Not even close.
The small userbase of SE devices suggests that it couldn’t even attract 5 and 5s owners to upgrade.
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iPhone SE (2016) Would anyone still buy the SE?
- Thread starter Mokiwi
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Not even close.
The small userbase of SE devices suggests that it couldn’t even attract 5 and 5s owners to upgrade.
When you factor in the iPhone and what consumers would likely choose today, it wouldn’t be a four-inch display. Many smart phone manufacturers have moved away from small displays because of all the technology they can place into a larger phone with OLED displays, bigger battery with enhanced camera capabilities. The main significance Apple offering the iPhone SE is because it’s a global phone that’s affordable enough for a lot of countries where other iPhones are too expensive. I actually give Apple credit for even offering a four-inch iPhone, when in all likeliness, they didn’t have to.
The problem is adoption rate. SE is 3%. Hardly any consumers are buying SE.
The SE is clearly a better phone than any of its 4" or 3.5" predecessors. Yet, those users are not upgrading to SE.
Compare that with the adoption rate of iPhone 6 (21%) vs. 6s (18%). Even though the 6 and 6s are very similar in features, consumers are upgrading.
Whatever the reason, the SE simply isn't a popular phone and the form factor is becoming less attractive with each passing day.
The only problem with that is I feel it defeats the original selling point of the SE. I know quite a few people with the SE and price isn’t the driving factor for their choice. The common reason I’ve seen is they own it because of its size purely.
If Apple make it the same size as a standard iPhone but with a more budget spec, I think there would be no point in its existence. People might as well just buy an iPhone 7 or 8. My wife had the SE because the iPhone 6 she has was too big and I’ve heard that reason a lot from owners.
It’s big enough to make a difference to some people. My wife had an iPhone 6 at launch and hated it every day for 24 months. As soon as her contract was up she got an SE and is adamant she wouldn’t go bigger as long as the SE is available. If you’ve got small hands and a small figure then carrying a large smartphone in your pocket is a pain in the arse. My standard size iPhone 6S is as big as I want to go as to me as soon as a device becomes uncomfortable to carry around, it ceases being useful.
This is why a Plus model has never ever been a consideration for me.
For some reason, I was under the impression Plus sized phones were more widely used over their regular sized models.
Anyway, more SE rumours!...
There are a lot of false and click bait SE 2 rumors that are not likely accurate at all. They are just renderings or fan art of what somebody wants to see. In my opinion, it’s fairly confirmed there won’t be an SE 2 refresh with this educational Keynote on March 27, which will focus on any hardware likely being an iPad or MacBook.
I don’t think Apple will announce an iPhone SE 2 during WWDC in June and certainly not in the fall along side three new iPhones that are to debut. I would say the chances are very glib at this point now.
I’ve heard that claimed a few times and I suppose it all depends on the market in whatever region. From my observations where I live and from travelling I have to say the standard size iPhone by far outnumber Plus models. I know a lot of sales people use Pluses due to the extra screen for productivity on the go. They just seem a lot rarer though to me.
Swipe typing using Gboard takes good care of that on my SE. My typing error rate is about the same it was on my bigger phones. In fact the smaller keyboard is an advantage with swipe typing. I have to be dainty with individual characters but it's quite alright.
Holy crap! That must be something that’s changed with 3rd party keyboards. I remember when the first came out it would default to the Apple keyboard if the phone was locked. That’s why I went away from them because I like answering texts from the lock screen.
The regular 6/7/8 body needs an update. We know it has by far the largest userbase. But the physical look does not compete with other phones in 2018.
Why not merge the two together? I strongly believe a slicker, slim bezel 4.7" iPhone will satisfy that extremely large audience as well as SE fans. The SE body can very easily fit a screen that size if it's in the iPhone X style. That kind of body would seal the deal for Apple by fitting right in with the 2018 models.
A cooler version of the iPhone that the most people love and it's like a new SE. I can see it being a big hit.
I’d agree with that. Unfortunately the rumors so far don’t point in that direction. We’ll see though.
It doesn't make financial sense for Apple to continue pouring money into the SE. While some here may love the phone and want it upgraded, the sales numbers for the SE are not good.
If SE users want a bigger iPhone why wouldn’t they buy an iPhone 7 or 8? The unique selling point of the SE has always been it’s smaller size and I think too many people assume it’s customers only buy it because it’s cheaper.
I am not suggesting pouring more money into the SE. This would be a new version of the standard iPhone. A successor to the 8.
They would not if they don't want a bigger phone. It is those bigger models that need updating and it would be very sensible to update them. It would be a successor to the 7 and 8. Those models can't hang around forever. It could also approximately fit into the SE form factor as a consequence of adopting the iPhone X style, which Apple would be happy with.
Just switched from the X to the SE today. A bit of a shock coming from the most high end iPhone, but the one handed experience is just a pleasure. Battery is just ok so far but it's the first charge.