iPhone SE (2016) Is the main draw of the se the size or the price?

[tonybarnaby]

It's no secret the se is both the smallest and the lowest priced iPhone. Do you guys think more se owners bought theirs for the low price or the small form factor?

If apple made an se2 that had the specs of the 8+, would that cause more or less people to buy it? Everyone says how they love the form factor, but how many people would love an se that had more up to date specs, even if it bumped the price up to just under 8/8+ prices?

 

[JPack]

If the most attractive feature was the size, Apple would be updating it more frequently. And it would be launched alongside the premium iPhone family every September.

 

[tonybarnaby]

If the most attractive feature was the size, Apple would be updating it more frequently. And it would be launched alongside the premium iPhone family every September.

Most people I see talking about it claim to love the size. Price is almost never brought up. Maybe they are in denial that they couldn’t or didn’t want to spend more on a bigger iPhone, but it sure seems like there is a pretty decent number of small phone lovers. I considered one for my 10 year old, but the screen is too small for her. I don’t see how anyone can reliably type on theirs. More power to those who can, because it is a killer deal at under $200 now. I believe it was only like $350 brand new.

 

[JPack]

Most people I see talking about it claim to love the size. Price is almost never brought up. Maybe they are in denial that they couldn’t or didn’t want to spend more on a bigger iPhone, but it sure seems like there is a pretty decent number of small phone lovers. I considered one for my 10 year old, but the screen is too small for her. I don’t see how anyone can reliably type on theirs. More power to those who can, because it is a killer deal at under $200 now. I believe it was only like $350 brand new.

Tim Cook stated during the Q3'2016 earnings call, the iPhone SE strategy is working.

"We added millions of first-time iPhone buyers in the first quarter."

In other words, these are price-senstive customers in India and other developing countries. These are not owners of iPhone 4 or 5 waiting for an upgrade.

There is a group of small phone lovers, but those aren't the ones driving Apple's decisions. Most consumers are asking for bigger screens to do more on their smartphones. Even Android has virtually no new products with displays smaller than 5".

 

[tonybarnaby]

Tim Cook stated during the Q3'2016 earnings call, the iPhone SE strategy is working.

"We added millions of first-time iPhone buyers in the first quarter."

In other words, these are price-senstive customers in India and other developing countries. These are not owners of iPhone 4 or 5 waiting for an upgrade.

There is a group of small phone lovers, but those aren't the ones driving Apple's decisions. Most consumers are asking for bigger screens to do more on their smartphones. Even Android has virtually no new products with displays smaller than 5".

So Apple realizes they can’t make a profit giving people a 4” phone with top specs and a bigger price to go along with it?

$699 for a new 8. Could they not get $599 for a new se complete with 8 specs?

 

[apolloa]

The size by far, if they do launch a new one with an iPhone X design, it could be the new standard iPhone like the 6, 7, 8 etc, and they could price it at the same cost as those, which will be an increase in the current SE price, and it will still be popular as hell and loved by its users, because they love it’s size.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Everybody I know who owns one has got it for its size. It offers something smaller than the 4.7” and there is a significant market for that.

 

[dcpmark]

Most people I see talking about it claim to love the size. Price is almost never brought up. Maybe they are in denial that they couldn’t or didn’t want to spend more on a bigger iPhone, but it sure seems like there is a pretty decent number of small phone lovers. I considered one for my 10 year old, but the screen is too small for her. I don’t see how anyone can reliably type on theirs. More power to those who can, because it is a killer deal at under $200 now. I believe it was only like $350 brand new.

As an attorney for 24 years, I can afford any phone I want. But what I want is a small phone. Part of that is that I only use a cell phone for phone call, texts, music for my cars, my Apple Watches, and the occasional email when my iPad Mini 4 is not with me, which is almost always. I can't imagine ever consuming media on ANY phone, regardless of size, because they are all too small. Even iPads are too small to consume media, IMHO. My iPad Mini 4 is barely big enough to surf the web....I don't think Safari on my phone has ever been launched.

You may be right that some or even most choose the SE because it's the cheapest, but if Apple offered the latest tech in an SE package, I'd happily pay MORE than the X. Sony did the same for many years, charging hefty premium for the latest tech in the smallest packages in their Vaio line, and I happily paid the price for tiny, lightweight carbon fiber laptops. I'm assuming that because I exist there are others that feel the same way.

 

[DNichter]

I’d say it’s a bit of both. I like the idea of a small phone, but it just feels too cramped for me after living with the X. For those that are coming from a similar sized phone, it probably feels right at home. I wish Apple would release 3 different sized equal feature/spec iPhone’s each year. I doubt it ever happens though.

 

[JPack]

This conversation is quickly mirroring the iPad mini vs. iPad 9.7" debates from the past.

Back then, the debate was whether iPad mini selling because it was small or because it was cheap. It was obvious the iPad mini was selling because it was cheap, but it took until the launch of iPad (2018) for some people to finally realize that.

Apple already tried to fight the display wars with Samsung back in 2012-2013. Apple was a proponent of small 4" smartphones paired with a large iPad. They gave up that battle in 2014 with the iPhone 6 Plus. It's pretty clear consumer preferences are shifting towards larger displays.

Someone here mentioned Sony. That's actually a perfect example of how preferences have shifted. The newest Xperia XZ2 Compact launched in April 2018 is equal in size to iPhone 8.

 

[se95dah]

Someone here mentioned Sony. That's actually a perfect example of how preferences have shifted. The newest Xperia XZ2 Compact launched in April 2018 is equal in size to iPhone 8.

Does anyone have figures on how many Xperia XZ2s are selling vs the iPhone SE?

 

[ActionableMango]

Most people I see talking about it claim to love the size. Price is almost never brought up. Maybe they are in denial that they couldn’t or didn’t want to spend more on a bigger iPhone

Size. I don't even know what the prices are. SE fits in my utility pants thigh pocket just barely. Definitely not price, I have an iPhone 8 now but would have bought an SE if it were up to date hardware inside.

Same for iPad Mini. The Mini is more portable and fits in jacket pocket and utility pants rear pocket. Again, it's not the price at all...I also have an iPad Pro 12.9, but that thing in a case is basically just as thick and heavy as a laptop. So the Pro stays at home and the Mini goes with me if I need a tablet.

 

[dcpmark]

This conversation is quickly mirroring the iPad mini vs. iPad 9.7" debates from the past.

Back then, the debate was whether iPad mini selling because it was small or because it was cheap. It was obvious the iPad mini was selling because it was cheap, but it took until the launch of iPad (2018) for some people to finally realize that.

Apple already tried to fight the display wars with Samsung back in 2012-2013. Apple was a proponent of small 4" smartphones paired with a large iPad. They gave up that battle in 2014 with the iPhone 6 Plus. It's pretty clear consumer preferences are shifting towards larger displays.

Someone here mentioned Sony. That's actually a perfect example of how preferences have shifted. The newest Xperia XZ2 Compact launched in April 2018 is equal in size to iPhone 8.

Well, the XZ2 Compact IS a bit smaller than the iP8 in height (3.4mm) and width (2.3mm), and that makes a difference in one’s hand especially if you don’t like large phones, but they are definitely close enough where many wouldn’t care about any size differential.

I still maintain that there are others like me that would happy to pay a PREMIUM for the latest tech in the smallest package, but I also have to believe that we are a niche market.

 

[JPack]

Well, the XZ2 Compact IS a bit smaller than the iP8 in height (3.4mm) and width (2.3mm), and that makes a difference in one’s hand especially if you don’t like large phones, but they are definitely close enough where many wouldn’t care about any size differential.

I still maintain that there are others like me that would happy to pay a PREMIUM for the latest tech in the smallest package, but I also have to believe that we are a niche market.

It's a couple mm smaller, but in terms of thickness...

https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Sony-Xperia-XZ2-Compact-Review_id4503

 

[dcpmark]

It's a couple mm smaller, but in terms of thickness...

https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Sony-Xperia-XZ2-Compact-Review_id4503

To someone who likes small phones, thickness makes little difference. When you hold a cell phone to your ear to make a call, how much space is left between the back of the phone and the palm of your hand? For me it’s about an inch. When you hold your phone in both hands to text, how much space is there between your thumbs and your fingers? For me it’s about two inches. Thickness is not an issue.

If anything a thicker phone is more comfortable to hold. One of the best “features” of the SE is the larger, squared off sides....infinitely more comfortable to hold. In fact, for me height make little difference....it’s mainly the width.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

I have an iPhone X (which I got both because I wasn't sure when an updated SE would be out and got it for a significant discount via 2 year contract), but if Apple released an updated SE tomorrow with mostly similar specs, I would *strongly* consider it. Before the full screen phones, I thought that my 6S was too big. I thought then that a 4.3" phone would have been perfect. Now with full screen, I think a 4.7" in the physical size of the SE would be wonderful for me.

It is all about the size.

 

[Falhófnir]

It’s both - appealing to both markets (smaller iPhone and cheapest iPhone) makes it viable when it probably wouldn’t be otherwise...

 

[oVerboost]

Size is the important bit, price second probably.

I’ve just gone from an SE to an X, have had all the models previously before the 8 and X came out but went from my 7plus to an SE as it was just too big for me.

As others have said, if they had released a larger screen SE with updated specs in a smaller size I’d have gone for that, but it’s something that may not come and I got a good deal on my X.

 

[cola79]

I bought it because of the price. I just wanted iOS, that’s the only important for me. I don’t care much about screen size and tech specs.

 

[Brandonjr36]

Imo I think Apple should release the se 2 or whatever it will be called, with an iPhone X like design for a price of $450. They can make it cheaper because its obviously smaller and they would use an lcd screen vs an oled. No reason they couldn’t make money off it for $450/ 64gb storage.

 

[kevink2]

It's no secret the se is both the smallest and the lowest priced iPhone. Do you guys think more se owners bought theirs for the low price or the small form factor?

If apple made an se2 that had the specs of the 8+, would that cause more or less people to buy it? Everyone says how they love the form factor, but how many people would love an se that had more up to date specs, even if it bumped the price up to just under 8/8+ prices?

I would suspect that the majority of purchases are due to the price. Especially when it became available for under $200 (in some cases $100) targeting prepaid customers who aren't buying on a DPP.

The last 2 times I upgraded a relative's phone (from a 5c for sister, 5 for stepmother), I just bought the SE for them. They got new phones instead of hand me downs like the 5 and a (4 then 6 for brother in law) when I upgraded to new phones.

If I didn't already have 4 phones when I converted my home phone to a new cell line (making 3 lines for myself), I would have bought another SE for myself. I just put the "home" phone on a $40 Moto E4. The Moto G5 is currently not in use, my main phones are the X and the 7+.

 

[kazmac]

Price and size are equal to me. I was a lot more productive on my iPhone 5 than any iPhone I had since. And after paying $1k for a 7+ which I barely use, that I'd rather put the money I save buying an SE into a Mac which I know I will use.

 

[kevink2]

Same for iPad Mini. The Mini is more portable and fits in jacket pocket and utility pants rear pocket. Again, it's not the price at all...I also have an iPad Pro 12.9, but that thing in a case is basically just as thick and heavy as a laptop. So the Pro stays at home and the Mini goes with me if I need a tablet.

I upgraded my Mini 4 to the 10.5" Pro a couple months ago. The Mini was beginning to act flakey WRT the on screen keyboard, so I ordered the new iPad. Like the bigger screen for magazines, still use the Mini because of the size for reading books. And, in a twist, I reset it and activated it as New. And haven't had a keyboard issue since. I'm seriously considering taking it on my vacation this September to the UK because of the portability.

I've also upgraded to the X from my 7+ for my primary phone due to size. The 7+ was too big. I don't think it would take all THAT long to readjust to the SE size if I wanted to. I just couldn't live with the 32GB in the base model.

 

[Mrbobb]

If u are over 25 with a proper job, size. If you are teen barely scrapping by, cost.

To me was size, I bought it outright no 24 payment silliness, unwilling to have a huge thing in my pants not to mention 1-hand operation, but I really use it as a phone more than for Internet access, for that I always have the Air nearby.

 

[Julienne]

I’m pretty sure there’s definitely some demand that’s sufficient to warrant an upgrade, especially since it covers an important price point at the low end. But price is the key, and is why the SE2 will have only cost efficient upgrades. TouchID 2 and a better front camera would seem likely. The headphone jack will remain, it’s cheaper than including the adapter.