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Original poster

iPhone 11 is it worth it (currently have iPhone SE - 9th generation)

56 replies

Aridane · 23/02/2020 12:18

I have x2 phones - i) a personal Nokia phone - NOT a smart phone , and ii) a work iPhone SE.

We are allowed to use the work iPhone for moderate personal use.

But now I find I am using more work iPhone for more than moderate use (I suspect). Find I am using it for everything / things I didn’t know what I would - eg torch, mirror, maps & navigation, whats app etc, mumsnetting (!), plant identification apps, web surfing etc. And am now using it exclusively to take photographs - ie no longer use my camera.

(Am quite good at not using it for personal calls though). And of course use it loads for work and work emails - it’s principle use.

So I think I need either to cut down on use of my work,iPhone or buy one for personal use.

The work iPhone is an iPhone SE which is apparently 9th generation.

A friend has an iPhone 11 and I couldn’t believe the quality of the pictures that can be taken - especially ones take in low lighting. I think they cost around £1,000 if you buy it outright!

So my question really is around whether the iPhone is worth it? Appreciate that’s a very subjective and personal question.

Maybe to put it another way. Is there an appreciable difference between the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11?

I do like Apple products so would prefer to keep with an iPhone than a non iPhone. (but I mean £1,000 for a phone Shock)

OP posts:
mistermagpie · 23/02/2020 14:31

I have iPhone 11 and I hate it, just for an opposing view!! Camera and battery life are great but it's just too big. Definitely try one out before you buy it.

My DH, on the other hand, has the 11 pro and it's a bit smaller. I really wish I'd got that one instead (or that he would swap).

GaaaaarlicBread · 23/02/2020 14:31

The pro is the one I have honestly it’s amazing ,I have the 256Gb one, I pay £40 a month for 500mins , unlimited internet and unlimited texts with EE .

Toomanycats99 · 23/02/2020 14:41

Apple direct do a 20 month interest free option. That with a heap sim is what I went for last time and will go for next time.

Some of the networks offer what looks like a great value contract but I think are starting to tie you in for longer and longer.

Original poster
Aridane · 23/02/2020 15:09

@mistermagpie - yes, they are enormous!! Which is why the only one I would want is the iPhone 11 Pro (not the iPhone 11 or the iPhone 11 Pro Max) - otherwise you might as well just have a tablet!

OP posts:
Original poster
Aridane · 23/02/2020 15:11

I don't mind buying the phone upfront and then buying a separate package for calls & data - I had just naively thought it would be cheaper to get the whole lot bundled in one

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Original poster
Aridane · 23/02/2020 15:12

(@Toomanycats99 - though a 20 month interest free deal is pretty good)

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Rockbird · 23/02/2020 15:14

There is a huge difference between any of these models and the SE. My now 12yo found the SE too slow and basic last year. She now has a 6s but it's still a bit of a dinosaur. I have a Pro Max and love it, doesn't seem big to me, but coming from an SE it would be enormous so I totally get that! Anything from an XR up would be a good move.

Original poster
Aridane · 23/02/2020 15:30

Thank you, @Rickbird - helpful to have the direct comparison between the SE and the iPhone 11 (or XR)

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TheDogsMother · 23/02/2020 15:43

I went from a 6 to an XR. Isn't quite as expensive as the 11, fantastic battery life and really good camera (and other functionality) than the 6. Face ID is really handy as so many apps use it for security. Bought the phone from Apple and have a data plan from Vodafone. They come 'unlocked' from Apple so easy to sell on eBay when you are next upgrading.

Original poster
Aridane · 23/02/2020 16:19

So if I by the phone from the Apple store and the data package separately - will Apple still be able to set the phone up in store or do I first need i) to purchase the data package, and ii) arrange for the transfer of my number?

OP posts:
TheDogsMother · 23/02/2020 16:30

I changed from contract to data only some time ago and was also changing network provider at the same time but as I remember my phone at the time was out of contract so I gave notice to my previous provider. Set up the data only arrangement with Vodafone (transferring my my number to them), they provided me with a new SIM card which I put into my phone. I seem to remember it took a few hours to switch over so not sure you could do it all simultaneously in the shop. The set up on the phone is very straightforward though.

When you change to the data only package don't let them sell you a contract for it. They offer you a lower monthly price in return for locking you in for a year or more. I wanted to check my data usage before committing to any long term plan.

filka · 23/02/2020 16:53

When you have a work phone that allows "moderate personal use" this is really about not running up the bill that the company pays for. So....

  • all photography is OK, not use of mobile calls or data (simplistically ignoring iCloud back-up)
  • all internet usage is OK if connected to wifi, which means home, many shops and malls, bars, pubs etc. Once logged in the phone will usually remember the details next time.
  • maps & navigation, yes, then you are probably using data
  • torch & mirror consume the battery a bit but don't use data
  • whatsapp - no data if on wifi, very little data for text messages, using data for sending photos, videos and calls when not on wifi.

On balance, you are probably OK vis-a-vis work unless they complain about your phone bill. But with the price of data packages these days it can be quite hard to go over £30 unless you are streaming video (I'll probably be flamed for that...).

So if you want to buy your own iPhone, do so - but you probably don't need to.

Whichever iPhone you get, the important thing to remember is that unlike Androids you can't add extra storage memory, so don't get the base model. These days 256GB should be OK, it gets a bit expensive after that.

filka · 23/02/2020 16:57

I agree with PP to buy from the Apple store, yes they will help you to set it up whoever provides the data/phone package - and support you for a long time afterwards.

From Apple you don't get the Vodaphone logo in the phone, bloatware apps etc. and easier to sell later.

carlyclock · 23/02/2020 17:16

I have the 11 pro max and it's worth every penny.

Mumsnet is always full of people who can't understand why people pay so much but I love my phone and was happy to pay for it.

peachypetite · 23/02/2020 17:20

I’m thinking about buying the XR
I would say it’s always best to buy the phone outright.

woodencoffeetable · 23/02/2020 17:27

I'm wavering.
I want the pro - mainly because of the size, but am stingy and don't want to spend that much money on a phone.
there are rumours about a 8 size new iphone 'soon', so I'm holding out for now.

Original poster
Aridane · 23/02/2020 17:30

what's an '8 size'? - is that the nice compact size like the iPhone SE?

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Original poster
Aridane · 23/02/2020 17:32

@carlyclock - I found the iPhone Pro Max too large. I mean, I think it would be perfect if you're using it as a phone and a tablet - but just as a phone I found it too big to hold. (But then I am coming from an iPhone SE size)

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Original poster
Aridane · 23/02/2020 20:39

When you change to the data only package don't let them sell you a contract for it. They offer you a lower monthly price in return for locking you in for a year or more. I wanted to check my data usage before committing to any long term plan.

Thanks, that’s a good tip

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Original poster
Aridane · 25/02/2020 12:08

Ha - I phoned Apple yesterday as I wanted to check whether they can do the iPhone 11 set up for me (without having yet purchased a data plan, got a SIM etc).

They can - however, the lady was trying to persuade me to just get the iPhone 11 and not the iPhone 11 Pro - ie to save the money. And she thought that because the difference between iPhone SE and iPhone 11 is so great, I would be fine with just the iPhone 11!! (can’t believe they’re not upselling and trying to dissuade me from the more expensive model I prefer)

I would like the Pro as I think that one has the telephoto lens and the regular one doesn’t (and it’s a bit smaller)

OP posts:
Nowayorhighway · 25/02/2020 13:37

DH has one and he now only has to charge it once every other day, the battery is amazing. The camera is also phenomenal.

Nowayorhighway · 25/02/2020 13:38

Should have said he has the pro, the camera is amazing. I still have the X which is pretty good but I do envy is battery life.

Original poster
Aridane · 02/03/2020 19:24

I did it! Bought the iPhone 11 Pro on Saturday - and also did x2 in śtore Photography courses while they spent HOURS on data transfer, cloud back up, cloud download , whatever. The camera is amazing .

Thanks for the encouragement!

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Cakes4Teatime · 03/03/2020 01:53

Have been reading with interest as I am also still with my beloved SE. It’s dying slowly though and I’ve been holding out for the SE “2” which always seems to be in the pipeline. I don’t want a big phone as I like being able to use it one handed! Currently laying on my side snuggled in bed holding phone and typing with my thumb one handed ! How is the bigger size? I could be tempted by the one you have bought (it sounds amazing) if it’s the next smallest iPhone out there.

Original poster
Aridane · 03/03/2020 06:45

@Cakes4Teatime - my one is the smallest of the iPhone 11s. Like you I love the size (and resilience) of the SE and wanted one the same size.

The funny thing is, after using my iPhone 11 Pro for a couple of days, my SE seems ridiculously petite!

Apple still sell the iPhone 8s - which are much the same size as the SE (they showed me the iPhone 8 range when I plaintively said ‘don’t you have anything smaller?’)

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