Four months ago I replaced my iPhone 6S with an iPhone SE. I loved the idea of the SE: the best features of the 6S with the form factor of the 5/5S for $250 less. Why did I switch? Well, there are a few things I’ve never liked about the 6-series phones compared to the 5-series:
- Slippery rounded sides
- Power button opposite the volume buttons. I find it very difficult to press the power button without also pressing volume up (and vice versa).
- Redesign of the volume buttons
Specifically with the iPhone 6S (especially after a year with the 6 Plus), I was disappointed with its anemic battery life. Not a deal breaker as I can charge at my desk and in my car, but not great either. I never really got into 3D Touch, so I didn’t miss not having it on the SE. The faster Touch ID on the 6S was actually an annoyance to me with iOS 9 and the difficult to press side-mounted power button.
So I was happy to give the SE a try. I enjoyed the fun pink (rose gold) color. The battery life was much better. Mostly I just appreciated the return to the easy-to-grip 5-series form factor. I’ve been very pleased with the SE.
I’m an iOS developer and I tend to focus on UI, so of course I was going to get a 7-series phone eventually. The questions were: (1) which model, and (2) would it replace my SE as my daily driver.
The dual lens camera system available only in the 7 Plus, pretty much decided both those questions. I waited until the SIM-free unlocked phones were available in the U.S. before placing an order, so I only received my 7 Plus this week.
Impressions So Far
- The matte black color is gorgeous. I’d love to see this color on watches, iPads, and MacBooks.
- I enjoy having a 5.5″ screen back after a year away.
- I 💜 the new home button. It feels great.
- The rounded sides are still slippery and the power button is still not easy to use
- 2x camera mode is great. Zooming up to 10x is handy. I love the new zoom interface.
- This is my first 128 GB phone. I could get used to this! 32 GB is now out of the question for me if I am to use the device for more than just testing.
- 👍
