Did anyone expect anything else? I would be shocked if this wasn't the case come Tuesday. But this isn't a leak when I could have told you the same thing 6 months ago
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Last-Minute 5G iPhone SE Details Leaked By Reliable Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo
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Knowing Apple, they probably think it will stunt sales of the 2022. That and they are so similar, (like the Series 4 and 5 Watch) so my guess is the 2020 SE gets the boot.
IMHO the more modern iOS devices, the merrier, regarding the Services bottom line. The 2020 SE is a much better alternative to the iPhone 6S’ 7s and 8s being sold as refurbs with less than brand new batteries and the device only has “poor” battery life compared to newer designs.
They should keep it for emerging markets at the very least but I doubt they will.
I expect the battery life to be slightly better, based on the newer chip that iOS 15 uses more efficiently. But only slightly.
On my 13 mini I can see three settings for 5G support: have it on all the time regardless of battery, have it use 5G only in circumstances that won't negatively affect battery life (I don't know how much this hamstrings 5G), or turn it off. I'm guessing most people will use that middle option (I think it's the default).
It is a shame for those that, for whatever reason with their usage circumstances or biological circumstances, Touch ID doesn't work. I find the user experience of Touch ID significantly superior to Face ID. But Face ID generally does work when my face is wet, lol. And with the upcoming iOS 15.4, I expect that mask-wearing will be removed as an impediment.
I do expect $399, that seems to be their position for the SE model. I just don't think that the market that the SE is meant for would make that trade: [whatever causes the price hike] for an extra $100.
I don’t know of any real “normal” people that honestly even know what 5G is, let alone know enough to make an iPhone buying decision based upon that.
If that’s all they did to the SE2, they may as well just spec bump that online and not talk about it.
That doesn’t move the needle at all.
If that’s all they did to the SE2, they may as well just spec bump that online and not talk about it.
That doesn’t move the needle at all.
I don't understand why any of this would be a surprise. The first two SE's were characterized by:
--Using an existing, long-in-use body design (so the cost has come way down even without huge scale)
--Using the latest available chip (so it can run the later iOS versions better, and if you want to be cynical about it, expose users to more purchasable Apple services)
--Keeping the price low
These were true of the first two. One time is a data point, two times is a trend...three times is a policy (I just made that up). I understand the desire of some to want an SE with more customized or advanced features, but that's not apparently what it is about. The best performance they can put into that lower price point.
--Using an existing, long-in-use body design (so the cost has come way down even without huge scale)
--Using the latest available chip (so it can run the later iOS versions better, and if you want to be cynical about it, expose users to more purchasable Apple services)
--Keeping the price low
These were true of the first two. One time is a data point, two times is a trend...three times is a policy (I just made that up). I understand the desire of some to want an SE with more customized or advanced features, but that's not apparently what it is about. The best performance they can put into that lower price point.
Maybe, but I was thinking about the design from 6 Plus to 8 Plus.
True, I was just thinking the price could be low compared to these bigger offerings. But maybe you're right in that one can just as well go for another model instead.
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You're looking for exciting (and expensive) innovation in their low-priced offering? That's not how this works. Some people just want a phone, and will be happy that the "just a phone" offering has a few new features.
I've used the SE 2020 for about three months but had to sell it:
The performance of it is mostly really good and the battery is acceptable with light usage.
But once you do any kind of tasks on it that require the display to be mostly on it becomes apparent how lacking the phone is in the battery department. And forget about traveling and working using it for calls and emails, unless your travels have you seated next to an outlet.
The SE 2022 cannot be even a decent phone unless Apple upgrades the battery or does some serious battery optimization which it appears they skipped for the SE 2020.
I get that not everyone wants FaceID. But the SE will be virtually unusable in a few years if iOS updates keep getting more and more taxing. The battery is just to small
It's not a phone with longevity by any means. I strongly warn against getting it.
The combination of really powerful CPU with super small battery is a uniquely frustrating experience, one that you definitely want to skip.
PWM sensitive folks need the LCD options and I'm glad Apple still make them. I prefer a large display with at least 1080p resolution (its 2022) and an all day battery. Sadly the SE 2020/2022 and XR/11 ain't bringing it. 😩 SE Plus (8 Plus body) would have been so easy for Apple.
Yeah, yeah, I know - "but people wouldn't buy the more expensive iphones if a cheaper, larger iphone existed". 🙄 I don't believe that as an SE Plus would still be seen as an entry level iphone with an OK camera and those that want the latest gadget would still buy the latest OLED models.
I get it though - the SE is the for the entry level and emerging markets segment. All bases covered to get people into the eco-system.
Yeah, yeah, I know - "but people wouldn't buy the more expensive iphones if a cheaper, larger iphone existed". 🙄 I don't believe that as an SE Plus would still be seen as an entry level iphone with an OK camera and those that want the latest gadget would still buy the latest OLED models.
I get it though - the SE is the for the entry level and emerging markets segment. All bases covered to get people into the eco-system.
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It is very silly seen from the consumer's perspective.
But Apple is making iPhones to make money above all:
You can't have a strong, easily comprehendible product lineup with excellent product segmentation if the $399 smartphone is as fast as the $699 smartphone and both have a modern, contemporary design.
The SE can never get more than a few flagship features. If it were to get a new, unique and modern design in conjunction with getting the latest A15 chip, it would start to eat sales of more expensive iPhones and that's exactly what a smartphone manufacturer wants to avoid.
I'm sure the newer processor will help mitigate the 5G modem, so the battery numbers will be exactly the same as the SE 2020 (which is not great).
BoostMobile. Final price, no contract. It doesn't even need to be activated with them (but it is locked)... it's great for those who want to use an iPhone as an iPod Touch.
Somebody please wake me up when the iPhone XR becomes the new SE. New chips and 5G does not make a compelling upgrade to me.
Seems to me that an "SE" should omit 5G completely (for now) and just have the processor efficiency gains go right to battery life improvements.
5G is such a subjectively useful nothing burger right now.
I just don't even see the point other than to put it up on the Keynote slide as an "upgrade" item.
No real surprises here (other than 256 GB SKU) and that's a good thing. I'll be sad to let go of my iPhone 6S and its headphone jack but the phone is sadly struggling now. I hope they improve the battery life but if not I'll deal with it just fine. I'm not a budget buyer so I will definitely get the 256GB option but most of all I will be happy to get an updated phone with touchID and a small screen. The cheaper price is just a plus.