iPhone SE Tops Customer Satisfaction Survey Despite Shift Towards Larger Screens

[B4U]

Said it before and will say it again.
Had Apple released the 128GB SE on the launch day with the 6s, I would not think twice before going for the SE.
And I thought I am the strange kid of the street...

 

[rp2011]

Genuinely interesting viewpoint. Id wager the majority of the populace could not tell the 6 from a 6s to a 7 . If they did it would be by colour, and camera bump. Glad you really appreciate the update to the 7

Yeah and those would probably be ok with Android crap.

 

[zeesix]

I also went from 6s to SE. The SE is also the iPhone I've had the longest. Would instantly upgrade to an upgraded version in case Apple is watching. Perhaps they're unable to miniaturize the new technology so it fits in the smaller form factor. I understand that large phone make it easier.

 

[Ladybug]

I bought an SE on release and could not get Bluetooth to work in my car. So I brought it back before my two weeks was up and got the 6s. The 6s is a good phone but I have regretted my decision ever since. My next phone will be a SE or perhaps an updated SE if Apple keeps it around.

 

[Urban Joe]

Interestingly enough, as of last month, the SE model is now accounting for 3.7% of total iPhones in current use globally according to iOS Version Stats. As you make valid points regarding need of the smaller form factor, the bigger question Apple now faces is predicting purchasing tendencies of all current 3GS-5S users who make up a whopping 27% of all iPhones currently in use today. When upgrading, will these consumers move to the larger iPhone 6 and Plus form factors, or stay in the 4-inch (and below) comfort range that they're currently using?

https://david-smith.org/iosversionstats/

They ought to just break down and poll everybody instead of guessing.

 

[Col4bin]

They ought to just break down and poll everybody instead of guessing.

I'm convinced the SE will soon be updated with the new iPhone 8 design while retaining the overall smaller form factor. That way all three sizes in the iPhone lineup will eventually look the same aesthetically speaking.

 

[TallManNY]

If the price rumors are correct, I may skip it and buy the 7 when it is set at a lower price.

It's been several years now since I feel that I have to have the latest and greatest iPhone. I started skipping every other year with the iPhone 5 and bought my first Android back then. I've also skipped the 6, and of course the 7.

Yeah that price is going to be tough to swallow. But I suspect it will be an impressive phone. I'm going to guess you (like me) will be tempted come October. Sure we will already have perfectly fine phones, but the allure of trying some new pieces of tech will get to us.

 

[lfhlaw]

I went from a 5S to a 5SE though I got the 64 GB memory.

I went this way because i have smaller hands and I still like to use 1 hand for the phone. The bigger phones I can't one hand.

I recently upgraded to bluetooth earphones and I love them!!! won't go back to corded earphones.

I'm hoping Apple does keep the 4" form factor....or else I'll be buying the 5SE every other year lol.

 

[whitedragon101]

Not sure if I buy these numbers because of the S6. I can't believe people would say they were satisfied with a phone that exploded and was recalled twice.

Edit :

S7/Note 7 series, thanks JackieInCo

 

[JackieInCo]

Not sure if I buy these numbers because of the S6. I can't believe people would say they were satisfied with a phone that exploded and was recalled twice.

I believe you are talking about the wrong phone. The S6 never exploded and was not recalled, not even once.

 

[Tech198]

"Despite a shift towards smartphones with larger screens, the iPhone SE has topped all other smartphones in the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI)."

....But the phone's bulky .....

Still, goes to show, we like our 4"inch devices still

 

[jakebrosy]

Exact same experience. Ordered the SE the day it became available and dropped the flimsy 6S into a drawer somewhere. The folks at Verizon said I was the 3rd person that day to 'trade down' when I went to the store to swap the phone onto my plan.

No more overly-svelte, too-large-for-a-pocket phones for me. It's a phone for chrissake - not art!

Yeah I'm a fan. I had a six but missed the one handed glory of my 4s. Got the SE as soon as it dropped and have not regretted going back to small. I have big screens when and where I need them, I don't need one on my person at all times.

 

[whitedragon101]

I believe you are talking about the wrong phone. The S6 never exploded and was not recalled, not even once.

Thanks. Yep I couldn't remember if it was the 6 or the 7 so I googled it. There were so many articles with the 6 exploding I thought that was the phone that had the 2 big recalls and the FAA ban.

On more scrupulous googling, you're right that one was the 7 series phones.

 

[Urban Joe]

I'm convinced the SE will soon be updated with the new iPhone 8 design while retaining the overall smaller form factor. That way all three sizes in the iPhone lineup will eventually look the same aesthetically speaking.

Really? With the SE being a classic design my guess is they would leave it alone. They are going to have a hard time keeping up with demand for the new screens for the 8 model so I would be surprised if your prediction materializes in the near future. Interesting idea though, we can always hope! After they go with the waterfall/micro-bezels the units with bezels will be very dated/vintage looking, very fast... With smartphones stuck in a rut it's an interesting morsel to ponder.

 

[Col4bin]

Really? With the SE being a classic design my guess is they would leave it alone. They are going to have a hard time keeping up with demand for the new screens for the 8 model so I would be surprised if your prediction materializes in the near future. Interesting idea though, we can always hope! After they go with the waterfall/micro-bezels the units with bezels will be very dated/vintage looking, very fast... With smartphones stuck in a rut it's an interesting morsel to ponder.

While I agree with your sentiment, I think the SE in general has taken Apple by surprise since launch considering it has sold extremely well. If you polled most SE users, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that size was as equally important a purchasing motivator as was cost. It only makes sense that assuming the new design of the iP8 becomes more fluid next year across the Plus and standard size, that Apple adds a smaller form factor on par with the current SE since demand has been high. So three primary sizes across a future iPhone lineup, sharing similar design traits and only differentiated by cost, seems plausible.

 

[junkmail509]

While I agree with your sentiment, I think the SE in general has taken Apple by surprise since launch considering it has sold extremely well. If you polled most SE users, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that size was as equally important a purchasing motivator as was cost. It only makes sense that assuming the new design of the iP8 becomes more fluid next year across the Plus and standard size, that Apple adds a smaller form factor on par with the current SE since demand has been high. So three primary sizes across a future iPhone lineup, sharing similar design traits and only differentiated by cost, seems plausible.

Echoing others here, but I only want a phone that fits in my pocket (blue jeans, pants, cargo shorts, etc). If my SE died and there were no other equivalent iOS choices then maybe I would consider a 4.7" phone, but more likely, I would try and pickup a refurb SE. My previous iPhones included 3GS -> 4S -> 5S -> SE. I think that overall the 4S form factor was the best. If that model was updated with an edge-to-edge display, etc and slotted in as the "small size" then that would make it a day 1 purchase for me.