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Other Do you think we’ll see an iPhone the size of the 5/5S/2016 SE someday again?

Silly John Fatty

Silly John Fatty

macrumors 68000
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Nov 6, 2012
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I love my 1st gen SE but with iOS 15, it has gotten terribly sluggish. Do you think Apple will ever release a 4” phone again?

If you ask me, they could take the 5/5S/SE casing again and just put new technology inside, that would be the perfect deal for me.

But I see a lot of apps and sites which are obviously made for bigger phones. They don’t adapt well to the 4” screen. Do you think this format is dead forever (or at least for a longer period)?
 
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Not likely. heck we'll be lucky to see a full screen iPhone at 5.4" again (and that is just after 2 yrs of the iPhone 12/13 mini).

I think, EVEN with Apple having a foldable phone that 4" may be just too small for a landscape fold-out. Oppo's FIND N was a good blink into the future as that devices main-external screen is smaller than Sammy's Fold 3.
 
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I kind of doubt it as well. I still hope they upgrade the first gen SE with some new hardware. I'm sure many people would buy it.

I hear from a lot of people that they really dislike those huge phones. They can't hold it with their small hands and they're unpractical in other matters too (browsing stuff on the phone with only one hand for example, but also pocket space, etc.).

It seems like there would be a market for that, I don't understand why they don't tackle it.
 
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Silly John Fatty said:
It seems like there would be a market for that, I don't understand why they don't tackle it.
Click to expand...
There is. It's just not a large market, despite all your firsthand knowledge from others.

Apple sells large(er) phones because the market for those phones is much bigger than it is for smaller phones. There's enough there to justify the SE/SE2. But while those phones are proof this market segment exists, the SE/SE2 do not outsell other iPhones and thus Apple's focus is not on smaller phones.
 
Online iPhone forums are clamoring for a iPhone 5 form factor. Apple comes out with a mini and people who do not chat online about their iPhone prefer not to buy it in masse.

People prefer phablets. I would not be surprised when one day before 2031 an iPhone with a 7.2" display will come out.

Another indicator that a smaller than 4.7" display is passé is that Android brands that matter do not offer it.
 
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Yup, I'm aware the market for bigger phones or phablets is bigger, but that shouldn't stop one from making smaller phones too, since there's a market for that as well. The 1st gen SE is now 6 years old. At that time, all iPhones were already pretty huge, so the people who bought this wanted a smaller phone. These phones are getting old now. With iOS 15, my SE has started lagging. I should never have upgraded I guess. But eventually, these buyers will want to swap their phone one day.
 
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SirAnthonyHopkins said:
There's pretty strong rumours that the iPhone SE will receive an update very soon: https://www.macrumors.com/2022/01/20/apple-event-spring-2022-what-is-coming/
Click to expand...

If it’s based on the 2020 SE like stated, it’s useless for me because that’s already too big.

Screen size actually doesn’t even really matter, what really does are the actual dimensions of the phone.

And as far as these go, the iPhone 13 mini is smaller than the SE 2020, even though it has a larger screen.
 
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Silly John Fatty said:
If it’s based on the 2020 SE like stated, it’s useless for me because that’s already too big.

Screen size actually doesn’t even really matter, what really does are the actual dimensions of the phone.

And as far as these go, the iPhone 13 mini is smaller than the SE 2020, even though it has a larger screen.
Click to expand...
Oh my bad, for some reason in my head the SE has always been based on the iPhone 5 design, not the 7 for the second gen. Of course it's bigger than that yeah, sorry.
 
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Silly John Fatty said:
Yup, I'm aware the market for bigger phones or phablets is bigger, but that shouldn't stop one from making smaller phones too, since there's a market for that as well. The 1st gen SE is now 6 years old. At that time, all iPhones were already pretty huge, so the people who bought this wanted a smaller phone. These phones are getting old now. With iOS 15, my SE has started lagging. I should never have upgraded I guess. But eventually, these buyers will want to swap their phone one day.
Click to expand...
The market's so small that minor Android brands ignore it.

Unles their goal is to lose money Apple will never make a future 4" phones based on the mini's sales volume.
Steve Jobs' insistence of a small phone is one of his rare misses.

Here's an internal slide of how much of an opportunity loss 4" phones are.

The next best thing to do with an iPhone SE is just refurb it wit ha fresh battery to give another 2 good more years before getting a new battery again
 
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I dont think they will re-introduce a 4" iphone like the OG SE, the best options for a small iphone right now are the OG SE second hand, SE 2020, 12 and 13 mini. I would also say the X,XS and 11 Pro, but they are probably too big for the OP.

In the future, I am hoping that Apple release a foldable that is similar in size to the Oppo Find N (essentially same size as 12/13 mini when folded). These sold out instantly in China on release (only released in China), so there is a market for them, and the Chinese market usually go for larger phones, so this says a lot.
 
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snipr125 said:
I dont think they will re-introduce a 4" iphone like the OG SE, the best options for a small iphone right now are the OG SE second hand, SE 2020, 12 and 13 mini. I would also say the X,XS and 11 Pro, but they are probably too big for the OP.

In the future, I am hoping that Apple release a foldable that is similar in size to the Oppo Find N (essentially same size as 12/13 mini when folded). These sold out instantly in China on release (only released in China), so there is a market for them, and the Chinese market usually go for larger phones, so this says a lot.
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Though my experience with foldable phones is from 1995 I have not bought once since because they have more breakable parts.

last thing I want is to be using a less than 2yo $1,099 phone that needs repairs because of a broken hinge.
 
Hexley said:
Though my experience with foldable phones is from 1995 I have not bought once since because they have more breakable parts.

last thing I want is to be using a less than 2yo $1,099 phone that needs repairs because of a broken hinge.
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I know, but the foldable phones are getting more durable with each iteration, and also coming down in price each year. The Oppo Find N's screen crease in particular is almost gone, compared to the Galaxy Fold/Flip and it closes perfectly flush with no gap.
 
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snipr125 said:
I know, but the foldable phones are getting more durable with each iteration, and also coming down in price each year. The Oppo Find N's screen crease in particular is almost gone, compared to the Galaxy Fold/Flip and it closes perfectly flush with no gap.
Click to expand...

I love my flagship phones and you are welcome to subsidize the cost of making future foldable phones more durable. :)

I'm for thicker phones for the purpose of more battery and not more screen.

I also do not want to be bothered by creases.

I use my iPhone for 16:9 & 21:9 video so a foldable screen tends to have an aspect ratio nearer to 4:3.

I have no interest in watch Star Trek TOS or TNG on the go.
 
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I hope so.
I legitimately think there is a global cabal of elites who cooked up this conspiracy to convince people they want to carry around stupid tablets, since they worked so many years shrinking the phone to the point it couldn't get any smaller they just started doing the reverse. I don't understand how anyone likes these ridiculous sized phones. Perhaps its largely pushed by technologically illiterate people who use a phone as their primary device, and the fact that many old people are starting to use smartphones and can't see well. Even the iPhone 13 mini is ridiculously large and uncomfortable to use one handed. 99% of people cannot use the full size of the screen one handed, so stupid. If they discontinue the mini I will stop upgrading my phone for 5+ years. Or maybe I'll just carry an Apple Watch without a band and pretend it's my phone. I despise big phones with a passion.

Same with new portable gaming consoles like the Switch or Steam Deck. Absolutely uncomfortable and ridiculous sized. PSP was the perfect device in the perfect form factor.
 
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Hexley said:
The market's so small that minor Android brands ignore it.

Unles their goal is to lose money Apple will never make a future 4" phones based on the mini's sales volume.
Steve Jobs' insistence of a small phone is one of his rare misses.

Here's an internal slide of how much of an opportunity loss 4" phones are.

The next best thing to do with an iPhone SE is just refurb it wit ha fresh battery to give another 2 good more years before getting a new battery again
Click to expand...

Then probably they’ll never make one again. On the other hand, one could argue that the Mini versions of the 12 and 13 are too similar to the other versions of these iPhones. So they are sort of a competition to themselves.

I don’t know the sales numbers of the original SE, but I always thought it was very well sold and believed it was a hit. Maybe I’m wrong though…

Also: My OG SE still works and is in perfect condition, the problem is the hardware. It’s too old to run iOS 15. It terribly lags. I’m also not sure how and if security updates will be provided. I wish I never upgraded, but I’m not sure if that’s a problem, security-wise.

But obviously, if Apple made an OS that a 6-year old phone like the OG SE could run without any hassle, then there would be no reason for someone like me to buy a new phone. I really do feel like they’re doing this on purpose. They said they would stop this practice, but after updating my OG SE to iOS 15, I can clearly say that is not the case at all.
 
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The iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini don't even sell well enough for Apple's liking. There's no way they're making something smaller at this time other than the iPod touch.
 
Silly John Fatty said:
Then probably they’ll never make one again. On the other hand, one could argue that the Mini versions of the 12 and 13 are too similar to the other versions of these iPhones. So they are sort of a competition to themselves.

I don’t know the sales numbers of the original SE, but I always thought it was very well sold and believed it was a hit. Maybe I’m wrong though…

Also: My OG SE still works and is in perfect condition, the problem is the hardware. It’s too old to run iOS 15. It terribly lags. I’m also not sure how and if security updates will be provided. I wish I never upgraded, but I’m not sure if that’s a problem, security-wise.

But obviously, if Apple made an OS that a 6-year old phone like the OG SE could run without any hassle, then there would be no reason for someone like me to buy a new phone. I really do feel like they’re doing this on purpose. They said they would stop this practice, but after updating my OG SE to iOS 15, I can clearly say that is not the case at all.
Click to expand...
Have you tried doing a restore your phone?

iOS 15 has had bugs/issues even on the latest devices so that could possibly help.

Also how is the battery health?
 
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Silly John Fatty said:
Then probably they’ll never make one again. On the other hand, one could argue that the Mini versions of the 12 and 13 are too similar to the other versions of these iPhones. So they are sort of a competition to themselves.

I don’t know the sales numbers of the original SE, but I always thought it was very well sold and believed it was a hit. Maybe I’m wrong though…

Also: My OG SE still works and is in perfect condition, the problem is the hardware. It’s too old to run iOS 15. It terribly lags. I’m also not sure how and if security updates will be provided. I wish I never upgraded, but I’m not sure if that’s a problem, security-wise.

But obviously, if Apple made an OS that a 6-year old phone like the OG SE could run without any hassle, then there would be no reason for someone like me to buy a new phone. I really do feel like they’re doing this on purpose. They said they would stop this practice, but after updating my OG SE to iOS 15, I can clearly say that is not the case at all.
Click to expand...
Dimensionally speaking and price point they are distinct enough.

The SE was always positioned as the iPhone for ~80% of all iPhone users. Cheap to make & based on available cutting edge parts as soon as the holiday peak season is done with so that the silicon capacity is fully utilize.

I have a friend who has the 2016 SE as well and what he does is not update to iOS 15. He only uses it to calls/text/Waze. Does his financial transactions on a Win10 machine without any biometrics.

TBH the security holes that gets trumpeted on MacRumors does not impact everyone right away or as badly as one could imagine.

If I were my friend I'd just keep using it until it falls apart.
 
Paddle1 said:
Have you tried doing a restore your phone?

iOS 15 has had bugs/issues even on the latest devices so that could possibly help.

Also how is the battery health?
Click to expand...

I haven't, but good idea, I'll try. Battery is at almost 90%, still okay I guess.

Hexley said:
Dimensionally speaking and price point they are distinct enough.

The SE was always positioned as the iPhone for ~80% of all iPhone users. Cheap to make & based on available cutting edge parts as soon as the holiday peak season is done with so that the silicon capacity is fully utilize.

I have a friend who has the 2016 SE as well and what he does is not update to iOS 15. He only uses it to calls/text/Waze. Does his financial transactions on a Win10 machine without any biometrics.

TBH the security holes that gets trumpeted on MacRumors does not impact everyone right away or as badly as one could imagine.

If I were my friend I'd just keep using it until it falls apart.
Click to expand...

He was smart not to update. My mother also has the 2016 SE with iOS 12 I believe, and damn is it fluid and fast… I don't use the phone for much more than your friend, so probably it was useless to upgrade.

I upgraded because I read everywhere that it wouldn't impact the speed of the phone. That's what most people were reporting. I also watched comparison videos. But I was naive. The usage in those videos has nothing to do with real-life situations. Those phones are probably barely used and there's nothing on them, etc.
 
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I don’t think so. The closest you can get to a 4 inch iPhone is the iPhone 12/13 mini. It’s screen is 5.4 inches, in a size that’s about as big as an iPhone 4S/5/SE 1. The closest you can get in screen size however is 4.7 inch on the current SE.
 
Highly doubtful unless suddenly the market demand goes to tiny candy bar and Startac phones again. Apple brought out the Mini due to clamoring and then the expected sales appear to never have materialized (from what I've read online) as others said. It'd be nice if they'd update the SE appearance though at some point.

I find the situation analogous to car enthusiasts clamoring for wagons/sports wagons and then very few go out and buy them in the USA. Very vocal but not enough purchasing mass for the effort. Like the demand for CUVs and pick ups, the mass market prefers bigger phones.
 
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Yes, I guess you guys are right. That really sucks.


By the way, it appears we’re 3 people with more or less the same profile picture, lol. It first looked like I was talking to myself.
 
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