Design Drawings Suggest iPhone 5se Will Look Almost Identical to iPhone 5s

[Michael Scrip]

You bring up a very good point. This could present a dilemma for pricing. Will Apple sell the 7, 6S, 6 and the 5se?

Exactly.

The current iPhone has been priced at $650 for many years.

Then the "year-old" iPhone is priced at $550... with the "two-year-old" iPhone selling for $450. Things like the processor and the camera advance every year... so I can see how they discount the older phones with older components.

And starting with the iPhone 6... you got a 4.7" screen at the same price you used to get a 4" screen... in addition to the faster processor.

But I don't know how they'd price a smaller 4" phone that also includes the current processor. It certainly doesn't follow any of their usual pricing structures.

Usually the $450 iPhone isn't the most popular... thus they sell more of the $650+ iPhones.

It might crush Apple's margins if they made a very desirable phone that only costs $450.

 

[Yojimbo007]

The schematics look more like a 6 than a 5

 

[0098386]

Oh, that's good! I'm using my phone less and less as a portable powerhouse these days. If this was available a few months ago I would have "up"graded to it. Ho hum!

 

[iThingsGurl]

Exactly.

The current iPhone has been priced at $650 for many years.

Then the "year-old" iPhone is priced at $550... with the "two-year-old" iPhone selling for $450. Things like the processor and the camera advance every year... so I can see how they discount the older phones with older components.

And starting with the iPhone 6... you got a 4.7" screen at the same price you used to get a 4" screen... in addition to the faster processor.

But I don't know how they'd price a smaller 4" phone that also includes the current processor. It certainly doesn't follow any of their usual pricing structures.

Usually the $450 iPhone isn't the most popular... thus they sell more of the $650+ iPhones.

It might crush Apple's margins if they made a very desirable phone that only costs $450.

I believe Apple will soon discontinue the iPhone 6. The iPhone 5se will indeed have older components i.e. iPhone 6 era components.

 

[Taeles]

5s is a gorgeous phone design

 

[Michael Scrip]

I believe Apple will soon discontinue the iPhone 6. The iPhone 5se will indeed have older components i.e. iPhone 6 era components.

The iPhone 6 has the A8 processor. Would the iPhone 5se also have the A8 processor?

I've heard it will have the A9

If the iPhone 5se has the A8... it will make a little more sense in September:

A10 - iPhone 7 starting at $650
A9 - iPhone 6S starting at $550
A8 - iPhone 5se starting at $450

However... if the iPhone 5se has the A9... it gets more complicated.

 

[iThingsGurl]

However... if the iPhone 5se has the A9... it gets more complicated.

Yes, the iPhone 5se will have A9:

Other features rumored for the iPhone 5se include an A9 processor, an improved camera, and NFC to enable Apple Pay.

 

[Retired Cat]

It would be nice if the new 4" phone could use existing iPhone 5/5S cases and accessories.

I might upgrade this summer in order to get better LTE band compatibility.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Yes, the iPhone 5se will have A9:

Ok... then it gets complicated.

That almost guarantees that the A9 iPhone 5se will become $450 in September if the A9 iPhone 6S will be $550.

And that will be hazardous to Apple's margins.

Or... would Apple offer a 4" phones and a 4.7" phone at the same price? Especially if they have the same processor?

 

[PortableLover]

Hope it has that colour, in the image shown!


Maybe this would start at $600 instead of the 6s, especially if its the same res screen as the 5s, and a smaller body? Or the other possibility could be $629.


All this is fine if its a 6s in a smaller enclousure without 3d touch, if its a8, probably it will be 550$ or 500

 

[iThingsGurl]

Ok... then it gets complicated.

That almost guarantees that the A9 iPhone 5se will become $450 in September if the A9 iPhone 6S will be $550.

And that will be hazardous to Apple's margins.

I think Apple will rather consider screen size as the selling point. Consumers looking for either a 4.7" or a 4.0" will have almost similar configurations.

$450 for 4.0"
$450+$100 for 4.7"
$450+$100+$100 for 5.5"

 

[GoodWheaties]

Here's hoping for a real black phone.

 

[splitpea]

Well, that'd be a little disappointing. One of the things that make the iPhone 5/5s so easy to use one-handed are the square edges that let you get a good grip. The curved edges of the 6 contribute to the difficulty of holding it securely in a single hand.

 

[iZac]

I don't see any rationale for the camera bump, and even if there are antenna bands running along the back, no designer on earth would bevel one corner but not the other. As such I reject the validity of OnLeaks 'schematics'.

The 3D model may be more accurate though. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

20 more excruciating days...

 

[DoctorKrabs]

Neither of these are believable. I don't imagine that they would use the circular volume buttons if they are rounding off the sides like the iPhone 6, and the power button on the side would make zero sense. The 3D rendering has an old home button for some reason. Both of them look like the kind of thing people would guess based on products we already have.

 

[maxsix]

Apple's ability to foist off the same old design to maximize the corporate profits is impressive. Other companies would experience push back. But not Apple, by simply putting the Apple logo on it assures record breaking sales. It is amazing how they've built the brand all by itself.

 

[JM]

What about a guess on pricing? Same price as the 6 or $50 less?

good one. that is a good question. I'm a terrible guesser, got the 6s event wrong.... but I'll guess the 5se will be $550. I'd be surprised with $450, and $500 would seem too low. if you're thinking $600, I could see Apple doing that.

tl;dr I choose $550 because no force touch.

 

[steiney]

Well this should make a few people here happy.

You have no idea! I am embarrassingly pumped for this little guy. But I'm going cry if it isn't a fully flagship device. And I'm not embarrassed to admit it!

 

[Ankaa]

While I've been desperately hoping for a new 4'' model, this design kinda is a deal-breaker for me and I do see myself ending up with a 6S (or 7), after all. I know many love the 5S design - I don't. I hate those hard edges, my hand always hurts after holding it for a while (my hand is small enough so that one of the corners actually presses into my palm). I came from the iPhone 4 (with a bumper) back then and the design was one of the reasons I was VERY tempted by the 5C...

Well, that'd be a little disappointing. One of the things that make the iPhone 5/5s so easy to use one-handed are the square edges that let you get a good grip. The curved edges of the 6 contribute to the difficulty of holding it securely in a single hand.

As I said above, I'm the exact opposite, I just hate the square edges. Curved edges (or round back) are just so much more comfortable to hold in any regard. I personally think what makes the 6 more difficult to hold - with or without curved edges - really is the size...

 

[Michael Scrip]

I think Apple will rather consider screen size as the selling point. Consumers looking for either a 4.7" or a 4.0" will have almost similar configurations.

$450 for 4.0"
$450+$100 for 4.7"
$450+$100+$100 for 5.5"

Screen size would make the most sense to base pricing on. But I don't think Apple is ready for that just yet.

Here is Apple's lineup right now:

$650 - 4.7" - iPhone 6S - A9 - Touch ID, Apple Pay, 3D Touch
$550 - 4.7" - iPhone 6 - A8 - Touch ID, Apple Pay
$450 - 4.0" - iPhone 5S - A7 - Touch ID

Some people think the iPhone 5SE should just replace the iPhone 5S. But in my opinion... it will be WAAAAY too powerful of a phone at $450.

It's got a smaller screen... sure... but it's also got the guts of the CURRENT iPhone including A9, Touch ID and Apple Pay.

That doesn't seem like something Apple would offer at only $450... would it? (though it would be great for the consumer)

At $550... I could see the iPhone 5SE being comparable to today's iPhone 6.

Do you want a smaller screen but a faster processor? Or do you want a larger screen but a slower processor?

But if the 5SE was launched at $550 in march... what happens in September? We think the 6S would roll down to the $550 price-point. So in that case... the 4" iPhone 5SE and the 4.7" iPhone 6S would be the same price with similar internal specs. That seems odd too.

In short... $450 seems too low of a price for too good of a phone. But at $550... it will have difficulty fitting into Apple's current and near-future lineup.

Here's the bigger problem: Apple doesn't WANT to sell a $450 phone. They hit that price-point only because they keep older models on the market... and because they know most people will opt for the current phone instead.

But when they start making "new" $450 phones... or at least acceptable $450 phones... their ASPs will drop dramatically.

That's why I don't think they will ever offer the same new phone internals in three different screen sizes.

That would put the starting price of "the iPhone" at $450. That's not what they want.

The iPhone has held its price for many years... though other Apple products experienced massive price-drops over time.

The 13" Macbook Air started life at $1800... and now you can get it for $1000.

But new iPhones have been $650 for quite a while. Could that be coming to an end?

 

[pat500000]

I love the limitation and non-creative company releasing previous version of the design. Where's the X version of that?

 

[MrGuder]

I had the iPhone 5 for 2 years and loved that phone. In Oct 2015 I upgraded to the 6s mostly because I have unlimited with Verizon and was out of contract so in order to get back in contract keep my unlimited and avoid the extra 20.00 bucks a month I sold my iPhone 5 and got the 6s.

I've had the 6s for about 4 months and I still miss my 4" iPhone. The 6s is just too tall and I absolutely hate the power button on the side. I have literally dropped my 6s about 4 times all accidentally because of the taller size. I never dropped my iPhone 5 not once in 2 yrs. I have accidentally hit the side power button on the 6s so many times I lost count. While I love the larger viewing screen. I'm seriously thinking of downgrading so I am anxiously awaiting to see if Apple does release the 5se.

My only issue with downgrading from my 6s to a 5se would be losing my version unlimited plan. I want to avoid that and since the SIM card is tied to the plan, then 5se would have a different SIM card than what's in my 6s. Not sure how that would work.

 

[Mac 128]

Screen size would make the most sense to base pricing on. But I don't think Apple is ready for that just yet.

Here is Apple's lineup right now:

$650 - 4.7" - iPhone 6S - A9 - Touch ID, Apple Pay, 3D Touch
$550 - 4.7" - iPhone 6 - A8 - Touch ID, Apple Pay
$450 - 4.0" - iPhone 5S - A7 - Touch ID

Some people think the iPhone 5SE should just replace the iPhone 5S. But in my opinion... it will be WAAAAY too powerful of a phone at $450.

It's got a smaller screen... sure... but it's also got the guts of the CURRENT iPhone including A9, Touch ID and Apple Pay.

That doesn't seem like something Apple would offer at only $450... would it? (though it would be great for the consumer)

At $550... I could see the iPhone 5SE being compared to today's iPhone 6.

Do you want a smaller screen but a faster processor? Or do you want a larger screen but a slower processor?

But if the 5SE was launched at $550 in march... what happens in September? We think the 6S would roll down to the $550 price-point. So in that case... the 4" iPhone 5SE and the 4.7" iPhone 6S would be the same price with similar internal specs. That seems odd too.

In short... $450 seems too low of a price for too good of a phone. But at $550... it will have difficulty fitting into Apple's current and near-future lineup.

Here's the bigger problem: Apple doesn't WANT to sell a $450 phone. They hit that price-point only because they keep older models on the market... and because they know most people will opt for the current phone instead.

But when they start making new $450 phones... or at least decent $50 phones... their ASP will drop dramatically. That has the potential to wreck their whole pricing schedule.

Who knows... it might be time for that.

The first question that has to be answered is whether there will be one phone or two.

The rumors have been suggesting a low end "5se" and mid-tier "6c". If Apple does a low-end "5se" that they intend to sell in emerging markets like India where they've been selling the 4S and 5c until this month, then the 5se goes on sale worldwide to replace not only those phones, but offer a new entry level point in the US and other developed nations.

Add to that Apple is definitely going to offer the 6 which is currently selling for $550, for the same price as they are currently selling the 5s, at $450. The reason for this is to keep lowing the price barrier for Android converts. To the extent any carriers will still offer a 2 year subsidized contract, they finally will have a free "phablet" phone that the Android crowd wants.

So if there's going to be a new entry level 4" phone, then Apple will almost certainly sell it for $400, if not $350 to establish a new overall entry point for budget-minded consumers. Add to that Apple is poised to change their entire pricing structure now that they may likely have as many as 9 different models by the time the 7S arrives.

If Apple goes that route, then there is almost certainly a mid-tier 4" model for the primary reason that Apple is not going to leave money on the table from the customer who can afford more than a budget phone, but prefers a 4" size. So you might be looking at something like this:

7 Plus=$750
6S Plus=$700
7=$650
6 Plus/"7c"=$600
6S=$550
"6c"=$500
6=$450
"5se"=$400

The 4" phones will always be mid-year updates if for no other reason than to take the pressure off manufacturing 3 different models in adequate supplies for a world wide launch. And, to boost sales which always seem to lag following the holiday quarter. So the price wouldn't change when the larger models are released in September.

 

[iThingsGurl]

Screen size would make the most sense to base pricing on. But I don't think Apple is ready for that just yet.

Here is Apple's lineup right now:

$650 - 4.7" - iPhone 6S - A9 - Touch ID, Apple Pay, 3D Touch
$550 - 4.7" - iPhone 6 - A8 - Touch ID, Apple Pay
$450 - 4.0" - iPhone 5S - A7 - Touch ID

Some people think the iPhone 5SE should just replace the iPhone 5S. But in my opinion... it will be WAAAAY too powerful of a phone at $450.

It's got a smaller screen... sure... but it's also got the guts of the CURRENT iPhone including A9, Touch ID and Apple Pay.

That doesn't seem like something Apple would offer at only $450... would it? (though it would be great for the consumer)

At $550... I could see the iPhone 5SE being compared to today's iPhone 6.

Do you want a smaller screen but a faster processor? Or do you want a larger screen but a slower processor?

But if the 5SE was launched at $550 in march... what happens in September? We think the 6S would roll down to the $550 price-point. So in that case... the 4" iPhone 5SE and the 4.7" iPhone 6S would be the same price with similar internal specs. That seems odd too.

In short... $450 seems too low of a price for too good of a phone. But at $550... it will have difficulty fitting into Apple's current and near-future lineup.

Here's the bigger problem: Apple doesn't WANT to sell a $450 phone. They hit that price-point only because they keep older models on the market... and because they know most people will opt for the current phone instead.

But when they start making new $450 phones... their ASP will drop dramatically. That's not good situation.

If Apple were to discontinue the 6 as well as the 5s, then a $450 price point (i.e. from September 2016) does make sense for a A9/M9 on a 4.0" device. After all, iPhone 5c was introduced at $350 - please correct me if I am wrong, for I am converting to USD based on CAD.

Alternatively, if they don't like to entertain the thought of decreasing the price within 6 months of launch, they may introduce a new price group of $500 (or $499 as they'd like to put it) now.

 

[smacrumon]

Worth repeating,
1. Apple should really stop all these leaks on forthcoming products. Would be nice to receive a genuine surprise at the launch events.
2. Apple also needs to rethink its multiple model names strategy. 5se??? Is this a blast from the past? If that's truly the direction Apple is going--multiple models with different names and features--goodbye simplicity and hello again to the late 1980s and early 1990s mess that was multiple Mac models. iPhone 7 in three sizes please with identical features. Simple for customers, better for developers to program.
3. Apple catered to the design savvy crowd a decade ago. Apple has been on a mission in the past few years to go for the other part of the untapped market which is defined by those with no taste. Protruding camera, terribly obvious antenna lines (ie gold, rose gold) and a range of tacky colours are hallmarks of this mission. Happy to hang on to my ageing five year old iPhone until a better design presents.