Well, I would claim that there are many more changes between the iPhone 8 and 6 such that leaving out one of them, 3D Touch, wouldn’t be akin to going back to an iPhone 6, with an A13, experience. Among them are: Taptic Engine, water resistance, wider colour gamut, induktive charging, much better camera.
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Kuo: Apple to Launch 'iPhone SE 2' in Early 2020 With Similar Design as iPhone 8, A13 Chip, and 3GB RAM
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Lot of emotion in the remaining SE fans! I have a few friends who are.
But, a 4.0” screen will never again be commercially viable for Apple.
All SE fans would love a bigger screen, even those that don’t know it. Apple could fit a 4.7” all-screen design (using the tall/skinny aspect ratio of recent iPhones), into a body size virtually identical to the SE. Eliminating the outdated big bezel/home button SE design. SE fans would love it. I would consider it too.
But afraid they will not in any “SE2“ budget phone in early 2020. Instead, probably just internally refresh the equally outdated big bezel/home button iPhone 8 as rumors suggest. Cheaper for them to do that.
The sept 2020 rumors of a 5.4” iPhone like the 5.8” X, XS, 11 pro, except smaller are reliable I think. That would be a smaller body than the 6,7, 8. Only slightly bigger than SE. But $900-$1000. It will be the ultimate test of resolve of the very many SE fans that claim they love the SE for the small size, not for its cheap cost.
But, a 4.0” screen will never again be commercially viable for Apple.
All SE fans would love a bigger screen, even those that don’t know it. Apple could fit a 4.7” all-screen design (using the tall/skinny aspect ratio of recent iPhones), into a body size virtually identical to the SE. Eliminating the outdated big bezel/home button SE design. SE fans would love it. I would consider it too.
But afraid they will not in any “SE2“ budget phone in early 2020. Instead, probably just internally refresh the equally outdated big bezel/home button iPhone 8 as rumors suggest. Cheaper for them to do that.
The sept 2020 rumors of a 5.4” iPhone like the 5.8” X, XS, 11 pro, except smaller are reliable I think. That would be a smaller body than the 6,7, 8. Only slightly bigger than SE. But $900-$1000. It will be the ultimate test of resolve of the very many SE fans that claim they love the SE for the small size, not for its cheap cost.
True, good point. I didn't really think about that.
My top priority is the form-factor, but I think I'd like that too. I just can't decide whether I'd take that tradeoff for the bigger screen. I'm not opposed to bigger screens on the whole, just the form-factor getting bigger.
Hmm... I'd have to see, hold, etc. one. I'm assuming you mean not much wider, but taller? I also really love the actual shape of the SE (more square sides instead of the pill shape, etc.). While everyone loves a deal, I'd rather have whatever it is be a full-featured phone than a 'budget' model with too many features removed. If it is in that price-range, so be it.
I’m one of those who can afford any phone I want, but won’t accept a phone as large as a 6/7/8. IF the rumored 5.4” flagship is indeed smaller than the 6/7/8 by a decent amount, and/or has squared edges, I’m in!
if i'd love a bigger screen and i just don't know it please explain why i sold my XS and went back to a SE and i much prefer it??
id actually love if they kept a 4" screen and chopped the bezels off so the phone is even smaller.
Yeah, though there is probably a bit of advantage to having a bit of bezel when holding and using it. On any touch-devices I've used the accidental-touch-rejection stuff can be a bit iffy.
Anyone who says it’ll be too large for SE fans, the article states that Apple wants to target iPhone 6 users who have not yet upgraded (according to the rumor). These people are already okay with the design
Sadly, I agree with many people here who say that the market has chosen bigger screens and that Apple won’t make another 4 inch phone - smaller smartphones are now niche products.
Apple of course has a record with repurposing older form factors with newer tech ie the current iPad and iPad Air - and of course, the original SE. So refitting the 8 form factor makes sense.
I’d expect Apple to simply bring over smaller versions of the iPhone XR and 11 panels ie no 3D Touch but True Tone. This leaves lots more room for a bigger battery.
I wonder if we’ll see wireless charging? That could be 50/50 as certainly leaving this out would be cheaper - however I think that Apple is trying to wean us all off our cables.
In the end, the report specifically mentions that it’ll be based off the 8 - and true tone and wireless charging were the two big new features of the 6 / plus form factor... So wireless charging (and two plates of glass) it is I guess.
Those looking for a new rugged iPhone will have to wait a while longer.
Apple of course has a record with repurposing older form factors with newer tech ie the current iPad and iPad Air - and of course, the original SE. So refitting the 8 form factor makes sense.
I’d expect Apple to simply bring over smaller versions of the iPhone XR and 11 panels ie no 3D Touch but True Tone. This leaves lots more room for a bigger battery.
I wonder if we’ll see wireless charging? That could be 50/50 as certainly leaving this out would be cheaper - however I think that Apple is trying to wean us all off our cables.
In the end, the report specifically mentions that it’ll be based off the 8 - and true tone and wireless charging were the two big new features of the 6 / plus form factor... So wireless charging (and two plates of glass) it is I guess.
Those looking for a new rugged iPhone will have to wait a while longer.
Why do people keep saying that the market has chosen bigger phones? The SE has sold out every time it’s been available.
People like big phones enough to buy them, but the market hasn’t had the conversation of big vs. small. If Apple put out a new flagship in SE size, but it bombed compared to the big one, then I would rest my case.
People like big phones enough to buy them, but the market hasn’t had the conversation of big vs. small. If Apple put out a new flagship in SE size, but it bombed compared to the big one, then I would rest my case.
i think the 2 biggest factors that apple is likely to consider in any springtime 2020 launched iPhone are:
1 under/in screen fingerprint recognition:
how likely would it be that apple is likely to launch a completely new (for it) major feature in a spring time launched phone
2 India and USA family/teenager segment:
what kind of features are required in a mass market level iPhone for the Indian market, and USA family/teenager segment. these are the segments that can be most effectively reached through a combination of controlled features to achieve an ideal profit margin.
if under/in screen fingerprint tech's marketing buzz will not be squandered in a spring time launch, then a bezel large enough to accomodate a home button is required.
to a company wanting to sell more and more services through iCloud, an iPhone is simply a hand-held Services supply device.
from these perspectives, the current iPhone 8 general size with enhanced specs (vs current latest iPhone 8 model) is more likely than an iPhone size that has as its Number 1 Selling Point "Fits in the back pocket of jeans".
size does matter however. and apple is already servicing this segment. its called the apple Watch. go for it. the watch is actually more powerful in a lot of ways than its pocketable device the iPhone.
if the iPhone SE crowd wants compactness and utility and truly value the gift of compactness, then an apple watch is the way to go.
the apple watch loses to an iPhone 8 sized device when you value what you can actually do and interact on a device more than just sheer size-ness always with you in your back-pocket-ness.
i love my iPhone 6s (other than battery life...).
i can't wait until this new iPhone 8 comes out in about 8 months from now.
i just hope my 6s battery lasts that long.
1 under/in screen fingerprint recognition:
how likely would it be that apple is likely to launch a completely new (for it) major feature in a spring time launched phone
2 India and USA family/teenager segment:
what kind of features are required in a mass market level iPhone for the Indian market, and USA family/teenager segment. these are the segments that can be most effectively reached through a combination of controlled features to achieve an ideal profit margin.
if under/in screen fingerprint tech's marketing buzz will not be squandered in a spring time launch, then a bezel large enough to accomodate a home button is required.
to a company wanting to sell more and more services through iCloud, an iPhone is simply a hand-held Services supply device.
from these perspectives, the current iPhone 8 general size with enhanced specs (vs current latest iPhone 8 model) is more likely than an iPhone size that has as its Number 1 Selling Point "Fits in the back pocket of jeans".
size does matter however. and apple is already servicing this segment. its called the apple Watch. go for it. the watch is actually more powerful in a lot of ways than its pocketable device the iPhone.
if the iPhone SE crowd wants compactness and utility and truly value the gift of compactness, then an apple watch is the way to go.
the apple watch loses to an iPhone 8 sized device when you value what you can actually do and interact on a device more than just sheer size-ness always with you in your back-pocket-ness.
i love my iPhone 6s (other than battery life...).
i can't wait until this new iPhone 8 comes out in about 8 months from now.
i just hope my 6s battery lasts that long.
Would all SE owners find it easy the reach the top left corner of a device with the external shape of the SE?
The 2020 iPhone is gonna have the iPhone 4 design , they probably don’t want to have the new iPhone looking like that
Not sure for all. But should be easier than the more recent much larger phones.
Any chance apple will call it the "iPhone Air" ? It will match up quite cleanly with their other product lines, though the reintroduction of the iPad Air places it above the iPad and not as the entry level.
I did the math earlier and a fullscreen SE-sized device would actually have a larger diagonal than the iPhone 6/7/8. Now granted, you'd hold a fullscreen phone higher (relative to the bottom-left corner of the screen) than one with a significant bottom bezel. A phone with the SE-sized body with the side and top bezel of the iPhone X (but the same bottom bezel as the SE) would have a screen sized 50.6 x 101.5 mm, ie, with a diagonal of 113.4 mm or 4.5". That is not much less than the iPhone 6/7/8.
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You’re right, it’s not the new SE, it’s the equivalent to the new ‘iPad’ that’s just been launched - an update of the classic 6 series form factor aimed at those who are cost conscious and who just want the classic iPhone with Touch ID & know that their new iPhone will last them 4-5 years.
And so Apple can make this in India.
I know what you mean. I’m sure Apple must have research to help them decide which sizes that they should make the iPhone in, but often it seems arbitrary.This is another punch in the guts to those who prefer the 5.8” sized iPhone - it’s rumoured to be getting downsized to a 5.4” iPhone Pro next year to accomodate the iPhone SE market.
But now we here of this, an actual SE re-release.
So that means the 5.8” is getting killed off for nothing...
Apple’s “vision” was for the 5.8” iPhone X to be their future direction & now it’s just nothing to them...
Why?...
I too like the size of the 5.8 iPhone (but I don’t have it due to PWM).
Who knows, maybe this is a move into a product direction for the iPhone that recognises that for many, even the Max isn’t big enough and that for others, they want the latest tech in a one hand form factor.
If that’s the case, maybe the 5.8 iPhone is a weird halfway house for them & that the successor to the 11 is simply going to be the right size for most people.
For a company with a relatively few amount of product lines, they sure are confusing. Mind you, the MacBook lineup now seems to make sense so who knows, maybe the iPad and iPhone lineups will do soon, too (Why does the iPad Air exist when the iPad does, for example?)
I like this article’s take on why the iPhone SE was too small:
Actually, the Small iPhone Is Bad
A new analyst report says that Apple will release a second-generation iPhone SE at the beginning of next year. Lovers of the old Apple design with itsgizmodo.com
I hate to admit it, but that article is right. Small phones made sense when Apple’s focus was music, but now it’s also gaming, Apple News+ and Apple TV+, a new 4 inch phone doesn’t make strategic sense for them - the 4.7 is probably a bare minimum as these services will be held back trying to have to support them on a 4 inch screen.
Did you read the article?? The dude who wrote it admitted to having to use his nose sometimes because his fingers can’t reach, for Pete’s sake. And watching a trilogy on a 5.8” phone?? No thanks.
To your point, the successor to the 11 will have an OLED 6.1” screen, so the 5.8” model becomes a bit redundant without the OLED vs. LCD advantage.
iPad is $329, iPad Pro is $799 (or two iPads and almost enough left over for AirPods). That’s why the iPad Air exists.