The SE is here-what now for the Android mid-range?

[BMox81]

I’ve noticed amongst the Android community since the SE was announced that there is a somewhat begrudging acceptance/annoyance/frustration (Take your pick) that the SE has the potential now to corner the midrange phone market going forward. A market/area that Android has lived in quite peacefully with no rival for some time now.

Suddenly people wanting in on an Apple device can do so for a reasonable amount of money now.

What can Android/Google do to counter this move from Apple? Can anything be done at this point? Or does anything need to be done-have the tech sites overblown the SE and what it brings to the table from an Android perspective?

 

[sracer]

I’ve noticed amongst the Android community since the SE was announced that there is a somewhat begrudging acceptance/annoyance/frustration (Take your pick) that the SE has the potential now to corner the midrange phone market going forward. A market/area that Android has lived in quite peacefully with no rival for some time now.

Suddenly people wanting in on an Apple device can do so for a reasonable amount of money now.

What can Android/Google do to counter this move from Apple? Can anything be done at this point? Or does anything need to be done-have the tech sites overblown the SE and what it brings to the table from an Android perspective?

There's no need to do anything to counter the new SE. Yes, there is a blip in the number of stories about the new SE as is typical for every Apple product release. After the buzz dies down, people will keep on.

This isn't the first inexpensive iPhone that Apple produced. The original SE was inexpensive but wasn't a game changer either.

The pricing is more of a defensive move rather than an incentivizing move. It's to keep people in the Apple fold rather than attract non-iPhone users. (Note: yes, converts are A reason but isn't the MAIN reason). Just as there are more things than price that keep iPhone people on iPhones, there are more things than price keeping Android people on Android phones.

If Apple is producing a less expensive iPhone as a result of the downturn in the economy, you can bet that price-conscious Android users will drop a tier in phones to save money. They're not going to spend the same or more on an iPhone SE as their current phone when they can drop down to mid-range phone for less.

 

[mi7chy]

The only selling point is the supposedly faster SoC but name one thing the iPhone SE 2020 can do that a recent Android or iPhone can't? Exactly, nothing. Maybe Fortnite will run a hair better but who's going to buy it just to play on a 4.7" screen at 750p when they can play on a larger screen with PC, console, Nintendo Switch, etc.? It's like a car manufacturer putting a V8 instead of V6 engine in the new 2020 model of the car you own. Does the new version improve quality of life, make traffic better, get you to your destination faster, etc.? No, if anything it's just a new depreciation and consumes more gas. Smart consumers don't base purchasing decisions on a single point but rather a whole checklist so highly doubtful they're going to go through the hassle of repurchasing apps, relearning a new ecosystem and $399 isn't budget when devices like the $250 Moto G8 Power exists. More realistically, the iPhone SE 2020 will help prevent Apple customers with iPhone 6 or older devices that don't want to spend upwards of $1K from jumping ship.

 

[Awesomesince86]

While I think a lot of people will go for the SE because it's the first true budget iPhone, Android already has a lot of phones in that territory.

Tons of people will rave about the SE2 because it's an iPhone with loads of power and refined machinery for a really affordable price. But compare it to say what we think the Pixel 4a will be. The Pixel will have less power but will have a better camera, much better screen, and a much more modern design. The reason the SE 2 is so cheap is because Apple are using old parts they have lying around from 5 years ago.

 

[tbayrgs]

While I think a lot of people will go for the SE because it's the first true budget iPhone, Android already has a lot of phones in that territory.

Tons of people will rave about the SE2 because it's an iPhone with loads of power and refined machinery for a really affordable price. But compare it to say what we think the Pixel 4a will be. The Pixel will have less power but will have a better camera, much better screen, and a much more modern design. The reason the SE 2 is so cheap is because Apple are using old parts they have lying around from 5 years ago.

I initially thought that this new SE could be a bit of a big deal but after going back an reacquainting myself with the circumstances surrounding the original SE, Apple is really just mirroring what it did 4 years ago. The first SE was basically 6S internals in a 5S body. It too was using a top of the line CPU and carried most of the functionality of their flagships at that time, the 6S.

The only real difference I see is that while prices of other phones, especially the ’flagships’ has continued to skyrocket, the new SE costs exactly what the first gen model did 4 years ago.

I’m glad Apple is providing a less expensive option for its customers without compromising too much in regards to performance. The A13 is the really hallmark feature of this phone, one that will let SE customers use their phones reliably far longer than whatever Android they could purchase for the same price. And considering the customer that this phone will generally appeal to is super price conscious, generally ambivalent about specs, and likely only upgrades their phones when they have to, being able to get a phone that may last them 5 years is a big deal.

This isn’t any sort of game changing point of inflection for the mobile industry but considering how expensive new mobile devices have become, I’m kind of surprised that Apple went this route and applaud them a little bit for it.

 

[ian87w]

I'm sure the 2020 iPhone SE will attract many people in the US thanks to the $399 price.

However, the same cannot be said outside the US as the SE's price is more around US $500-600, which is hardly "cheap". Moreso in some of these markets, there are stiff competition amongst Android OEMs from the likes of Xiaomi and Realme, who are pushing premium features into handsets at $150-300 price points, way lower than Apple's reach.

It is still the cheapest new iPhone regardless, and a good entry point, but the $399 price advantage is only valid for the US market

 

[Shanghaichica]

I am an Apple user. I get that the SE is a good phone for those who want an iPhone but don’t want to spend a lot of money. However beyond that I don’t see the appeal. It’s boring to look at and lacks most of the features of my 11 pro max. One of my colleagues has got one. She showed it to me at the weekend and it was really lacklustre. However I complemented her on the colour (product red) as I wanted to say something nice about the phone as she was excited about it.

 

[The_Interloper]

Side-by-side in a store to the average user, the SE still looks like terrible value. They don't care about the SoC etc.

Picture this: an SE with a small 4.7" LCD screen, huge top and bottom bezels, 64Gb and a single lens rear camera. Next to it is a Samsung A71 with 6.7" AMOLED, zero bezels, 128Gb and a triple camera setup. They're both around $400. Which looks like the better deal?

The iPhone SE is great value for anyone who wants - or must have - a cheaper iPhone but it still looks like a dated device with stingy specs to the average consumer.

 

[nfl46]

Side-by-side in a store to the average user, the SE still looks like terrible value. They don't care about the SoC etc.

Picture this: an SE with a small 4.7" LCD screen, huge top and bottom bezels, 64Gb and a single lens rear camera. Next to it is a Samsung A71 with 6.7" AMOLED, zero bezels, 128Gb and a triple camera setup. They're both around $400. Which looks like the better deal?

The iPhone SE is great value for anyone who wants - or must have - a cheaper iPhone but it still looks like a dated device with stingy specs to the average consumer.

Too bad that average user contacts are 99% iPhone users and they don’t want to miss out on the ability to FaceTime and iMessage. In America that plays a huge part in users gravitating to the iPhone regardless of how amazing the Android specs are.

 

[tbayrgs]

I am an Apple user. I get that the SE is a good phone for those who want an iPhone but don’t want to spend a lot of money. However beyond that I don’t see the appeal. It’s boring to look at and lacks most of the features of my 11 pro max. One of my colleagues has got one. She showed it to me at the weekend and it was really lacklustre. However I complemented her on the colour (product red) as I wanted to say something nice about the phone as she was excited about it.

But that’s the point..you’re not the target customer for the SE—none of us here are. This is not for the tech savvy.

The SE will be bought by people who could care less about the minutia of their phone. They want simple and inexpensive. And again, I’ll preface I can only comment from a US consumer perspective, but an iPhone is considered a far more reliable piece of hardware vs. the alternatives on the shelves at wireless carrier stores. We also don’t have so many of the options found elsewhere in the world—no Xiaomi, Huawei, ZTE, Redmi, or many of the other non-Galaxy Samsung offerings.

When I’m out and about in public day-to-day (ahh, remember those days?) if someone isn’t using an iPhone, it’s likely a Galaxy S or Note, or something not readily identifiable..whatever the carrier had on steep discount.

 

[GoldfishRT]

But that’s the point..you’re not the target customer for the SE—none of us here are. This is not for the tech savvy.

The SE will be bought by people who could care less about the minutia of their phone.

My parents do not care about bezels. Even I barely care about bezels. But they do care about not spending $1000 and they do care about having an iPhone. As long as the camera is decent, that’s enough too.

That is why it will sell.

I also think it feels and looks way less dated than the first SE but maybe not.

 

[Ludatyk]

It’s boring to look at and lacks most of the features of my 11 pro max. One of my colleagues has got one. She showed it to me at the weekend and it was really lacklustre.

Indeed it is. It's practically a iPhone 8, released almost 3 years ago.

I’ve noticed amongst the Android community since the SE was announced that there is a somewhat begrudging acceptance/annoyance/frustration (Take your pick) that the SE has the potential now to corner the midrange phone market going forward. A market/area that Android has lived in quite peacefully with no rival for some time now.

Suddenly people wanting in on an Apple device can do so for a reasonable amount of money now.

What can Android/Google do to counter this move from Apple? Can anything be done at this point? Or does anything need to be done-have the tech sites overblown the SE and what it brings to the table from an Android perspective?

I don't think Android/Google should do anything to counter the newest SE. As @sracer has pointed out.. it's more to help those with older iPhone models.

 

[ian87w]

Side-by-side in a store to the average user, the SE still looks like terrible value. They don't care about the SoC etc.

Picture this: an SE with a small 4.7" LCD screen, huge top and bottom bezels, 64Gb and a single lens rear camera. Next to it is a Samsung A71 with 6.7" AMOLED, zero bezels, 128Gb and a triple camera setup. They're both around $400. Which looks like the better deal?

The iPhone SE is great value for anyone who wants - or must have - a cheaper iPhone but it still looks like a dated device with stingy specs to the average consumer.

Well, the thing is, the average consumers are not comparing iPhones with Android side by side. When the average consumers want an iPhone, they want an iPhone. The side by side comparison occurs when one is comparing Android A against Android B.

In Indonesia, at the beginning of this year, Apple is selling a brand new iPhone 7 Plus 128GB at a discount, and people are still buying it (many stores were sold out or only had one or two color options). And we're talking about Indonesia, where you can get Realme/Xiaomi phones with large more modern looking full screen displays for less than $150. When people want to get an iPhone, they'll get an iPhone.

Same thing can be said about Samsung phones to a certain extend. Some people love Samsung brand. If we compare the specs, Samsung phones are always overpriced compared to the similarly configured Realme/Xiaomi phones, but people who want Samsung phones will just get Samsung phones, even if it's the older looking J phones.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Side-by-side in a store to the average user, the SE still looks like terrible value. They don't care about the SoC etc.

Picture this: an SE with a small 4.7" LCD screen, huge top and bottom bezels, 64Gb and a single lens rear camera. Next to it is a Samsung A71 with 6.7" AMOLED, zero bezels, 128Gb and a triple camera setup. They're both around $400. Which looks like the better deal?

The iPhone SE is great value for anyone who wants - or must have - a cheaper iPhone but it still looks like a dated device with stingy specs to the average consumer.

Most here would agree, but the average consumer just sees an iPhone they can afford and will jump all over it. The Apple brand carries a lot of weight.

 

[The_Interloper]

I agree but for those who aren't Apple-devout (most of Europe uses WhatsApp, not iMessage) and is just looking for their next phone, the SE looks overpriced and ancient next to some of the mid-range Android offerings.

As many above pointed out, though, does that matter? Someone I know who worked for a recently-defunct UK phone store said they used to still have people coming in and buying 6S and 7 models just because they were cheaper iPhones, regardless of all the nicer looking Android mid-rangers on display.

The Apple brand is unbelievably strong.

 

[tbayrgs]

My parents do not care about bezels. Even I barely care about bezels. But they do care about not spending $1000 and they do care about having an iPhone. As long as the camera is decent, that’s enough too.

That is why it will sell.

I also think it feels and looks way less dated than the first SE but maybe not.

This exactly. Though it does help perpetuate the stereotype that iPhones are for older, less tech savvy folks, in this regard it’s the truth. The tech adverse who still need a smartphone will find appeal in an SE that’s as dead simple as iPhones get, is relatively inexpensive (well, for Apple products at least), and while I know not everyone lives near an Apple Store, the ability to take their phone with them into a store to get assistance is quite appealing. Same goes for telephone support. Try the same thing at a local carrier store and see how that service experience goes.

Again, the SE is really an afterthought in forums like these because the comments here are right...it’s boring and dated. But to a pretty decent sized segment of US consumers, it makes a difference.

 

[briand05]

The new SE is a decent value...for Apple. The small battery and small screen eliminate it from my consideration. The A13 is a great very fast chip but what's the point in a device like this. With that tiny battery it'll probably need a battery replacement in 2 years or less like my 6s did so add a battery replacement if you plan on keeping it for a long period. I was using an old 6s recently and it is still very fast.

I'd Rather have a bigger better screen and bigger battery than an overkill a13 you won't notice anyway. Yeah they have the 11 but it's an even worse value for $700 with a low res LCD screen and no zoom lens. You can get a Galaxy S20 with sales going on for about the same price as the iPhone 11 and it's superior in every way except for the (overkill) CPU.

I just got a great deal on an s20 with trade in of an old 6s ($699), and this phone blows me away. Glad I switched back to Android.

 

[mi7chy]

The A13 is a great very fast chip but what's the point in a device like this. With that tiny battery it'll probably need a battery replacement in 2 years or less like my 6s did so add a battery replacement if you plan on keeping it for a long period.

Bingo. It makes about as much sense as putting a V8 in a Honda Civic. Plus, why even tout the A13 when they gimp software features like night mode that would benefit from it and 1812mAh battery is woefully inadequate even before factoring in degradation over time (battery throttling part 2)?

 

[nfl46]

I'd Rather have a bigger better screen and bigger battery than an overkill a13 you won't notice anyway.

In 2021, 2022, 2023 and like 2024, you will notice the A13. Hell, you have people with A10 (iPhone 7 series) and A11 (iPhone 8 series) still going strong years later and those chips aren't as good as the A13. I have more faith in the A series chips than the Snapdragon chips for longevity.

Can the Note 7 (Snapdragon 820) still run the latest Samsung software well like the 7/7 Plus can run on iOS 13? I'm asking because those two came out a month apart in 2016?

A13 gives you more than you need right now, but in the long run, it will come in handy...

 

[alex cochez]

In 2021, 2022, 2023 and like 2024, you will notice the A13. Hell, you have people with A10 (iPhone 7 series) and A11 (iPhone 8 series) still going strong years later and those chips aren't as good as the A13. I have more faith in the A series chips than the Snapdragon chips for longevity.

Can the Note 7 (Snapdragon 820) still run the latest Samsung software well like the 7/7 Plus can run on iOS 13? I'm asking because those two came out a month apart in 2016?

A13 gives you more than you need right now, but in the long run, it will come in handy...

The phone I use is a Note FE (that's a rebatched Note 7 with a different battery, at the time only available in a few Asian countries, price was a steal). Still supported by Samsung, runs Android 9, while still receiving security updates. And yes, as fast and smooth as the first day. It's the Exynos version, but quite sure a Snapdragon would behave similar.

 

[nfl46]

The phone I use is a Note FE (that's a rebatched Note 7 with a different battery, at the time only available in a few Asian countries, price was a steal). Still supported by Samsung, runs Android 9, while still receiving security updates. And yes, as fast and smooth as the first day. It's the Exynos version, but quite sure a Snapdragon would behave similar.

Thank you for clarification -- I honestly wasn't sure. I still have my iPhone 7 Plus (not my daily) running iOS 13 and it runs fine, so I was curious if other devices that came out in 2016 were still running smoothly, with the latest 2020 software.

 

[alex cochez]

Thank you for clarification -- I honestly wasn't sure. I still have my iPhone 7 Plus (not my daily) running iOS 13 and it runs fine, so I was curious if other devices that came out in 2016 were still running smoothly, with the latest 2020 software.

In all fairness, the most recent Android (10) upgrade won't come to the note FE. CPU would have no problems handling it, it's rather Samsung policy. Samsung seems to support OS upgrades for 2 cycles, security updates we still get though. That's fine for me. Updating apps or installing new ones, no issue there either. I was even able to install Pixel 4 specific APKs. I am really happy with this phone and I hope it lasts for another 2 years.

 

[mi7chy]

Only Apple gets a pass for such poor battery life at 3h46m screen-on-time from an embarrassing 1812mAh battery since they have a monopoly on iOS while in a competitive Android market it's common to see 4000 to 5000mAh battery and fresher designs in phones at half the cost.

 

[Klyster]

Yeah that's terrible battery life for any phone really, what I'd call a deal breaker.
The battery and soc are very mismatched.

Might be okay with a Mophie case perhaps?

 

[oilers780]

Let's see how the Google Pixel 4a stacks the deck. That's probably the biggest threat to the iPhone SE in many markets. Sadly, Android One isn't a huge deal either.