iPhone SE Unlikely to Receive Refresh in Early 2017

[Jimrod]

Funny then that the product line diversified most in the years (the 90s) when Jobs wasn't there. And in how many sizes was the iPhone offered during the Jobs reign?

Well, actually it isn't funny. It is the usual human reaction of needing a scapegoat (the 'new Apple', Tim Cook). The usual human reaction of seeing the past through rosy glasses. The usual reaction when a product category matures. What is sad is that much to often this turns into 'hate' (or severe dislike if you prefer).

So what you're saying is that more product = better? I disagree. I think better product = better.

 

[Radon87000]

So what you're saying is that more product = better? I disagree. I think better product = better.

I agree.Earlier a consumer could walk into an Apple Store,say they want an iPad and they could walk away with an no compromise tablet.Now you have multiple products in a product line and its cluttering everything and confusing.For example I was looking for a good tablet a month or two ago and I had to choose between another iPad Air 2,an iPad Pro 9.7 and iPad 12.9 and it really was confusing.The 12.9 had the larger resolution and was sharper but it didnt have the True Tone display.The Pro 9.7 has the better display but it compromises on the RAM and CPU and has a low resolution relatively.Apart from the screen and CPU there isnt any difference between the Air 2 and 9.7 Pro.If I want an external keyboard I can easily hookup a bluetooth keyboard to my Air and enjoy all the Pro functionality.I and the average consumer doesnt need an Apple Pencil so whats even the point of an Air 2?Why is the Mini 2 still around when the Mini 4 is out?

Then we have the iPhone.Unlike Samsung which doesnt hamstring its smaaller variant,Apple insists on giving its smaller iPhone second class treatment.Why doesnt that smaller model get 3 gigs of RAM or dual cameras.Now we have Apple intoducing 3 variants with only 1 getting OLED and the other 2 getting the second class treatment.What does it take to just walk into a store, get the best and walk out?Apple doesnt even advertise RAM so I need to research online to find out which is a better performer.

 

[truthertech]

Exactly. They spent how many years and how much money developing the touch bar?
It has limited value on a laptop because of the ergonomic issues (looking down and reaching to the top of the keyboard every time you want to use one of it's functions) and for the same reason certainly would be much worse if you decide to set up and external monitor with your laptop.
Furthermore, if the touch bar is truely going to become a 'thing' that developers program for, how do you get that functionality on a desktop? If they build it into an external bluetooth keyboard, the ergonomics would be doubly annoying.

So tons of time and untold millions of dollars developing what clearly seems to be a gimmick.

Fortunately, the market will decide, not armchair managers, whether this one item among the thousands they have worked on is a "gimmick" or not. Apple doesn't bat a "thousand," but the obviously lead the league by far in batting average. Indeed, Apple has reported this latest "gimmick,"as you call it, to have set early records for orders.

 

[I7guy]

Do you want to know the cache memory too?
Do you want to know the manufacturer supplying the nvme storage?
How many cores does the GPU have and whats its TDP?

/s

Exactly the important stuff, the stuff that differentiates the iphone. The stuff that blows away the competition even as some complain about LCD.

No they arent.The only thing missing there are Watch Bands and Apple Watch and thats all Tim could invent.World's most valuable company was because of a product Steve created and thats all old news.In the here and now Apple's operating margin is the LOWEST its been in 7 years.We got multiple consecutive quarters of sales declines.It seems the party is ending over at Cupertino

So let me get this straight by using your logic on other instances. DICE was the owner of the Battlefield franchise and they created it.Later on the franchise was handed over to EA .So that means ,EA created Battlefield?

AMD took over ATI Radeon.So I guess AMD invented Radeons

Thats some logic there

To coin a phrase, that's some logic. Apples decline is still record breaking, thanks to Timmy. I did forget to add to the 5s, 6, 6s, 7, Apple Watch, watch bands, Apple TV, touch bar. iPhone 6 the phone that propelled Apple into the stratosphere to the MVC. Jobs would have never released that phone, the iPhone 6. (He told me through the neverworld)

 

[Vjosullivan]

Earlier a consumer could walk into an Apple Store,say they want an iPad and they could walk away with an no compromise tablet.Now you have multiple products in a product line and its cluttering everything and confusing.

Do you hear that Apple? Making Apple customers think about why they want your products and choosing the best one from a range of options is bad. They can't cope. Steve never used to ask anyone what they wanted.

 

[BvizioN]

I never stated the watch would be used for all of those things. I stated that's where the phone is going -- a small portable device that allows someone who needs a screen to attach one, relative to the activities they may need to perform when mobile. Apple is not rumored to be adding LTE so people can take phone calls while they are exercising. They're most likely doing it because people don't like carrying around a phablet everywhere they go, nor do most need one.

I think you can't be anymore wrong. Smartwatches and smart phones are like Apples and Oranges. They serve different purpose but having the watch Independent from the phones serves mostly on exercise situation. And if you think that's the direction Apple is heading (having one mini device do the computer work) get ready to say bye bye to 4" screen and probably the 4.7" soon as Apple is rumored to move to 5" and 5.5 displays. And if you have been paying attention, larger display phones are getting the better futures (not that I agree)
So much for people not wanting a phablet.

 

[Radon87000]

Do you hear that Apple? Making Apple customers think about why they want your products and choosing the best one from a range of options is bad. They can't cope. Steve never used to ask anyone what they wanted.

What you just said was the foundation on which Apple was created

“Some people say, "Give the customers what they want." But that's not my approach. Our job is to figure out what they're going to want before they do. I think Henry Ford once said, "If I'd asked customers what they wanted, they would have told me, 'A faster horse!'" People don't know what they want until you show it to them. That's why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page.” -Steve Jobs

 

[robeddie]

Fortunately, the market will decide, not armchair managers, whether this one item among the thousands they have worked on is a "gimmick" or not. Apple doesn't bat a "thousand," but the obviously lead the league by far in batting average. Indeed, Apple has reported this latest "gimmick,"as you call it, to have set early records for orders.

If so, Thats because they've effectively 'starved out' people who were waiting for mac pros, mac minis, macbook airs, etc.
These are the only macs with a modicrum of power that have been updated in the past year and a half, so there was tons of pent up demand for something, ANYTHING.
So I would argue to look at early sales of these would be deceptive.

 

[cdpage]

that's a shame, it's the best product apple has released in about 4 years.

 

[agsystems]

"Apple attempts to maintain high margins"...that's the problem. How high of a margin do they need to maintain? They can't continue to expect to maintain high margins. The consumer electronics market does rise and fall and you need to be willing to ride those waves. If you attempt to maintain those high margins even when the market falls you end up with cheap products at expensive prices and that is where Apple is now.

And that's where companies start going down hill.

Sounds like in addition to margins, Apple also wants to recoup their R&D costs very quickly as you witness the crazy pricing on Macs

 

[I7guy]

What you just said was the foundation on which Apple was created

“Some people say, "Give the customers what they want." But that's not my approach. Our job is to figure out what they're going to want before they do. I think Henry Ford once said, "If I'd asked customers what they wanted, they would have told me, 'A faster horse!'" People don't know what they want until you show it to them. That's why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page.” -Steve Jobs

Times have changed. Technology has changed, values have changed. Those stuck in apples past along with Steve jobs are not the core customers anymore(imo).

People like me are the face of the new customers guard, 4 iPhones, 2 iPads, Apple TV and 2 MacBooks. And it seems that Timmy is doing exactly what Steve said Apple should be doing and it's reflected in the financials. (Applenis so big so huge, while some complaints are justified, they Are a magnet for any and all criticism.

 

[truthertech]

If so, Thats because they've effectively 'starved out' people who were waiting for mac pros, mac minis, macbook airs, etc.
These are the only macs with a modicrum of power that have been updated in the past year and a half, so there was tons of pent up demand for something, ANYTHING.
So I would argue to look at early sales of these would be deceptive.

Ok, I get it. No matter how successful Apple is with any product or service, you're sticking with your theory that they have no idea what they are doing and are wasting their R and D dollars.

If the iPhone 7 continues to sell as fast as they can make them, it has nothing to do with the new features, e.g., new cameras, new screens, chips, waterproofing, etc., from their R and D;
if the Apple Watch continues to sell more than all other smart watches combined, it has nothing to do with the new features, e.g., GPS, new chip, etc., in AP 2 from their R and D;
if they continue to lead the world in sales of wireless headphones; it has nothing to do with the new features, e.g., W1 chip, beam forming mics, etc from their R and D;
if Apple Pay continues its record growth and ownership of 75% of the entire US contact payments market, it has nothing to do with the R and D they put into on line payments, Touch ID on MacBooks, etc;

etc., etc., etc.,

Oh, and BTW, regardless of whether your theory that people waiting for Mac Pro, iMac, or Mac Min updates are likely switchers to laptops and were "starved" into ordering the new Macbook Pros holds any water, your statement that nothing with any power has been updated in the past year and a half--the iMac has more than "a modicum of power" and was updated just 12 months ago.

 

[BlandUsername]

thats ok, SE with A9/2GB on an 1136x640 screen SCREAMS performance

I've been happy with mine

I'm ok if they don't release in 17 but they damn well better in 18 as I have 2 SE's I will need to replace. Best phones I have ever bought, Both unlocked, both on month to month carriers with unlimited data. They are what phones were meant to be.

 

[Sedulous]

Good to know that you know what is best for people. Most people wouldn't know what to do without you telling them what is best for them. /s

That is some top quality snark (and you even scored a "like"). All I am trying to say is at some point, the "phone" gets so big, it doesn't even fit in a pocket anymore. Why not just get a tablet at that point?

 

[moonjelly]

Apple will not refresh the iPhone SE in the first half of 2017, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The lack of refresh comes as Apple attempts to maintain high margins on its high-end iPhone models, Kuo said in a new research note.

Kuo forecasts that total shipment volume of iPhones will decline in the first half of 2017 due to tepid demand in China, slow shipment volume of 4.7-inch iPhones and the lack of an iPhone SE refresh in the second quarter of the year. Kuo argues that shipment volume came in higher in the first half of 2016 due to "upbeat demand for the iPhone SE."

Instead, Kuo believes Apple will exert pressure on its iPhone component makers to drop prices in an effort to maintain its margins. He expects suppliers to begin price reductions on components in either November or December of this year.

However, Kuo notes that not all suppliers will cut prices. Most iPhone component makers, like those that make the device's panels, have weak bargaining positions with Apple due to fierce competition amongst suppliers. Some suppliers, like Samsung, are the main supplier of certain components for iPhones and have stronger bargaining positions than Apple. Kuo believes Samsung may even raise its prices. And finally, Kuo says there are a few suppliers like TSMC that are unlikely to be affected by Apple's attempt to maintain its margins.

Overall, Kuo forecasts that iPhone shipment volume will drop year-over-year in the second quarter of 2017, sitting between 35 to 40 million, less than last year's 40.4 million in the second quarter of 2016.

Apple introduced the iPhone SE in March 2016, packing in many of the iPhone 6s' features and component into a 4-inch frame similar to that of the iPhone 5s. It's unclear what kind of upgrade schedule Apple will adopt for the device, but it's internals are powerful enough to remain a capable phone for a couple of years.

Article Link: iPhone SE Unlikely to Receive Refresh in Early 2017

 

[Sedulous]

https://www.macrumors.com/2015/11/03/kuo-4-inch-iphone-2016-iphone-7-ram/ (Predicted RAM in Nov 2015)
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/27/iphone-7-plus-dual-camera-linx-kgi/ (Dual lens camera)
https://9to5mac.com/2016/05/30/anal...storage-and-up-finally-dropping-16-gb-models/ (Correct storage prediction)
http://www.gsmarena.com/kgi_all_iph...ure_dualcamera_setup-news-18202.php(Correctly predicted water resistance)

And also as you so rightly pointed out the headphone jack doesnt need a mention

The other features of the iPhone 7 were also correcectly predicted by other analysts albeit not Kuo
http://bgr.com/2016/01/13/iphone-7-rumors-headphone-jack-battery-waterproof/



So now that we have settled that both LCD and OLED have outliers time to take a call.Flaws aside which one is better?Hint-Its the one Samsung is supplying to Apple for iPhone 8.



Who repackaged first?

Its funny but you still can't counter these straight facts and instead resort to word games


Steve Jobs inventions

Tim Cook's inventions

Not that I disagree that Cook helmed Apple has established a troubling trend, but Jobs did sometimes make poor design choices too (i.e. "the hockey puck mouse"). I am not a fan of the ever-thinner everything. Even the phones have gotten so thin that they are difficult to hold. The MBP so thin it can't accommodate ports or even a good GPU.
[doublepost=1478535776][/doublepost]

I agree.Earlier a consumer could walk into an Apple Store,say they want an iPad and they could walk away with an no compromise tablet.Now you have multiple products in a product line and its cluttering everything and confusing.For example I was looking for a good tablet a month or two ago and I had to choose between another iPad Air 2,an iPad Pro 9.7 and iPad 12.9 and it really was confusing.The 12.9 had the larger resolution and was sharper but it didnt have the True Tone display.The Pro 9.7 has the better display but it compromises on the RAM and CPU and has a low resolution relatively.Apart from the screen and CPU there isnt any difference between the Air 2 and 9.7 Pro.If I want an external keyboard I can easily hookup a bluetooth keyboard to my Air and enjoy all the Pro functionality.I and the average consumer doesnt need an Apple Pencil so whats even the point of an Air 2?Why is the Mini 2 still around when the Mini 4 is out?

Then we have the iPhone.Unlike Samsung which doesnt hamstring its smaaller variant,Apple insists on giving its smaller iPhone second class treatment.Why doesnt that smaller model get 3 gigs of RAM or dual cameras.Now we have Apple intoducing 3 variants with only 1 getting OLED and the other 2 getting the second class treatment.What does it take to just walk into a store, get the best and walk out?Apple doesnt even advertise RAM so I need to research online to find out which is a better performer.

Even the naming of products is muddled!

 

[moonjelly]

It doesn't need a refresh in 2017. Its very fast. Good battery life. Great camera. Looks great.

When they do update it we might trade the audio jack for water resistance and some spec boosts.

And people will still Whine. People who aren't ready for wireless headphone technology, but can't survive with last month's processor in a phone.

 

[Populus]

That is some top quality snark (and you even scored a "like"). All I am trying to say is at some point, the "phone" gets so big, it doesn't even fit in a pocket anymore. Why not just get a tablet at that point?

I'll just say that today I asked the refund of an iPhone 6S I bought last week.

Last iPhone I had was a 5S and honestly I wanted this relationship to work, between me and the 6S, because its display is gorgeous, games look amazing, and reading is easier. But it was slippery as hell, didn't fit well in my hand (and I have pretty big hands), and sometimes almost fell down to the floor. I bought it with a silicon case, and was less slippery but too bulky and whenever I tried to take out my phone, all the pocket went inside-out. A mess.

I can't deal with this size. I've been considering a OnePlus X, great phone for the price, great design, small bezels, amazing OLED screen... But again, it is just too big. And there is no Android Phone smaller than this one, aside from the Xperia Z Compact line. Every f****** smartphone is just huge, the phablet size, or at least the 5" size, has consolidated itself as the standard in the smartphone market.

So the iPhone SE is, as of today, the last handy smartphone in the market.

 

[mscice]

imagine a 4" phone without any bezels, just pure glass side to side <3 <3 perfect size !!!

 

[manu chao]

That is some top quality snark (and you even scored a "like"). All I am trying to say is at some point, the "phone" gets so big, it doesn't even fit in a pocket anymore. Why not just get a tablet at that point?

If the user has choice, why is it your concern what the user chooses?

 

[AronDraws]

iPhone SE is a great budget phone,I love mine it's the best looking iPhone than any other iPhone model,hope they keep refreshing it

Ditto! I absolutely LOVE mine! It's perfect for my hand and the camera is fantastic!

 

[Kumiko]

I'm so sick of Apple's new "we want you to buy said device so we're going to make it the only option" policy. They've been doing this a lot lately. Just give us the products we want, dang it!

Lol I know right! Back when I was trying to get an iPhone I watched them take certain colors like gold and the higher GB like 64 away. Leaving you with space grey , silver and 16gb. You literally had to shop around just to get a higher GB and a decent color. And I'm not just talking about on the apple site but the cell carriers to.

 

[marty1980]

Duh...

I don't know who expected a refresh on a yearly basis. The SE is a "special edition" phone. Since it seems to have sold well, it would indicate Apple would want to continue the line. However, the market for the SE likely isn't the market that upgrades year over year. 2018 is the most likely year for a 4" iPhone follow-up.

 

[Radon87000]

Times have changed. Technology has changed, values have changed. Those stuck in apples past along with Steve jobs are not the core customers anymore(imo).

People like me are the face of the new customers guard, 4 iPhones, 2 iPads, Apple TV and 2 MacBooks. And it seems that Timmy is doing exactly what Steve said Apple should be doing and it's reflected in the financials. (Applenis so big so huge, while some complaints are justified, they Are a magnet for any and all criticism.

Those values are what RESULTED in the iPhone which is responsible for Apple's current position which is why Tim keeps harping on about how Apple still follows Steve's values even if they dont

Its been over 5 years since Steve's death and we havent seen an single revolutionary product from Apple.In the course of 2000-2010 we saw the iPod,the iPad and the iPhone all smash hits and taking the competition by storm.Thats how amazing the guy was.Still listen to his presentations to this day.Never gets old.He really was passionate about the product than the profits.Its visible through the products he created

Also all customers are not like you.Which is why Apple's operating margin and other indicators are slowly showing a decline from what they once were.Peak Apple has been reached.Now to breach this resistance level, another innovator is needed and Tim is sadly not it

 

[MattG]

Meh. Would love a higher storage option and maybe the dual camera but otherwise, been very happy with mine. Perfect form-factor, happy with the screen and the performance.