Apple Reportedly Plans to Launch Revised 4.7-inch iPhone 8 in March 2020 to Boost Share of Mid-Tier Smartphone Market

[first-to-tea]

Honestly this idea sounds shiitake. Apple is continuing to lose the plot. Apple doesn’t even adhere to its own simplicity mantra. One device. Three models, small, medium, large.

As a long time Apple observer, this plan is DUMB A F. what’s Apple doing? Simplicity is out the window. Crappy old models rehashed to death. This is what happens when Phil Schiller is left unchecked by Steve Jobs. Models in 2020 should definitely have no home button, and be full screen. I truly believe the lack of simplicity has lead to the lack of overall progressive narrative around iPhone which has allowed new players to gobble up Apple’s customers. my friends left Apple a couple of years ago because of this.

It’s simple. Make one great phone, in small, medium, and large, in two storage capacities for each, and be done with it.

 

[jamツ]

their line up is going to be so confusing for most consumers

 

[zorinlynx]

Probably my next phone. Love my 7 and couldn’t care less about the so called bezels the whole world seems so obsessed with.

I feel the same. I don't know why everyone seems to hate bezels so much. My iPhone 7 Plus looks great.

Sad thing is it looks like they won't release a Plus version of this phone; I couldn't go back to a 4.7" screen.

 

[Thrutheroofnunderground]

Key factor. The price point and the form factor. That was the point of the SE to begin with. If Apple delivers with those two elements, I’d say this new ‘4.8’ design has potential, especially given the majority smart phone manufacturers are not offering hardly any phones under 6 inches anymore.

A 4.8 design may not be ideal of what the SE once was in a 4 inch form factor, but this might appease to a wider demographic not being too small either.

But it's not under 6 inches, only the screen is, and that's the problem.

 

[code-m]

I think Apple is going to make some changes. I mean nobody expected the iPad mini 5 to have the latest A12 chip, and priced that low. Compared to the 2018 iPhones, spec wise the iPad mini 5 is a total steal. It's surely exciting to see what's coming.

I concur the Mini 5 is a steal, that means the XR is overpriced due to Liquid Retina, FaceID rear camera and Qi in a mainly glass body.
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single camera lens,old,obsolete,dull LCD display,and ancient,full bezel design..for $649..
they have no shame.

Mini 5 in a 7 year old body, is no shame

 

[travelsheep]

Mid-tier market: Samsung S10e

 

[mattopotamus]

I don't believe this rumor. Apple cannot be this far out of touch from reality that they think this is what the current SE owners want. Just keep making an updated iPhone with the iPhone 5 shell. If you want to make an edge to edge display, go for it, but for the love of god keep the current SE size. It is the best feeling (form factor) phone I have ever had.

 

[chooyoshi]

I reebered that a verge article said that hipsters will be using fat bezel phones to show their defiance against the mainstream.... maybe apple knows it.

Who thinks it will be called the iphone 9? But given how sony sold xperia flagships with only minor spec bumps for so long that it lead to their downfall, I doubt that this strategy will succeed

 

[travelsheep]

It’s already midrange based on Apple’s pricing today. iPhone 7 starts at $449.

iPhone 6S at € 170 ... I was thinking to switch to Samsung Galaxy S10, but will get a battery replacement for my current phone, the iPhone 6S, for 0$. Put Apple Care+ to work once and for all.

 

[zorinlynx]

Crappy old models rehashed to death.

There are those of us who don't care for FaceID and want to keep our home button and TouchID. To us, it's "our beloved old models" and "crappy new models".

I would buy this phone in an instant if they released it in a Plus version. It sounds like they won't, so I will still have to begrudgingly move to a FaceID phone someday, but I plan to hang onto my iPhone 7 Plus as long as I can.

My girlfriend has an iPhone 6 and feels the same way. I may buy her one of these for her birthday next year if she hasn't upgraded by then!

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Oh for God sake Apple, stop being so repulsive greedy and dump these old old stale designs!
Move forward and at least base new entry level products on the iPhone X design.
Same with the iPad Air and Mini 5 that should never have been released with old design.

Apple is so modern at times and then so incredibly old at other times. It's clear that a lot of old wood there need to retire on very large and obese pensions!

 

[DNichter]

I like your idea. This would simplify things a lot. I just wish Apple offered the smallest sized iPhone with up to date, top of the line specs. I’d do anything for a phone the size of an SE with a dual lens/portrait mode camera. I understand why Apple doesn’t do this, but I can dream! Lol.

I am all for choice, but it should be mainly about screen size. Everything else, Apple customers want the best. I think if they went this route, they would actually make it a whole lot easier for people to choose without feeling like they are making concessions somewhere. A 4.7 inch screen with an X design would be pretty close to an SE sized phone. I am going from the 6.5 to the 5.8 this year as I am tired of a large phone.

 

[code-m]

Mid-range phone for $650? At that price it’s not even mid-range especially single camera/LCD. If they lower it by $100-$159 I’d would dominate, but this is Apple we’re talking about.

Premium mid-range

 

[Baymowe335]

single camera lens,old,obsolete,dull LCD display,and ancient,full bezel design..for $649..
they have no shame.

Not only is this likely incorrect, a lot of the value in the iPhone is in the software. Apple doesn’t sell phones on specs.

 

[DNichter]

Mid-tier market: Samsung S10e

Great phone, but won't work for most people here as we prefer iOS.

 

[code-m]

iPhone X relaunched, iPhone 8 relaunched... what design will Tim relaunch next

SE and Cube
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Great phone, but won't work for most people here as we prefer iOS.

Maybe I am misreading the comment incorrectly, however maybe their are drawing comparison of hardware to the definition of mid-tier between Apple and Samsung, bar OS choice.
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Not only is this likely incorrect, a lot of the value in the iPhone is in the software. Apple doesn’t sell phones on specs.

Apple flip flops according to what favours whatever and whenever their make an announcement. Many companies do this, no one is going to announce a product that states our camera, screen, etc is worse compared to two generations ago.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Home Button and thick bezels for $649? I don‘t think many people will buy that. If they keep the 4.7" display size but shrink the bezel and add FaceID then people who want an SE2 would buy it.

Yeah this price has got to be wrong. I think this is certainly the 2nd instantiation of an “iPhone SE”. This will be a 5 year old design with TouchID and other older tech. I hope they keep everything the same as the 8, update to the A12 or A13 chip, and a starting price in the ballpark of $499-$549. It should be lower than the iPhone 8 sells for right now, similar to the shift from the iPad Pro 10.5 to the air 10.5

 

[code-m]

I am all for choice, but it should be mainly about screen size. Everything else, Apple customers want the best. I think if they went this route, they would actually make it a whole lot easier for people to choose without feeling like they are making concessions somewhere. A 4.7 inch screen with an X design would be pretty close to an SE sized phone. I am going from the 6.5 to the 5.8 this year as I am tired of a large phone.

Went from 6S+ to 7 and then XS. I prefer as much screen in a small body.

 

[rwstgermain]

That sucks. The company I work for will only buy us the lowest end model. I was hoping they would phase this out and make the iphone XR the base. #firstworldproblems

 

[Seanm87]

I don't believe this rumor. Apple cannot be this far out of touch from reality that they think this is what the current SE owners want. Just keep making an updated iPhone with the iPhone 5 shell. If you want to make an edge to edge display, go for it, but for the love of god keep the current SE size. It is the best feeling (form factor) phone I have ever had.

Are you sure it’s apple that’s out of touch with reality?

 

[DNichter]

SE and Cube
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Maybe I am misreading the comment incorrectly, however maybe their are drawing comparison of hardware to the definition of mid-tier between Apple and Samsung, bar OS choice.
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Apple flip flops according to what favours whatever and whenever their make an announcement. Many companies do this, no one is going to announce a product that states our camera, screen, etc is worse compared to two generations ago.

That's possible. Samsung beats Apple in this tier from a screen/design perspective, but unfortunately for most - it just isn't an option.

 

[craigrusse11]

“Aggressive price tag of $649..” hahahaha. What planet do apple live on?

 

[78Bandit]

$649 was still the flagship price when the iPhone 7 was released. The huge bezels look dated. In 2020 this should be a $400 entry level device and the XR should become the $600 mid range.

Oh well, I guess Apple knows what generates the most profit.

 

[gnasher729]

128GB base storage? Nice! But 2020? Damn it, that's a long time.
Was ready for 2019 iPhones, but if 2020 makes 128GB to be standard as base storage, I'll keep my 6S a bit longer.

Why do you care what the "base storage" is? If you want 128 GB, buy 128 GB. Today. No need to wait.

 

[bodonnell202]

Yes, and there is the replacement for my 8! Love this form factor.