iPhone SE (2016) iPhone SE mostly discontinued, what alternatives are there?

[apolloa]

Despite the number of girls and women I see with their big phones crammed down their back trouser pockets..... I’d love to know the theft rates if these.

Apparently a lot of them have bitterly complained about Apples decision to ditch the SE. So they may lose some noticeable sales numbers here..
They have complained that the bigger phones are simply too big for their hands, and as Apple is a bit of a fashion brand then that’s why they love the SE.

Only alternative is the 7 or 8, both now heavily reduced in price but you can still easily pick up the SE from everywhere other then Apple, until stocks run out.

I personally think Apples misjudged this one quite a lot. People won’t always just get a bigger device if it’s uncomfortable to use.

 

[JPack]

I was waiting for the SE 2... and I should have ordered the SE before the store went down.

So I ordered a 7. It shipped free and arrived in about 18 hours from ordering. It's great!

The 7 is the only true alternative. Sadly true. It's a little big, but not too bad.

The 7 is available for as low as $379. Great deal IMO.

https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/iphone/iphone_7

 

[apolloa]

Wistron built a assembly plant in India, not Apple.

Wistron builds products for everyone including Microsoft, Sony, and Xiaomi.

Actually for Apple to sell its iPhones in India it had to agree to let Indians make it in India. It was a requirement the Indian government made on them, so in effect it was entirely Apples choice for a factory to be built there.

 

[BiggAW]

Wow props to you for rocking the 4s this long!

That just sounds like a security disaster staying on iOS 9.

 

[Q-Dog]

That just sounds like a security disaster staying on iOS 9.

I kept my 5s on OS9, until I replaced it 2 days ago. Most of the "security scare" stuff is just to keep you upgrading so Apple doesn't have to maintain the older OSs.

I wish I could load OS9 on my new phone. Too much new crap to turn off in the newer OS.

 

[uzubairu]

The alternative is iPhone 7.

The same situation happened when Apple discontinued iPhone 4 or removed the 11-MacBook Air from the lineup. Time to move up.

I had MBA 11” for 4 years and upgraded to the 12”.

Although, I lost a few connections and the MagSafe (which I was initially annoyed about), the 12” had a much nicer screen and more importantly for me was much lighter, very portable and decent battery life.
I take it to work daily and barely feel the weight

If the 11” MBA had been removed and no compact 12” option had been available, I’d still be using the 11” MBA.

I would even be happy for an SE replacement that was slightly larger than the SE, so long as it wasn’t as big or as heavy as the 6, 7 or 8.

My SE, Mini 4 and 12” MB are my perfect trio and whilst it works perfectly I’ll keep going with the SE until it stops working or a suitable replacement device becomes available.

 

[trifid]

Here’s my theory, this year Apple is still offering iphone 7 and 8, lets consider what happens next year? Will the 4.7” screen be discontinued?

I think Apple will make a 4.7” iPhone X, this means removing huge bezels will give you a 4.7” iphone that’s almost the same size as a SE now. We’ll just have to wait.

 

[alee]

This is about content. By continuing to need to support a legacy-sized screen, both Apple and app developers will need to compromise based off of constrained display real estate, and practical accessibility considerations.

Bigger screens are increasingly more popular, and the ultra-high resolution of these displays allows for some truly unique experiences that will enable the future of phones as a rich computing platform. Apple bought everyone a little time with the 5 SE to get used to the idea since big phones were so controversial at that time.

Right or wrong, just like the headphone jack, they're signaling that the end of an era has come. They're asking engineers to make the most of the screen real estate. Artificially constraining them to jam it into a tiny space stands in the way of progress. Certainly devs can't stand building for the smaller screens these days - it's a unforgiving size and resolution.

 

[BiggAW]

I kept my 5s on OS9, until I replaced it 2 days ago. Most of the "security scare" stuff is just to keep you upgrading so Apple doesn't have to maintain the older OSs.

I wish I could load OS9 on my new phone. Too much new crap to turn off in the newer OS.

That's just not true. Having a bunch of known vulnerabilities on your phone that you don't have to have is just stupid. Apple is pretty good about doing updates for older devices.

 

[oldmacs]

The 7 is available for as low as $379. Great deal IMO.

https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/iphone/iphone_7

Great deal isn't the point. People who want an SE for size, DON'T want a 6/6S/7/8.

Right or wrong, just like the headphone jack, they're signaling that the end of an era has come. They're asking engineers to make the most of the screen real estate. Artificially constraining them to jam it into a tiny space stands in the way of progress. Certainly devs can't stand building for the smaller screens these days - it's a unforgiving size and resolution.

The SE will probably get another 3 or so years of software support (13 and 14) and devs usually support one or two back anyway (my iPad 2 is still getting App updates on iOS 9), so its a long way off for that.

Bigger screens aren't necessarily equal to progress. I've never thought my SE screen was too small, nor found any apps too small on it.
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My SE, Mini 4 and 12” MB are my perfect trio and whilst it works perfectly I’ll keep going with the SE until it stops working or a suitable replacement device becomes available.

I think I'll be keeping my SE till it looses security support and then I'll move to another platform.

 

[alee]

Bigger screens aren't necessarily equal to progress. I've never thought my SE screen was too small, nor found any apps too small on it.

As Apple has demonstrated over the years, it doesn’t matter what you think. If they’re actually done with small screens, it’s over. They’re fairly arrogant about it - but they have a very strategic position in the mobile market to make a lot of stuff happen.

I think I'll be keeping my SE till it looses security support and then I'll move to another platform.

By that point there will be no more small screens left on any platform. Placing my bets now. Most major players are chasing a 2 size strategy, with the 7/Pixel/Galaxy being the reference size for normal.

 

[oldmacs]

By that point there will be no more small screens left on any platform. Placing my bets now. Most major players are chasing a 2 size strategy, with the 7/Pixel/Galaxy being the reference size for normal.

We'll see. Trends change. All through my growing up I watched as phones got smaller and smaller and smaller to the point that a tiny flip-phone was the pinnacle of cool. Then things got big again. Who's to say they won't go smaller again?

Sony still makes a premium Xperia which is smaller than the 4.7 inch iPhone size.

As Apple has demonstrated over the years, it doesn’t matter what you think. If they’re actually done with small screens, it’s over. They’re fairly arrogant about it - but they have a very strategic position in the mobile market to make a lot of stuff happen.

Did I ever say it matters what I think? What I think matters just about as much as what you think and neither of us know what Apple is thinking.

 

[EssModelsRule]

Here’s my theory, this year Apple is still offering iphone 7 and 8, lets consider what happens next year? Will the 4.7” screen be discontinued?

I think Apple will make a 4.7” iPhone X, this means removing huge bezels will give you a 4.7” iphone that’s almost the same size as a SE now. We’ll just have to wait.

May be wishful thinking, but I’m with you. I could see next year’s Xr being offered in both 6.1” (to be called a plus) and something like 5” for a new regular model like those beautiful SE2 renders a while back. I just caved to Tim and ordered the Xs, but I’d uncharacteristically swap in a year if they released a smaller phone again.

 

[SteveJobs45]

I have a feeling huge screens are here to stay.

 

[oldmacs]

May be wishful thinking, but I’m with you. I could see next year’s Xr being offered in both 6.1” (to be called a plus) and something like 5” for a new regular model like those beautiful SE2 renders a while back. I just caved to Tim and ordered the Xs, but I’d uncharacteristically swap in a year if they released a smaller phone again.

I could deal with a Xr with a 4.7 inch screen as long as it was about the same size as the SE's existing body.

 

[EssModelsRule]

I could deal with a Xr with a 4.7 inch screen as long as it was about the same size as the SE's existing body.

I don’t know all the technical challenges of getting software designed for larger screens to play nicely with smaller screens and that’s a huge factor with the way phones are growing, but yeah, a 5” or so all-screen device would be close in overall size to the beloved 5 series iPhone.

 

[Ortiz83]

Other alternative is to pony up and pay. If not, look somewhere else.

 

[Dimlaith]

If my 4s wasn’t now incredibly slow with awful battery life as well as a cracked back panel I would have not upgraded to the SE at all. The 4s is primarily a phone with the ability to connect to the internet, that’s all I need and want from a device as well as running a few apps. The SE will serve my needs perfectly for a good few years.

 

[44267547]

May be wishful thinking, but I’m with you. I could see next year’s Xr being offered in both 6.1” (to be called a plus) and something like 5” for a new regular model like those beautiful SE2 renders a while back. I just caved to Tim and ordered the Xs, but I’d uncharacteristically swap in a year if they released a smaller phone again.

The problem is, those SE2 renders are just that, fictious renders. Usually that’s just Fan-Made art of something you may never ever see. But you have to look at the iPhone/smart demographic as a whole, there isn’t much market for a 5 inch iPhone, even though there’s a demographic you read about online, larger displays are speaking for themselves across-the-board through smart phone manufacturers. Although the 6.1 XR is not for me, I do support Apple that they are trying to broaden their spectrum realizing that not everybody wants a $1000 smart phone either.

 

[subjonas]

I could deal with a Xr with a 4.7 inch screen as long as it was about the same size as the SE's existing body.

I don’t know all the technical challenges of getting software designed for larger screens to play nicely with smaller screens and that’s a huge factor with the way phones are growing, but yeah, a 5” or so all-screen device would be close in overall size to the beloved 5 series iPhone.

If you change the aspect ratio of the screen then the se body (as is) can contain as high as a 5” screen diagonal. But also keep in mind, any increase in screen size (even if keeping device size) would prohibit one-handed use without a lot of grip shifting or relying on balancing, as even now on the current SE, slightly small hands have issue reaching all 4 screen corners (if that is a factor for you).

 

[BiggAW]

Although the 6.1 XR is not for me, I do support Apple that they are trying to broaden their spectrum realizing that not everybody wants a $1000 smart phone either.

While it is getting cheaper to produce electronics they went from a $649 entry price to $699 to $749 in the span of 3 generations of iPhones. YIKES! That's not really broadening the spectrum. If they really wanted to broaden it, they would have kept the entry-level iPhone at the $649 price point that they've been at since the iPhone 3G.

Apple is going for higher margins, and that's fine, it's their business, but they definitely aren't broadening their spectrum, and they will lose some sales to Android devices, especially when devices like the OP6T are coming in at $499, and Samsung heavily discounts their devices a few months after launch, effectively bringing them into the $500-$600 price range, and in some cases even lower than that.

 

[Johnny365]

Precisely why I got the iPhone SE a month ago. It's perfect for my needs and while web browsing isn't ideal because of the small screen, everything else runs great.

I use my iPad Pro 10.5 if I need to do more intensive web browsing. It's a nice combination.

Edit: I still have my original iPhone 6 Plus on iOS 8.4 jailbroken for my second line. Don't use it that often, but it's there.

 

[EssModelsRule]

If you change the aspect ratio of the screen then the se body (as is) can contain as high as a 5” screen diagonal. But also keep in mind, any increase in screen size (even if keeping device size) would prohibit one-handed use without a lot of grip shifting or relying on balancing, as even now on the current SE, slightly small hands have issue reaching all 4 screen corners (if that is a factor for you).

Yeah, I remember Apple’s ads showing the thumb reach all corners on the 5 as a response to the larger phones the competition was bringing, and of course it’s still true today. The advantages of a larger than 4” screen outweigh this convenience for me so I’m ok adjusting my grip a little during one handed use, but I still want the pocketability of a smaller, lighter device. I’d be ok with minor tweaks to the outer dimensions to get the right aspect ratio, just don’t make it as big as an 8.

 

[EssModelsRule]

The problem is, those SE2 renders are just that, fictious renders. Usually that’s just Fan-Made art of something you may never ever see. But you have to look at the iPhone/smart demographic as a whole, there isn’t much market for a 5 inch iPhone, even though there’s a demographic you read about online, larger displays are speaking for themselves across-the-board through smart phone manufacturers. Although the 6.1 XR is not for me, I do support Apple that they are trying to broaden their spectrum realizing that not everybody wants a $1000 smart phone either.

I agree, those SE2 renders are pure art. Everything about the smartphone market today points to big and bigger, you're right, but I choose to remain optimistic (or maybe delusional is a better word) that Apple will one day be able to make a business case for another smaller phone.

 

[bluecoast]

Giullherme Rambo (or Steve T-S), one of those guys mentioned yesterday that with the iOS 12 GM there’s references to iPhone hardware that hasn’t been released still. No clue if its just temporary, or maybe some test models, but they had iPhone 7 internals. Makes me wonder if we see the iPhone 7 turned into an SE of some sort next spring?

I suspect it’s going to be an iPhone 7/8 hybrid with haptic touch ie removing the 3D Touch layer on the lcd for a cheaper and easier to assemble product.

Yes, that sounds like what they did with the SE.

We will see an SE2 of sorts I think - but with a 4.7 inch screen.