Upcoming Low-Cost iPhone Again Rumored to Be Priced at $399

[scoobydoo99]

I doubt Apple could sell more than a few million 4” iPhones at $700+. The iPhone “SE2” is projected at 20-30 million first year sales.

You might think 3.5-4.0” is reasonably sized, but it’s small in today’s marketplace. Most people want a larger phone than that. I don’t see how flagship tech fits in a 4” iPhone in any case.

I really have no idea how many they might sell. It's popular to say "Apple couldn't sell many or they would make it", but I often hear (anecdotal, to be sure) from ppl who say "I hate buying a phone this big, but it's all they make...", so I don't think that sales of large phones necessarily means that that's what the markeplace wants...it's just all that exists today. And I know that many want a large phone, often because they can't afford multiple, specialized devices (phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, large TV with Apple TV, etc). I think the 4" or smaller phone is a luxury that few can probably afford, so perhaps it's a niche Apple doesn't care to serve.

I do think flagship tech could easily fit in a 4" phone. Remember, the SE is a nice, hefty, thick phone. I hate thin, lightweight phones that compromise battery life, have inelegant camera protuberances, and slip out of your hand easily. Add a couple millimeters thickness and return to the heavy, quality chassis of years ago, and it would be a cinch to incorporate flagship tech and longer battery life than today's gargantuan screen phones.
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Whilst I don't disagree at all with your sentiment, the cold reality (for you) is that the market for such a device must now be so vanishingly small that to design, develop and tool for production whilst still making a profit on each unit would mean you'd have to pay extortionate sums of money for one. Of course, that may change in the future, but right now the trend is for ever-increasing screen size. Sadly, market forces have killed the 4" phone. And for the time being at least, there's no sign of it being resurrected.

agreed. i'm still sad

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

I really have no idea how many they might sell. It's popular to say "Apple couldn't sell many or they would make it", but I often hear (anecdotal, to be sure) from ppl who say "I hate buying a phone this big, but it's all they make...", so I don't think that sales of large phones necessarily means that that's what the markeplace wants...it's just all that exists today. And I know that many want a large phone, often because they can't afford multiple, specialized devices (phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, large TV with Apple TV, etc). I think the 4" or smaller phone is a luxury that few can probably afford, so perhaps it's a niche Apple doesn't care to serve.

I do think flagship tech could easily fit in a 4" phone. Remember, the SE is a nice, hefty, thick phone. I hate thin, lightweight phones that compromise battery life, have inelegant camera protuberances, and slip out of your hand easily. Add a couple millimeters thickness and return to the heavy, quality chassis of years ago, and it would be a cinch to incorporate flagship tech and longer battery life than today's gargantuan screen phones.
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agreed. i'm still sad

Don't be surprised if the SE returning as full-screen design without faceID for $399

 

[bodonnell202]

Apple could have drop faceID for the iPhone X and it wouldn't have a notch screen. They are forcing to put a technology that can harm the conventional look of screen design and violated the philosophy of design which doesn't look right from day one.

I don't get you people that are obsessed with the notch. I stopped noticing it after about 5 seconds and FaceID is great technology. I thought I would miss TouchID, but since upgrading to an 11 I haven't looked back.

 

[I7guy]

Apple could have drop faceID for the iPhone X and it wouldn't have a notch screen. They are forcing to put a technology that can harm the conventional look of screen design and violated the philosophy of design which doesn't look right from day one.

Why drop Face ID? Apple was correct by the numbers.

Sure the notch has its detractors, but the buying public has spoken loud and clear. The notch, while derided by some, did into seem to affect the saleability if the phone.

 

[Kevbasscat]

They're going after people like me who have been holding onto our 6s's, despite having the battery replaced and still getting crap battery life. I waited in line for the first iphone and had almost all versions up to the 6s. The product has plateaued at the 6s for me and probably a lot of people. It's fast enough and does what you need it to. I don't need a status symbol, I just need a phone that works. AND I want to pay cash for it... not a fortune. I use real cameras for my photos and a Mac Pro for most things computing/online. I also prefer a smaller phone and fingerprint technology over facial recognition. If someone is using the iPhone as a status symbol these days, that's pretty sad. I thought millennials had figured that out.

Well I was going to chime in, but you've said everything perfectly, saving me all that typing. Thank you. You nailed it, lol, and yes, I still rock my 6s Plus with the original battery.

 

[Kevbasscat]

Which I feel is fine. What Apple seems to have learnt from the whole 5C saga is that if people can't get the latest iPhone, the next best thing is to settle for what was once the best. In short, between the 5c and the 5, people would rather get the iPhone 5 because it was once the "best iPhone", rather than the 5c which basically telegraphed to everyone that you were using a cheaper iPhone. Even if both were the same spec-wise.

Part of me wonders if there are still some users holding onto their older iPhones because they genuinely prefer the home button and this might be Apple's way of reaching out to them with an updated product?

Another explanation would be that this cheaper iPhone is meant to be manufactured in India for the Indian market (to avoid taxes, and appeal to a more budget-conscious crowd)?

I'm stealing your signature. Well because I need a reason to feel guilty, and I couldn't think of one.

 

[MartyvH]

AFAIK, the dongle Apple makes is actually as good, if not better quality than the onboard DAC of previous iPhones. Here's a good reddit post where people discuss this: www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/bauipn/iphone_dongle_audio_quality/

That is an amazing thread. For 16 months I have used one dongle all the time in the car and another every night with wired headphones. BTW no faults in those 16 months. I was looking at external DACs but you would need to spend US$500 or more to make it worth it. I'm officially a fan of Apple's engineering.