Apple's Next iPhone SE Launching on Wednesday - Here's What We Know

[FlyingDutch]

And you can also see that companies are slowly trying to move to small foldable devices because customers want something smaller/easier to carry around, but the tech is not there yet.

Foldable are far from being a widespread product. And by the way they are NOT easy to carry around: a Samsung Fold 6 is MUCH bigger than an iPhone 16 when folded. Foldable devices are saying the opposite of what you are desperately trying to tell us: people want EVEN BIGGER devices.

This is your opinion and it is suitable for someone who doesn't like TouchID.

No, it is NOT MY opinion. Apple is doing that. Apple is the biggest fan of themself, so their choices are driven by actual market data, not some ranting on a forum…

it’s funny, because I don’t have any of your problems with my Mini 6 while you constantly complain about your iPad with TouchID.

I’m not alone, considering the posts above. By the way iPad Mini 6 still isn’t an iPhone… not supposed to be used and unlocked one-handed.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Alternatively, the move to foldables is to get an even more humungous display into a devices that when folded is comparable to the footprint of current iPhones. More like a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold or a Google Pixel Pro Fold instead of a Motorola Razr or a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.

Just because if folds does NOT necessarily mean the folded phone will be small like a mini and fit easily into your pocket.

THIS. Foldable phones are usually way bigger than a “normal” iPhone. There are a few exceptions like the Galaxy Flip that, when folded, is shorter but wide just the same and waaaaaaay thicker than an iPhone.

 

[Marcus_85]

With A18 it makes the iPhone 16 questionable. Nobody will pay a lot extra for camera control, dynamic island or ultra wide camera. This just shows that the 16 is a big scam from Apple.

 

[geta]

Foldable are far from being a widespread product. And by the way they are NOT easy to carry around: a Samsung Fold 6 is MUCH bigger than an iPhone 16 when folded. Foldable devices are saying the opposite of what you are desperately trying to tell us: people want EVEN BIGGER devices.

No, it is NOT MY opinion. Apple is doing that. Apple is the biggest fan of themself, so their choices are driven by actual market data, not some ranting on a forum…

I’m not alone, considering the posts above. By the way iPad Mini 6 still isn’t an iPhone… not supposed to be used and unlocked one-handed.

Read post #147.

iPad Mini 6 is not an iPhone and so is your iPad, but you still complaining about it and it’s TouchID.

As for unlocked one-handed, I can do so easily with TouchID while the phone (or iPad Mini 6) is still in the pocket or in the bag without the need to look at the screen…

 

[MacBH928]

I dont think its the SE because Apple never cared about the SE to give it this much attention. Most people do not even realize the SE exists.

Cook said its a new member to the family, I am guessing a new product somehow. That or their own Modems.

 

[webkit]

With Apple and Android abandoning the compact phone, that market is now ripe for a disruptor. All you need for innovation is a market that is not being served. 20 years from now people will look back at the iPhone 16 and say, “I can’t believe people used phones so big!!” Remember the cell phones people used to carry in a briefcase? Redux.

Or people will look back the way they look back at early televisions and say, "I can't believe people used phones so small!!" Electronics like televisions, computer screens, and smartphones have all gotten bigger. The reality is that Apple tried "small" phones 3-4 years ago and they didn't sell very well.

Regardless, technology trends can come and go. How people may look back at today's technology 20+ years from now is not particularly relevant to what's going on today. Just because small(er) phones may become popular down the road doesn't mean Apple or other companies should be making them today. Just because phones with physical keyboards may become popular (again) down the doesn't mean Apple or other companies should be making them today.

 

[webkit]

I've read estimates where everything was growing except the base iphone sales. But that might add up to an overall slump.

I bought my first iphone because it was the only small option. If I can't get a phone I want, I'm gonna go for a cheap one. Or look at the flip phones to see if there is one that's small enough, and replace the ipad too in one go. Then there would be zero reason to keep selling my kidneys for ram upgrade in a macbook.

Whatever meaningful trend comes along, Apple will likely have a product for it whether it be flip phones, foldable phones or ???. There just isn't much of a market for "mini" smartphones these days; Apple tried 3-4 years ago. If that changes, Apple will respond accordingly.

 

[CarletonTorpin]

i bet Touch ID will remain on the Mac line for a while, since that allows Apple to sell $150-$180 keyboards with the Touch-ID key on them.

And for iMac and MacBooks, I imagine that plenty of people cover up their built-in webcam, so Face ID might be problematic for Apple for enforce on the Mac line.

 

[Cervisia]

Whatever meaningful trend comes along, Apple will likely have a product for it whether it be flip phones, foldable phones or ???. There just isn't much of a market for "mini" smartphones these days; Apple tried 3-4 years ago. If that changes, Apple will respond accordingly.

I hope the mini size comes back in the form of a foldable phone in the next two years, with pencil support. But I'm afraid for this to happen Tim should resign yesterday. After I wrote that comment, I've watched a video about Samsung's foldable, and if the next gen comes out in a smaller size too, I might switch my iphone and ipad for one. If that happens, my next laptop won't be a macbook pro, but a thinkpad.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I hope the mini size comes back in the form of a foldable phone in the next two years, with pencil support. But I'm afraid for this to happen Tim should resign yesterday. After I wrote that comment, I've watched a video about Samsung's foldable, and if the next gen comes out in a smaller size too, I might switch my iphone and ipad for one. If that happens, my next laptop won't be a macbook pro, but a thinkpad.

I'm absolutely ripe for the picking as a customer to switch to Android, if someone -- anyone -- would make something 13 Mini size or smaller ... Maybe a foldable, but so far those have had some strange sizes/shapes when folded for my liking. I'm keeping my eye on it though for sure

 

[webkit]

I hope the mini size comes back in the form of a foldable phone in the next two years, with pencil support. But I'm afraid for this to happen Tim should resign yesterday. After I wrote that comment, I've watched a video about Samsung's foldable, and if the next gen comes out in a smaller size too, I might switch my iphone and ipad for one. If that happens, my next laptop won't be a macbook pro, but a thinkpad.

Time will tell. Rumors have been that a foldable iPhone will launch within the next two years, including the possibility it will be smaller (for better or worse) than current foldable offerings.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Oh very true, and I agree it would likely be a better product for consumers (at least for Rivian - decent software, but has a long way to go). The problem is that Tesla, Rivian, and other companies want to use their own platforms as revenue streams and allowing CarPlay, while better for the consumer, greatly reduces the profitability there. I pay $15 per month for connected services, as do probably most Rivian owners. If I had the option of CarPlay (and Android Auto), I bet 75% or more of those subscriptions would be cancelled.

I'm just describing a better version of what Apple and Tesla are already doing. My understanding is that Tesla is using some accessibility API to sync messages between the car and the phone. If Apple fleshed out that API with better support for group chat and whatnot, Tesla could use that to improve the experience in the car. I don't think that would cause any decrease in revenue for either company.

Apple could also expose call history and favorites and whatnot along with contact data. That'd make it easier to find recent calls in the car.

While we're at it, they could expose favorite locations saved in Maps. Then my car and phone could sync and I wouldn't have one set of favorite locations in my car and a different set on my phone.

This should extend to third party apps. My phone entering the car should be sufficient to log me into Netflix and Spotify and whatnot. That kind of thing could be big for Robotaxi services.

 

[davidg4781]

I have an 11 Pro. I love everything about it but the storage. I have to manage the apps on my phone, what I can download, text messages. It’s just a hassle.

I wonder if upgrading to this SE would be a good idea until the 17 launches? Mine has 3 cameras but maybe that 1 camera would be better? But I just bought a new case and Apple just replaced the battery.

 

[JohannesO]

Have you tried reachability? I use it everyday.

I said "without having to pull it closer myself"
Of course I use reachability and I hate it especially with the virtual keyboard.
It's like needing a footstool to put the glasses in the cupboard.

 

[eatrains]

I hope the mini size comes back in the form of a foldable phone in the next two years, with pencil support. But I'm afraid for this to happen Tim should resign yesterday. After I wrote that comment, I've watched a video about Samsung's foldable, and if the next gen comes out in a smaller size too, I might switch my iphone and ipad for one. If that happens, my next laptop won't be a macbook pro, but a thinkpad.

A phone that has to be unfolded to a giant size is not at all a return to the mini.

 

[Cervisia]

A phone that has to be unfolded to a giant size is not at all a return to the mini.

Huh? Check out how the z fold 6 works. It has an outer and an inner display, it works as a normal phone when closed.

 

[Squeak825]

For many it's possible to adjust the screen settings to reduce the PWM to an unnoticeable level. Might be something to try.

Tried all the options...doesn't help. And at this point I am not willing to make a shift until there is a fundamental change in how they make the screens.

 

[edc415]

I am excited that Apple is FINALLY going to release a new SE. I've been hobbling along on an iPhone 8 Plus.
No matter what the new specs are for the iphone SE 4, everything will feel new and will be able to enjoy a new phone without having to drop $800+ for a current phone. Of course I know people who have similar incomes that buy a new phone every year even though they can't afford it.

Not everybody is rich and everybody eventually needs to buy a new phone.
I love that Apple is keeping the iPhone SE and yet updating it in a very generous way without raising the price much (fingers crossed).

Cases like the "iPhone SE 4 / 16E (2025)" are popping up among others: Amazon

 

[mscice]

how will this phone differ from iphone 16 base model ?

 

[Sir_Macs_A_Lot]

As long as you have Attention Awareness turned on, you have to be looking at the camera with your eyes open, for it to unlock.

Yep. Anyone can snag your phone and trick you to look in their direction. ACCESS GRANTED.

 

[Momof2.1107]

Yep. Anyone can snag your phone and trick you to look in their direction. ACCESS GRANTED.

And anyone can take your finger and put it to the home button. I have an iPad with Touch ID so I know how it works.

 

[Seanm87]

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I said "without having to pull it closer myself"
Of course I use reachability and I hate it especially with the virtual keyboard.
It's like needing a footstool to put the glasses in the cupboard.

Well it’s a trade off for having a bigger and more immersive screen. I manage using a pro max one handed. It’s a bit of a juggle but I’d never go back to a smaller screen.

 

[JohannesO]

Well it’s a trade off for having a bigger and more immersive screen. I manage using a pro max one handed. It’s a bit of a juggle but I’d never go back to a smaller screen.

If I want a bigger screen than my iPhone Mini (which is already too big) I grab the 13" iPad or the 16" MacBook maybe with its connected 27"+2x17" displays.

 

[Hellokittystampmyfacein]

E for EH?

 

[Zdigital2015]

If I want a bigger screen than my iPhone Mini (which is already too big) I grab the 13" iPad or the 16" MacBook maybe with its connected 27"+2x17" displays.

You are clearly in the minority of users, and if the iPhone mini is too big, you’re in an even smaller minority of users. The market spoke, people chose larger screens overwhelmingly. If the iPhone mini works for you, that’s great, but Apple isn’t going to go back to that form factor in the future, it’s just not a money maker or a volume seller for them.