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iPhone SE (2016) Apple needs to make it clear they are still interested in Smaller iPhones or not!

The biggest reason for the iPhone SE's existence was not so much to appease the tiny phone enthusiast, but, that it was the most cost effective way to get a premium performing iPhone to market to fend off the "then emerging" $400 Android flagship killers that were popping up like weeds. Those flagship killers have grown into $600+ flagships: right where the iPhone 8 (and heavily discounted XR) now exists.
 
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Digger148 said:
The biggest reason for the iPhone SE's existence was not so much to appease the tiny phone enthusiast, but, that it was the most cost effective way to get a premium performing iPhone to market to fend off the "then emerging" $400 Android flagship killers that were popping up like weeds. Those flagship killers have grown into $600+ flagships: right where the iPhone 8 (and heavily discounted XR) now exists.
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It depends how you look at this. From Apple‘s perspective during the March 2016 Keynote, they stated they brought the iPhone SE back, because there was a demographic that was requesting a smaller device. But behind the scenes of Apples intentions also, obviously was to have a phone for other emerging markets, where smart phones are generally to exorbitant in price in other countries. So the SE was really a multifaceted phone meant to meet expectations into different segments, but either way, it was a limited term release, and didn’t generate enough money long term.
 
HEK said:
I have heard Motorola razor thin small flip phone may be coming back. I really liked that phone. Small, pocketable, super easy battery change. Anyone here more about the razor or was it a joke on net.
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I just looked up the rumor. Very interesting. I really miss using that phone too. I still have my old one in a box somewhere haha. Part of me actually wants to go back to using it. If this new one turns out to be good, and if Apple doesn’t offer a small phone by the time my SE dies, I will most likely make the jump.

While looking up this rumor I also found out that the Nokia slider phone made a comeback last year. It’s pretty much just a rehash of the old phone but with lte and hotspot. That’s an interesting option as well.
 
subjonas said:
I just looked up the rumor. Very interesting. I really miss using that phone too. I still have my old one in a box somewhere haha. Part of me actually wants to go back to using it. If this new one turns out to be good, and if Apple doesn’t offer a small phone by the time my SE dies, I will most likely make the jump.

While looking up this rumor I also found out that the Nokia slider phone made a comeback last year. It’s pretty much just a rehash of the old phone but with lte and hotspot. That’s an interesting option as well.
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Something else interesting Worth noting, Motorola is allegedly returning the Razr, which also was a flip phone. And if you recall the Motorola Razr, it was extremely popular for its time, because it was so thin when all the other phones were truly bulky. I suspect other smart for manufactures really want to shake up the market and try to do things differently, like folding displays, flip phones returning, etc. Maybe that’s what the market needs sometimes, is to have diversity.
 
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Relentless Power said:
Something else interesting Worth noting, Motorola is allegedly returning the Razr, which also was a flip phone. And if you recall the Motorola Razr, it was extremely popular for its time, because it was so thin when all the other phones were truly bulky. I suspect other smart for manufactures really want to shake up the market and try to do things differently, like folding displays, flip phones returning, etc. Maybe that’s what the market needs sometimes, is to have diversity.
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Yes haha, the razr was the rumor I was referring to.
I would love for companies to shake things up with a call back to flip phones. So many people here and irl seem to mention how they miss their razr. With folding displays it may just be possible to get the best of both worlds. Although so far I haven’t seen anything too promising.
 
Ralfi said:
It may be back, in tri-fold design.

Not sure what the aspect ratio would be, but having 3 x SE screens fold out could be approaching iPad Mini functionality whilst retaining something that's pocket-able for everyone.
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I was thinking that this would be a logical step to keep up with the emerging foldable phone market. I was looking at my SE and it seemed that it would be smaller than a mini if unfolded. Anyway, this seems like a concept that Apple ingenuity could really slam home.
 
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JBGoode said:
I read a brief article speculating that the Xr would have been more successful had it been a bit smaller. I would have scooped it up in a heartbeat if it was the same size as an 8 but as it stands am on the fence because of its size. I wonder how many 7/8s have been sold in the last few months that might have been Xr purchases if not for the size. I think 4 inch phones might be dead, but believe that there might still be a considerable market for new model, non-phablet phones that don't cost a thousand dollars. Apple doesn't seem to want to make them so we may never know.
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I hope this year they'll break the XR up into two products, a smaller XR2 mini and a larger XR2 Plus. I would probably upgrade from a 6+ to an XR if the screen was just as wide as on the plus.

actcyclist said:
I've got a fresh SE sitting a box ready for when my current SE gets too old- so I'm OK for a few years.
The good thing is there is nothing, absolutely, nothing that has come out in phones since 2016 that I feel like I'm missing out on.
Hopefully the Apple Watch, or other brand, completely takes over needing a phone in a few years.
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I would love for the Apple Watch to become a telephone replacement.
 
After all the news about the SE I went and picked up a used 64 GB Space Gray model on eBay. Gotta say, it's really nice having a small phone again after being used to a big Android phone and the 6S.
 
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jecowa said:
I hope this year they'll break the XR up into two products, a smaller XR2 mini and a larger XR2 Plus. I would probably upgrade from a 6+ to an XR if the screen was just as wide as on the plus..
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I suspect Apple will release a smaller version of the XR eventually, I don’t think it will be in 2019. I still think the XR is on the ‘growing trend’ for those who are upgrading, and I expect Apple to refresh the XR in 2019, but 2019 will be an interesting year to see the iPhone pricing. But I do think that there is hope for a smaller device with Apple in the future.
 
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BasicGreatGuy said:
In my opinion, Apple has already made their statement with phone size focus.
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If you follow Apple, then you know that they have a notorious prestige when it comes to releasing device sizes that may not always be the ‘norm’. They exemplified that with SE, the iPad mini is allegedly returning, however; are these product sizes the ‘norm’ today for the average consumer? No, not at all. But I think Apple really does have the uncanniness to be unpredictable, they really haven’t made a statement about anything, they just graduated to larger, more expensive devices. But if there is any tech manufacturer that knows anything about diversity, it’s Apple, so I wouldn’t rule them out as you did with smaller devices in the future.
 
Add me to the camp of people who would love an updated SE handset. Something as close as possible to the form factor of the SE with as much of the X tech in it as possible.

I'm really not a fan of phones getting bigger - I understand that for many people these are now their primary computing device, but I'd really love Apple to offer a choice of sizes. Give me a small phone which I can use as a phone, for texting, mail, music, with a half decent camera in a package I can use one handed.

I'm cautiously optimistic Apple will do something in the future, but maybe the best we can hope for is the classic iPhone 6s case with an edge to edge display.
 
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Yep, I’d love to upgrade to better internals in the smaller form factor. I’m still waiting for the SE2.
 
I learned about the clearance sales too late to order an iPhone SE. It's not my main computing device, so, for basic operations, a refurbished, unlocked iPhone SE might be an option - although I would have preferred to order a new SE from Apple. It's size fits me and my pockets. Price is a consideration as well since this would be the backup cellphone.
 
I doubt Apple would bother with an SE refresh when they're pushing their underwhelming XR. At this point we should just embrace the X/Xs size since that is now considered the small phone compared to the comically oversized Xs Max.
 
ascender said:
Add me to the camp of people who would love an updated SE handset. Something as close as possible to the form factor of the SE with as much of the X tech in it as possible.

I'm really not a fan of phones getting bigger - I understand that for many people these are now their primary computing device, but I'd really love Apple to offer a choice of sizes. Give me a small phone which I can use as a phone, for texting, mail, music, with a half decent camera in a package I can use one handed.

I'm cautiously optimistic Apple will do something in the future, but maybe the best we can hope for is the classic iPhone 6s case with an edge to edge display.
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Would you pay $699 for it?
 
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Kram Sacul said:
we should just embrace the X/Xs size since that is now considered the small phone compared to the comically oversized Xs Max.
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How is the Max ‘comically oversized’ if it’s virtually almost the same size as the Plus size iPhone? I’m not following your point here.
 
Kram Sacul said:
The Plus iPhones are also comically oversized. Unless you're Mr Magoo of course.
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That's my thought about them too. But lots of people really like having these Plus sized phones - whether its because of their eyesight; they watch a lot of view on them or they use them as their main productivity device. That's just a few common reasons which I totally respect, but I wish Apple would also cater for those of us who don't want or need a big iPhone.

The size of phones has gradually gone up over time. I knew it was happening, we all did, but I genuinely didn't realise just how big they've got since I recently had an SE next to my X. The SE literally looks like a play phone for a child - its tiny.
 
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