After ending the iPhone mini models, Apple may discontinue the iPhone SE series, the most “entry” model of its smartphones. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is also considering postponing the iPhone SE line. The reason is that their most affordable models are “flopping”, as generation Z says.
The iPhone SE 3 (2022), launched in January, was designed to be Apple’s cheapest 5G smartphone – also influenced by pressure from US telephone companies for the product. However, like the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 14 Plus, the public was not pleased with an SE whose main feature is having 5G in the design of the iPhone 8 (and a camera).
According to Kuo, another problem for the next iPhone SE is the format change. Even before the iPhone SE 2022 was introduced, it was speculated that Apple would adopt the design of the iPhone XR, the first with a full screen and rectangular notch.
But this increases the cost of producing an iPhone planned to be the “entry” line of the brand. Consequently, the SE 4 — scheduled for 2024 if not postponed — would end up repeating the problem of the iPhone SE 3: a smartphone with hardware cuts and a price that is not worth it.
The analyst also claims that the low demand for the SE 2022 is leading Apple to review the product’s positioning. And let’s face it: BRL 4,299 for a cell phone with 5G, 64 GB of storage and a 4.7-inch screen is ridiculous.
If the person wants an iPhone, the iPhone 12 model has 64 GB of storage, 5G and a 6.1-inch screen for R$ 5,699. Even so, using Brazil as an example, it is more likely that the consumer will buy an iPhone 13 in installments “as far as the eye can see”.
Just like the “cheap” iPhone, iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 14 Plus are also selling little – the 14 Plus even has the “advantage” of the 6.7-inch screen, but it is a more expensive “basic” iPhone 14. The mini line has already been discontinued, while the Plus version seems to have arrived at the wrong time🇧🇷
If Apple is going to “take time” to review the positioning of its products, it’s good that it evaluates that it won’t even be missed that much. Having 5G will be the standard of any branded smartphone from now on. If the consumer wants a good and cheap iPhone, just buy a model from previous generations. Even because Apple didn’t bring anything very “WOW!” in the past two years. But of course, the iPhone SE still caters to the public that likes small screens🇧🇷
https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/2022/12/21/iphone-se-4-corre-serio-risco-de-ser-cancelado-pela-apple/