real purpose of SE?

[oneshotpro]

did Apple release the SE because they did not want 3 generations of iPhones for sale that look almost identical (6, 6s, 7)?

from current leaks, the 7 hasn't changed much from the 6s design which is the same as the 6 aside from one colour. I assume they foresaw this and decided it would be better to update the 5S and drop the 6 in September so there would be less consumer confusion.

 

[Gav2k]

did Apple release the SE because they did not want 3 generations of iPhones for sale that look almost identical (6, 6s, 7)?

from current leaks, the 7 hasn't changed much from the 6s design which is the same as the 6 aside from one colour. I assume they foresaw this and decided it would be better to update the 5S and drop the 6 in September so there would be less consumer confusion.

Where have you been? Stuck in a closet somewhere? Apple released it due to the screen size! Nothing more nothing less.

 

[joeblow7777]

Where have you been? Stuck in a closet somewhere? Apple released it due to the screen size! Nothing more nothing less.

I suspect that they also released it because sales of the 7/7+ are predicted to be low (by Apple standards) so having the SE will help with their 2016 iPhone sales numbers.

 

[Savor]

Mainly screen size to cater to an ignored segment. But seeing that the SE has sold well, we can also assumed it was used as a guinea pig to gauge customer interest if a third gen of the same-looking device could sell and it has. Apple is planning to do a three-year design cycle anyway. SE is sorta the first one to try although they could have easily released it last September. It was a calculated move to release it six months prior in case the 7 flops.

Good-Better-Best

iPhone 5
iPhone 5s
iPhone SE

iPhone 6
iPhone 6s
iPhone 7

Like Tarantino films, it works better in threes. SE and 7 will be the most refined one of their respective design cycles. The successor to the SE will likely look different or perhaps look like a smaller iPhone 8 next year and could be released with its bigger brothers. The SE and 7 is likely the final hurrah for that 5 & 6 series design scheme. Then the 2017-2019 iPhones will probably all look Samesung-ish.

 

[Newtons Apple]

There should be no confusion.

 

[Mac 128]

did Apple release the SE because they did not want 3 generations of iPhones for sale that look almost identical (6, 6s, 7)?

from current leaks, the 7 hasn't changed much from the 6s design which is the same as the 6 aside from one colour. I assume they foresaw this and decided it would be better to update the 5S and drop the 6 in September so there would be less consumer confusion.

Apple most likely had plans to release a 4" 6-series phone, or at least engineered one as they weighed their options, but the success of the 6 was such that they abandoned those plans.

With falling sales on the 6s, Apple decided to rush the SE to market based on a previous design, rather than manufacture a brand new model that would be outdated within 6 months, or telegraph the design of the 7 ahead of September. Apple may well introduce a flagship 4" phone in September with the rest, and allow it to depreciate until it becomes the new SE at the same price point in a couple of years. Then they may keep the 4" in the new lineup with the 8 on.

But the SE was more than a stop gap. I think Apple has come to realize that Android is siphoning market share by selling cheap phones that can compete with Apple's mid-upper tier offerings, and in order to compete, they need to offer an entry level phone that will keep up with the competition rather than 2 year old technology sold at premium without compromising their brand.

 

[now i see it]

It's a great small size that a lot of people prefer. It's fast. It costs less too.
Each size has its merits depending on what you want. Nice addition to the family.

 

[I7guy]

It's a great small size that a lot of people prefer. It's fast. It costs less too.
Each size has its merits depending on what you want. Nice addition to the family.

Exactly this. Apple saw a market for the smaller size and put (almost) the latest internals in it. Fast phone, up to date electronics, good battery life and an audience that wants a smaller, albeit non-flagship phone.

 

[AustinIllini]

It's actually a joint conspiracy between the NSA and Apple and Obama to sell ObamaPhones

 

[C DM]

It's actually a joint conspiracy between the NSA and Apple and Obama to sell ObamaPhones

Bingo, clearly the point of SE is for people to come up with conspiracy theories about it.

 

[Appleaker]

did Apple release the SE because they did not want 3 generations of iPhones for sale that look almost identical (6, 6s, 7)?

from current leaks, the 7 hasn't changed much from the 6s design which is the same as the 6 aside from one colour. I assume they foresaw this and decided it would be better to update the 5S and drop the 6 in September so there would be less consumer confusion.

Not at all. There were a load of people who thought the 4.7 model was too big and preferred the smaller size. Rather than creating a new design based on the new design language of the 6, they used the much loved design of the 5 and 5S.

 

[Uni Grad]

Apple most likely had plans to release a 4" 6-series phone, or at least engineered one as they weighed their options, but the success of the 6 was such that they abandoned those plans.

With falling sales on the 6s, Apple decided to rush the SE to market based on a previous design, rather than manufacture a brand new model that would be outdated within 6 months, or telegraph the design of the 7 ahead of September. Apple may well introduce a flagship 4" phone in September with the rest, and allow it to depreciate until it becomes the new SE at the same price point in a couple of years. Then they may keep the 4" in the new lineup with the 8 on.

But the SE was more than a stop gap. I think Apple has come to realize that Android is siphoning market share by selling cheap phones that can compete with Apple's mid-upper tier offerings, and in order to compete, they need to offer an entry level phone that will keep up with the competition rather than 2 year old technology sold at premium without compromising their brand.

That's my concern. If Apple is serious about the 4" iPhone...and plans to keep it around...I'll wait for that.

 

[itsray]

Not at all. There were a load of people who thought the 4.7 model was too big and preferred the smaller size. Rather than creating a new design based on the new design language of the 6, they used the much loved design of the 5 and 5S.

i went from a 5s to a 6 plus, then a 5s again, sold it hated it after getting used to the 5.5" screen. and now have a 6s plus. for me its perfect for long battery life, good screen size and the size doesnt bother me in pockets.

 

[Appleaker]

i went from a 5s to a 6 plus, then a 5s again, sold it hated it after getting used to the 5.5" screen. and now have a 6s plus. for me its perfect for long battery life, good screen size and the size doesnt bother me in pockets.

Same here couldn't go back to that size but somehow I don't mind the 4.7 model. The SE is a big step for those who never got used to the aisle of never upgraded because of the size.

 

[Mac 128]

Same here couldn't go back to that size but somehow I don't mind the 4.7 model. The SE is a big step for those who never got used to the aisle of never upgraded because of the size.

Well fortunately 60% of Apple's customer base are still using 4" or smaller phones, so there's a lot who never got used to a larger phone model.

 

[Appleaker]

Well fortunately 60% of Apple's customer base are still using 4" or smaller phones, so there's a lot who never got used to a larger phone model.

I thought it was slightly less than that but even so, a very large amount of people.

 

[maflynn]

did Apple release the SE because they did not want 3 generations of iPhones for sale that look almost identical (6, 6s, 7)?

No, they wanted to sell a smaller phone with a lower price point.