New AirPods Pro and iPhone SE Rumored to Launch in April 2021

[Bawstun]

Drop the current SE price to 299 alongside the new one and destroy android once and for all

You can find the SE 2020 available on prepaid carriers for $199-249. StraightTalk Wireless recently had it for $199, I believe MetroPCS as well. Great price for a phone like that, there’s nothing that would ever compare. SE 2020 in speed tests runs right alongside the iPhone 11 and 12. Has the same chip as the iPhone 11.

 

[donnypep]

I think the new SE would be an iPhone XR hardware with the latest chip and OS. It would be the last iPhone with LCD and older design (not boxy).

 

[whatjones911]

I think the new SE would be an iPhone XR hardware with the latest chip and OS. It would be the last iPhone with LCD and older design (not boxy).

This is exactly what I expect but one difference is that they'll ditch the Face ID since that is an expensive component of the XR and put in the power button Touch ID à la iPad Air. As for the speculated launch date, it's too soon. A September launch alongside the new 13 lineup makes a little more sense, but may also not be ideal since it can cannibalized iPhone 13 sales.

 

[DarthDon]

Apple maybe will is surprise with a se plus at a brand new design.

 

[IndyRobb]

I couldn't disagree more. There are people, like me, who want a powerful phone with a smaller form factor.
This is very different from wanting a small-ish phone cuz it's cheap.

Strongly agree. I want as many of the top of the line features as possible in the smallest possible size. I would happily spend extra for a “pro” version of the mini, especially if they could shoehorn the telephoto lens into it. If you want cheap, the current SE covers it.

The ”bigger is better” thinking seems very, VERY old fashioned. ”Bigger must be better“ might make sense if you’re selling Buicks, but you would think tech companies would be more forward thinking. 🙄

 

[manu chao]

Apple treats 5G as a premium feature. The iPhone 12 mini is low-cost 5G iPhone but not a low cost iPhone like the SE.

It's a combination of considering something as premium as well as this something also making the phone more expensive to produce. This includes 5G, fullscreen OLED display, FaceID, dual cameras. Just take the screen, just by virtue of being larger (5.4" vs 4.7"), it'll be more expensive. OLED adds to that. Having a higher dpi (476 vs 326) does the same.

 

[manu chao]

I thought the latest rumor was that it would be based on the iPhone 11 with LCD but have touch ID integrated into the power button a la the iPad Air, instead of face ID.

That could could still be called the SE Plus.

 

[currentinterest]

If not simply an 8 plus form with updated internals (most likely scenario), the iPhone SE Plus may very well use iPhone 11 (or XR) form factor, 6.1 inch LCD, 4G (LTE) though the X/XS 5.8 inch form may be used, power button TouchID, A13, smaller notch, iPhone 11 cameras, and replace the XR at $499.

 

[manu chao]

the new SE will come with a notch but power button fingerprint sensor 🙃 oh what is the point of the notch?

Selfie camera, speaker, proximity sensor.

 

[manu chao]

The iPhone SE Plus may very well use iPhone 11 (or XR) form factor, 6.1 inch LCD, 4G (LTE), power button TouchID, A13, smaller notch, iPhone 11 cameras, and replace the XR at $499.

Original SE: released March 2016, 2.5 years after the 5s, jumping from A7 to A9
SE 2: April 2020, 2.5 years after the 8, jumping from A11 to A13

The formula is using a hardware design that is no longer current. In fact, a design whose last new incarnation was released 2.5 years ago. Add the current SoC, which at this point because we are mid-cycle will be six months old and thus also two generations newer than the last release in this hardware design. After the 5/5c/5s design used for the SE, there was the 6/6s/7/8 design used for the SE 2, there comes the (X/Xs/)Xr/11 design. Last release with this design was the iPhone 11, released in fall 2019 with the A13. Therefore, the SE 3 should come out in spring 2022, using the iPhone 11 case and jumping from A13 to A15.

But of course, Apple reserves the right to break pattern (it broke pattern with Xr, also when it added the 12 mini). So, it could come out a year early. But that would complicate the lineup. It would need to fit in between the $399 SE 2, the $499 Xr, the $599 11 and the $729 iPhone mini price-wise, while sharing the A14 of the 12 mini. This doesn't make sense to me. Putting the A14 into the iPhone 11 would be weird, that's too close to the iPhone 12 (the latter just having OLED instead of LCD and one-year newer camera system). Putting the A14 into the Xr would create something that both above and below the 11 (CPU above, camera below). I'd say the Xr and 11 already fill the space below the set of iPhone 12 series phones pretty well.

If it follows the original pattern, the fall 2021 lineup would be:
- iPhone 13 Pro (Max)
- iPhone 13 (Mini)
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 11
- iPhone SE 2

In spring 2022, this would change into:
- iPhone 13 Pro (Max)
- iPhone 13 (Mini)
- iPhone 12
- iPhone SE 3 (iPhone 11 design)
(maybe still keep the SE 2)

 

[kazmac]

Asking a lot: If this SE is not heavy, has more RAM, a better camera and modem I might consider if the price is right. I enjoy my 2020, but my internet connectivity and camera experience could be better.

 

[manu chao]

I don't understand why they didn't make the 12 Mini a 12 Mini Pro instead. It would appeal (especially to women) as a prestigious, cute phone. But as just the 12 Mini, it is seen as the poor person's 12.

The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are so close that there really is little point in a 12 Pro Mini. Is the third camera and steel instead of aluminium really what puts you off the 12 mini? Or is it more that you buy the Pro out of principle and a non-Pro mini just doesn't have the same ring to you?

 

[manu chao]

I can't understand why the iPhone 12 mini didn't become the 'new' SE. It surely would've made more sense to sell a smaller phone as a budget product - especially in marketing terms.

The SE 2 is smaller in regard to what matters for 'value' purposes, ie, screen size. The screen is also lower dpi, less bright (no HDR mode), it's also LCD vs OLED. The SE 2 also lacks FaceID, has an older camera system (with only one camera). There is a reason the SE 2 costs $399 and the 12 mini $729. Sure at some point the 12 mini could become a new SE, but it's a multi-year journey from $729 to $399 (or even to $429).

 

[manu chao]

I wonder if the 12 Mini would have sold me more if it didn't have 5G and costed less.

Alot of people don't care about 5G yet anyways.

Some people are complaining the 12 mini doesn't have the Pro label (or maybe that it doesn't have a third camera). And others that it has too many 'features'/new technologies. Maybe it is something akin to the uncanny valley, too expensive (which is a function of its features) for people that need/want something cheaper and are willing to accept a smaller display (and battery) for this. As well as not 'shiny' (well featured) enough for those who don't want to compromise on anything, including their preference for a smaller phone.

 

[manu chao]

I really wonder you haven’t noticed it yet, but the fact is that iPhones SE typically are the iPhones of the prior generation to the current one with updated internals. So my guess is that next SE will be a XS (5.8 screen, w/regular notch, w/just 2 cameras) with other internals updated. It can’t be an updated XR or 11 because if that were the case, as both of them are 6.1 screens, would cannibalize the current iPhone 12.

The last phone of the prior generation (hardware shape) are both the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11. The argument for basing the next SE on the former is that also has a smaller screen (which would follow SE tradition and help with positioning it lower). The argument for the using the latter, would be that it was the cheaper phone to start with, based on it having an LCD screen, one fewer cameras and using aluminium.

They could get creative and put an LCD into the X/Xs/11 Pro chassis, remove one camera and switch to aluminium. But that would be too much redesign work in my mind.

 

[manu chao]

I really don't get the point of an iPhone SE plus that is the same form factor as the older 6,7,8 Plus size phones. To me, the appeal of the SE is:

• Pocket-ability
• One-Handed Operation
• Good Hardware at a Great Value

To me, the iPhone 12 Mini is more the form factor that I would like to see in the next SE. Of course, Apple would have to compromise on some of the components to keep the price down. In a couple of years, this might be possible.

This has been discussed ad nauseam, yet most people think the price is/was the main appeal of the SE and SE 2, with some TouchID fans adding to the appeal of the SE 2. Currently if size is main criterium (pocket-ability & one-handedness), the 12 mini is actually smaller and probably tied with the SE 2 in regard to one-handedness.

Given that all other currently offered iPhones (including the one-year old 11 and the two-year old Xr) are more expensive (and all new iPhones significantly more expensive, $729 through $1099 vs $399), it's hard to deny that its low price is the primary characteristic of the SE 2.

 

[manu chao]

-iphone 11 is gone to make a more clear gap between the new phones and the SE's. With it having 2 camera, lower price tag, it's really a strong option to not getting the regular 12's.
-XR gets a internal refresh, get's the SE name with maybe the + tag. Not sure about face or button, but, either makes sense. I could see it keeping the face recognition for those that want it and to bring that tech to the lower end of their line.

A Xr with an internal refresh (following the pattern of the SEs having the latest SoS available that spring) sits damn close around the 11 (better CPU but worse cameras). Using the 11 as the base for the SE 3 in 2022 resolves that issue by fully replacing the 11.

 

[manu chao]

IMO, a 3rd-Gen SE in the same 5.5" chassis as the 7+ & 8+ could be a BIG winner !

Ideally, A14 + 4 GB of DRAM + 1080p LCD & priced @ $549 USD.

If that was the price, they would want to keep the $399 SE 2 in the line-up in order to still have something that price point.

 

[egmancera]

My AirPods Pro stopped working well the 3rd month I bought it. I fixed them many times until I got bored of doing so, I'm currently using the first generation of AirPods and they are good as the first day I got them back in September 2017.

 

[m00f]

They will not be new SE this year. It took years to update the last one.

Did you read the article before commenting? It sounds like the “new” SE will just be a plus sized variant.. which makes sense

 

[Lemon Olive]

I couldn't disagree more. There are people, like me, who want a powerful phone with a smaller form factor.
This is very different from wanting a small-ish phone cuz it's cheap.

That's not as popular as you think, which is why the iPhone 12 mini is reportedly disappointing in sales. If people are going to spend $700+ on a phone, they'll get something more substantial.

 

[iGüey]

I disagree. It's already been long rumored that Apple is releasing a 5.5" SE modeled after the 6/7/8 plus. That's the phone they're probably talking about.

Maybe you are right. What you mention is a good option also.

 

[JBGoode]

Maybe you are right. What you mention is a good option also.

I’m second guessing myself now. This morning I read that it might have an LCD screen with no bezels and Touch ID in the power button. I guess that would be even better for those interested in such a phone.

 

[d686546s]

I'm in the market to replace my current iPhone 7 and heavily torn between the mini and the new SE. Price is an issue, but so is form factor and battery life.

I didn't like the Plus devices when they were current and I don't think I'd buy one now. The 11 and XR are also just to big for me, but if they did an SE based on the X or XS I would be very tempted.

Generally, I don't mind older tech (A13 is fine with me). Put TouchID in the power button and put in as big a battery as you can. I tried the Pixel 5 for a bit and say what you want about Android, but that phone was fast enough for everything most people do, compact enough to fit into pockets (could be smaller but you win some, you lose some), and lasted forever. That's what an SE should be.

 

[pers0n]

Too many iPhone mini bigots in the world. People like their luggage phones. I wish we would see the new mini become popular but, I don't think that will happen. Who knows what will happen with a possible SE refresh.

If Apple made smaller phones have as many cameras and features as the largest ones, then we would really know which size people really want