iPhone SE (2016) Why are people excited about the new iPhone SE?

[oVerboost]

Jon Prosser said the new SE will have the same camera as the XR.

I'm pretty sure it will have the 11 main lens camera, this phone has to stay in the market and compete for at least a few years, meanwhile other phones with updated cameras would therefor make it a bad option for people wanting a cheap phone with a good camera, and push sales away. Plus there is no reason to put the A13 into a device if it's going to run an old camera setup, makes no sense at all really, same as increasing the RAM. If that was the case, they'd just put in the A12 and reduce the build cost further. If it does have the XR camera, a lot of people are going to be disappointed.

Original SE had the latest camera, can't see Apple trying to explain themselves out of why this new device has an old camera that is already bettered by the likes of the Pixel A models etc.

Always beating a dead horse with these threads.

The SE always stood for "special edition". It just so happened that the "special edition" form factor at the time was the 4" 5S body. Apple had a lot of them still in supply, similar to the 4.7" iPhone 8 shells today.

While a lot of people, myself included, appreciated the 4" form factor it was never meant to be advertised as a small phone. It was always the budget, entry level iPhone. That is why they will most likely use the SE name again.

It will probably take the crown for the best selling iPhone out of the current ones offered. For potentially $399 people can have the latest chip, a good camera, and updates for 4+ years.

I've said the same thing many times, but people don't listen. They mentioned size in the keynote for the original SE because it was a selling tactic, make it sound like they were really listening to what people wanted when in reality it was to offer another device in the market at a different price point. Besides, the current market is a different one to back then. The "big" phone was the 6 Plus, now we have the Pro Max. In comparison, the 8 form is the same difference to that device as the SE was to the 6 Plus.

I have an SE myself, it's still a fantastic phone. But to make a larger display on a small device, that already has limited internal space (none) with an updated camera and a larger battery - it's simply not an option. Closest we will get to that is the 5.4" model due later this year which will effectively be a shrunken down regular 12 but expect it to be a little thicker (which the return to a square design will help with) to fit in the largest battery possible, otherwise it will be a media flop if it has poor battery life in todays tech world.

 

[BigDO]

The more I think about this, the more I realize that this is going to be a hugely compelling phone.

 

[mattopotamus]

The more I think about this, the more I realize that this is going to be a hugely compelling phone.

Absolutely. I have an X and am considering jumping to this phone. I prefer touchID to faceID, and I get a chip that is two years newer. Camera isn't overly important to me.

 

[snipr125]

Even if the SE2 comes with the XR camera lens i would not be disappointed, as its more about the computational photography image quality from the A13 bionic, not so much the actual camera hardware itself.

 

[ericwn]

Wonder how long my SE will last, hardware wise. Then, when will Apple support for the SE last?

guess I’m going to find out. I wonder if I get an iPad Pro with cell service if I can go without a phone? My watch has cell, so I may go without a phone once this one bites it.

It’s time the watch app comes to iPadOS as well. Same thoughts here - although the occasional photo snapshot will be more tricky with an iPad.

 

[Apple_Robert]

It’s time the watch app comes to iPadOS as well. Same thoughts here - although the occasional photo snapshot will be more tricky with an iPad.

I too would like to be able to have the watch app on my iPad mini 5. It gets more use then my SE.

 

[Bandaman]

Probably because it's a cheap iPhone.

 

[sracer]

It’s not even the same size as the original SE. It’s 4.7” instead of 4.0”. To me it seems more like a rebranded iPhone 8 with a better processor and camera. If it were in the original body of the SE instead of the iPhone 8 then that would be another story.

That's pretty much what it is. And I think that those who are excited about the SE2 are, for the most part, NOT the same people who were excited about the original SE. I was a big fan of the original SE (and still am)... but I have zero interest in the SE2.

Fans of the original SE were drawn to it for different reasons...

1. Screen size
2. Price
3. battle-tested form-factor

Some for one reason or another, or maybe all of them. The only thing going for the SE2 is the price.

 

[oVerboost]

That's pretty much what it is. And I think that those who are excited about the SE2 are, for the most part, NOT the same people who were excited about the original SE. I was a big fan of the original SE (and still am)... but I have zero interest in the SE2.

Fans of the original SE were drawn to it for different reasons...

1. Screen size
2. Price
3. battle-tested form-factor

Some for one reason or another, or maybe all of them. The only thing going for the SE2 is the price.

The 6/7/8 form factor is pretty much a durable device, old phones are still holding up in great condition considering their age.

Price is great, and the difference between the original SE and Apples largest phone then, the 6 Plus, is the same difference as the 8 form factor and the Pro Max.

SE is special edition, meaning latest tech in an older chassis.

5.4” iPhone due later this year will be smaller, but they aren’t going to make a new chassis for a budget device when they have one already to go. The 5/SE chassis is not made any more and would not be capable of running an updated camera module, the other internal tech and a battery large enough to make it a usable device.

People with 100% SE’s struggle to get through a full day as it is, let alone with other stuff consuming power, and a screen redesign when they can use the screens they already have ready.

And I loved the SE, I have a nearly new one in my hand now. My favourite phone, but i can just as easily adapt to a slightly larger profile of device. I know others can’t, but hopefully the upcoming small iPhone will be adequate.

 

[Allyance]

Absolutely. I have an X and am considering jumping to this phone. I prefer touchID to faceID, and I get a chip that is two years newer. Camera isn't overly important to me.

I have an X and am happy with it. What's the big gripe with FaceID, I had more problems with Touch ID, only time it doesn't work is when I have my full face helmet on! I really like the way it works with Apps for authorization.

 

[throAU]

I could understand there being some excitement if there was some design change e.g. full screen on a budget phone. But from what I’ve seen so far it just looks like a step back, design wise anyway.

Not everybody is buying a new phone because they want new features, etc.

Some people (e.g., me for example) just want a replacement that still makes calls, runs FaceTime, iMessage, mail, a browser, will support their watch and has a new battery and continued apple support.

X megapixel cameras, etc.? Couldn't care less. My phone exists pretty much entirely to support my Apple Watch and provide voice calls at this point.

 

[barondebxl]

My friend is getting SE 2 for two reasons:

1) Prefers smaller form factor (He uses iPhone X right now)
2) He hates Face ID and misses Touch ID

He can get an iPhone 8 now

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

I'm not. I wanted a 4". If I wanted a 4.7", I'd just buy the iPhone 8.

That's dumb. Why would you want a phone 2.5 year old silicon for roughly the same price (or less... presumably) than the new SE? 8 will probably only wee 2 more years of major (yearly) iOS releases.

 

[Freida]

because some are fed up with the trend of hiking prices and little benefit. Updated iPhone 8 with latest specs for good price = winner product

It’s not even the same size as the original SE. It’s 4.7” instead of 4.0”. To me it seems more like a rebranded iPhone 8 with a better processor and camera. If it were in the original body of the SE instead of the iPhone 8 then that would be another story.

[automerge]1586837822[/automerge]

He can get an iPhone 8 now

Why t duck would you get 8 when you can get latest chip etc in 9/SE?

 

[dj1891]

It might be a ‘boring’ and outdated design but it is reliable, solid and highly functional. For just £399 one will essentially be getting the fastest phone in the world. It will be perfect right now in the poor global economic climate, where people will be looking for the best ‘bang for buck’. In the UK you could get the iphone SE2 and a 2018 ipad pro 11 for the price of a single iphone 11 pro!

Sorry to burst your bubble but this is the UK, Apple likes to bum **** us, it'll be nearer £479

 

[snipr125]

Sorry to burst your bubble but this is the UK, Apple likes to bum **** us, it'll be nearer £479

Haha yes Dj1891, they do indeed, but at least we can get slightly cheaper prices on amazon. I doubt it will be £479 though, that would take the p&@s completely. Hopefully it’ll be between £399 to £430 for the base 64gb model.

 

[oVerboost]

Haha yes Dj1891, they do indeed, but at least we can get slightly cheaper prices on amazon. I doubt it will be £479 though, that would take the p&@s completely. Hopefully it’ll be between £399 to £430 for the base 64gb model.

Amazon won’t be selling it any cheaper at launch, they don’t sell any brand new iPhone cheaper than what Apple sell it for.

 

[1rottenapple]

It’s not even the same size as the original SE. It’s 4.7” instead of 4.0”. To me it seems more like a rebranded iPhone 8 with a better processor and camera. If it were in the original body of the SE instead of the iPhone 8 then that would be another story.

I know people want an se because they want a small phone but I don’t think a devices that is the same size as a regular iPhone from 3-4 yrs ago seems counterintuitive. People like the se cause it’s small and cheap. While I’m sure Apple will sell a bunch and they’re probably going to keep this model for a good 2-3 yrs before the next redesign so they’ll maximize their investment. But it doesn’t feel special to me. It would have been better to offer the se as a 4.0 model. Heck even having the same design but new internals and camera would have been better.

 

[oVerboost]

I know people want an se because they want a small phone but I don’t think a devices that is the same size as a regular iPhone from 3-4 yrs ago seems counterintuitive. People like the se cause it’s small and cheap. While I’m sure Apple will sell a bunch and they’re probably going to keep this model for a good 2-3 yrs before the next redesign so they’ll maximize their investment. But it doesn’t feel special to me. It would have been better to offer the se as a 4.0 model. Heck even having the same design but new internals and camera would have been better.

There’s zero room for new internals. I’ve got a brand new original SE, 100% battery health and it doesn’t last the day when being used. If Apple sold a device with crap battery life they’d be the laughing stock of the industry. There’s no room inside an SE for updated internals without then making the battery even smaller!

 

[The Game 161]

Haha yes Dj1891, they do indeed, but at least we can get slightly cheaper prices on amazon. I doubt it will be £479 though, that would take the p&@s completely. Hopefully it’ll be between £399 to £430 for the base 64gb model.

Well yeah they said £399 or around that....£479 will be a bit high for what it is if it’s a starting price.

 

[ruka.snow]

I am only interested in the SE if it is a small phone. If it is iPhone 6/7/8 sized and weight then it is far to big and heavy for my fiancé.

 

[oVerboost]

I am only interested in the SE if it is a small phone. If it is iPhone 6/7/8 sized and weight then it is far to big and heavy for my fiancé.

The 6 is not heavy, at all. Bigger yes.

112 grams vs 129 grams. The design gives the feeling of it being lighter than it is.

Either way, your fiancé won’t be getting a new phone anytime soon. Can still get new SE’s on eBay and from third party companies, or wait and get the 5.4” phone later this year but that will be heavier and a lot more expensive.

 

[mattopotamus]

I have an X and am happy with it. What's the big gripe with FaceID, I had more problems with Touch ID, only time it doesn't work is when I have my full face helmet on! I really like the way it works with Apps for authorization.

my biggest complaint is laying down in bed and wanting to quickly look at my phone. Also when pulling my phone out of my pocket, with touchID it’s unlocked by time I look at it. I just prefer the speed of touchID. I have to enter my password more often because of faceid looking for my face when it doesn’t need to.

 

[44267547]

I have an X and am happy with it. What's the big gripe with FaceID, I had more problems with Touch ID, only time it doesn't work is when I have my full face helmet on! I really like the way it works with Apps for authorization.

I guess one could ask you.. ‘What’s the big gripe with touch ID’ that you have? What it comes down to, is strictly personal preference, because they’re totally two different types of biometric security. Touch ID has its advantages, just like face ID has its disadvantages {or} vice versa. It really is a preference option, but they both execute the same type of security, but with Face ID being more secure. It just depends on the success rate of unlocking that somebody is frustrated with from my standpoint.

I enjoy both forms, but they both have conflicting successes/failures.

 

[azentropy]

The 6 is not heavy, at all. Bigger yes.

112 grams vs 129 grams. The design gives the feeling of it being lighter than it is.

Either way, your fiancé won’t be getting a new phone anytime soon. Can still get new SE’s on eBay and from third party companies, or wait and get the 5.4” phone later this year but that will be heavier and a lot more expensive.

Right, there was actually a bigger difference in weight and overall volume between the 6/6s/7/8 and the X/Xs/11 Pro then there was between the 5s/SE and the 6! But since they "look" more similar most people don't realize that.