Hot take: Apple iPhone SE (2020)

22 April 2020
Some musings on Apple's entry into affordable flagships.

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Kriegsherr, 23 Apr 2020yeah SoC wont matter now but after a year or two when the n... moreThe so called "fast" cpu and tiny battery are slowed down on purpose by updates (Apple paying fines for this malpractice). Thereby forcing you to upgrade.
Besides the chipset is handicapped by iOS itself and that tiny screen doesn't help either.

    Anonymous, 23 Apr 2020so u are giant right ? its not for u but for people prefer ... moreIf I am a giant, then by that logic, most people in the world who are comfortable operating 6.5 inch screen size average in 2020 are also Giants.
    Some ppl hate big screen, they have small hands. Exactly my point "some" indicating minority. This is why, I called it a niche device.

    Most ppl are comfortable handling 6.5 inches phones since phone dimensions have remained same, only screen size has increased. They are not sacrificing big screen real estate for this tiny ass low resolution display.

      Anonymous, 23 Apr 2020What would a successor to the iPhone 9 have been called? Th... moreIPhone SU (SUb-par) Edition

        Adoogle, 23 Apr 2020I was on Zoom the other day, catching up with my mates, and... moreYou are complaining about Google spying in every comment section yet using zoom. Good luck with privacy.
        Amateurs like you need to educated themselves on how to prevent spying on Android.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • r6d
          • 23 Apr 2020

          StuiWooi, 23 Apr 2020Oh and, forgot to mention the most obvious random thought, ... moreWhat would a successor to the iPhone 9 have been called? The iPhone 10 name is already taken. They would have eventually had to go back to the SE name or come up with a new one, which they probably weren’t able to do

            • K
            • Kmin
            • 0@y
            • 23 Apr 2020

            Love the random thoughts posts - they're a great read!

              • J
              • Jimbob
              • pKU
              • 23 Apr 2020

              Why are tiny phones no longer made? My hand stayed the same size but phones got bigger and more annoying to use. Sometimes you just want to tap something at the top of the screen without having to juggle around

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • YH3
                • 23 Apr 2020

                Can people please shut up about bezels? Seriously, many of us don't care and it's intrinsic to this design. You need space for the home button and the camera.

                The whole bezel thing sounds like too many tech journalists can't tell the difference between marketing hype and things that really matter. The bezels on this phone are a feature, not a bug.

                  Kriegsherr, 23 Apr 2020In fact not that much if you compare. IN us price of $400 p... moreNot really. Even without VAT, the price in the EU is significantly higher, you can reasearch it for yourself if you don't believe it. Not to mention the currency exchange rate.

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                    • Dev
                    • v$B
                    • 23 Apr 2020

                    Anonymous, 23 Apr 2020I am looking to get a review of this phone, and noticing in... moreYou should defiantly consider it . I used iphone 6 ( from 2016-2019) & very much exited about se 2020 . one thing I would like to reminder the android user that iphone 6 has 1GB of RAM & runs quite smoothly that time (even some of them are still using it ) , now not a single android phones runs on 1 GB RAM quite smothly as iphone 6. The great thing about it`s processor & yes we are paying for the processor. Apple ecosystem , OS is brilliant . one also got update for atleast 4 years. yes there are few things that not upto the mark but for 399$ that fine . one can buy from USA market that make phone more affordable .

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                      • Anonymous
                      • i5R
                      • 23 Apr 2020

                      I am looking to get a review of this phone, and noticing in comments so many people almost angry (?) at this phone, and people looking to buy it.
                      I am considering one, after using galaxy plus /note models I have moved to smaller screen because 1. they are much more comfortable 2. I deliberately want to reduce amount of screen time I spend on my smartphone.
                      This model seems, will have a good camera, speakers , ok battery (for my intended use), screen and potentially many years of use with a good chipset. Memory/price options seem reasonable. And wireless charging , water resistance are good adds at this price.
                      Some people, I am surprised , talk about brand premium/value. Many people including myself do not care what others think of phones we use. But having used Apple , Samsung and others I have noticed iphones tend to last longer, stay in better shape. My sisters iphone 6 , used by mother still looks and works fine.
                      Many mention Chinese phone here, but I just would not consider buying one, and also see flagship models from Huawei, Oneplus almost as expensive as others. Having headphone jack of Samsung S series played a role in my buying those before, but no longer the case with newer versions.
                      Also that Apple has stores everywhere, and lot available high quality cases-with this all old versions seem to be compatible-is important for many.
                      Most importantly the price is good. In my country for the price of an Apple -or other brand flagship- you can buy this phone+an Applewatch /or Ipad + airpods pro.-it is a lot of tech.
                      At the very least this phone will put pressure on others to bring more desirable/cheaper phones to market, which is good for the consumer..

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                        • Anonymous
                        • 83F
                        • 23 Apr 2020

                        You mention in the article that there are good reasons not to make small phones again. I'd very much like to hear what those reasons are.

                          • J
                          • Jaan
                          • n4U
                          • 23 Apr 2020

                          In Estonia prices are 64GB 490 EUR, 128 GB 540 EUR, 256 GB 660 EUR

                            Oh and, forgot to mention the most obvious random thought, it should've been called the iPhone 9, a new SE would've been better saved for a budget version of the coming design refresh (assuming leaks are accurate).

                              • S
                              • StuiWooi
                              • n37
                              • 23 Apr 2020

                              You touch on both Europe price competition and budget Pixel's camera prowess, but not the latter's value proposition; here in the UK at least, last I looked, the 3a was £299 and I was a bit shocked to see SE2020 listed for £419 - a numerical figure *higher* than the US, when I had still not accepted them being on par (oh how sterling has fallen).

                              About the only thing I'd give Apple's phone over Google's is the processor but I can't imagine who among the target audience (the masses) that would be a selling point for... I know the iPhone will sell like hotcakes though so interested to see what it acts as "inspiration" for in the coming years.

                                Anonymous, 23 Apr 2020It's very expensive in europe In fact not that much if you compare. IN us price of $400 plus state tax has to be paid. In Europe people pay more tax that's why it's a little expensive. i think in Europe you are paying maybe just 30/40 euro more in the end.

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                                  • Anonymous
                                  • 3iK
                                  • 23 Apr 2020

                                  It's very expensive in europe

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                                    • Rakesh
                                    • pRD
                                    • 23 Apr 2020

                                    Anonymous, 22 Apr 2020Nope it is the same one inside iphone8Certified expert opinion without even sniffing the box.

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                                      • Anonymous
                                      • U}}
                                      • 23 Apr 2020

                                      Whackcar, 23 Apr 2020I just saw this thread, and it makes it even clearer that t... moreDid you realize that that price is for chinese market and $400 iPhone SE is the actual US price right? Or were you blinded by your hatred for not seeing that?

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                                        • weight
                                        • m53
                                        • 23 Apr 2020

                                        Smaller size and weight is one of the reasons why people will be upgrading. Not everyone wants to carry a brick