Apple launches the compact but powerful iPhone SE

[HEXUS]

It's the same size as the iPhone 5 but with the core specs of the newest iPhone 6S.

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[DDY]

Yeah! I was hoping a big player would make a decent 4" device and I'm actually glad it's Apple, because other manufactures are likely to follow.

[deepblue08]

^ You mean like when Apple followed everyone else and started making big phones?
Good that they didn't give up on the smaller format phones though, I liked when Apple's phone were smaller.

[Ulti]

Although I'm an android user (I rock a Xiaomi phone), this is actually pretty impressive. The iPhone 6S has really good specs, especially their NVMe storage and for them to actually charge a lower price is new.

Won't stop me from buying Android though but for someone like my mum who uses Apple things this is pretty good as she's on the 5S and likes the size of it. Don't have to worry for the next gew years or so then as when that gets slow I'll just get her this and it'll last her another few years.

[DDY]

^ You mean like when Apple followed everyone else and started making big phones?
Good that they didn't give up on the smaller format phones though, I liked when Apple's phone were smaller.

Exactly, every manufacturer, including Apple moved to +4.5" because it seemed to be where the market was going. I think Apple didn't want to be left behind in the smartphone market with a smaller device and in hindsight it seems to have been a wise business decision, but a sad one because I loath large smartphones. Since, the phones at 4" or smaller from any manufacturer has been more or less entry level specification.

Now that Apple have jumped back in to the 4" zone, I'm hopeful that the market for well spec'ed 4" devices would spring back in to life.

If not, I'd buy the Apple SE, despite all the qualms I have about the Apple system.

[samuraiweasel]

hopefully it'll fit in all the iphone 5 cases too and not be a couple mm out so people have to buy new ones.

[jim]

I actually think this seems a bit daft.

One of the key things with Apple was that everyone had the same phone. 4, 4S, 5, etc.

And now, what? The 5C, the 6S, the 6S Plus, the SE? It's turning into exactly what they've always sought to avoid - the bizarre and nigh-on meaningless catalogue of random numbers and letters.

If I were running the show, I'd have made this the 6SE, released alongside the 6SE Plus or similar and unified the technology, kept it with 2 product lines running. As things stand, this is just confusing. And the iPad is becoming almost as bad from what I can gather.

[TooNice]

I tend to associate "SE" with "Special Edition" which doesn't really fit here.

That said, I am not too bothered about naming conventions (and graphic cards are much worse), and think that it is nice to have the option to have a smaller phone for those of us with smaller hands.

I'd definitely consider it if I am going back to the iPhone.

[LSG501]

I actually think this seems a bit daft.

One of the key things with Apple was that everyone had the same phone. 4, 4S, 5, etc.

And now, what? The 5C, the 6S, the 6S Plus, the SE? It's turning into exactly what they've always sought to avoid - the bizarre and nigh-on meaningless catalogue of random numbers and letters.

If I were running the show, I'd have made this the 6SE, released alongside the 6SE Plus or similar and unified the technology, kept it with 2 product lines running. As things stand, this is just confusing. And the iPad is becoming almost as bad from what I can gather.

It's what happens when a company 'runs out of ideas'. Apple hasn't really innovated for at least the last 5 years if not more.

The imac - same just thinner due to cooler running hardware inside, higher resolution screens due to improvements in panel tech... nothing to do with Apple there really
The ipad/iphone - basically the same just differnet size screens to make it look like they're 'innovating', made thinner and upgraded arm based processor (which is basically other people's work 'bolted' together to make their a# chips). They also just made their own Surface Pro and decides to do their 'pro version' with their own keyboard cover and a stylus while still limiting you to a 'consumption' os. Still can't see a reason for '3D touch' and that was a bought tech iirc.
mac pro - yes it's small but you can't actually upgrade anything outside ram and single ssd due to customised internals and sockets...
macbook - nothing of note here really other than slimmer/smaller versions due to newer hardware from intel

[Stringent]

Its funny how most people tend to think that once Apple has announced an event that it will always be groundbreaking and revolutionary. I didn't expect it for this event at all. But the upgrades are a nice thing, and we all like upgrades and nice things don't we (if we can afford them!). I like my 5S. Its still capable but stuttering and lagging a bit to the extent I notice and it annoys me. I'm not keen on the larger 6S or 6S+ so the SE is actually tempting.

Just waiting to see how much RAM it has first though.

[tumbledragon]

Wonder if this will cannibalise 6S sales like the iPad mini did to the iPad

Edit: Looking at the prices I can't see how it won't, am I overlooking something or are they charging $250 extra for a screen that's 0.7" larger!?!

[kalniel]

Wonder if this will cannibalise 6S sales like the iPad mini did to the iPad

Edit: Looking at the prices I can't see how it won't, am I overlooking something or are they charging $250 extra for a screen that's 0.7" larger!?!

And higher resolution etc.

But no - most of the market seems to want larger phones, so a small phone won't cannibalise sales.

[crossy]

One of the key things with Apple was that everyone had the same phone. 4, 4S, 5, etc.And now, what? The 5C, the 6S, the 6S Plus, the SE? It's turning into exactly what they've always sought to avoid - the bizarre and nigh-on meaningless catalogue of random numbers and letters.

I'm sure I saw something saying that the 5C was on borrowed time and that "this year's models" would see it dropped. In which case it's surely only the 6, 6+, and now the 'small edition'.

While I wouldn't buy one myself, (iOS annoys me), this looks like a pretty decent device, especially if that dollar price isn't just translated directly into a UK one. I can think of quite a few folks, like my daughter and her pals, who'd like this. 499usd (and hopefully less in the UK) for 64gb seems like good value.

[ET3D]

I hope that it sells well. Just having Apple release a smaller phone won't make other companies produce one, but if it's a success they will.

[Freebo]

Why on earth would you go back to a small 4" screen....

[crossy]

Why on earth would you go back to a small 4" screen....

I personally wouldn't, but I can think of quite a few people who've been complaining that the 5"+ sizes are either impractical for their small pockets or don't feel comfortable in the hand. If you're not watching a lot of videos or reading desktop-fitted websites then would the larger screens be a necessity? Remember that these "tiny" screens were what we used to put up with - a reminder that 2010's Galaxy S had a screen that size, and the original Moto G (launched only three years ago) was only 1/2" larger.

But, like I said at the beginning, I'm quite happy to have a larger phone. Especially if that larger phone also has a larger battery!