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There May Not Be An iPhone SE 2 After All (theverge.com)
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo issued a research note today that casts doubt on rumors about a second-generation iPhone SE launching in the second quarter of 2018. If there is a successor, customers can expect a minor update that amounts to a run-of-the-mill spec boost and no new features like wireless charging or Face ID. The Verge reports: According to Kuo, between the three phones Apple released last year (iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X) and the three phones rumored to be released this fall, the company may not have enough development resources for an SE follow up as a fourth phone for 2018. That said, Kuo also does acknowledge that a basic processor update could still happen, but it seems that SE fans should keep expectations low. The iPhone SE still fills an interesting place in Apple's lineup. It uses the same design as the iPhone 5, which was released in 2012, with the 2015 internals of an iPhone 6s. This means the current model would get a boost in processor speed -- something that will likely continue to get worse with the presumed release of iOS 12 this fall. But SE is still popular for its low price and smaller size among consumers. Compared to the giant 6-inch-plus phones Apple is rumored to be releasing this year, it could make sense to keep an updated version of the smaller SE around.
I hope they keep manufacturing the iPhone SE as it is, for a very long time with just security updates.
Maybe the X is pretty cool with face recognition; but there is nothing new iPhones do that's actually different than old ones. I mean at this point sure Apple reinvents the wheel (recognizes face for security, instead of finger for security); but the cool fundamental innovation - biosignature on secure enclave via discreet cryptoprocessor - is old hat. Kinda like how Microsoft pointlessly reinvents the control panel every iteration of Windows. iPhone 5s with 9.x is once again my phone; the 7 Plus from last year is now Netflix terminal for my kid.
I can't believe Apple thinks that price of entry into the iPhone ecosystem should be north of $300. Every convert they make with a budget iPhone is somebody who starts buying apps and becomes a potential upgrade opportunity. Everybody who gives up and buys a $150 Android phone is somebody who starts buying apps and is a lost upgrade opportunity.
Even the iPhone SE is too expensive, frankly.
I'm an Android user because I just won't pay $350 for a phone. But I'll probably stay an Android user because I've got a few dozens of dollars invested in apps. Even though, to be honest, I think iPhone software and apps are fundamentally a little better than their Android equivalents.
BBF_BBF predicts that it'll be iPhone 8 innards with a familiar SE form factor with maybe a slightly larger, but still less than 5" screen (the people buying SE's are probably getting older and need reading glasses, so the larger screen would be welcome) minus the touchID in the 8 and of course without a 3.5mm headphone jack just like the 8.
Same size as the iPhone 5 and no FaceID? Great! Bring it on!
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Are obviously cheap, and just want a reasonably priced phone that works. Not that I know anyone like that personally.
Or a smaller phone, actually what used to be a standard phone until they all started to swell from 4" to 6" screens. With less pixels to drive the performance and battery life matched or exceeded the contemporary 6s. That said there's hardly any competition and it's clearly niche so why come out with a new one on a two year cycle? It'd only tempt people to skip a generation since Apple's phones are generally supported for 4+ years. I'd guess normal fall release of big phones, smaller spring release in 2019 because 3 years is pretty substantial and 6 years is too long to wait. I do hope that one will be an iPhone X trickle-down, I hear good things about it but that price tag... too much.
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I didn't buy my SE because it was cheaper. And I don't much care for having the latest SoC or camera. I just want a somewhat current phone with a 4" screen. I had a 6 for a year before I got my SE. I hated the screen size. I love that I can use my SE comfortably with one hand. My phone has at least another year in it. Probably 2. But once mine gives up the ghost I *really* hope there's a 4" phone to fill the gap.
I think this may be the last iteration of the design pioneered by the iPhone 5S. We may see in 2019 what amounts to an "iPhone X writ small" that has a 4.7" edge-to-edge screen but is physically only a little bigger than the iPhone SE.
I think Apple would be making a huge mistake to discontinue the SE. It provides a price point that gets people into their ecosystem. And it provides a way for people who like the ecosystem, but not the glitter, to stay. Especially as the glitter grows ever more showy and less useful.
Dropping the SE size screen/phone will finally drive me to Android. I just want a phone, I don't want to have to carry my phone in my back pocket.
It's fun to look back when it was a race to see who could make the smallest phone to now where it's a race to see who can make the biggest phone.
I'm waiting for a flip phone comeback next. That will be interesting.
since Apple's phones are generally supported for 4+ years
I won't go so far as to call that a myth, just a misconception. Because that 4+ years is the time from the release of a new phone. Which they then sell and re-sell for several years. So you can buy a 'new' iPhone and have support dry up far earlier than 4+ years.
Can Kuo make up his mind.
It is just a week ago, that Kuo stated Apple would discontinue the iPhone X, because of the low/slow adoption fra markets and the low sales.
If this would be true, the coming line-up will look like classic iPhone 8s, 8s Plus and the iPhone SE2/SEs.
However all of sudden just a week after the above statement, Kuo now declares the coming line-up will be 3 new iPhone X.
iPhone X2/XS (2nd Generation iPhone X)
iPhone X Plus
iPhone X SE
I bought a brand-new iPhone SE at $150 and apple care for another $100, so I have a three year guaranteed iPhone at $250/36 moths, or about $7/mo, cheaper than most carrier warranty programs before the deductible (avg insurance cost is about $10/mo I believe).
Ken
I bought my SE for $150 at big box retailer, Apple care for $100, to replace a screen damaged iPhone 5.
Ken
Tim Cook's expertise is in the supply chain. As a result, if they're going to issue an update to the SE, then it'll be one that provides a modest boost whilst reducing the number of different components they have to build or buy. This allows them to reduce their component inventory, take advantage of further bulk discounts and continue to maintain healthy margins.
On that basis, if there is a SE 2 (and remember, Apple has a history of forgetting they have sucessful products - see Mac Mini and iPad Mini), then then it'll probably be the same design with the A10, option of 64 or 128MB capacity, 12MP f1.8 main camera, 5MP f2.2 front facing camera and the second generation of Touch ID.
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Same here. Paid $50 for a battery replacement and they did it 15 minutes. Easily worth it. I considered upgrading to SE, but really I'm holding out for an SE2. If SE is really the last iPhone in a reasonable form factor, then I'll simply dive into Android alternatives like PureOS/Librem.
Even after all this time, Android is still a joke, and I think improving it significantly is an intractable problem. It's a software ghetto and with all the big IT players, even Amazon sticking their fingers in it, it's rat king. Stay far away. iOS is getting worse and worse and I have a feeling that even though Apple is moving it to bugfix mode that it isn't going to get much better since they're working on custom CPUs with lots of secret, highly specific customizations.
It's kind of pathetic since achieving security on the software layer isn't really that difficult with the right stack. But somehow they keep fucking it up, even with hardware that is built to be secure. It's almost like some part of them is working against this goal... Not surprising really. Most people don't want to see a truly secure consumer product. With out a truly secure consumer product, what you have is a curios toy that even after decades of "mobile is the new computing paradigm," nobody really takes it seriously outside of big data malvertizing.
Unfortunately, that hasn't shown to be the case, otherwise Android developers would be making hand over fist instead of having to stick ads everywhere and siphoning all your personal data off your phone.
Cheap phone buyers simply don't buy apps. They're cheap. They just wanted something cheap to begin with, and it turns out, they're not keen on spending money (otherwise they'd have bought something better).
The iPhone SE was never designed to be the low end phone. It's designed to be a phone for those of us who prefer a modern day phone in a smaller form factor without all the dick-waving of bigger screen sizes. It's amusing to watch people try to manhandle some of the larger Android phones out there - they have to carry it in two hands and don't seem concerned they can't really use the phone while they're carrying it.Of course, I won't suggest they buy a more practical phone - for those people, screen size was the #1 reason and it's why they bought the phone.
I believe Apple will keep the SE alive - they were taken aback by how popular it was - turns out there's a market for smaller phones that are decent, so an iPhone SE 2 with iPhone 8 guts will probably be a worthwhile upgrade. The iPhone SE sold out the first day despite not being heavily promoted, or Apple even preparing for a big lineup of sales. It just went.
If I were to get a smartphone, I'd be very interested in the SE or its successor. The 5/6 is at the sweet spot of big-enough screen to be useful for "smart" features, but small-enough to be a decent portable phone. There is precisely 0 chance I'll ever buy the 8 or X.
Right now, I'd be very happy with an iPod Touch refresh. Last refresh was after a three year wait. This summer will be three years from the last one. Either a new one gets introduced, or it is discontinued and the prices drop to clear them out. Either way, I want to scoop one up.
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