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iPhone SE (2016) iPad mini 5 is out. Now a new SE?

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MandiMac

macrumors 65816
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Feb 25, 2012
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I read in these forums that Tim Cook is a master of supply chain, re-using all he can. iPad mini 5 being the newest example: Same chassis, A12 chip that's currently in production for almost every current iOS device. What do you think, are rumors of a new iPhone SE exaggerated? :)
 
I'm not sure I've heard rumours of one, but I'm ready for it, and I'm not alone.

I have heard rumours of a new iPod touch – that would be very interesting. I only moved to an iPhone to support the Apple Watch, which is my constant companion.
 
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MandiMac said:
I read in these forums that Tim Cook is a master of supply chain, re-using all he can. iPad mini 5 being the newest example: Same chassis, A12 chip that's currently in production for almost every current iOS device. What do you think, are rumors of a new iPhone SE exaggerated? :)
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Is it possible? Yes. For 2019? I don’t believe so. Even if the SE is revived, I don’t think it will resemble what it once did. The reality is, there’s been very few credible rumors about the SE being revived at all, and given the products that are expected to launch this year, the SE is not one of them currently. With Apple, they are very unpredictable, but I don’t think they see the value in reviving a 4 inch iPhone, at least not in this current stage in the smart phone market.
 
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MandiMac said:
I read in these forums that Tim Cook is a master of supply chain, re-using all he can. iPad mini 5 being the newest example: Same chassis, A12 chip that's currently in production for almost every current iOS device. What do you think, are rumors of a new iPhone SE exaggerated? :)
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iPhone 8/7 is the new SE. why design or produce another SE if it’s just a smaller 8?
 
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The only thing I keep seeing are concept images of an updated SE on social media. While an updated SE would be fantastic, I doubt Apple will release an updated model.
 
Mac'nCheese said:
Because some people want a smaller phone. Call it an 8 mini.
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Erm that’s not what I’m saying. I’m just trying too see from Apple’s POV. In many ways, 8 is the new SE, except the size. Is the delta demand then worth the effort and cost to set up another production line and after sales service/maintenance?

Looking at the bigger picture, smartphones have kind of reached saturation, would Apple rather focus on producing SE when there is 8 or diving into their services?
 
Nerdyaf said:
Erm that’s not what I’m saying. I’m just trying too see from Apple’s POV. In many ways, 8 is the new SE, except the size. Is the delta demand then worth the effort and cost to set up another production line and after sales service/maintenance?

Looking at the bigger picture, smartphones have kind of reached saturation, would Apple rather focus on producing SE when there is 8 or diving into their services?
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I guess they wouldn't since we don't have one.
 
iPhone 8 is still $600. That's still very expensive for a phone that is now 2 years old. So no, I don't think the iPhone 8 is the "new SE".

At launch the iPhone SE price was only $399. That's still significantly cheaper than the iPhone 8. Sooner or later, Apple will release a smaller phone. Mark my words. It's bound to happen. We have hit a major plateau in the smartphone market. When that will happen is anyone's guess.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to rationally conclude that the 2019 iPhones will, again, not sell very well. That's because the differences between iPhone X and Xs and XI will be very minor (if the leaks floating around are to be believed). Let's face it, Apple will have another year of bad sales.
 
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s54 said:
iPhone 8 is still $600. That's still very expensive for a phone that is now 2 years old. So no, I don't think the iPhone 8 is the "new SE".

At launch the iPhone SE price was only $399. That's still significantly cheaper than the iPhone 8. Sooner or later, Apple will release a smaller phone. Mark my words. It's bound to happen. We have hit a major plateau in the smartphone market. When that will happen is anyone's guess.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to rationally conclude that the 2019 iPhones will, again, not sell very well. That's because the differences between iPhone X and Xs and XI will be very minor (if the leaks floating around are to be believed). Let's face it, Apple will have another year of bad sales.
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most people i know want a small phone, not a cheap phone.

apple generally dont do cheap (just look at MBA), SE maybe an once off to get people into their ecosystem, especially in countries like india. but now that market is getting saturated, aple has less incentive to do that.
 
s54 said:
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to rationally conclude that the 2019 iPhones will, again, not sell very well. Let's face it, Apple will have another year of bad sales.
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I think you’re being a bit presumptuous and overstating. The iPhone traditionally has actually always sold very well, even if Apple didn’t have the most stellar year in 2018. But in reply to what you said that the 2019 iPhones will ‘not sell again very well’, I’m sure Apple is anticipating some stagnancy, not just with consumers not upgrading, but in the Chinese market in addition.

But it goes back to what Tim Cook said in an interview in January, that Apple will try to incentivize through services and trade-in programs. Believe me, you think Apple doesn’t realize that the battery replacement program _and_ iOS 12 didn’t play a role in those upgrading as well? They know it did. That’s why Apple has to be more tactful what changes they make moving forward, which I’m sure we will know a lot more during the fall Keynote.

Really, I’m not trying to stomp on your 4 inch iPhone dreams, because I understand it’s something you and others appreciate, but Apple will be fine either way moving forward if they don’t bring back a smaller iPhone in that specific caliber. I would say 2020 should be a more ‘telling’ year to see what Apple decides to do in that regard.
 
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Mac'nCheese said:
Because some people want a smaller phone. Call it an 8 mini.
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And that number of people is just too small, and unfortunately a company cannot just spend huge resources (manufacturing, support, spare parts, software, etc) for a small segment. Look at Android. There’s hardly any Android phone smaller than 5” nowadays, with even budget phones going 6” or larger. And they are the one having the majority market share.

It is unfortunate, yes, but at least Apple is improving Apple Watch. I can see future Apple Watch to be my first interaction point for major tasks that the iPhone size itself won’t matter anymore. Heck, I wish apple put Apple Watch support on the iPad so I can just use a cellular iPad and an Apple Watch, skipping the iPhone altogether.
 
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pika2000 said:
And that number of people is just too small, and unfortunately a company cannot just spend huge resources (manufacturing, support, spare parts, software, etc) for a small segment. Look at Android. There’s hardly any Android phone smaller than 5” nowadays, with even budget phones going 6” or larger. And they are the one having the majority market share.

It is unfortunate, yes, but at least Apple is improving Apple Watch. I can see future Apple Watch to be my first interaction point for major tasks that the iPhone size itself won’t matter anymore. Heck, I wish apple put Apple Watch support on the iPad so I can just use a cellular iPad and an Apple Watch, skipping the iPhone altogether.
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Reminds me of the iPad mini situation. They love, love, love their minis. Maybe this will hold true for an SE, too - but if you're used to the screen of an iPhone XR, you simply won't go back to a SE display size.
 
MandiMac said:
Reminds me of the iPad mini situation. They love, love, love their minis. Maybe this will hold true for an SE, too - but if you're used to the screen of an iPhone XR, you simply won't go back to a SE display size.
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i like ipad minis; i read a lot and find ipads too heavy for me to hold up and read for prolonged sessions.

i have a XR, and will go back to an iphone 8-sized phone. the only reason why i bought a XR is because my teleco had special promotions and it cost almost the same as an 8. however, i think i might be an exception, maybe because i dont consume media on my phone, so a larger screen offers little benefit
 
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MandiMac said:
I read in these forums that Tim Cook is a master of supply chain, re-using all he can. iPad mini 5 being the newest example: Same chassis, A12 chip that's currently in production for almost every current iOS device. What do you think, are rumors of a new iPhone SE exaggerated? :)
Click to expand...
The SE isn’t going to be made anymore and neither is the iPod touch
 
Starfia said:
I'm not sure I've heard rumours of one, but I'm ready for it, and I'm not alone.

I have heard rumours of a new iPod touch – that would be very interesting. I only moved to an iPhone to support the Apple Watch, which is my constant companion.
Click to expand...
Oh a new iPod touch? I hope those rumors are true I would love a new iPod. I’m probably in the minority, but I hate putting music on my iPhone or listening to music on it.
 
ToddH said:
I saw this from a article on Flipboard, an app on the iPhone, it said these apple items were being discontinued. Here is one of those articles: Will it be true? Most likely I suppose.


Why Apple Will Kill the iPod Touch and iPhone SE - PCMag India
https://in.pcmag.com/iphone-se/129384/why-apple-will-kill-the-ipod-touch-and-iphone-se
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No one knows the future, but that article just seems like a bunch of speculation from someone who doesn’t have any inside information. What I find especially discrediting was the part about people expecting an iPhone SE update last week along with the iPod touch. Nobody talked about an SE last week. There are, however, credible rumors—from Ming-Chi Kuo and iOS code—that an iPod touch update is coming and probably soon.
 
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