iPhone SE (2016) Thoughts: iPhone SE2/9 will have to be $399, or max $499 if they're pushing it

[thadoggfather]

this may be a low effort thread, but even if SE2/9 is sporting A13 and improved optics jammed in an iPhone 8 body next month, I cant imagine people will be willing to pay any more than $100-200 less than the current priced XR, the best selling iPhone of 2019: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-in-2019-based-on-shipment-estimates.2224745/

Yes, its got a faster SoC and better optics, but the perception won't be there with the old style so they'll have to it somewhat alluring price wise, to also grab that lower end market since yeah... older models are out there, but I think lots of people are wise to not pay MSRP for something thats a few years old at this point directly from Apple, if that's the route they'd go they'd probably look at the second hand market.

My prediction is $449, that +50 bump from what we all expect and are comfortable with just cause its Apple

What are your thoughts?

 

[JPack]

The current global macroeconomic factors will probably push Apple towards the $399 tag.

Regardless of what the official price is, the SE2 is intended for emerging markets. Apple can adjust local pricing. The iPhone SE for example was $399 but in India, was regularly discounted to $280-$349.

 

[aakshey]

The current global macroeconomic factors will probably push Apple towards the $399 tag.

Regardless of what the official price is, the SE2 is intended for emerging markets. Apple can adjust local pricing. The iPhone SE for example was $399 but in India, was regularly discounted to $280-$349.

At its lowest point, right before being discontinued SE was around 220 in India. And had stabilised around 250-300 way before that. It however did launch around USD 700 or so in 2016. Price drops happened around 2018/2019.

I’m confident 9 will be priced under 500. And no less than 400. In India it will be 1.5x of US pricing.

 

[snipr125]

If the se2 is priced at $399 in the US, it will probably be approx £430 here in the UK. Even though many people are mocking the proposed se2 as being the classic touch id bezelled design, it will sell in the millions regardless.

 

[Reno Raines]

I am thinking $399. That would make it a formidable entry level phone for Apple. Too much beyond that and it is knocking on the door of the iPhone 8.

 

[aakshey]

I am thinking $399. That would make it a formidable entry level phone for Apple. Too much beyond that and it is knocking on the door of the iPhone 8.

No. It’s not knocking on the door of the iPhone 8. It is replacing the iPhone 8. Doesn’t necessarily have to be cheaper. But it might be, to sell more.
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If the se2 is priced at $399 in the US, it will probably be approx £430 here in the UK. Even though many people are mocking the proposed se2 as being the classic touch id bezelled design, it will sell in the millions regardless.

Selling in millions means nothing if that’s under 5% of your iPhone sales. Maybe well under.

 

[Reno Raines]

No. It’s not knocking on the door of the iPhone 8. It is replacing the iPhone 8. Doesn’t necessarily have to be cheaper. But it might be, to sell more.
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Selling in millions means nothing if that’s under 5% of your iPhone sales. Maybe well under.

It would be interesting then to see if Apple removes the 8 from it’s product page and replaces it with the 9/SE2. I can’t remember offhand if the SE knocked the older low end phone off Apple’s iPhones it was selling at the time.

 

[JPack]

It would be interesting then to see if Apple removes the 8 from it’s product page and replaces it with the 9/SE2. I can’t remember offhand if the SE knocked the older low end phone off Apple’s iPhones it was selling at the time.

When the iPhone SE was launched, it immediately replaced the iPhone 5s in Apple's lineup. The iPhone 5s was 2.5 years old at the time.

The iPhone 8 will be 2.5 years old in March 2020. It's almost certain the SE2 will replace the iPhone 8. At $549, the iPhone 8 Plus also serves very little purpose given the XR is $599.

 

[aakshey]

There isn’t a 0.0001% chance 8 will be kept unless 9 is priced above 599 which it definitely won’t.

 

[JPack]

My prediction is $449, that +50 bump from what we all expect and are comfortable with just cause its Apple

$449 would be right on the mark for SE2 given the SE was $449 which replaced the 5s (also $449). The iPhone 8 is now $449.

If Apple misses the March/April launch date for SE2 due to supply issues, $399 becomes more likely. Apple has volume targets for 2020. One obvious way to make up for it is pulling the price lever.

I don't think there's any chance of $499.

 

[mag33]

I have one concern as of now. Will the iPhone 8 cases fit se2? It's supposed to be quite a bit chunkier, or thicker if you will

 

[zachdog]

There have been dozens of prognostications about this in every forum and rumors site. The consensus is that Apple will price the device at $399, so the OP is on target with the masses.

Sure, Apple might get greedy and charge $449 or $499. Apple often overcharges for their “latest” tech. This device is a repackaged phone, so hopefully that won’t be the case.

The iPhone 8 will be history after the new device is introduced, and I doubt we’ll see a plus version.

 

[osta.doc]

The iPhone 8 opened up at 699.00, so, an 8 with a current processor and an extra gig of RAM for 399.00 would be a bargain in my book.

So much so that I’ll probably upgrade my 8, if it turns out to be true.

 

[VaruLV]

this may be a low effort thread, but even if SE2/9 is sporting A13 and improved optics jammed in an iPhone 8 body next month, I cant imagine people will be willing to pay any more than $100-200 less than the current priced XR, the best selling iPhone of 2019: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-in-2019-based-on-shipment-estimates.2224745/

Yes, its got a faster SoC and better optics, but the perception won't be there with the old style so they'll have to it somewhat alluring price wise, to also grab that lower end market since yeah... older models are out there, but I think lots of people are wise to not pay MSRP for something thats a few years old at this point directly from Apple, if that's the route they'd go they'd probably look at the second hand market.

My prediction is $449, that +50 bump from what we all expect and are comfortable with just cause its Apple

What are your thoughts?

449$ will make it about 499 euros in EU. Too pricey for what its supposed to be.

 

[brucemr]

SE was released at $399, despite the 2.5 year old 5s being sold at $50 higher $450 right up until SE replaced it.

Think this can happen again, with a $399 SE2 and $449 8. Especially considering an emerging markets target, like SE also had.

I am skeptical however of significant SE2 penetration into those markets. SE struggled at $399 intro price, and as JPack mentioned, reduced below $300 in selected target markets. Yet it still struggled.

Expect same with SE2. For same reasons as SE. Pricing, whether $399, 349, or even $300, is still expensive vs. available budget Android alternatives...which offer more modern full-screen (and larger screen) designs at prices well below $300.

 

[rui no onna]

I am skeptical however of significant SE2 penetration into those markets. SE struggled at $399 intro price, and as JPack mentioned, reduced below $300 in selected target markets. Yet it still struggled.

Observation: In emerging markets, iPhones tend to be a fashion statement and status symbol. Unlike in US, they're usually not affected by ecosystem (i.e. iMessage) lock in. A lower cost iPhone with a design dating all the way back from 2014 (iPhone 6) is, unfortunately, not particularly trendy.

Mind, regardless of whether or not I eventually upgrade to the rumored 5.4" iPhone 12 in fall, I'm quite looking forward to the SE2/9 this spring.

 

[saber32au]

A lower cost iPhone with a design dating all the way back from 2014 (iPhone 6) is, unfortunately, not particularly trendy.

Very true, especially so when you can purchase a neigh on full screen phone (ie Samsung A50) for well under $300 USD, that whilst no speed demon, will do most tasks adequately.

 

[keithprater]

We've been holding off on an upgrade for my wife at this price point, but today Best Buy had that flash sale and we picked up an iPhone X for $529 with 256gb of storage. It's a very usable phone and will be for a couple of years, so she's excited to upgrade her iPhone 7.

 

[QCassidy352]

If it’s $399 and has an A13 with the camera being the main camera from the 11, it’ll be - by far - the best deal in apple’s iPhone lineup. If it has an older/worse camera and/or costs more, the value proposition definitely begins to decline.

 

[bobsamm]

Our $AUD V $US is at it's worst since the Global recession, so prices will be rising anyway. I reckon $900 plus here lol. 5S 64 was $999.

 

[Septembersrain]

I'm betting it will take the 8 off the market. I'm thinking they'll pull a punch in price through storage options. So they can hit the lower tier but also still appeal to people who just like the body style/Touch ID but need extra space as well.

 

[rui no onna]

I'm betting it will take the 8 off the market. I'm thinking they'll pull a punch in price through storage options. So they can hit the lower tier but also still appeal to people who just like the body style/Touch ID but need extra space as well.

I'm sure this will replace the iPhone 8 in the line up. You're probably right about storage. They might go for 32GB/128GB tiers here same as the basic iPad.

 

[aakshey]

I'm sure this will replace the iPhone 8 in the line up. You're probably right about storage. They might go for 32GB/128GB tiers here same as the basic iPad.

Very likely it would be 64 and 128 GB.

 

[rui no onna]

Very likely it would be 64 and 128 GB.

Depends on pricing. 64GB, I expect they'll stick to $449 base.

I think @Septembersrain is correct that we might see 32GB just so Apple can hit a lower $399 entry price point with the 128GB option remaining at $499.

 

[bobsamm]

Very likely it would be 64 and 128 GB.

They won't do 64 and 128. 32 and 128 or 64 and 256.