Apple Announces New 4-Inch iPhone SE Starting at $399

[macduke]

Maybe it's less profit margin in favor of higher volume. Maybe it's a way to create a gateway device for bigger/better iPhones. There's a pretty decent profit margin on the iPhone, no? And I imagine 4" screens aren't in nearly as high demand... so I am sure that's also one area they are saving money. As is the lower spec'd front camera.

Didn't realize the front camera wasn't upgraded since they upgraded to the selfie flash. As for gateway devices…

No, I'm not worried in the least. As I posited in another post, I think this device is design for buyers on the fringe of Apple's consumer base: people that demand the legacy form factor, people that are low-turnover buyers (non-annual upgraders, which don't tend to be tech or spec addicts) and people are a deal hunters.

I would wager that very little R&D had to be done in developing the components to the form factor, so this is intended to be a moderate volume design that's intended to target the above groups, and possibly to grow the iOS install base among those still using feature phones.

Your reply is similar to the guy above about it being a gateway type device. I wonder how well that will work out for them. I work at a university and know for a fact that many of my student interns would leap at what is essentially flagship features and performance for $250 less, even if it is smaller. Why? Because money. Many women also want a smaller phone because hands. My wife will be getting this phone. Many of her friends have been holding out for a new 4" model using old iPhone 5 and 5s models. My boss only recently gave up on the 4" model a couple months ago and got the 6s. 35% of iPhone users still have a 4" or smaller device, so that's a lot of users who would consider it.

Another important thing to consider is that enterprise will likely go the route of the cheaper phone when offering them to employees. I mean what business wouldn't pass up an iPhone that has performance to easily last 3 years, maybe even 4, for only $399? Heck, even I'm considering going down to the 4" size again. I kind of miss it, lol. As I said before, I just have my doubts that they will upgrade it yearly, so it probably doesn't make much sense to switch to it for me personally on the iPhone Upgrade Plan. It also won't get the fancy new features, like dual-camera systems and such. Eventually the bezels will be reduced on my 4.7" model (hopefully they stick with something around this size) and it will be closer to the old 4" in height.

I wouldn't at all be surprised if this thing becomes one of the most popular iPhones ever sold.

 

[thomasguide]

4k is for editing for now (maybe even long-term). The reason is that outside a few high-end home theatre setups, 4K is simply not necessary from the viewing point of view. You've got to get over 60" display size and be relatively close for 4K to make much of a difference. The main reason to buy a 4K display right now is for non-resolution related advantages.

Then there is the content problem. Hardly anything is 4K, and unless the telco monopolies are broken, we'll not have good enough internet to really stream 4K anyway (heck, we can't even stream good 1080p yet... not even CLOSE).

I'm sure it will happen one day. *Maybe* we'll move to over-60" being typical for displays, but as homes get smaller, I'm kind of wondering about that one. And, as more consumers buy 4K, I suppose there will be pressure to make everything 4K, just because. But, Apple probably isn't going to be an early adopter of that kind of move. They usually don't do the 'just because' type fads (or, at least they traditionally haven't).

Not sure what you have, but my 200MBS connection from Time Warner streams 4k just fine using Netflix.

 

[tedson]

Wow. Can we all admit this is an excellent price, especially considering the same specs in a bigger package is $150 more?
I will be selling my 6 and getting this
[doublepost=1458583915][/doublepost]Wow. Can we all admit this is an excellent price, especially considering the same specs in a bigger package is $150 more?
I will be selling my 6 and getting this

Actually, $250 more
iPhone SE 64GB $499
iPhone 6s 64GB $749

 

[nviz22]

I think the 6 and 6s were kind of trying to copy the direction of some of the Android phones, but I wasn't happy with how it turned out. I'm just glad they didn't do a curved screen yet! LOL

The one thing I'm not sure about is hand-feel, as the sharper vs more rounded design might have an advantage there. But, in terms of elegance and the 'look' IMO, there's no comparison. The 5s is just beautiful, and this follows that lineage.



You're probably right. If they'd started it with the SE, the outcry would have been too great from previous phone buyers. They have to move the 7 first, for sure. Heck, the Apple TV already opened the way! (they just pulled it off because it's in such a different market segment and few paid attention.... but when you think of it... $1000 phone has 16GB while a $150 TV box has 32GB? Heh.)



Yea, I agree, not a make or break, but kind of a disappointment. I doubt it mattered from a tech point, so probably done as a point of differentiation. I'd rather have paid an extra $50 or $100 and gotten closer to feature parity. But, yea, not make or break... the previous gen worked fine from my understanding.

Yeah, I wanted more parity too. If it actually was a clone of the 6S, I might have swallowed my pride and bought one since I cannot stand 4" screens, but with the difference in savings over my 6S Plus? Worth it since I have a Galaxy S7 Edge to meet my phablet wants.

 

[developer13245]

I don't see Apple rolling out a new SE in September, but if you can wait, then that's always the safest approach.

I thought the same thing when I bought the iPad 3.. I was wrong.

But my main point is that the 4" model should be a "top tier spec" model and rev on the same cycle. 4" should not be a gimp phone.

 

[jamface]

wish they would have fixed those bezels - they would drive me nuts. hopefully this starts a trend back to smaller phones. Still alarming that Apple just re-hashed an old design.

umm... big and flat with a huge screen and not much else - aren't all smartphones ever just a rehash of an old design.

 

[barondebxl]

Apple is the biggest pimp in the world. They gonna make tons of money from a new 5s lol

 

[BillyBobBongo]

Finally! In the Netherlands we can order the new iPhone SE on March 29th (My Birthday). Nice one, Apple!

 

[mhornback2]

It takes Live Photos.

How do they work without 3D Touch?

 

[blairh]

For 2016, 16GB bade storage, 2GB RAM, sub 720P screen... What are we talking about? This should be no more than 299...

Maybe $350 at the very least. iPhone's always cost more.

 

[jamface]

I thought the same thing when I bought the iPad 3.. I was wrong.

But my main point is that the 4" model should be a "top tier spec" model and rev on the same cycle. 4" should not be a gimp phone.

why not? does it (or would it) put you off buying it, and drive you towards a higher-spec, higher price device? If so, that's exactly Apple's intention in making this so-called gimp phone.

Personally, gimp suits me fine. I'll be happy to pay way less for the SE than I would for the 6S or 7.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

I prefer this design over the iPhone 6's. This will be my new iPhone to compliment my Nexus 6P.

My iPhone isn't as polite as yours. It never compliments me on anything.

 

[alllexx]

The Apple Watch Edition (solid gold) appears to have been axed. Guess they weren't selling in the millions.

How was it axed? It is still available on the website.

 

[smacrumon]

SE: The emperor's new clothes. Same design with matt edges. Upgraded internals. My guess is iPhone 7 in October mini, new regular and plus. SE will be slashed in price even further.

 

[SteveW928]

Not sure what you have, but my 200MBS connection from Time Warner streams 4k just fine using Netflix.

I just have a base (maybe one step up) Shaw plan... like 50 down and only 5 up (which is the bigger problem, actually... and that it costs nearly $100/mo!). But, unless you compress the *$(#@) out of it, you're not going to even stream great 1080p with either, let alone 4K. Heck, it's hard to stream 1080p over internal wireless!

(Or, to put it another way... if you're streaming 4K on anything but Google Fiber, you're just being dazzled with specs.)

 

[Max(IT)]

Some people are just NEVER happy. Their lives must be really miserable.

Haters gonna hate, no matter what...

IMHO the only negative news is the 16 Gb base model. Hardly unexpected considering the iPhone 6S 16 Gb still is their flagship

 

[thomasguide]

4k is for editing for now (maybe even long-term). The reason is that outside a few high-end home theatre setups, 4K is simply not necessary from the viewing point of view. You've got to get over 60" display size and be relatively close for 4K to make much of a difference. The main reason to buy a 4K display right now is for non-resolution related advantages.

Then there is the content problem. Hardly anything is 4K, and unless the telco monopolies are broken, we'll not have good enough internet to really stream 4K anyway (heck, we can't even stream good 1080p yet... not even CLOSE).

I'm sure it will happen one day. *Maybe* we'll move to over-60" being typical for displays, but as homes get smaller, I'm kind of wondering about that one. And, as more consumers buy 4K, I suppose there will be pressure to make everything 4K, just because. But, Apple probably isn't going to be an early adopter of that kind of move. They usually don't do the 'just because' type fads (or, at least they traditionally haven't).

Not sure what kind of connection you have, but I'm enjoying Daredevil on Netflix at 4K. My connection is 200mbs and I'm not having any problems. Sure content is limited now, but that will change in a few years.

 

[dljor]

what happens to 5s?

 

[smacrumon]

Don't get hysterical now, it's an old outdated design dug up from the grave. Nothing more.

 

[barondebxl]

No 3D Touch. No problem, it's a feature that no one tends to use anyway. I have had s 6s for a month and not needed it once.

You know 3D touch is not useful when even Samsung didn't bother to copy it.

 

[617aircav]

Very weak of Apple to discountinue the 5S instead of lowering the price and actually being competitive in the emerging/post-communist society market. The SE 16GB is about $550 in Europe, what a joke.

Walmart has straight talk 5s for $200.

 

[waquzy]

what happens to 5s?

It has been discontinued

 

[latweek]

This quiet shift in Apple strategy is a harbinger of stagnation........Apple is conceding the margins can no longer be held due to lack of market differentiation/innovation.

The iPhone line was the cash cow, and this just confirms all the speculation of a lost, "cooked" company.

 

[1Zach1]

How do they work without 3D Touch?

I'm assuming the same way they work on the 6, you just hold down on the photo.

 

[maflynn]

I thought the same thing when I bought the iPad 3.. I was wrong.

But my main point is that the 4" model should be a "top tier spec" model and rev on the same cycle. 4" should not be a gimp phone.

I think that was an aberration and given the negative blow back, I'm thinking it won't happen again.