iPhone SE Sales Forecasted as 'Lackluster' Over First Weekend

[TechRemarker]

Um duh? It's not that people don't want a 4-in phone, it's that everyone already upgrade to an iPhone 6, so the SE would be a lateral/downgrade since doesn't have high res selfie camera and doesn't have force touch and iPhone 7 will be released this year with presumably a lot of upgrades.

So if when the iPhone 7 is released if there was a a 7SE with all the same features just in a smaller size, I bet you would see a very big demand for the phone. But because of what I mention above people who want a smaller size aren't willing to sacrifice the rest.

While it appears that Apple has elected not to share first weekend sales numbers for the iPhone SE, as it has done in the past for some flagship models, multiple analysts have forecasted that sales of the new 4-inch smartphone were "lackluster" during its first three to four days of availability.

In a research note issued today, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo questioned last week's CNBC report claiming that iPhone SE orders topped 3.4 million in China, and added that demand for the iPhone SE "has been significantly lower than that of past new models" since launching on March 31.Mobile analytics firm Localytics echoed Kuo, claiming that iPhone SE adoption was "lackluster" following the device's launch. According to the firm's research, the iPhone SE "managed to grab only 0.1% of the iPhone market" over its first weekend of sales, which marked lower adoption than the iPhone 5s and all of the "6" models.

Apple launched the iPhone SE last Thursday on the same day as Tesla began accepting reservations for its lower-cost Model 3, and consumer excitement was unsurprisingly geared towards the highly-anticipated electric vehicle. In fact, many Tesla locations in the U.S. and Europe had longer lineups than nearby Apple retail stores.

Kuo forecasted that overall iPhone shipments will likely fall below 200 million units in 2016, indicating that the iPhone SE will not be enough for Apple to overcome "peak iPhone" until at least next year.Nevertheless, considering that the iPhone SE is effectively an upgraded iPhone 5s, and based on a design first introduced in 2012, it is largely unsurprising that demand among early adopters may be lower than usual. Apple's flagship iPhone 7 series is also due in September, which many customers are likely holding out for.

The success of the iPhone SE in emerging markets such as China, India, and Pakistan is likely what Apple is more concerned about. The smartphone's lower starting price should help get the device in the hands of consumers in markets where premium smartphones are out of reach for some due to socioeconomic factors.

In those markets, there is at least anecdotal evidence to suggest that the iPhone SE may be off to a good start.

Article Link: iPhone SE Sales Forecasted as 'Lackluster' Over First Weekend

 

[X38]

Hmm...6/6+ was 'dated on release'? Compared with what?

Not sure why people are chasing a new design - different materials (glass, metal, plastic) have all been tried, as have straight and curved edges. Ok, bezels could be a bit smaller but I don't see much else Apple can do that hasn't already been tried?

They could try making a 4" iPhone using the latest technology. Like millions of people have wanted ever since Apple switched to the 6 form factor.

 

[dave006]

If the sales are "lackluster", it's because there wasn't enough stock on hand.

I'm in a major metropolitan area and stock of 64GB SEs at Apple Stores is zero. 16GB devices were still available this weekend, but supply has gone down quite a bit as of this morning.

Can't sell what's not on the shelves.

+1 on that key statement. Same problem in the South East US, only a few 16 GB units available within 600 miles of me ( 24 Apple Stores.. ). Current mail delivery shows a good wait.

Order today, delivers:

• Apr 18 - Apr 21 – Fastest
• Apr 20 - Apr 25 – Free

Dave

 

[jodymcd]

Not the first phone but first iPhone. I'm pretty sure people who went into the stores got the surprising news. A lot of people I know didn't know that subsidizing was gone. I'm pretty sure a lot more people still don't know and will get the surprise when they want to upgrade to the iPhone 7. I usually upgrade every 2 year but not anymore. I'm keeping my 6s plus for while.

I'm the same way. I'm not going to be able to justify that cost every two years if my phone is still technically working fine.

 

[nope7308]

I actually want to trade my iPhone 6 for a 4" iPhone, but not at the cost of an already outdated design. I can't bring myself to pay $710 CAD for a phone that's indistinguishable from one that's already 2-3 years old. If Apple had a slightly thinner enclosure with curved glass and a flush camera, I would have purchased this on the release date.

Wanting a 4" iPhone doesn't mean you want a hodgepodge of old parts and limited features. How do you market this as a premium product when it's so clearly not?

This isn't rocket science...

 

[MoXoM]

I'm still rocking an iPhone 5.

Although I'm 99.9% certain to get hold of the iPhone SE, I'm happy to wait another 5/6 months to see what is in store for the iPhone 7.

I'll make my mind up then...

 

[Digital Skunk]

For one, I hope this helps quiet the crowd that seemed to think that Apple would lose sales of the 6s and 6s Plus because people REALLY wanted a 4" screen but had no choice. I just came from a thread where someone was making bogus claims that the SE would outsell the 6s and 6s Plus. I hope his foot tastes goods.

On the other hand, I always assumed this model would be the business, first buyer, unique user, emerging market phone. A device that gives you the most for the buck and can be had with no contract--cash up front.

This just didn't seem like the latest and greatest release kinda phone.

 

[Minuteman3]

I "upgraded" from a 6 (which went to our son) as I really missed the smaller form factor that I had apparently grown used to since my first iPhone 3G. The SE feels really nice and familiar in my hand, and my thumb can do almost all the work again! The performance boost over the 6 is palpable and the 12MP rear camera is stunningly good. The battery/power management has definitely been tweaked as I go all day, 6AM to 11pm, and still have 40+% left. (That's a big improvement over the 6, which was generally around 20% at night).

It may be missing ForceTouch (which I don't see the need for) and a better selfie cam (although it looks to me like this is the same kind of camera I had in the 6. Since I take very few selfies, perhaps that's why I don't see a difference!!)

I'm very happy .... and our son likes his "upgrade" from a 5s to a 6!!

Cheers!!

Ken

 

[KidAKidB]

Why would anyone buy a phone that has last year's technology, cheap (sort of) as it may be? I think it's highly likely that there will be a 4-inch 7 in September, leaving the lineup as 7+ (5.5"), 7 (4.7"), 7- (4") and 6S+, 6S, SE.

I can almost guarantee you that a 4" phone will not be released in September. September will be for the 7/Plus. The 7SE (or whatever they will call it) will come out in March 2017. Apple like the 1 year release cycle and there's no reason they would screw over people who just bought the 5SE right now.

 

[nj-mac-user]

Well, as noted in the article, it's a four-year old phone, thus not surprising the numbers aren't as anticipated. However, I think it will have low-volume but steady sales numbers over a long period of time.

It's a four year old design, not a four year old phone. But this is exactly what most people who care not for internal specs believe.

 

[kupkakez]

Based on some of the posts here I suppose I'm one of the rare birds who did in fact sell their 6s to get the SE. I like the smaller sized phone. If I want a bigger screen I have my Pro 9.7" I can use.

I'll be curious to see what September brings in terms of the iPhone lineup going forward.

 

[sir1963nz]

Where are all the people that wanted a new 4 inch iPhone?

(yes, its not exactly 'new', its a refined 5s).

Put me down for one.
Was bought within a few hours of being available.
Love it.

 

[Elbon]

No biggie. Give it 15m. The SE is not about the US Market.

Sure it is. It just appeals to people who value price over features. These people aren't even aware that the SE exists, because they haven't decided to upgrade their phone yet.

 

[Saturn1217]

As I'm sure others have asked...compared to what?

I don't think anyone was expecting this to rival some big new smartphone reveal. This was a niche product that looks very similar to a much older product. Doesn't make it a bad device and most of what I've heard on the SE has been very positive. I suspect the SE will be a slow steady seller. It isn't the kind of thing you rush out to upgrade, but if it meets your needs eventually you will buy it (because what other good small phone choices or cheap iphone choices are there?).

I'm not in the market for the SE myself (I like my big nexus 6p) but this is the perfect phone for my husband. Great camera, good battery life, and fits in his pocket backed by the reliability and support of Apple so I don't have to trouble shoot every damn thing that goes wrong with his phone (I am a one woman IT department at our house...). Literally cannot wait.

 

[pat500000]

Why is that? Can you explain how this is a double slap in customers face? IMO this allows customer who don't want or cant afford a $649 and up device to get one with performance of an iPhone 6S.

Processor
Memory (2GB of DDR4)
and Camera

The above features are all the same. Screen is smaller but with data plans opening up Tethering... I can hook up my iPad or my Mac Book Pro if I want a HUGE screen.

If you went to dinner party and your host offered you either doggy biscuit or lettus because they announced that's what they are currently have and let's say you accepted it and got full and 2 hrs later they offering 16 oz stake and you couldn't eat anymore.

 

[ani4ani]

Reading through the thread, it is worthy of the question, do folks really want a 4" screen or do they want a phone the size of 5S?

 

[justiny]

Where are all the people that wanted a new 4 inch iPhone?

Me.

I've been wanting to trade in my 5S since the SE was announced... Apple stores have been completely sold out since the launch on Thursday.

I'd gladly hand over my credit card but I can't find one.

 

[vmistery]

Personally I think the SE is a fantastic combination. It is way more powerful than the 5c was compared to the 5s at its launch yet cheaper. The form might be a shade older but the performance isn't. I do expect not this September but next September Apple to unify the design so you have the 4, 4.7, 5.5" all launched together (basically how it should be). I just hope that we don't get too many differences between the sizes, already happening with cameras and now lack of force touch.

 

[Jakexb]

Sounds exactly like what people said about the 5c, which in reality did really well.

Apple is a victim of its own hype at this point. Anything that doesn't look like the Beatles coming to America is seen as a failure.

 

[KaliPaige]

The SE comes at an awkward time for an iPhone release when nobody was really certain whether or not it was coming out. Those of us that wanted it but weren't holding out for it are most likely stuck on a contract which most people won't buy out of just to get the SE.

I expect sales will greatly pick up, but this isn't an impulse buy for most people.

 

[mi7chy]

It's hard to adjust going from a larger display to a tiny display plus people want to wait to see what the iPhone 7 has to offer.

 

[Mactendo]

Part of those lackluster sales due to the stupid naming and old design. To people it again feels like iPhone 5c - something underdeveloped and cheap for those who can't afford the "real" iPhone. Even if it has the up-to-date internals.

It should've been named iPhone mini and have an updated design (althought 6/s design sucks). But anyway in the end you'll bring the small model design in line with bigger models, so why not do it right from the start?

 

[chiefsilverback]

If the SE had been announced alongside the 6S and 6S+ I would have seriously considered it. As it was I needed a new phone and so I went with what was available, and I imagine many people were in the same boat and therefore not readily able to switch at the moment. Therefore slow sales isn't really a surprise, but it does somewhat conflict with the limited availability we're seeing!?!?

 

[nt5672]

Reading through the thread, it is worthy of the question, do folks really want a 4" screen or do they want a phone the size of 5S?

You nailed it, that is the question, I want the size of 5s, with a full battery, and full power. Bigger screen good, thinner bad. I want to be able to hold it without thinking its going to slip out of my hand, that means keep the weight and the edges. The 5s weight is perfect, although I will note that I don't wear my waistband halfway down my butt.

 

[ChrisCW11]

Meh, one weekend is not a trend, but if sales for this continue to be lackluster it will be the 3rd big miss for Apple next to the Apple Watch and iPad Pro Big edition, and 3 data points is a trend that in this case Apple can't afford to make repeatedly.