iPhone SE Estimated to Grab 16% of U.S. iPhone Market in Launch Quarter

[Jal217]

They severely underestimated demand
And and they priced it low expecting not to attract customers away from the flagship phones. This is bad for apple as it lowers their average selling price. I think they thought they would have a small number of sales that was similar to how the 5s was selling. This was a mistake for sure and it shows in their early inventory struggles. Should have priced it higher.

 

[Janichsan]

Yet more proof that Apple not selling a 4" iPhone for two years was a giant mistake.

They did sell a 4" phone, but they didn't update it: the 5s was on sale all the time before the SE was released.

Anyway: one more proof that analysts couldn't predict the sunrise.

 

[LordVic]

DOOOM DOOOOM I SAY DOOOOOOOM /s

really, nobody should really be surprised by this, as wouldn't you believe. 1 size, or even 2 sizes doesn't fit all.
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They did sell a 4" phone, but they didn't update it: the 5s was on sale all the time before the SE was released.

Anyway: one more proof that analysts couldn't predict the sunrise.

now to be fair.

this report we've got in OP doesn't actually give us numbers. Just a percentage of US market. 16% could be only thousands, if other sales also dropped considerably. you can never use percentages like this without the concrete numbers that back it to come up with "success/failure" of something

 

[LordQ]

They severely underestimated demand
And and they priced it low expecting not to attract customers away from the flagship phones. This is bad for apple as it lowers their average selling price. I think they thought they would have a small number of sales that was similar to how the 5s was selling. This was a mistake for sure and it shows in their early inventory struggles. Should have priced it higher.

Why the hell would you want it to be more expensive? Ultimately this is great for customers.

 

[Thunderhawks]

LOL
There are a lot of other reasons why the 16GB might be an attractive choice
It isn't just because youth and seniors don't have much money

I'd actually question if Youth don't have much money.
Mom and Dad will buy whatever to keep them happy.

Petulant and sulking teenagers are a pain and terrorize families,
until they get what they want.

Wouldn't work on some, but most cave in.

PS: Looks like size does matter!

 

[sinsin07]

Why does anybody need more than 16gb? I'm genuinely curious to understand the usage model. I still have 5.8gb available on my 16gb iphone 5.

Then you probably could get by with a flip phone with camera.

 

[Phil A.]

If Apple would release an updated 4in with latest camera and processor I'd buy it in a second. Instead I'll wait for the 4.7in iPhone 8.

The SE has the same processor as the 6s/6S+ and the same resolution rear camera.

I recently "downgraded" from a 6S+ to an SE as I had issues carrying it in lighter summer clothes and I realise I'd forgotten how nice a small phone can be: I'd got caught up on the bigger is better mantra and really thought I needed a massive phone with me all the time. The SE has been like a breath of fresh air and I'm loving the increased portability and one handed use

 

[MH01]

id take the SE over the 7, if my 6S dies

 

[Jal217]

Why the hell would you want it to be more expensive? Ultimately this is great for customers.

Apple is a business, and if there is pent up demand for something, or lack of inventory, it means there is money left on the table. As a fan and investor of apple I would always want them to make the best business decisions, not make the consumer the happiest, unless doing so will make them more money in the long run. is a clear case of underestimating demand for a product and underproducing and under pricing. Tim Cook himself said they underestimated demand. Good for everyone who purchased the phone, bad for maximizing profit and revenue.

 

[Alumeenium]

wow 16% of 4% global smart phone market.... #InnovatingMyAss

 

[SSDGUY]

I wish they'd ditch the "classic" nonsense. I'm still plinking along w/ my 4S and would love a less expensive new device that ditches the sharp edges — as would my jeans pockets.

 

[bliggs]

Why does anybody need more than 16gb? I'm genuinely curious to understand the usage model. I still have 5.8gb available on my 16gb iphone 5.

Photos and video can take up a lot of space, especially 4K video so yes, there is a huge need for larger storage capacity.

 

[Ted13]

Why does anybody need more than 16gb? I'm genuinely curious to understand the usage model. I still have 5.8gb available on my 16gb iphone 5.

Shooting videos and photos; music collection for travel abroad, planes, places where you do not have streaming access. I have a 128GB 6S and wish I had a 512GB.

 

[Retired Cat]

This should come as no surprise.

The 5/5s/SE form factor is light, fits many types of pockets easily, and is easy to operate 1-handed. Sure, its display is not as nice as the 6/6s in terms of amount of content or visual quality, but I find that the display is good enough for most tasks.

 

[r3m1]

wow 16% of 4% global smart phone market.... #InnovatingMyAss

Has nothing to do with innovation - but supplying the bottom of the pyramid

 

[npmacuser5]

Well, yeah. It's cheap. iPhone attracts the youth and senior citizens. Both of these groups don't have much money.

Really, many of us seniors are doing just fine. Maybe better then many of you. I could easily afford any of the iPhones, chose the SE for size and a better user experience for my phone needs. Labeling large groups of people usually not an accurate argument.

 

[Ted13]

My biggest regret is not getting them iPhones with bigger screens. Their hands aren't steady... they tremble a lot and really struggle with entering passwords on the small screens. I'm hopeful that TouchID will reduce how much they need to enter passwords, but the initial setup process was very difficult for them.

I wonder... is there some super cheap keyboard that I can buy for them for just entering their passwords when that's necessary? Used is fine... I figure they can share it.

Agree with you: the big screen 6+ was very helpful for elderly people. I'm sure 3rd party keyboards are out there, just a matter of getting one.

 

[WiseAJ]

Why does anybody need more than 16gb? I'm genuinely curious to understand the usage model. I still have 5.8gb available on my 16gb iphone 5.

I only have 40GB free on my 128GB device. I've never had an Apple device with less then 30GB. Started with an iPod with 30GB hard drive then went to a 32gb iPod touch, 32gb iPhone 4/4S then jumped to 64GB iPhone 5 and 128GB iPhone 6+/6S+. I'm actually tempted to go up to 256Gb if the rumors prove true this fall.

 

[DrumApple]

I have a 6 and am waiting until Sept to see how bad or good the 7 is. If it's bad, I'm going back to SE. I like the smaller form, something you can actually hold without putting an ugly case on it. Only if it had 3d touch though... can never have everything.

 

[wizard]

It's impressive actually. One out of every six iPhones sold was an SE.

Just
That is because most of us don't want an excessively larger cell phone!!!! I never understood the desire some have to carry those massive bricks around. When I need a large screen I grab my iPad when on the go small is better.

 

[dannyyankou]

Why does anybody need more than 16gb? I'm genuinely curious to understand the usage model. I still have 5.8gb available on my 16gb iphone 5.

People store a lot of music and don't want to use data streaming it.

I have a 128gb 6s and have less than a gigabyte left. Computing is getting more mobile, so a lot of people need more storage to support their changing lifestyle.
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Just
That is because most of us don't want an excessively larger cell phone!!!! I never understood the desire some have to carry those massive bricks around. When I need a large screen I grab my iPad when on the go small is better.

I would've bought the SE if it had a 128gb option.

 

[tourbus1]

I'm very close to buying the SE 64 gig. Size seems right, very quick performance etc. Just would hate to get it now and then in a couple months find out I should have waited to see what's coming out next in the lineup.

 

[joueboy]

I'm not surprise there's a big population that would like a smaller faster iPhone. What surprised me is that Apple made the same design of the older instead of the newer one. Obviously they want to milk the market and reused some of the components of the iPhone 5 and 5S. SMH!

 

[seatton]

Not surprising to hear that. I would get this instead of the iPhone 6s. Anything cheap for kids that allow them to play Pokemon Go would sell like hot cakes.

 

[wizard]

Why does anybody need more than 16gb? I'm genuinely curious to understand the usage model. I still have 5.8gb available on my 16gb iphone 5.

Some apps use a lot of storage space. One example is Dash a very useful app for programmers. Another example is reference and catalog apps. Some people have a lot of music. The list goes on but every user is an individual that leverages his hardware in different ways.