Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Let me guess. Slightly bigger island and a little bit thicker bezels.

Apple strategy…make lower tier models more desirable but a bit uglier.
Well, that and throw in an old processor, a cheap screen, a lot less RAM, and pitiful storage.
 
In general, iPhone SE gets the latest (non-pro) processor and main camera lens. The current iPhone SE (3rd generation) has iPhone 13 (then the current model's) A15 processor and 12MP main camera lens. They generally do not get the latest sensors, front camera, cellular, and screen technologies, however.

So assuming upcoming iPhone SE (4th generation) gets iPhone 16's A17 processor, 48MP main camera lens, USB-C (mandated by EU), and now presumably Dynamic Island, how would it not cannibalize iPhone 16's sale? Few theories:
  • 64GB will be raised from $429 to $499 (vs. iPhone 16's $799 with 128GB)
  • iPhone 14 will be eliminated (instead of staying in the line up at $599 with 128GB)
  • Uses iPhone 11's OLED at 625 nits, without Always-On display and HDR
 
  • Sad
Reactions: _Mitchan1999
May be that's just more cost effective to produce them at scale, and they're making far more of these now than notches. Fast forward another year, there may only be 1 notch phone left, if any.
 
Definitely possible, and would simplify things. Either way, the next SE (or whatever else they might call it) should be a popular device.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DarthDon
May be that's just more cost effective to produce them at scale, and they're making far more of these now than notches. Fast forward another year, there may only be 1 notch phone left, if any.

I'd argue otherwise, if you look at the history of SE's they generally take on the form of older designs.
The concept of the SE's is essentially putting modern internals into old design scraps left over for a more affordable price both-ways..

If the next SE has dynamic island I'll eat my shoe.
 
It’ll be 0.1” smaller. You know, like with the iPad.

The key thing is always to make sure any previous model or general accesories made in the past (first or third party) don't fit.

Pushing "Services", component upgrades and accessory sales is just about all Apple does anymore.
 
I'd argue otherwise, if you look at the history of SE's they generally take on the form of older designs.
The concept of the SE's is essentially putting modern internals into old design scraps left over for a more affordable price both-ways..

If the next SE has dynamic island I'll eat my shoe.

It'd be more on brand for it to have an "island", for branding consistency, but have it not be "dynamic"

lmfao 🤣

I could totally seem them doing that too..

Make it look the same as more expensive phones, but not have the functionality
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Bigg Macc
I'd argue otherwise, if you look at the history of SE's they generally take on the form of older designs.
The concept of the SE's is essentially putting modern internals into old design scraps left over for a more affordable price both-ways..

If the next SE has dynamic island I'll eat my shoe.
It really depends. None of that older stuff is "cheaper" just because it's older. But it does have a perceived value much lower than the newer stuff, which is important for the price point of the product.

If Apple has the tooling to make the older stuff without it costing them anything, they will. But if Apple would prefer to move forward with a single type of component for some cost reason, they will do that too. It's not something you can really understand outside of Apple.
 
I kind of wonder if the design and specs of "new" low end iPhones are directly informed by what they already have paid for in R&D and existing part supply chains.
 
Even Android phones half the price come with only a punch hole in their screens.
And then don't have something close to Face ID. It's not like Apple adds this cutout because they like the looks of it so much …
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tagbert
It will be yet another “big” phone

What’s the point?

How would you like your Vanilla ice cream?
With vanilla or extra vanilla?
How about this other option with Vanilla max?

Whatever you pick you are gettin’ vanilla by golly
The vast majority of people don’t want small phones anymore. If they did, the iPhone Mini line would still be around. The demand clearly isn’t there.
 
The vast majority of people don’t want small phones anymore. If they did, the iPhone Mini line would still be around. The demand clearly isn’t there.
Yeah, that’s the unfortunate truth for those who were big fans of the smaller iPhone, especially those who are now contemplating their next iPhone because their 12 mini will be turning four years old later this year. I know my Mom will be holding on to her pink 13 mini as long as possible because she doesn’t like the size of my 14 Pro.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.