Analyst: Apple iPhone SE to Be Discontinued

Megalith

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I was actually entertaining the idea of getting the next iPhone SE because I miss smaller phones: the SE is one of the very few that haven’t been gimped in comparison to its larger siblings. Alas, analyst Pan Jiutang suggests that there will be no successor - Apple has no interest in making another 4-inch smartphone again.

[It] kind of makes sense when looking at where Apple seems to be going with its technology. The company seems to be making a push towards the bezel-less look. And while that may be reserved for the “anniversary” model—the iPhone 8—this year, it will inevitably make its way down to the “regular” iPhones over the next couple of years. This means that your standard, 4.7-inch iPhone will be very, very compact when its bezels are shrunken. That would, essentially, remove the need for an iPhone SE reiteration.
 
If you can get the 4.7" screen phone in basically the same form-factor as the 4" phone, why would you want the smaller screen? Not sarcastic, actually curious. I always buy up in the phone-or-tablet? section of the market for myself, so I don't get the thought process for wanting a smaller screen in a given form-factor. I understand wanting a small phone for portability and such, but this seems like a win-win. Small phone, big screen.
 
Wow. When I bought my 6S the guy behind the counter said that 34% of their phone business were SE's. I was tempted to downsize for my next phone. I always liked the SE's (4-5S) design.
 
I understand some people wanting large phones, but for those of us that mostly use them for phone calls and texting (and storing some music), having the super large screens is a bit of a waste. I'm still using my 5s because it fits easily into a front pocket.. even sitting. Spending a bunch of phone time playing games or surfing the web isn't something I'm really interested in.
 
Not that I wanted an SE, but I don't necessarily want or need a larger screen. I have a Moto X and I'd actually like something a bit smaller. The additional screen real estate doesn't matter to me since the phone is right in my hand and I can control how close/far it is from my eyes anyway. If more developers would make devices that are roughly the size of the SE, with with much less wasted bezel space I'd be 100% interested. I'm actually hoping the smaller Pixel 2 will be along those lines.
 
If you can get the 4.7" screen phone in basically the same form-factor as the 4" phone, why would you want the smaller screen? Not sarcastic, actually curious. I always buy up in the phone-or-tablet? section of the market for myself, so I don't get the thought process for wanting a smaller screen in a given form-factor. I understand wanting a small phone for portability and such, but this seems like a win-win. Small phone, big screen.
The first thing coming to mind is the edges.

Flat edges are much easier to hold than round edges, and it's become very hard to get flat edged phones these days. The only major maker remaining that still uses flat edges is Sony. SE is the only other major model I can think of.

Assuming I haven't missed any Chinese phones, as I have less than zero interest in them.
 
The only reason they are discontinuing it is because they sell it for a moderate price, apple doesn't like that.
I think you might be on to something there. I suspect many people are more interested in owning "an iPhone" (of any sort) than any specific model of iPhone. The SE is perfectly suited to the needs of most users. Since it's cheaper, and it's an iPhone, I can see a big draw for users. If jaerico is right, and 1/3 of their sales are SE models, that could mean lost sales (and margins) on the full-size phones.

If Apple discontinues it (and doesn't replace it with a newer small model), that's a big risk. I mean, you're cutting off 1/3 of your market, in hopes that they'll pony up an extra $250 for the full-size model.
 
The worse thing they cut on vastly cheaper phones with smaller screens is the storage.
My cheap shit Android does a lot, no problem, just that stupid 8gb internal memory is really the worse aspect.
The SD helps, but unless rooted and with some extra trickery its not many apps that want to live in the SD card, at least a lot of media can go there I guess.
 
I did not want a 6, waited for the SE, still have my 5 case because the SE is basically just a 5 shell with 6 hardware...

upload_2017-7-18_20-31-32.png


Still not interested in a 6 or 7, if something SE sized isn't available on the next go around, I'll do the same thing... Keep my phone longer and consider a non-iOS device again...

rip-steve-jobs.jpg


My heart still says I need a small phone... Because I don't even like carrying that shit around in my pocket, why the fuck would I want a bigger one in there?
 
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The only reason they are discontinuing it is because they sell it for a moderate price, apple doesn't like that.

WTF? No. Like everyone is missing the point of this.

The cheap iPhone, whatever they call it, is just a slightly modified (if modified at all) version of the previous generations. The 4" phones are just falling off the end of that process.
 
WTF? No. Like everyone is missing the point of this.

The cheap iPhone, whatever they call it, is just a slightly modified (if modified at all) version of the previous generations. The 4" phones are just falling off the end of that process.

I tried re-reading your post twice, still don't understand what you are trying to say.
 
I was about to buy an SE this week to replace my iPhone4 finally...but.. it is still running OK, no damage internal or external and I LOVE the small form factor. Even a SE would be a compromise. I understand many others like or love bigger screens, I don't !

I still miss the nokia ( think 622 or so it was called ) back from 1996 I think it was. It was as small as a Camel Non-filter pack of cigs and fit into my Levis Jeans Jacket's left upper pocket when riding with the Harley.


As long as this iPhone4 works I will use it. It is kinda slow for some apps but I dont use many apps anyways, I am over that Hype of installing all the things others call cool or must-have. For me "mobile" phone must not exceed a certain size to fit a pocket or it looses it's right to be called "mobile" phone.

Since my daughter broke her Huawai and needs a replacement I took some of that money and got her's, she loves big screens and doesnt insist on an Apple phone as she does not use MacOS and iCloud as I do.


I really hope they go borderless/frameless so I can have both, my small phone that STILL fits in my Levis 501 pockets and maybe has a larger screen as well, which I wouldnt mind if it is still SMALL.
 
WTF? No. Like everyone is missing the point of this.

The cheap iPhone, whatever they call it, is just a slightly modified (if modified at all) version of the previous generations. The 4" phones are just falling off the end of that process.

Uh, what? The SE was a phone with upgraded hardware remaining in the small chassis. I bought it specifically for that purpose. I don't want a large phone to carry around nor do I want to pay a premium. Killing the SE is a way for Apple to force more expensive flag ship models and simplify their production needs. Simple as that.

I upgraded from a I4 to the SE once it finally released. I will now keep my SE as long as possible to avoid a giant phone in my pocket.
 
I was seriously thinking about going with an SE sized model for my next phone. I'm at a point where a phone is mostly a phone, with very occasional e-mail use. Meanwhile I'm carrying around a 6 Plus.
 
If you can get the 4.7" screen phone in basically the same form-factor as the 4" phone, why would you want the smaller screen? Not sarcastic, actually curious. I always buy up in the phone-or-tablet? section of the market for myself, so I don't get the thought process for wanting a smaller screen in a given form-factor. I understand wanting a small phone for portability and such, but this seems like a win-win. Small phone, big screen.

Because the bigger screen phones with the bezel-less designs are much more prone to breakage?
 
Uh, what? The SE was a phone with upgraded hardware remaining in the small chassis. I bought it specifically for that purpose. I don't want a large phone to carry around nor do I want to pay a premium. Killing the SE is a way for Apple to force more expensive flag ship models and simplify their production needs. Simple as that.

I upgraded from a I4 to the SE once it finally released. I will now keep my SE as long as possible to avoid a giant phone in my pocket.
The point is that they probably make more from each SE sale than those flagship models. The externals are half a decade old and the internals are three years old. The SE was released after those flagship models well after the development costs were already lined out in their books and Apple doesn't generally release low-margin devices.
 
Well, when tasked how to get you to pay $1200 for a phone, Apple seems dead set against offering cheaper alternatives.
 
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The point is that they probably make more from each SE sale than those flagship models. The externals are half a decade old and the internals are three years old. The SE was released after those flagship models well after the development costs were already lined out in their books and Apple doesn't generally release low-margin devices.
WTF? No. Like everyone is missing the point of this.

The cheap iPhone, whatever they call it, is just a slightly modified (if modified at all) version of the previous generations. The 4" phones are just falling off the end of that process.
The iPhone SE uses the same chip as my iPhone 6s plus. The A9. What are you guys talking about?
Max that chip is what 2 years old?
 
I couldn't remember when my wife got her SE but I thought it came out with the 6 chip. Regardless, even at two years old the technology is already paid off, which was my overall point. What I'm talking about is the fact that it was an already paid for design, not that it was an outdated design, and that it probably didn't have much development cost. The fact that it has a lower price tag than the other models doesn't necessarily mean it's netting a small margin of profit.
 
I tried re-reading your post twice, still don't understand what you are trying to say.

They aren't ditching the cheaper offerings like you imply. The cheaper offerings are older devices, sometimes with a modest update to some of the chips to not cuase supply issues. They are cycling out to the next chassis for them. It'll probably just look like a 6 rather than a 5 this time. That's it.

They won't be making a 4" screen because the vast, VAST majority of people do not want them. I work with a group of about 130 people. Litterally two like the small screens and have some flavor of the 5 series.
 
The SE is one of Apple's best sellers - especially outside of the USA (based on what I've read - don't have factual data to back up my statement). Apple needs a lower cost option. You will never see a $200ish phone from them, but if they can stay in the %30-40% markup range, I don't see them leaving it.
 
If you can get the 4.7" screen phone in basically the same form-factor as the 4" phone, why would you want the smaller screen? Not sarcastic, actually curious. I always buy up in the phone-or-tablet? section of the market for myself, so I don't get the thought process for wanting a smaller screen in a given form-factor. I understand wanting a small phone for portability and such, but this seems like a win-win. Small phone, big screen.
What phone is that?
I can't find any 5" phone that is as small as a 4" iPhone.
 
Analyst...

What ever. Apple might discontinue the name but they will release a cheaper alternative months after their flagship launches. They have no reason to not cover all areas.
 
Typing this out n my SE now. I love the build quality compared to other smaller phones. First iPhone ever for me ,was on Windows phone, and I really like it. It's everything I need in a mobile and easy to pocket as well. I wouldn't mind a slightly larger iPhone but no phablets for this guy.
 
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They aren't ditching the cheaper offerings like you imply. The cheaper offerings are older devices, sometimes with a modest update to some of the chips to not cuase supply issues. They are cycling out to the next chassis for them. It'll probably just look like a 6 rather than a 5 this time. That's it.

They won't be making a 4" screen because the vast, VAST majority of people do not want them. I work with a group of about 130 people. Litterally two like the small screens and have some flavor of the 5 series.
IMO that's only halfway true. The larger phones are also more common because of the constant one-upsmanship in the industry. And most people have the larger phones because that's pretty much the only option. If you want a high-end phone with a small screen, you're pretty much limited to a single manufacturer: Sony.
 
What phone is that?
I can't find any 5" phone that is as small as a 4" iPhone.

That's sort of the point of the article? They're going to ditch the SE because the new, bezel-less designs will creep into the entry level phones and they'll have basically the same form factor with a bigger screen. Not that it's available now, but will be in the future as the high-end designs roll down the product stack.
 
I think about it this way: Apple can announce that the SE will be discontinued, however there will still be some backstock after the announcement, which might get a price drop? But then again this is Apple, so it's really hard to say what will really happen.
I'm also referencing all the "leaks" about what the iPhone 8 will be... those are just speculation. I learned long ago (when it comes to Apple) to wait and see what their actual offering is vs. what this source said, what that source said, etc. In other words, straight from the horses' mouth.
 
Why are people treating an analyst's guess like it's an absolute fact? Some analysts draw on supply chain sources, but it doesn't sound like that's the case here.

Besides, as was suggested, just because there wouldn't be a 4-inch phone doesn't mean there would be no small phone. You could have an SE-sized model with, say, a 4.5-inch screen. It might look a bit funny to have a small phone that's nothing but screen, but it'd be a definite upgrade.
 
I did not want a 6, waited for the SE, still have my 5 case because the SE is basically just a 5 shell with 6 hardware...

View attachment 30964

Still not interested in a 6 or 7, if something SE sized isn't available on the next go around, I'll do the same thing... Keep my phone longer and consider a non-iOS device again...

rip-steve-jobs.jpg


My heart still says I need a small phone... Because I don't even like carrying that shit around in my pocket, why the fuck would I want a bigger one in there?
Am I the only one whose arm muscles tense.. juuuust a bit at this picture of 'Jobs'
 
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