I don't think the SE was ever meant smaller phone. It's basically cheaper model using older design. The 2020 SE is already larger than the original SE.
The iPhone Mini is the small screen iPhone.
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iPhone SE 3 Rumored to Feature iPhone XR Design With Touch ID and Be Apple's Last LCD Smartphone
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The iPhone Mini is the small screen iPhone.
The point of the SE is to cover the lower end of the market. Semantically, there is no "reusing of old components until they run out" - that's now how it works with just-in-time manufacturing. But, it's true that using older technology leads to low production costs which in turn allows for a relatively low selling price.
The XR-based SE has been rumored for years now, so hopefully it is indeed close. As others point out, this form factor makes much more sense for a 5G phone than the old iPhone 7/8 form factor of the current SE. After that, theoretically, the next form factor in line for SE duty would be the iPhone 12/13 Mini in 2024. However, it may be that they end up going with the standard iPhone 12/13 form factor so that the fourth generation model's screen is not smaller than the third generation model's.
I think leveraging older designs was always the point of the SE, not the screen size. The fact that the older designs had smaller screens was just the way it was. The SE was Apple's way of hitting a price point (~US$400) using the newest (or close to newest) Ax chip and upgraded components like cameras, etc.
Using the design of the Xr/11 is consistent with the previous SE designs. I am skeptical on the TouchID vs FaceID part of the rumor. Apple already has designs for the LCD screen in this size with FaceID already. Why make a whole new design (no matter how trivial) to implement the TouchID power button. Besides, the notch is a recognizable feature of iPhones and this will end up looking like any other Android phone.
We shall see.
EDIT - haha - Posters 51, 52, and 53 all read down to the bottom of the first page at the exact same time, practically. Don't know why, but I find that amusing.
Would Apple really release a budget phone without the notch before the top end devices have banished it?
In light of the pandemic I actually agree. I have a 13 Pro and am disappointed Apple didn’t make any biometric accommodations for masks. Watch unlock is better than nothing but has obvious limitations.
For Apple Watch user this is a bit less of an issue. For non-Apple Watch user though, it might be. Better changing passcode every now and then.
That explains the discrepancies.
Yes I know right, it seems to good to be true especially the notch less screen. They will probably put a hole punch for the camera which is acceptable for me personally.
Yeah, that was a big phone. It would take some getting used to for a new SE to be around that size, but it is true that the SE is supposed to be cheaper, not necessarily smaller. This rumor seems very believable. I think Apple is over the home button.
You are all wrong! SE means Senior Edition, for grand parents who still prefer a physical home button.
What we need is a 401 ppi LCD screen like the Plus phones had. Not another 326 ppi LCD screen.
401 ppi screen- I’m in.
326 ppi screen- not buying.
401 ppi screen- I’m in.
326 ppi screen- not buying.
I don't see this happening for many reasons...first off - releasing the cheapest phone with no notch but "edge to edge" screen. Second, being the only phone with the side button Touch ID. This can happen in 2023 once the mainline iPhones have side button or behind glass Touch ID.
The second reason - the XR is massive. Larger than a 13 Pro. A lot of people with the SE just wanted a smaller phone. Unfortunately I think Apple accidentally screwed over small phone lovers - they released the SE right before the 12 Mini. So a lot of potential 12 Mini users went to the SE months before. Now with the 13 line, the Pro is actually a better phone (12/12 pro was a tiny gap, just camera differences.) So the "high end" mini users jumped up to a 13 Pro. So basically the iPhone mini was doomed from the start. It is now not "pro" enough, and it's initial run was hijacked by a cheaper phone released months before.
The second reason - the XR is massive. Larger than a 13 Pro. A lot of people with the SE just wanted a smaller phone. Unfortunately I think Apple accidentally screwed over small phone lovers - they released the SE right before the 12 Mini. So a lot of potential 12 Mini users went to the SE months before. Now with the 13 line, the Pro is actually a better phone (12/12 pro was a tiny gap, just camera differences.) So the "high end" mini users jumped up to a 13 Pro. So basically the iPhone mini was doomed from the start. It is now not "pro" enough, and it's initial run was hijacked by a cheaper phone released months before.
I always thought the whole point was producing a cheaper (entry level?) phone that leverages previous designs (presumably b/c it makes design and production easier/cheaper).
My wife has opted for the SEs for the last several years and they're great value. IIRC, we paid about $450 for a 64GB 1st gen SE when it first came out. The "old form-factor + new guts" is, IMO, a pretty solid product option.
Do you have an apple watxh? The unlock with watch feature makes the mask Face ID thing way easier.
Touch ID is better anyway. When your phone is ling on the table you aren’t able to unlock it unless you bring it in front of your face. And you need to do it every time, bringing it to your face.
I work as medical doctor and I must wear a mask all the day so you can imagine how annoying is unlocking the phone with the code every time. I am very surprised why apple did not add a Touch ID to its phones this year. I own a iPhone 11 Pro Max and I am now considering going back to iPhone SE only because of Touch ID.
at least there you dont loose aspect ratio and is room for furutre faceID...here its clear it doesnt come
This rumor doesn’t make sense to me. Why not just offer an older mini for a lesser price? Take out the Face ID and put in a fingerprint button to save some cash, and you can get the price to $399 fairly easily. Also, I don’t think there’s any way they don’t include a notch on a cheaper phone. How many people would go for a cheaper phone to avoid having a notch? It could cannibalize sales of more expensive phones If enough people want a notch-less iPhone.