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

bluecoast said:
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.
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I bet you're right, and also that it will have the slippery design of the latest iPhones. Ugh. I'd rather have a new phone based on the SE design. It's so much easier to hold, especially for photos. You have to have a case on the other phones or risk having it slip through your fingers and smash into the ground.
 
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bluecoast said:
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.
Click to expand...

Right, but even if they do that, they can fit the same sized display in a smaller case. The SE basically brought the iPhone up to the same level with the rest. My sense is that they will bring Face ID to all phones, so they can still put the same components from the 7/8 into a new case design with a new cheaper lcd display with a notch. And the XS replaces the 7/8 Plus as they depreciate it next year.

I could accept a new phone that split the difference between the SE and 7/8 in terms of size and keeping the display the same size in a smaller case would do that. They can launch in March and charge more for it, then depreciate it in the Fall as they get rid of the 7 series.
 
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Matte black iPhone 7. Just wait when it gets to prepaid and once Black Friday. Forget the $450 price. You might lucky to get it below $200 like some 6 and SE were.

 
Mac 128 said:
Right, but even if they do that, they can fit the same sized display in a smaller case. The SE basically brought the iPhone up to the same level with the rest. My sense is that they will bring Face ID to all phones, so they can still put the same components from the 7/8 into a new case design with a new cheaper lcd display with a notch. And the XS replaces the 7/8 Plus as they depreciate it next year.

I could accept a new phone that split the difference between the SE and 7/8 in terms of size and keeping the display the same size in a smaller case would do that. They can launch in March and charge more for it, then depreciate it in the Fall as they get rid of the 7 series.
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I think that they’ll do what you say eventually but fir the moment they’ll need to have an affordable ‘classic’ phone for those that are skeptical/not ready for Face ID etc

And they’ll need a cheaper well made phone for India etc
 
I’ve been using my an iPhone SE factor since 2013 and I cannot imagine using a bigger phone because I like one handed operations.

I hope I can squeeze the most out of thus one with battery swaps as it looks pretty clear to me that Apple does not want to release an iPhone SE form factor with iPhone X features.
 
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BiggAW said:
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.
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Two things:

1.) I think you misunderstood the context of my post partially , because I was replying to another member about Apple broadening the spectrum offering a 6 inch phone, because the competitors have all moved onto this specific size already, or Apple when was offering a 4.7/5.5 iPhone model until last year at the iPhone X at 5.8. The point is, the XR is priced to sell at $750, which is still significantly cheaper under the iPhone X and will do really well, which is exactly why Apple wants to have its own launch to highlight this new phone.

2.) Whenever someone interjects something about android devices starting at $499 or having heavy discounts, ect the user is _not_ choosing the hardware, they’re choosing the platform, which is iOS or android. Price Points are one thing, but in today’s day and age of smart phones, the loyalty lies with the platform in software, _not_ hardware.
 
I just can't see Steve using and iPhone XsM or even an Xs.

Yes, I know he's gone now....

My guess is that he would be pushing for a smaller variant too.

Smaller phones will make a comeback as the age arch turns. Those growing older and not wanting the huge billboard in their pockets anymore will speak with their wallets.

Or perhaps switch to another alternative entirely. Be careful Apple....
 
Relentless Power said:
Two things:

1.) I think you misunderstood the context of my post partially , because I was replying to another member about Apple broadening the spectrum offering a 6 inch phone, because the competitors have all moved onto this specific size already, or Apple when was offering a 4.7/5.5 iPhone model until last year at the iPhone X at 5.8. The point is, the XR is priced to sell at $750, which is still significantly cheaper under the iPhone X and will do really well, which is exactly why Apple wants to have its own launch to highlight this new phone.

2.) Whenever someone interjects something about android devices starting at $499 or having heavy discounts, ect the user is _not_ choosing the hardware, they’re choosing the platform, which is iOS or android. Price Points are one thing, but in today’s day and age of smart phones, the loyalty lies with the platform in software, _not_ hardware.
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1. I think the concept of broadening Apple's reach, as they mentioned in the keynote, is all about price, and with the Xr, they are not doing well on that compared to the 8 and 7. The Xr only serves to increase the starting price for an iPhone, which can't be good for broadening the reach.

2. That's fine if you want to talk about platform, but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people aren't loyal and switch back and forth, and may be willing to pay more for an iPhone, but at some point, as the price premium keeps getting larger and larger, they may not see the value in the iPhone over Samsung or other players, and will go for the Android device. The same thing happened with their laptops. The price premium for an Apple laptop with similar hardware kept going up, and up, and up, and they absolutely, 100% lost sales over that. The question for Apple is how many sales they lose, versus getting new customers to grow their overall market versus the margins that they are making on each device. I think they should be concerned that they're pushing too heavily on margins, and are going to lose some folks in the process.
 
I've stocked up enough SEs to last me at least a decade. There will not be another phone this well designed. Steve Jobs is dead.

Hopefully with no small phones on either iOS or Android, a new company will surface that focuses more on ergonomics than these 'muscle car' companies.
 
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kazmac said:
Makes sense.
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...Although I would much prefer an updated SE or a XR that’s similar in size to the SE, believe me.

However, I suspect that Apple sees the 4 inch screen size as the new 3.5 I inch screen size & that in time, no one will care too much that it’s gone.

Btw I happen to think that’s wrong. It’s not very female friendly for a start.
 
jackoatmon said:
Not asking ironically – will putting them in the freezer help in some way?
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I've wondered the same thing. Apparently it stops the degradation of the batteries or something, but I would think they would have to be vacuum sealed in a very dry environment for that to work and not just end up with ice on them. He's got a collection in the freezer though, so there must be something to it....
 
Maven1975 said:
I just can't see Steve using and iPhone XsM or even an Xs.

Yes, I know he's gone now....

My guess is that he would be pushing for a smaller variant too.

Smaller phones will make a comeback as the age arch turns. Those growing older and not wanting the huge billboard in their pockets anymore will speak with their wallets.

Or perhaps switch to another alternative entirely. Be careful Apple....
Click to expand...

What age range do you have in mind? I think we’re looking at only 10 years before there’s something new, like foldable, or rollable screens that act merely as displays for the Apple Watch. Regardless, the older people get, the more they appreciate larger screens just to be able to see the content. And their pockets get roomier as their bodies shrink and they buy looser clothing. Clothing manufacturers have already responded with bigger pockets. Conversely, kids and Millennials are all used to giant phones they tuck into bikinis and waistbands because the pockets aren’t big enough. It’s unlikely they will feel the need to change just because they’re older.

bluecoast said:
...Although I would much prefer an updated SE or a XR that’s similar in size to the SE, believe me.

However, I suspect that Apple sees the 4 inch screen size as the new 3.5 I inch screen size & that in time, no one will care too much that it’s gone.

Btw I happen to think that’s wrong. It’s not very female friendly for a start.
Click to expand...

Dropping the 4” screen is not really an issue, as long as Apple puts a larger screen in a similar sized case. FaceID makes that possible. The 4.7” display of the 7/8 could be repackaged with a notch into a case not much bigger than the SE, but the question is will they ...

My SE is serving me fine, and I doubt I’ll need to start looking for a new phone for another year or two. I may even pick up another SE. I would have upgraded to an “XE” had they offered one, so Apple lost that money from me. But we’ll see what they do come March.
 
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I was actually going to get a Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact on Craigslist for $230 a few months ago from this dude living in Irvine but went nah. I love Sony as a brand but I don't love their phones.

That's probably the best option with Android as the XZ2 Compact is around the same size as the "4.7 iPhones but thick. It seems Sony is ignoring the compacts too.

If you want iOS, then getting another SE might be your only option. They're so cheap, you might as well get it in every color. SE will probably be updated to iOS14, so it will be around for years in prepaid form. So no worries. Your favorite little dog isn't dead. No need for an SE obituary. ;-P

Or just learn to ADAPT like the rest of us after 4-5 years and get the iPhone 7 or 8. After you get used to "5.5 displays, a "4.7 iPhone starts to feel very comfortable to hold. Life is about changes and adapting.
 
actcyclist said:
I know my SE will last a lot longer and am happy with it. However, I'm considering whether the camera is too far behind and I am finding Apple Music cramped on the SE.

If I can't buy a mini phone, I'd be more inclined to get the XR for the camera quality rather than the 8. I figure once I'm forced to use it two handed there's not much difference in sizes.
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Camera of the SE is the same as the X, without the second lense for optical zooming. Sensor and therefore resolution is 1:1
 
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bluecoast said:
...Although I would much prefer an updated SE or a XR that’s similar in size to the SE, believe me.

However, I suspect that Apple sees the 4 inch screen size as the new 3.5 I inch screen size & that in time, no one will care too much that it’s gone.

Btw I happen to think that’s wrong. It’s not very female friendly for a start.
Click to expand...

I agree. I have very long fingers and while I can hold a 7+, I am much less productive on my 7+ than I was on my 5 and iPad mini 4. I think not offering at least one relatively new smaller phone (not 2 generations behind) in $450-$500 range is a mistake.
 
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