iPhone SE (2016) Would anyone still buy the SE?

[blairh]

I used the SE for a few months last year. I absolutely love how small the phone is overall. However at this point a 4" screen is simply too small for me.

My mom still uses a flip phone and if there ever comes a day where she'd want an iPhone, I think it would be perfect for her.

Otherwise I hope Apple simply expands the screen on the SE to get it to say 5" and ditches the home button. I would consider such a device for myself.

 

[1rottenapple]

Lunch mom’s 5s which is like 4-5 yes old is slowly going down. The screen is starting f to have light coming though. A used se would be awesome for her.

 

[HarryWild]

I already have the SE and the X, so it would have to be a better SE for me to buy a new one. A better screen resolution to at least full HD quality or Apple term "Super Retina" iPhone would get me to buy the SE2!

 

[MrAperture]

I just picked up a cheap, used iPhone SE 16GB unlocked and I really like the form factor. I like that it's way lighter than my X and doesn't take up space in my pants pockets. If Apple released one with an upgraded screen and internals and camera I'd get rid of my X.

 

[actcyclist]

To answer the original question of this thread...

Because there is no iPhone SE2 available yet. We're halfway through March and despite a few rumours of an updated iPhone SE, nothing has been announced and I don't think we've had sufficient rumours to indicate an imminent release.

So the reason you'd buy a SE now is because it's the only small, light iPhone Apple deigns to make.

 

[nburwell]

I already have the SE and the X, so it would have to be a better SE for me to buy a new one. A better screen resolution to at least full HD quality or Apple term "Super Retina" iPhone would get me to buy the SE2!

I too have the SE as a back up to my X and absolutely love the form factor. I generally pop out the SIM from my X and use my SE for a few days just for the kick of it. It definitely is one of my favorite iPhone models.

 

[Freddy Fruitfly]

Why not?

I bought (and still use) the 5s a few weeks before the SE was introduced. I wouldn't mind buying the SE now, unless in a few weeks they yet introduce the SE 2.
[doublepost=1520975309][/doublepost]I still keep wondering why people downgrade straight to the SE model coming from a Plus, instead of going to a regular 6/6s/7/8.

 

[MartyvH]

Would anyone still buy the current SE after the latest rumors of no new iPhones until second half of 2018?

Good question. But they would if they didn't already have an SE and they saw the sizes of those new models:



But that question is also why I bought an SE much sooner. My advice now is to sit tight but know that a successor will be a lot more pricey. The SE is now at the bottom end of the market. It is a very good phone for the small price. If you're desperate for a phone, you can't lose.

Apple may or may not drop a pricey successor - sometime this year... - in addition to those other 3 notchy models at the traditional iPhone end of the market.

 

[Mackie924]

I dig the SE even though it's much too small for me, personally. It still packs a punch!

 

[Reno Raines]

To me the SE is the little engine that could. With 2g ‘s of RAM and the A9 processor it just does not stop. I use it more than my iPhone 8. It really is easier for me at work to use one handed. Also I love the 3.5mm headphone jack as I use it to listen to music in my car. Plus when I drop it on the ground I don’t freak out nearly as much as if it were a more expensive phone. I have not noticed any real slowdown on iOS 11 either. It is really an amazing phone for its’ price.

 

[44267547]

I just picked up a cheap, used iPhone SE 16GB unlocked and I really like the form factor. I like that it's way lighter than my X and doesn't take up space in my pants pockets. If Apple released one with an upgraded screen and internals and camera I'd get rid of my X.

You basically narrowed down what the iPhone SE only really needs. And upgraded processor, a better, higher resolution display and Camera improvements. If Apple retained the form factor along with those three considerations would make it a seller. I will say if Apple does update the SE and the casing is slightly tweaked, it probably would not retain the 3.5 mm Jack. But either way, it’s about a smaller form factor iPhone that is comfortable and doesn’t need to have all the latest features for somebody to appreciate it.

 

[honglong1976]

You basically narrowed down what the iPhone SE only really needs. And upgraded processor, a better, higher resolution display and Camera improvements. If Apple retained the form factor along with those three considerations would make it a seller. I will say if Apple does update the SE and the casing is slightly tweaked, it probably would not retain the 3.5 mm Jack. But either way, it’s about a smaller form factor iPhone that is comfortable and doesn’t need to have all the latest features for somebody to appreciate it.

Form factor, perfect! Power, camera, parts shared with the iPhone 6S. I traded my 5S for one at the weekend and it's a decent phone/spec for the money.

 

[Royksöpp]

I love my 6s and if I were to lose it or break it I would buy an SE in a heartbeat and stick with that for as long as possible. At this point I have zero need for a new phone, the current lineup offers nothing that's worthy of their overblown prices.

 

[dcpmark]

You basically narrowed down what the iPhone SE only really needs. And upgraded processor, a better, higher resolution display and Camera improvements. If Apple retained the form factor along with those three considerations would make it a seller. I will say if Apple does update the SE and the casing is slightly tweaked, it probably would not retain the 3.5 mm Jack. But either way, it’s about a smaller form factor iPhone that is comfortable and doesn’t need to have all the latest features for somebody to appreciate it.

Although I don’t use the jack, I truly hope any SE updates do not adopt the “thinner is better” theory. One thing I LOVE about the SE is the squared sides. It is so much more comfortable to hold than any of the thinner models. I know that I’m in the minority, but as someone who still uses his cell phone for phone calls, I really appreciate how easy it is to hold for extended periods of time.
[doublepost=1521040698][/doublepost]

I love my 6s and if I were to lose it or break it I would buy an SE in a heartbeat and stick with that for as long as possible. At this point I have zero need for a new phone, the current lineup offers nothing that's worthy of their overblown prices.

Couldn’t wait to get rid of my 6 for the SE.

 

[Juicy Box]

I still keep wondering why people downgrade straight to the SE model coming from a Plus, instead of going to a regular 6/6s/7/8

There are a few good reasons that I can think of, but here is a big one:

One thing I LOVE about the SE is the squared sides.

I also love having the squared edges back when I went to a SE. A mix of the rounded edges and the size of the Plus model, caused my iPhone 6s Plus to pop out of my handgrip many times.

 

[44267547]

Although I don’t use the jack, I truly hope any SE updates do not adopt the “thinner is better” theory. One thing I LOVE about the SE is the squared sides. It is so much more comfortable to hold than any of the thinner models. I know that I’m in the minority, but as someone who still uses his cell phone for phone calls, I really appreciate how easy it is to hold for extended periods of time.

Valid points. And I agree with what you’re saying, the only thing I want to say about the squared edges is sometimes they feel rather sharp in the hand and not as refined or smooth as the rounded edges as the iPhone 6/6s/7 chassis. But the smaller factor is key to
The size of the SE. That said, I’m hoping we have an announcement here shortly for a spring Keynote and the SE will be part of it.

 

[EightyTwenty]

Otherwise I hope Apple simply expands the screen on the SE to get it to say 5" and ditches the home button. I would consider such a device for myself.

They already did that... it’s called the 6s.

The whole point of the SE is the smaller screen size. That’s literally the only reason it exists.

4.2” (the rumour for the SE 2) would be perfect. Anything beyond that is pointless and redundant. You can just get a 6s, 7, or 8.

 

[dumastudetto]

I love my 6s and if I were to lose it or break it I would buy an SE in a heartbeat and stick with that for as long as possible. At this point I have zero need for a new phone, the current lineup offers nothing that's worthy of their overblown prices.

iPhone X is where your money should be going now. It is the future of iPhone.

 

[dcpmark]

Valid points. And I agree with what you’re saying, the only thing I want to say about the squared edges is sometimes they feel rather sharp in the hand and not as refined or smooth as the rounded edges as the iPhone 6/6s/7 chassis. But the smaller factor is key to
The size of the SE. That said, I’m hoping we have an announcement here shortly for a spring Keynote and the SE will be part of it.

Yeah, totally agree on the SE edges....I would not want to keep it naked. I keep mine in the perfect Seidio Surface case that rounds the edges but keeps it square.

 

[blairh]

They already did that... it’s called the 6s.

The whole point of the SE is the smaller screen size. That’s literally the only reason it exists.

4.2” (the rumour for the SE 2) would be perfect. Anything beyond that is pointless and redundant. You can just get a 6s, 7, or 8.

Yeah, no. The 4.7" iPhone's are larger phones. An SE with a 5" screen would be perfect. Most people could still reach every corner on such a device as you can now with a 4" screen on the SE. Apple will never make a 4.2" SE. If they do refresh the SE it will either be another spec update or they will ditch the bezels, adopt Face ID, and make the entire phone a screen like the X.

 

[JPack]

Let's be realistic. If Apple updates the SE, it will be a 4.7" variant of the iPhone 6s .

These fantasies about Apple creating 4.2" or 5" are never going to happen. The SE exists because it uses mature production tooling and hardware that allow for a low cost device. An SE2 won't be born using a new form factor.

Wistron has just been given the green light to build a second assembly plant in India. The intent for the plant is to build iPhone 6s. Wistron currently assembles the iPhone SE. Do you think Apple needs a third company building iPhone 6s when Foxconn and Pegatron already do so? The writing on the wall is about as clear as it gets.

Reuters: Apple supplier Wistron nears land deal in India: sources

 

[HarryWild]

Let's be realistic. If Apple updates the SE, it will be a 4.7" variant of the iPhone 6s .

These fantasies about Apple creating 4.2" or 5" are never going to happen. The SE exists because it uses mature production tooling and hardware that allow for a low cost device. An SE2 won't be born using a new form factor.

Wistron has just been given the green light to build a second assembly plant in India. The intent for the plant is to build iPhone 6s. Wistron currently assembles the iPhone SE. Do you think Apple needs a third company building iPhone 6s when Foxconn and Pegatron already do so? The writing on the wall is about as clear as it gets.

Reuters: Apple supplier Wistron nears land deal in India: sources

You are now a disinformation spreader, so there is a new SE2 on the way after all!

 

[44267547]

Let's be realistic. If Apple updates the SE, it will be a 4.7" variant of the iPhone 6s .

These fantasies about Apple creating 4.2" or 5" are never going to happen. The SE exists because it uses mature production tooling and hardware that allow for a low cost device. An SE2 won't be born using a new form factor.

Wistron has just been given the green light to build a second assembly plant in India. The intent for the plant is to build iPhone 6s. Wistron currently assembles the iPhone SE. Do you think Apple needs a third company building iPhone 6s when Foxconn and Pegatron already do so? The writing on the wall is about as clear as it gets.

Reuters: Apple supplier Wistron nears land deal in India: sources

I agree there will not be any form of a 5 inch iPhone SE. Worst-case scenario will be for those who want to see the SE updated, would likely at least have the SE retained for another year if there is no SE 2. My thoughts are if the SE does not launch between now and June, it will not launch at all.

 

[JPack]

I agree there will not be any form of a 5 inch iPhone SE. Worst-case scenario will be for those who want to see the SE updated, would likely at least have the SE retained for another year if there is no SE 2. My thoughts are if the SE does not launch between now and June, it will not launch at all.

The biggest misconception people have about the SE: Apple is targeting those who want small phones.

In reality, the SE is a low-cost iPhone targeted at price sensitive consumers. Everything from the long refresh cycle to the time it was it introduced (out of cycle with the premium iPhones), assembly in India, to the aggressive pricing around the world (especially in SE Asia) tells me it's a low-cost phone.

If anyone listens to the Q3'2016 earnings conference call with Apple immediately after the launch of iPhone SE, Tim Cook says the iPhone SE strategy is working: "We added millions of first-time iPhone buyers in the first quarter." He doesn't say "we're happy to provide an upgrade path for those who want a small phone."

The strategy with SE has never been to satisfy one handed users. It's nice those users appreciate the SE. But the real strategy is to get consumers who haven't bought their first iPhone (read: India) to buy the SE.

When you look at the Apple revenue from India, it's nowhere near China. It's certainly not the next China. So it makes complete sense Apple doesn't update the SE this year. After all, it's still a very expensive phone for the majority of Indian consumers.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The biggest misconception people have about the SE: Apple is targeting those who want small phones.

In reality, the SE is a low-cost iPhone targeted at price sensitive consumers. Everything from the long refresh cycle to the time it was it introduced (out of cycle with the premium iPhones), assembly in India, to the aggressive pricing around the world (especially in SE Asia) tells me it's a low-cost phone.

If anyone listens to the Q3'2016 earnings conference call with Apple immediately after the launch of iPhone SE, Tim Cook says the iPhone SE strategy is working: "We added millions of first-time iPhone buyers in the first quarter." He doesn't say "we're happy to provide an upgrade path for those who want a small phone."

The strategy with SE has never been to satisfy one handed users. It's nice those users appreciate the SE. But the real strategy is to get consumers who haven't bought their first iPhone (read: India) to buy the SE.

When you look at the Apple revenue from India, it's nowhere near China. It's certainly not the next China. So it makes complete sense Apple doesn't update the SE this year. After all, it's still a very expensive phone for the majority of Indian consumers.

That is exactly right. Apple made this clear when it was released.