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Apple Reportedly Cutting iPhone SE Production Just Weeks After Launch Due to 'Weaker-Than-Expected' Demand
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I actually ordered two - one for my wife, one for me. Having not updated since our iPhone 7+s, I thought it time for an upgrade. To say I was put off by the phone is an understatement. I opened the box, saw what it was, and didn't even take the plastic screen protector off. I showed my wife and she said she wouldn't have it. I sent them both back.
We're both in our 50s and I wouldn't recommend this to anyone in their 40s who has to wear glasses for reading. This isn't a grandparents' phone. This is a phone for a child who needs to let mom or dad know they either made it to school or home from wherever...
I left MS 10 years ago and despise the Android OS (because I'm used to iOS?) but if Apple doesn't get out of politics and actually start innovating again, I'm going to have to rethink my choices.
We're both in our 50s and I wouldn't recommend this to anyone in their 40s who has to wear glasses for reading. This isn't a grandparents' phone. This is a phone for a child who needs to let mom or dad know they either made it to school or home from wherever...
I left MS 10 years ago and despise the Android OS (because I'm used to iOS?) but if Apple doesn't get out of politics and actually start innovating again, I'm going to have to rethink my choices.
It’s the reusing of old designs and manufacturing equipments that made the SE cheap. If Apple needs to retool everything and go back to the drawing board, they are going to charge top dollars for the product.
Plastic or aluminum doesn’t make a big difference in per part cost. It’s the tooling and engineering that’s expensive.
I'm sure this is Apple's real goal, so people who were going to give Apple just $400 would end up giving Apple $500, improving Apple's own ASP.
Apple is running a more sophisticated version of "upsize your happy meal" tactic.
Haven't we seen these sorts of claims over and over and they're just about always incorrect?
Hasn't Tim stated, on the record, that you cannot evaluate overall demand by looking at any small portion of the supply chain? The process of building an iPhone is complex and we don't know what Apple's plans were to begin with.
IF (that's a big if) there is a production cut, how do we know it wasn't in Apple's master plan, and how slim are the odds that Apple tells it's suppliers any reasoning behind any changes? I'd bet Apple tells suppliers what to make, how many to make and where to send them when complete and that there's just about zero explanation as to why.
And for all the comments above trying to explain the, supposed, cut: You're all pretty significant Apple fans. I know because you're here commenting about this. To most consumers their Phone is a not much more than an appliance, they don't focus down to details about screen resolution, brightness, speed, Wifi version, etc. The overwhelming majority of consumers just don's care about the specs of iPhone, just like almost no-one cares about the specs of their refrigerator like: type of or amount of refrigerant in their refrigerator, the type of glass used in the shelves, the swing range of the thermostat or any of that. They just like the style, trust the brand and it fits their budget and kitchen.
Hasn't Tim stated, on the record, that you cannot evaluate overall demand by looking at any small portion of the supply chain? The process of building an iPhone is complex and we don't know what Apple's plans were to begin with.
IF (that's a big if) there is a production cut, how do we know it wasn't in Apple's master plan, and how slim are the odds that Apple tells it's suppliers any reasoning behind any changes? I'd bet Apple tells suppliers what to make, how many to make and where to send them when complete and that there's just about zero explanation as to why.
And for all the comments above trying to explain the, supposed, cut: You're all pretty significant Apple fans. I know because you're here commenting about this. To most consumers their Phone is a not much more than an appliance, they don't focus down to details about screen resolution, brightness, speed, Wifi version, etc. The overwhelming majority of consumers just don's care about the specs of iPhone, just like almost no-one cares about the specs of their refrigerator like: type of or amount of refrigerant in their refrigerator, the type of glass used in the shelves, the swing range of the thermostat or any of that. They just like the style, trust the brand and it fits their budget and kitchen.
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Yup. Cutting production down is normal and obvious in just-in-time productions. You don't just keep making stuff for the heck of it. Apple is known to maintain tight inventory on the sales channels. It's why Tim Cook is paid the big bucks.
They most certainly are small. If not out of context then certainly by comparison to all of Apple's other contemporary models.
The 4.7" display was small even on iPhone 6 back in 2014 which is why it's the first year Apple did a "Plus" sized iPhone.
It's not an SE if the display is markedly smaller than everything else Apple is offering.
Or maybe the target audience of the lower cost iPhone, just cannot afford to spend on a new lower cost iPhone given what's happening in the world right now, both domestically in the US and across the globe, with priority being to put food on the table.
The rich folks will always find a way to blow their wads on a Pro Max.
I personally didn't think there was a need for this refresh. The 2020 SE with A13 is plenty capable, and really why do you need the horsepower i such a small form factor and small screen? I mean jeez the resolution is from 2014.
The rich folks will always find a way to blow their wads on a Pro Max.
I personally didn't think there was a need for this refresh. The 2020 SE with A13 is plenty capable, and really why do you need the horsepower i such a small form factor and small screen? I mean jeez the resolution is from 2014.
People are more excited about their phones than they are about a refrigerator. Come on now.
If they hadn’t released the new SE, they would still be selling the 2020 model — so I’m sure there will still be a bump from those levels. But even if you went with a 13 Mini, you would be getting so much more for the upgrade cost.
Which is nearly double the price. There is I guess the 12 and also the 11 still on sale, but you're not getting anything particularly fresh there.
I think Apple's strategy here needs a reboot.
Agree.
It's the feeling of getting yet another iPhone 8/SE 2 that's making the SE 3 so unmistakably lacklustre.
The SE 3's added value and upgrade over SE 2 is purely technical specs and software, not something tangible or visual that anyone can immediately grasp and desire.
I'm really not surprised.
- Price increased whereas people expected a decrease for SE model,
- For an extra $70, you can get the iPhone 11 which is better in every aspect except for the chip. But when you're in the market for a SE model, you don't care whether it comes with the A13 or A11 chip. Dual cameras, bigger screen and Face ID are much more appealing to customers,
- The design hasn't changed since 2014. It dates back from the iPhone 6 (just putting glass material on the back doesn't make for a design change, but if you insist, ok the design dates back from the iPhone 8 then... whatever)
- Some wished a SE Plus, but I think a SE mini is where mini size + mini price would have done well
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Apple's strategy is actually perfect. Apple's goal is not to sell a lot of iPhone SEs. Their target is to increase their ASP, to upsell, for more people to buy the more expensive iPhones.
Right now, the difference between the base SE and 11 is just $70. People who originally wanted to just spend $400 for an iPhone might now be tempted to just get the 11 for $500 with its full-screen display and dual camera. More money for Apple.
It's also the reason Apple made the 128GB iPhone 13 to be just $50 more than the 128GB iPhone 12. Apple wants you to upsize your purchase to the higher tier.
The goal is higher ASP, not selling more of the cheapest model.
You mean iPhone 6 design from 2014. It’s literally about an 8 year old design. And it shows.
I think a lot of people misunderstand the SE phones. They're for the "everyone else" crowd who aren't bothered about the latest specs and aren't bothered about upgrading regularly.
Sure, some people are wanting a smaller phone but I bet most of those have since opted for the 12 mini or 13 mini.
The SE's are a relatively low-cost way into the iOS ecosystem with good enough specs. Owners just want it to be replaceable when it breaks or when battery life has degraded and become a nuisence.
Where forum users see ancient design and dull specs, SE buyers see familiarity, tried-and-tested, good-enough, and does-what-I-need-it-to.
When their current phone dies, they'll just get whatever SE is on sale. If it comes with new features: great. If it doesn't: doesn't matter.
I think Apple understands this. That's why SE's get a year rather than a version number.
But the markets, tech sites, and those who buy the numbered phones and upgrade regularly, tend to see anything other than instant huge sales as a dissappointment. It ain't sexy.
I think the SE is an important but boring part of that iPhone wedge on the profit reports and there'll be more SE's in the future. I'd love to see what proportion of active iPhones are the SE, SE (2020) and SE (2022).
Sure, some people are wanting a smaller phone but I bet most of those have since opted for the 12 mini or 13 mini.
The SE's are a relatively low-cost way into the iOS ecosystem with good enough specs. Owners just want it to be replaceable when it breaks or when battery life has degraded and become a nuisence.
Where forum users see ancient design and dull specs, SE buyers see familiarity, tried-and-tested, good-enough, and does-what-I-need-it-to.
When their current phone dies, they'll just get whatever SE is on sale. If it comes with new features: great. If it doesn't: doesn't matter.
I think Apple understands this. That's why SE's get a year rather than a version number.
But the markets, tech sites, and those who buy the numbered phones and upgrade regularly, tend to see anything other than instant huge sales as a dissappointment. It ain't sexy.
I think the SE is an important but boring part of that iPhone wedge on the profit reports and there'll be more SE's in the future. I'd love to see what proportion of active iPhones are the SE, SE (2020) and SE (2022).
That one I would have probably even purchased just for the form factor - if one camera went without that Uber bump.
Apple knows SE22 is crap.
SE22 is here only for one reason: justify the 13/mini prices.
Without SE iPhone 13/mini would be entry level, with a really new SE (just a new Xr) Apple could kill the overpriced screen’s ratio.
Watch 3, SE, iPhone SE22, 12/mini, crap old iPads (old tech on them) are here only for Apple stock owners.
No one would spent money on them.
SE22 is here only for one reason: justify the 13/mini prices.
Without SE iPhone 13/mini would be entry level, with a really new SE (just a new Xr) Apple could kill the overpriced screen’s ratio.
Watch 3, SE, iPhone SE22, 12/mini, crap old iPads (old tech on them) are here only for Apple stock owners.
No one would spent money on them.