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

[blairh]

A bezel-less version at that size would be the iPhone XS. That would only make sense for a "budget" phone if the display is a "Liquid Retina" LCD display like in the XR and maybe with an ultrasonic fingerprint reader trough the display to bring costs down. A smaller XR is what many people had hoped for.......

XS is noticably heavier and larger than a 4.7" iPhone. I don't think many people want an updated 4.7" iPhone with bezels and Touch ID.

Instead they need to give us something with a smaller footprint of the XS with no bezel. There are rumors next year of a 5.42" iPhone. Perhaps that is it.

 

[ph001bi]

The 8 was ancient looking in 2017. This is going to flop harder than that loser XR iPhone.

The loser iPhone XR is the second best selling smartphone iin Europe and best selling in the UK. This is far from a flop.

 

[marty1980]

It’s not a replacement for an iPhone SE, but it is great for people who want to hold off longer from FaceID and swipe gestures.

I’d still like to see an SE 2 that resembles an Xr, but is the same size and shape of the SE.

This isn’t for me. I use an X, but when I upgrade it will be a Max-size phone. Hit there have been several people I’ve talked to who want an updated SE or who want to have an iPhone with TouchID.

Of course, the lower cost is nice too. It just depends on what compromises they might make and how important those compromises might be to certain audiences.

 

[code-m]

hey MX20,

dont be worried about the amount of negative comments this is likely to attract.
you are spot on.

the notch should have been left to a premium segment of user who demands the latest in security.
seriously. let them pay for it in a model that attracts them.

its meaningless to point out that apple has been reported working feverishly to get those notch elements under / embedded into the screen.

a 4.7 inch display, even with a iPhone 8 type of non-mechanical button may be retro. but at least it won't have a notch !!!
pure pocketable heaven.
not to mention the less weight. all iPhones have increased in weight since the iPhone 6s. every phone, every year has gotten heavier.

Huh, the iPad Mini is considered a pocketable tablet, which pocket are you referring to, pants (front, back) coat (inner, outer), shirt. Pockets come in all shapes and sizes, along with placement. Please be more defined. I am unable to fit the original iPhone in a pocket watch or coin pocket, does that mean the original iPhone was too large.

Pockets are given names for what their were initially used for or designed for that purpose.

 

[chooyoshi]

So basically a new form-factor for the ‘SE’ tier of the iPhone lineup (based on a tried & tested model, but upgraded to perform better).

I think this will sell well, as the less advanced overall technology should permit Apple to price it lower than their full screen models.

This lower price would allow it to be sold as an entry-level iOS device in less developed markets. It should also satisfy those customers who are still not ready to move to Face ID -based iPhones. The only thing that might restrain sales a little is the physical size increase over the old iPhone SE.

These less developed markets want big screen at low prices. And the chinese oems provide a modern design as well. This is not going to work

 

[code-m]

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

While I prefer iOS, I have no problem using AndroidOS. My choice is based on security and privacy. AndroidOS offers little to no control over this, while iOS Apple drops the privacy a little from time to time, for example Ad identifiers, etc.

Many people use social media platforms on iOS and Android, at times it’s a given and at other times it’s like, WHAT?

 

[mi7chy]

Apple can't compete in the $700 range. They need to offer something new in the ~$400 range without too many compromises or too small like the SE.

 

[MoXoM]

For the love of god Apple - please bring out an iPhone SE2 before the end of the year!

I'm loving my iPhone 5 and it has served me well but it sucks that I can't install the latest iOS updates.

 

[PastaPrimav]

Lot of commenters here don't understand the iPhone market at all. Every single $100 increment is an entirely different market unto itself. At $649 this product has a slew of potential buyers that simply aren't going to go any higher than that for a phone...but still want the best thing they can get for their money.

 

[code-m]

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

I am honestly not sure, the XR was released then trade-in promos, now price drops in other countries, etc. I feel there is a small sized XR missing from the 2018 lineup. Hopefully 2019/20.
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Lot of commenters here don't understand the iPhone market at all. Every single $100 increment is an entirely different market unto itself. At $649 this product has a slew of potential buyers that simply aren't going to go any higher than that for a phone...but still want the best thing they can get for their money.

So who is the XR priced and designed for. That device should have been $699 max for the entry model.

 

[FFR]

The loser iPhone XR is the second best selling smartphone iin Europe and best selling in the UK. This is far from a flop.

Same thing was said about the iPhone X last year.

Must be reason iPhones outsell all other android phones over $800

 

[jent]

The wording on the article was a little strange and made me re-check the tech specs on the iPhone SE and 8. Why mention the size of the phone if it's going to be unchanged? It should have just mentioned "iPhone 8 expected to get spec bump with updated internals," which is what always happens.

 

[Classie]

Good idea - should’ve been done sooner. There are costumers who don’t want to pay “premium” price for a phone.

 

[AngstyKylo]

I don't know how it will fare priced at $649 and with such a dated design.

You'll be able to get a refurbished iPhone X for less than that in a year. If not now.

 

[_mario]

SE diehard fans: This is your affordable small form factor iPhone.

Surely, you jest!

 

[chetzar]

Unless they replace the lightning port with USB-C, this this will be DOA.

 

[Mac 128]

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.

 

[NT1440]

In 2020, world will have absolutely no place for those gigantic bezels, regardless of the price. The ones who want a home button and really hate the notch will be small in number.

And Apple doesn't really care for small numbers. Unless this phone is priced really, really low, this won't take off

I honestly don’t understand this obsession about bezels. If you prefer the all screen iPhone that’s fine, but the notion that it’s “unacceptable” for the classic iPhone form factor to exist is really puzzling to me.

The only people I ever see complaining about bezels are techies, your average consumer doesn’t even know the word.

Don’t get me wrong, if an SE2 came out with the all screen display I’d buy it day one (I’m on a 6s that I’ve kept running happily by installing a new battery every 18 months or so since I bought it), but there’s nothing upsetting to me about a bezel.

 

[kakinc]

They want to have a cheaper iPhone to push their service revenue.
But, they are unwilling to let go their/risk losing their premium pricing.
Resulting in a half asx attempt at getting new users onto the platform.

I don't know anyone, who would buy a new iPhone 7/8 today...
Much rather just get a used iPhone X... or any other Android phone...

On the other hand, they might also be thinking...
The likelihood of one purchasing a budget iPhone while also paying for their additional services are very low...
With that mindset though, means there will never be a real budget iPhone.

 

[marty1980]

Unless they replace the lightning port with USB-C, this this will be DOA.

Did you really need to make this comment? Like, do you really believe that USB-C is that important for the market this refreshed device would target? Cause to me you seem out of touch with reality if you think that would be a reason for this device not selling.

 

[zorinlynx]

The only people I ever see complaining about bezels are techies, your average consumer doesn’t even know the word.

I'm a techie and bezels don't bother me. I don't understand why some people here are so obsessed with them.

The classic iPhone look is iconic and I still love it. I don't want them to kill TouchID-based classic iPhones yet!

 

[ani4ani]

Samsung's "mid-range" Galaxy A80 was announced at ~€700, and that is using only a mid-range SoC.
If this iPhone uses A13, the $649 would actually be pretty good. Even an A12 would still be decent as it is still at flagship level performance.
We'll see come 2020. It's been a while since we have quite juicy rumor like this.

The CPU in the A80 might have a midrange sounding name, but it is faster than the CPU in the S8 and S9. Then add the camera, screen [6" + Amoled], memory, under-screen fingerprint etc and this "mid-range" phone is more flagship than any Android from 12-18 months ago aside from CPU performance = to any current Apple flagship for basic specs.

For what it's worth, I just purhased a brand new 6S for £139 so I cannot see anyone paying £500 more for something that physically looks the same, even if it has a faster CPU [that will not materially matter for 99% of time], and probably for a little more memory.

 

[supergt]

I don’t buy this. The iPhone 8 will see another price drop with the new release in September. Why would they update it in March? The pricing of the revised article also doesn’t make sense. It would also be a concession that the X series and whatever follows is not the future of iPhone. I just don’t see that happening.

 

[npmacuser5]

My iPhone screen time going down not up. The iPhone moving in the direction of a hub as opposed to a must see device. Yesterday answered all my phone calls and text initial replies on the Apple Watch for example. Additionally use the iPhone as a hotspot for my iPad. Much prefer using the larger screen.

At this point not a huge deal what the iPhone looks like.

 

[Kuskah]

Unless they discontinue the XR, this is gonna be a tough sell at $649. People are gonna go for older models.

Also, mid range is $400-$550. The $649 is high end and $799+ is top tier, at least the way I see it.