Other Do you think the next iPhone SE might use the 12/13 mini design?

[Funny Apple Man]

You have good points. Using LCD might necessitate a redesign, which Apple probably wouldn’t want to do.

Considering Apple refreshed the SE with a new chip and same design, I have a feeling Apple will ride that design for years to come. And the intention is to encourage people to spend more for the more expensive iPhones instead. The weak sales doesn’t matter if the more expensive regular iPhones are breaking sales records.

In that case, the mini should still exist so that would entice people to pay $100 more for the regular sized model.

 

[Funny Apple Man]

The issue is the mini is anything but cost-effective to build. The SE is driven by cost and uses a form factor and components that are mature. However, everything about the mini is expensive:

- Stainless steel chassis
- Face ID
- OLED
- Stacked logic board
- Insufficient economies of scale

On the other hand, the XR is opposite of everything above and gives Apple the margins they want in a $429 smartphone.

I'd say give it some time for the form factor to get cheaper for Apple to build. Maybe it will go cheap to a point where Apple can sell it for $429 within the next three years?

 

[JPack]

I'd say give it some time for the form factor to get cheaper for Apple to build. Maybe it will go cheap to a point where Apple can sell it for $429 within the next three years?

Let's say against all odds, a re-engineered iPhone 12 mini+LCD costs the same as XR+5G to manufacture. You walk into Tim Cook's office with the two proposals. On one hand, you have the 12/13 mini form factor which didn't attract enough customers at $699 or $599. On the other hand, you have XR/11 which was the best selling smartphone globally in 2018/2019. Why would Tim Cook agree to the moonshot plan of selling the mini as the next iPhone SE?

 

[snipr125]

Let's say against all odds, a re-engineered iPhone 12 mini+LCD costs the same as XR+5G to manufacture. You walk into Tim Cook's office with the two proposals. On one hand, you have the 12/13 mini form factor which didn't attract enough customers at $699 or $599. On the other hand, you have XR/11 which was the best selling smartphone globally in 2018/2019. Why would Tim Cook agree to the moonshot plan of selling the mini as the next iPhone SE?

Tim Cook said the words himself out of his very own mouth when introducing the SE3, that the SE line is for people who like smaller iphones. The last time I checked, the Mini is considerably smaller than the XR/11. Also, a XR/11 with bezels so thick in order to shave off 0.4 inches of screen space to go from 6.1" to 5.7" is just ludicrous.

Personally though, i don't think the next SE will be the Mini design, its too early to sell that design at £429, the next small iphone in the pot is the X,XS,11 Pro 5.8" chassis.

 

[ian87w]

In that case, the mini should still exist so that would entice people to pay $100 more for the regular sized model.

Of course. The mini is still needed to add $100 to what people would normally want to pay for a regular iphone.

 

[JPack]

Tim Cook said the words himself out of his very own mouth when introducing the SE3, that the SE line is for people who like smaller iphones. The last time I checked, the Mini is considerably smaller than the XR/11. Also, a XR/11 with bezels so thick in order to shave off 0.4 inches of screen space to go from 6.1" to 5.7" is just ludicrous.

Personally though, i don't think the next SE will be the Mini design, its too early to sell that design at £429, the next small iphone in the pot is the X,XS,11 Pro 5.8" chassis.

Of course Cook would say "compact and iconic design" on stage during a marketing event. I mean what else would he say to the public?

"Folks, we used a small display and decade old form factor to maximize margins. We don't want to cannibalize our premium iPhone lineup."

If you read Apple's press release, the focus is on price, not size.

5.7" just means the bezel would be half the thickness of a notch all around the display. For a low-cost SE device, that's perfectly acceptable. It's certainly far sleeker than iPhone 8. Keep in mind the bezel has to house an RGB camera without a notch.

 

[TechRunner]

A Mini at the SE price would be a great second phone for active days when you don't want to carry a 6.7" brick in your pocket. I'd consider one for sure.

 

[SAIRUS]

I’d love an iPhone 4 SE. Throw in the headphone jack from the new MacBook Pro, Touch ID, and maybe the old iPod app if possible and I’ll be on it.

 

[Andeddu]

I’d love an iPhone 4 SE. Throw in the headphone jack from the new MacBook Pro, Touch ID, and maybe the old iPod app if possible and I’ll be on it.

This would never happen in a million years. I love the idea though.

 

[SAIRUS]

This would never happen in a million years. I love the idea though.

Yeah, makes me want to go dig up my iPhone 4S that I keep around as a music player.

 

[theriddler]

It’s certainly possible Apple could use the Mini design. If they reduce the production costs slightly and utilise an LCD panel rather than an OLED one, the price may reach SE levels. I can see Apple getting rid of the physical Touch ID button with the next SE so my guess is that they’ll either use the 11 chassis or the Mini chassis.

The Mini will be discontinued also so I would not be surprised if it were to be resurrected as the SE4.

That might make me switch to the Mini. I sold my 13 Mini as I would get PWM nausea after using it for just 5 minutes.

 

[VertPin]

Not at all. I'd expect it to use the iPhone XR/11 frame.

 

[biracialfamily91]

I hope so, even though I’m not the intended customer. I still there is a market for small phones.

I know my niece loves her 13 mini and is disappointed they won’t be a 14 mini.