Actually there are 3 current models of iPads (just like iPhones), 2 models of laptops (less than iPhones) and 3 and a half desktops (not sure why does mac pro exist alongside the mac studio).
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone SE 4 Said to Feature 48MP Rear Lens, 12MP TrueDepth Camera
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
iPad
iPad Air (11 + 13)
iPad Mini
iPad Pro (11 + 13)
MacBook Air M1 (at Walmart and Education), M2 13, M3 13 + 15
MacBook Pro M4 14, M4 Pro, M4 Ultra 14 + 16
iMac 24
Mac mini
Mac Studio
Mac Pro
I have no idea where you got your numbers from but every one of them is wrong.
You are woefully uninformed about market demographics. My guess is that you use your phone as a status symbol and think that it impresses people based on how much it cost. iPhone SE and iPhone Mini users (like me) often buy based on screen size. I need the smallest screen possible. I will use my 13 Mini until it's no longer supported or until another 4" phone comes out. Price is irrelevant. I would prefer that Apple's flagship phone (including 120Hz refresh) have a 4" display and the fastest processor and most memory. I'd gladly pay $2000 or more for that.
I think your implication that iPhone SE users, by definition, don't know "anything" about refresh rates shows a lack of understanding of the market.
1. I find the iPhone SE to be more finger-friendly than the iPhone 13 mini. While they are similar in size, the iPhone 13 mini has a taller screen, which makes it harder to reach the top corners, especially for one-handed use. If you prefer a smaller screen that’s easier to handle with one hand, the iPhone SE is a much better choice.
2. Neither the iPhone 13 mini nor the iPhone SE supports a 120Hz display. If you already own an iPhone 13 mini, it’s clear that a higher refresh rate isn’t a priority for you.
3. There won’t be any future phones with a 4-inch display. The 4-inch form factor is long gone, and even the 4.7-inch screen is now a thing of the past. The iPhone 13 mini, at 5.4 inches, is much larger than a 4-inch display. These days, the 6.36-inch Xiaomi 15 is considered a small flagship, and the standard iPhone is 6.1 inches.
4. The main reason for the shift away from smaller phones is twofold: 1) The majority of smartphone buyers now prefer larger screens, and 2) Phone manufacturers are increasingly focused on services as a revenue stream. For instance, Apple is pushing services like Apple TV and Apple Arcade, which are better enjoyed on larger screens.
We can keep dreaming about small phones, but the reality is that the industry has moved on. "Bigger is better" has become the mantra for smartphone manufacturers as they market their products.
I think there is a third reason. Most small phone “enthusiasts” will eventually (although grudgingly) settle for a larger phone, possibly in conjunction with a smart watch but will stay with the same brand. While large phone “enthusiasts” would switch companies or move onto tablets if their large phone desires are not addressed adequately.
It was sounding pretty decent up until "iPhone 14 battery". That thing degraded like crazy.
I mean you can view them however you wish. I can’t tell you what to view as that is your prerogative. I don’t care enough to troll. I said what I said. You didn’t like it. Again that’s a you thing my friend.
So yea let’s talk facts
Whether my criticism was constructive or not is irrelevant. It was criticism and not based on misinformation.
You said it yourself. The wide variety of android phones.
Pixel nor PREMIUM android phones don’t make up the bulk of android phones.
Some android phones are guaranteed longer updates.
Again I’ve used android nearly 2 decades. A lot longer than most of its biggest proponents here.
Google has always updated its pixel line adequately and before that its nexus line. It’s why you were always told if you want updates get google phones.
Samsung has committed to seven years of updates for their phones.
that’s great. It only took them nearly 2 decades to match apple.
But if history proves itself with android updates that some android phones should never get updated because they wind up destroying the phone. Android is such a demanding OS that an update will degrade performance especially on lower end phones. This is more common and detrimental with android updates than iPhone updates for older phones.
Or in some cases, OEMs will make an excuse as to why even despite their promises of updates, a phone we get it.
Samsung and motorola are notorious for going back on their words.
Oneplus, xioami, huawei, honor, Nokia, asus, song, Motorola etc etc offer anywhere between 1-4 years of support and updates. And even then it’s only on certain devices.
So yes factually speaking Androids update policy on MOST ANDROIDS sold pales in comparison to apple.
My brother has an iPhone XS Max. It has now received six iOS updates.
you are always guaranteed at least six years of updates REGARDLESS of which iPhone you own.
The iPhone 6s for example was released in 2015. It received its last iOS update in 2023 and apple still releases critical iOS updates for security.
Next.
Again flagship decices do not make up the bulk of the majority of android sales. Android is and always has been more popular on lower end cheap hardware.
So again that’s fact that on average android performance is slow. It doesn’t have the processor or ram or storage for an adequate experience.
You buy a $30 android phone BRAND NEW and it’s terrible.
Yes flagships with higher specs will perform much better. I’d hope so. For $1500 or better.
Keyword: your opinion.
Most opinions usually find iOS screen transitions and the overall IOS experience more fluid and this is also why you’re seeing android OEM copy iOS design cues in their Ui.
Next.
you keep using android flagships as your argument and that’s why it doesnt make sense.
Again android flagships do not make up the bulk of android devices in use. This most android phones are of budget or midrange and have crappy cameras compared to iPhones.
That’s not misinformation. You can look at the pics.
Let’s compare.
I can buy brand new today an iPhone 14 or even an iPhone SE(2022).
For the same price point or lower the best android phone with a camera I can get would be the pixel 8a and its camera for the price point isn’t terrible BUT apples picture quality and especially the video quality is generally as superb.
Motorola is known for its terrible cameras.
Samsung A series are generally not known for their quality.
Next
I have plenty and have state.
iPhones and ios are amazing and Android is garbage. What’s laughable isn’t me saying that but the fact my opinion (because that’s what it is) rubbed you the wrong way.
It reminds me of thanksgiving. My brother and I were going back and forth about our phones. He’s a diehard apple hater and android fan.
I have never denied that Android flagships are more powerful in some ways than iPhones. I won’t even deny that android flagships have great cameras. I won’t even deny that phones like the foldables look cool.
However…android is garbage. For all it can do, I remember the days of my xda days having to research various Roms bc my phone wasn’t updated.
I remember always settling with Android. And even today if I was switching to android I always feel like I have to settle regardless of which android Oem I choose. I also have to be careful what Oem I choose.
I hate pixels design. They see ugly but if I want guaranteed updates id get one. Samsung phones feel cheap but if I want the best camera I need to get the ultra. If I want to save money and get a Motorola I have to accept poor camera quality and updates. I can go on and on.
What you and most Android fans seem to refuse to accept is all you can quote are specs and designs. That’s great and all. Happy for you.
But the reason iOS is better and why people say iOS is better is beyond specs. It’s the ecosystem.
The ecosystem that Microsoft, Google, Samsung and others fail to match.
You call it the walled garden i call it my phone and all my products function in synergy.
I’m not having to download various apps or tweak these settings. I can use an iPhone XS from 2018 and still have most of the non AI features of the iPhone 16.
I can walk into an Apple Store in a few hours and get support immediately without needing to ship my phone off.
I dont have to settle (much) with what iPhone I choose bc while each iPhone serves a different purpose, I’m not missing out on much.
the ecosystem and the fluidity of said ecosystem is why iOS and iPhones are better.
it’s not a walled garden. We can leave at anytime. But leave for what? A phone with higher specs but a mediocre at best ecosystem.
I quess it depends on how you look at it.
There are two MacBook models, with various variants within the model line.
On the desktop, there are 2 consumer models - iMac and Mini, and two pro versions, Studio and Pro.
As for the iPad, I'd consider 3 models with two sizes in each - iPad, Air, Pro
The iPhone has 2, (3 if you consider teh SE separately) - Pro and iPhone, with variants across the iPhone spectrum via olde rmodels, much like the MacBook
Well It isn't that difficult or different to Mac.
You have the latest 17, and 17 Pro each with 2 Screen Size Variant.
You have last year's 16, with 2 screen size variants.
And then SE, with may be 2 screen size variants.
I actually thought about that, by bumping the entry level iPhone all to 256GB and therefore the price up by $100. Which would fit your model.
The only thing is current economy and retail doesn't seems to be the right time to raise price for all iPhone.
However now the iPhone 14 will be discontinued in EU, and I dont think Apple would have its line up different for EU and rest of the world. May be Apple could take this opportunity to take the 14 away early in the whole world and have iPhone SE New at $599.
Only to introduce iPhone SE Plus at a year later date. That way they speed up the whole AI line up transaction.
Last edited:
ugghhh... that's a gorgeous render. If this phone were 5.5" and lacked the camera button I would instantly trade my 16 in for this. I'd trade a lot of stuff in and spend more money for something as simplistic as this.
I would disagree. I think the main reason for the shift is that the majority of the market is "low-end" consumers who can't afford multiple devices. It's teenagers and others who can't afford an iPhone, an iPad, a MacBook Pro, a Mac Studio and Pro Display, and a 75" OLED TV. I have all of those, so i want my phone to be 4" and just a phone. But the low-end of the market, with little disposable income, must choose a single device to consume all their content, thus they buy a phone with the biggest screen they can get. Small phones are for the very rich.
That still doesn't explain why there is no 4" high end smartphone, NOT A SIGNLE ONE.
And anyone who tried to offer premium small phones have all existed the small phone market. Beside, the mini iPhone or any so call small Android phone all have screen larger than 5" inch.
So don't blame the low-end market. I have iPad Pro, Mac mini M1, 13" MacBook Pro, 70" OLED TV and I still want large iPhone. I think current Pro Max iPhone is small and I want even bigger iPhone (i.e., foldable iPhone that expand to iPad mini size).
Who has tried to "offer premium small phones"?? No one. All smaller phones have been de-contented products aimed at the entry/budget/foreign markets.
I think the problem has been the (incorrect) preconception that small=budget. Apple went with this approach with the Mini - marketing it as a "budget" iPhone and withholding premium chips, memory, cameras, and features. We still have NO data on what the market is for a premium 4" phone - because no one has made such a product.
While it may not have had Pro level features, I wouldn't say Apple marketed the mini as a "budget" phone. When the iPhone 12 mini launched in October 2020, it had a higher starting price ($729 for 64GB) than the regular iPhone 11 had at launch the previous year ($699 for 64GB).
The budget phone for Apple at the time was the iPhone SE 2 which had launched in April 2020 starting at $399 for 64GB.
I'd almost agree but if the iPhone SE uses the A18 SoC and a newer battery design, that's now way less of any issue. The A18 uses a lot less battery power than the A15 on the iPhone 14 and the likely battery may be around 3,400 mAh capacity (in my opinion).
The iPhone 12 and 13 mini wasn’t budget iPhone in any sense. It wasn’t the cheapest nor it was market as budget iPhone.
You have to remember, Apple moved on from 4”inch iPhone long time ago with iPhone 6.
Both Apple, Samsung, Asus etc. tried small phone (in the sense of 5 inch to 5.5inch), all without doubt failed. There won’t be ANY 4” inch phone, that ship has already sailed and probably sinked under the sea.
Small phone lover, the best you would hope is iPhone mini again. People seems to love this phone for portability and one handed use.
I have forgotten about the existence of iPad Mini indeed.
Macbook : Air (2 sizes), Pro (2 sizes). M1 Air is not listed anymore on the Apple website in a current lineup.
iMac 24
Mac mini
Mac Studio
Mac Pro (which is basically a Mac Studio in glorious shell with shiny wheels).
It’s simple ergonomics. Not everyone had the hand size to use a big phone comfortably. But the margins Apple is looking for on the iPhone make manufacturing a niche device less ideal than say the Mac Pro.
The 13 Mini was a premium device though which ever way you look at it. It’s build quality and materials were far better than any other device on its price bracket just as every iPhone is.
iPhones by their very nature are premium products. You’re getting the best materials and build quality in that price bracket regardless of device because it’s Apple.
But to go back to the original point you made: the majority of any iPhone users are the mass market buyers just looking for the most reliable device they can afford for the next 5 years. They don’t look at spec sheets or benchmarks; they just need to know hope many generations have gone by since their last visit to the Apple Store.