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Why I’m still using an iPhone SE (2022)

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Despite having used a bunch of newer and “better” phones, like the iPhone 14 Plus, OnePlus 11, Xiaomi 13, S23 Ultra, OPPO Find N3, etc, the iPhone SE 2022 is somehow still the device I use the most over the past 5 months.

¯_(ツ)_/¯

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  1. UPDATE/EXTRA INFO: I bought a used iPhone 13 mini a few weeks after posting this video because it was a good deal, and after using it for a month or so, here are some extra thoughts (too unmotivated to make a video).

    In terms of gaming, the iPhone SE 2022 has the edge as expected. In Genshin, it not only runs the game at higher render resolution no matter at medium or high settings (likely due to its aspect ratio), the game runs smoother (I notice a bit of stutter occasionally on the 13 mini), the phone heats up less (thanks to the single layer motherboard), and even battery drain seems lower despite having a smaller battery. Both phones have 100% battery health by the way. Maybe the lower resolution screen is just less demanding. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

    For day to day use, the curved sides on the SE is nicer hold despite being a bit wider. I hold my phone in my hand while jogging, and the 13 mini, even with a TPU case, can feel a little uncomfortable to hold after a while. Some of the UI elements at the top being a little lower makes the SE easier to use as well. TouchID is still GOAT. Sometimes I jog even when it's drizzling a little, and just put the phone in a small ziplock bag. TouchID works through that since it's capacitive, but FaceID doesn't work. Also, the home button is a little easier to reach than swiping up from the bottom of the screen to go home. when making payments with Apple Pay, it is quite convenient to just double click the touchID button and pay for things straight away without the need to even "glance" at the phone.

    Last but not least, low frequency PWM dimming and eyestrain. While it isn't as bad as some samsung phones I've used, like the Note20, it still causes a bit of strain after a long e-book reading session. No such issue on the SE at all since it's LCD.

    So… personally, I still like the iPhone SE 2022 more than the 13 mini actually, since I don't particularly care about having better cameras and whatnot. but well, a 128GB iPhone SE in good condition and pricing is hard to find, so I might just move on from the 13 mini and find a cheap and good performing Android phone instead. I do prefer Android over iOS for the most part after all. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

  2. Too small 😅 battery life not long in enough better off with 13 mini

    While daily driving my 15 pm & Pixel 8 pro nice & big it feels weird when I hold a small phone the note 20 ultra the biggest I have it’s a big chunky bro 😎 the way I like it

    Awesome review as always Alex
    Love the wallpaper a true man of culture 😎🙌

  9. Hi Alex, I think you did a damn good job with the review. I watched so many find N3 reviews just to have a deciding factor to get the phone or not. Yours is the most no-bullshit comprehensive review. Really appreciate it. However that being said you forgot to cover the video quality of the cameras. Everything else is there.

  10. I bought my SE 2022 as a collectible as it's rumored that next SE will ditch the classic design. I own an iPhone 14 Pro since launch and when I got my SE I completely forgot about 14 Pro

  12. my main phone is a jailbroken iPhone 5s. no joke, it's a really good phone, i don't play heavyweight games, just some bejeweled and jetpack joyride, lasts me 3-4 days if i'm not using it heavily.

  13. i currently have an se 2 and a note 20 ultra, although the note is overall much better, i think im still gonna use the se as a daily phone bcs its very convenient and much easier to use compared to the note. am i making the right decision? 😭

  15. I actually can’t stand OLED phones because of that PWM you mentioned. I have the SE2 128gb and looking to get the 256gb se3 because I too play Star rail and Genshin! And if I ever want to download other games I’ll for sure need the 256 for a good long term phone.

    Though I’m not too sure why my star rail takes up about 3 more gigs then yours.. I feel my gentian did too before I had to uninstall it because I didn’t have the room for it anymore
    Note: slightly jealous of seeing Furina.

  17. For the lovers of 6-6S design or 7-8 owners is enough, and cheapest upgrade ever..Besides i bought a black/64gb model in mint condition, with 275 euro/Backmarket, still has 100% health because i stiil use my beloved 6s.2015/2nd battery/2020/86% health..battery replaced by Apple on discount/29 euro…Wise and classy people are not a slaves of technology or 24/7 smartphone users because they are smarter than the phone and those users..

  24. ah the iPhone SE , the last of the Steve jobs era iPhones, this is a relic the last time we will be able to use phones like this.i still occasionally change my flip 4 for the se its a great phone

  26. There are Phone holders for controllers
    In order to game as it was a console.

    I bought one from Shein for my Ps5 controller and it works great.

    It’s more comfortable than looking at the phone on a table

  32. Can't wait to see you try for iPhone SE 4 (2024) later once it's launch later. Even my iPhone 11 also can't really play HSR and Genshin so smoothly tho 😬