know what you want? I buy almost every flagship from both. What, do you want to see pictures or something? Sure.

Is it too hard to believe there's people out there that enjoy smartphones on the whole and can give advice on both without being a fanboy? Please tell me this isn't what you're implying.

Dude what are you even doing

How deep does this hole go

"without being a fanboy"

has bought 50 android phones since inception of android phones

"buys every flagship phone"

wtf


---

Smackems posted...

This is the lamest argument

Well apparently I have drank too much and need to go to bed, based on.. something

---

ShyOx posted...

Dude what are you even doing

How deep does this hole go

"without being a fanboy"

has bought 50 android phones since inception of android phones

"buys every flagship phone"

wtf

ShyOx posted...

Well apparently I have drank too much and need to go to bed, based on.. something

Again, what is your point? You got super defensive for nothing and now trying to attack me for what? Liking smartphones and getting every one?

That makes me a psychopath? Sounds like you're just poor.

---

Man, that one just wrote itself. You get EVERY smartphone?

Yep, perfectly poor apparently, and I have drunk too much, apparently, and got super defensive about.... something or rather :)

---

ShyOx posted...

Man, that one just wrote itself. You get EVERY smartphone?

Yep, perfectly poor apparently, and I have drunk too much, apparently, and got super defensive about.... something or rather :)

Again, I'm not seeing what's wrong with that and why anybody would care unless they have problems with what others do with their money.

I told Zikten his post was wrong. You got defensive and attempted to say it wasn't and I was being biased because of nothing. It wasn't because factually it's the best bang and answered TC's question perfectly. You don't have to be a Apple or Android fanboy to know that and being smartphone fanboy in general doesn't negate any of that.

Then you started trolling.

---

You can get top of the line specced Android from Chinese manufacturers if you don't mind spyware and bloats for 300 to 400. You can disable these without root with some technical know how and PC

---

archedsoul posted...

Again, I'm not seeing what's wrong with that and why anybody would care unless they have problems with what others do with their money.

I told Zikten his post was wrong. You got defensive and attempted to say it wasn't and I was being biased because of nothing. It wasn't because factually it's the best bang and answered TC's question perfectly. You don't have to be a Apple or Android fanboy to know that and being smartphone fanboy in general doesn't negate any of that.

Then you started trolling.

Zikten posted...

No. Apple phones are overpriced. I only get Android

That's an opinon brah, it can't be wrong by definition. My opinion was that you were simping and being silly
archedsoul posted...

why anybody would care unless they have problems with what others do with their money.

Yet apparently I'm poor because I don't buy, what, every phone that comes on the market lol?

---

ShyOx posted...

That's an opinon brah, it can't be wrong by definition. My opinion was that you were simping and being silly

iPhones are not overpriced over their direct competitors. That's a fact. Every generation has internals that beat out every competitor's phone.

ShyOx posted...

Yet apparently I'm poor because I don't buy, what, every phone that comes on the market lol?

I assumed you're poor because only poor people who care what others do with their money jump to calling people psychopaths over that.

---

Every generation has internals that beat out every competitor's phone.

You're really just talking about the SoC though, right? Display, battery size, charging tech, RAM, camera hardware, and others are generally better on an Android flagship.

The iPhone SE is basically a Porsche engine in a Corolla body. There's a reason why it costs as much as it does.

---

ShyOx, cut it out. Just because someone said a specific iPhone is good doesn't mean they are an apple shill. You are just coming across as someone who absolutely hates iPhones.

---

Super Saiyan 3 Goku posted...

You're really just talking about the SoC though, right? Display, battery size, charging tech, RAM, camera hardware, and others are generally better on an Android flagship.

The iPhone SE is basically a Porsche engine in a Corolla body. There's a reason why it costs as much as it does.

Performance, which is because of the chipset and the strongest indicator of a next generation of a phone.

The rest are extras are and have a very wide range between $800 to $1400 with different models and different extras with both Android and iOS.

A Porsche engine in a Corolla body that still outperforms Porche competitors. Most people will be cool with that if it actually cost the price of a regular Corolla. Not sure what point you're making when no competitor has even attempted to match it and is instead making Corollas with engines from several generations removed.

---

sutree posted...

Like let's say you are browsing reddit for an hour and not opening any videos. How much data would that use?

If all you are going to do is browse the net, without any video, den you don't need high speed data. You can get a plan with a tiny amount of high speed data, and unlimited throttled data for less den 20 a month.
If you want an IPhone, but think da SE is too small, you can get a 64 gig XR for 500. It has a 6.1" display.

---

I got the SE last year. It doesnt really have any major improvements over the iphone 6, a phone that I got in 2015 or 2016, besides the camera. Im not super knowledgeable about phones but Im sure there must be a better option for the same price
---

Given what TC has said so far, I'd imagine anything with reasonable performance would be good enough for him.

---

I bought a refurbished iPhone X for around $400 and I love it.

---

I used to have an iPhone SE before I upgraded to the 11......I go through TotalWireless and they have it brand new 64GB for $200, I'd do some shopping around TC and try and find a better deal

Plus try using the Honey app, to automatically find any coupon codes to save more $$$
---

i dont think people buy iphones because they're cost efficient.

they buy an iphone because they want an iphone.

---