Will Apple update the SE?

[Danoc]

What's sure is that Apple won't abandon the small smartphone market. They are the worldwide leader by far.

What's unsure is if it will be in the form of an iPhone SE 2, an iPhone 7S mini/8 mini, or a smaller iPhone 8.

For example, and the timing is perfect, the iPhone SE may have a 2 year lifespan. In two year from its release, it will be the year of the iPhone 8 which might get a redesign with an overall smaller footprint. Ideal time to discontinue the SE by then pleasing everybody with a new - equivalently small - design.

Another guess is that Apple is now looking for two iPhone events per year. One in Spring for the SE, which by way conveniantly brings more sales during spring/summer which is low in update for Apple and does not please the stock market, one in September for the usual cycle. Note that a new iPhone SE in Spring 2017 would coincide ideally with the "anniversary edition" that some people are expected. I personnally have no opinion about it. I am not a big fan of anniversary products that dilute the lineup - if anniversay means one time product.

 

[sdwaltz]

What I hope they do is release it next September with all features of the iPhone 8 (whatever they are) and the exact same form factor. A 4", 4.7", and 5.5" with the same feature set and form factor would be excellent.

 

[mattopotamus]

I think they will definitely update the SE. I think they were caught completely off guard by the market for a smaller phone. So many people, myself included, still like 4" phones. It is perfect IMO. I also hope they keep the design...maybe bring back the iPhone 4/4S design

With that said, I think it will be on a 2 year cycle. It is probably the fastest iPhone I have owned to date. The only things it lacks is a high resolution screen and 3D touch. I can see the new iPhone in the fall next year and the new SEs in the spring of 2018.

 

[bodonnell202]

What's sure is that Apple won't abandon the small smartphone market. They are the worldwide leader by far.

What's unsure is if it will be in the form of an iPhone SE 2, an iPhone 7S mini/8 mini, or a smaller iPhone 8.

For example, and the timing is perfect, the iPhone SE may have a 2 year lifespan. In two year from its release, it will be the year of the iPhone 8 which might get a redesign with an overall smaller footprint. Ideal time to discontinue the SE by then pleasing everybody with a new - equivalently small - design.

Another guess is that Apple is now looking for two iPhone events per year. One in Spring for the SE, which by way conveniantly brings more sales during spring/summer which is low in update for Apple and does not please the stock market, one in September for the usual cycle. Note that a new iPhone SE in Spring 2017 would coincide ideally with the "anniversary edition" that some people are expected. I personnally have no opinion about it. I am not a big fan of anniversary products that dilute the lineup - if anniversay means one time product.

Yes I agree that the SE probably won't be the last small (i.e. 4ish inch) iPhone. I doubt that there will be a replacement for it in spring 2017 though as Apple put in the A9 processor and updated camera so it would age better in the lineup. I can see either a new 4ish inch phone (possibly a screen larger than 4 inches but with smaller bezels) in fall 2017 (but in this case it would be priced as a flagship model in which case the SE may stick around a bit longer as the entry level option) or an updated SE in spring 2018 in a similar form factor (i.e. it would be mostly an upgrade to the internals again) and which would replace the SE as the entry level option.

 

[mattopotamus]

Yes I agree that the SE probably won't be the last small (i.e. 4ish inch) iPhone. I doubt that there will be a replacement for it in spring 2017 though as Apple put in the A9 processor and updated camera so it would age better in the lineup. I can see either a new 4ish inch phone (possibly a screen larger than 4 inches but with smaller bezels) in fall 2017 (but in this case it would be priced as a flagship model in which case the SE may stick around a bit longer as the entry level option) or an updated SE in spring 2018 in a similar form factor (i.e. it would be mostly an upgrade to the internals again) and which would replace the SE as the entry level option.

and they gave the SE 2GB of RAM, which will make it last a long long time. I agree with you about price. The next SE will probably carry a semi flagship price. I'm thinking $100 cheaper than the 4.7" phone: SE $549, iPhone $649, Plus $749

 

[explodinghands]

I went from a iPhone 5 to an iPhone 6 2 years ago and I regret the decision going up in size every day since the upgrade. Now that my 2 year contract is over, I'm ready to get rid of my 6 and back into the 4" form factor. I dislike the 7, so I'm not going to get that and I'm glad that the SE got the same A9 chip and rear camera as the 6S, so that is already a better phone than what I have already.

My question is, since the SE was released back in March 2016, should I hang on to my iPhone 6 for another 6 months and see if Apple releases an SE 2 in Spring 2017? I can see it both ways for them to continue updating that phone or leaving it be. Looks like their top sellers are going to be the 4.7 or 5.5 inch form factors, and the 4" line will get updated less frequently if at all. Do you guys think that Apple will give the next SE (SE2?) the A10 fusion chip, touch ID 2 or haptic touch with the removal of the headphone jack, 3D touch? Or do you think Apple will not update the SE and leave it the way it is since it's a very good phone already and not trickle any iphone 7 features down to the 4" model to further separate their entry and premium offerings? Thanks.

Wishlist is 3D touch, touch ID 2 or haptic engine, water resistant in the SE form factor. Don't care much about the cameras.

 

[VertPin]

I don't think we are going to get an SE2.

 

[bufffilm]

The latter...nothing announced regarding a SE2 and nothing planned for 2017.

If you like the SE...buy one.

 

[bodonnell202]

Highly unlikely that there will be a new 4" iPhone in the spring. Maybe fall 2017, but that is a big maybe... All in all the SE is a pretty up to date phone, especially for that price. If you want to go back to a smaller phone I suspect the SE is going to be the best you can get for a while...

 

[DMVillain]

For as unpopular as I think an SE2 would be, there sure are a lot of threads on it. I've seen a new one every day!

 

[bodonnell202]

For as unpopular as I think an SE2 would be, there sure are a lot of threads on it. I've seen a new one every day!

I don't know that it would be unpopular, but probably not popular enough for an annual update. A two year update cycle probably makes sense though so the 4-inch fans/hold-outs can upgrade their phone every 2 years...
And yes the question is asked a lot on MR forums...

 

[Tthomas612]

For as unpopular as I think an SE2 would be, there sure are a lot of threads on it. I've seen a new one every day!

I can't see how an se2 would be unpopular. The first SE WAS wildly and unexpectedly popular.

However people who have bought any iPhone se are most likely not people who are not really looking for a yearly upgrade. For the most part.

I had an se for about 5 months, I did however go back to my 6s Plus. I'm the type that upgrades yearly though ... besides this year I WILL NOT buy the 6SS

 

[Justim]

Highly unlikely that there will be a new 4" iPhone in the spring. Maybe fall 2017, but that is a big maybe... All in all the SE is a pretty up to date phone, especially for that price. If you want to go back to a smaller phone I suspect the SE is going to be the best you can get for a while...

I'd expect the same year or longer upgrade cycle for the SE, except every iPhone Apple has launched this year has had extraordinarily delayed shipping dates. I remember when I purchased my grandmother's SE, it was at least 3 weeks. I live out of town and had to just keep swinging by the Apple Store to check the stock. Eventually she got an SE, just not the one she wanted.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

It's not SE anymore if there's another SE. Unless they discountinue the first SE.

 

[Mrbobb]

Did they do an update after the 5s? That's probably your answer.

 

[Justim]

It's not SE anymore if there's another SE. Unless they discountinue the first SE.

Oh god. You just put The Wiggles "A sailor went to sea" in my head.

 

[Andres Cantu]

The SE is running on the A9 chip. If it was updated, it would match the 7. No way that'll happen.

If anything, Apple might release something in the Fall of 2017, possibly Spring 2018.

 

[lordofthereef]

If anything I'd expect a refresh when the next iPhone launches (as in a year from now). I think the SE was a test product to see what sells. If it does well enough they'll give us three screen sizes next go around.

 

[Ceviche Lover]

I'm going to say yes they will upgrade it, they need to keep Wall Street happy with some phone sales once the IP7 sales start slowing down around that time.

 

[the8thark]

there are just some who plain love the size (I don't understand this, but I respect and acknowledge their personal preference).

What's not to love? It's the only proper phone sized device that Apple are selling. The 7/7+ is just a tablet that can also happen to make phone calls.

I am looking to get a SE2. To replace my 5. But due to unforseen circumstances I might just have to bite the bullet and get a SE now. Not cheap in Australia but it is exactly what I need in a phone. Am a little cut that there is no 32GB version though. 16 is not enough. 64 is too much.

 

[Mrbobb]

With a 32G, u will be getting 25 usable if that matters.

 

[normanfox]

i wish they would release it with 3D touch, to increase adoption.

SE has no space for taptic engine, unless you want to sacrifice battery life by reducing battery size to make space.

 

[rainafterthesun]

What's not to love? It's the only proper phone sized device that Apple are selling. The 7/7+ is just a tablet that can also happen to make phone calls.

I am looking to get a SE2. To replace my 5. But due to unforseen circumstances I might just have to bite the bullet and get a SE now. Not cheap in Australia but it is exactly what I need in a phone. Am a little cut that there is no 32GB version though. 16 is not enough. 64 is too much.

For me, no thanks.

7/7+ isn't a tablet size...the mini 4 as a phone would be.

It depends on what you do with your phone. For me, it essentially acts as a computer when I don't have mine in front of me. I've been editing photos on my phone since the 3 (back when Flickr made you send your photos via email because there wasn't an option to tap into the photo library via safari and I believe they haven't made an app yet, not that I use apps much if they are website based).

I use mine to pull up excel sheets (again way back when, 2007) that clients send me via attachement in my email, to cross reference and fulfill orders.

I also use mine to play games (huge fan of all the silly ones, clashes of clan included).

I draw the line at watching my shows though, and that's what my iPad is for. I've probably spent 2 grand easily over the last few years in iBooks.

If you do all that on a small screen like the 5 or SE; kudos. if you don't, and that's why having a SE is good for you, good for you.

Folks who do more and like the real estate to go with it wouldn't love SE.

 

[Mrbobb]

Suffice to say, it's good to have choices.

 

[got556]

What if the SE update will be the new Steve Job's 10th Anniv. Edition? Steve was a fan of small phones. I could see it happening. But who knows. Would love for them to do a maxed out (no leaving out any specs this time) SE2 or SES or whatever. 3GB Ram, A10X or A11, dual cams, 1080p screen or QHD OLED (depending on what they put in the 8), etc and maybe 4.3" instead of 4". The SE could then stand for Steve Edition.