I purchased an XS rather than a XR precisely because of it’s smaller size. I would probably only go smaller than this though if it was also cheaper. Those two things intersect quite a bit, I suspect.
As a long term SEII holdout, I’ve come to the conclusion that the demands of the modern OS requires a larger battery than the current form factor can provide.
This rumor says exactly that is going to happen. According to Mig-Chi Kuo, Apple has chosen low cost (8 remake) instead of small (SE with edge-to-edge display and modern internals).
That’s still a pretty big unit.
Interesting how he feels it will be the best upgrade choice for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users, but doesn’t mention the current SE users.
I have a hard time believing they can’t do a reasonably priced smaller form factor phone.
Diane
What I don’t get about all that is why this requires a new product. Apple is right now selling the iPhone 8 for $449 for those who simply want an inexpensive iPhone.
If Apple could sell this rumored device for less than that but with modern internals, what’s stopping them from just dropping the 8’s price right now? If this rumor comes to fruition I therefore assume it’s primarily because Apple needs to move the entire platform to something post-A11 for whatever reason (AR, iOS 14, etc.). There is simply no way this new device could be cheaper to manufacture than what Apple is paying to assemble the 8 right now.
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I’m pretty certain if they’d simply take the SE and add more modern internals to it, battery life wouldn’t be great, despite its small LCD. Also, for all we know the 8 case could be quite a bit cheaper to produce than the SE case.
My best guess at this point is that a really good device with modern internals and SE form factor would simply not be inexpensive. I also assume that Apple believes the segment of people who want small yet powerful and hence would be willing to pay big bucks for it is just too small to care about.
Do you really think the phones are that expensive to make? I always go the impression there’s a lot of profit in each unit.
Diane
I mean expensive in a relative sense. Apple has a certain margin they’re targeting.
Do you really think the phones are that expensive to make? I always go the impression there’s a lot of profit in each unit.
Manufacturers consider volume sales as well as profit per unit, And it looks like there’s good news about iPhone 11 sales:
Apple raises production of iPhone 11 models by about 10%: Nikki:
The SE2 rumors are getting more specific. In Q1 of 2020 we’ll see $399 for a 64GB A13 in an iPhone 8-like enclosure.
I feel like the top comment over there summed it up pretty much for me.
If I wanted an iPhone 8 shaped phone I could go buy one right now.
…
The small form factor is the key
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if they sold a ton of those at that price.
That’s a great price! But 8 does not equal small.
Diane
Enclosure means the case. The 8 models have an all glass cases. My 8+ and its predecessor, a 4s, are all glass as well. I think they are just as rugged and scratch resistant as any other iPhone. My guess is that the glass might keep the price down.
It sure doesn’t. :(
I gave up my 6 for an SE half a year ago and would definitely not want to go back to that form factor.
I had my SE swiped in Charles de Gaulle airport and forced a new purchase… and I jumped to the 11 Pro. The camera(s) did it for me. Still getting used to the form factor and the weight, glass is heavy, but can see myself getting used to it.
The 8+ is not small. But I think there’s a decent chance that since they’ll be buying big sheets of glass, they’ll be cutting smaller forms to keep the price range down. My guess is that it won’t be the exact size of the SE, but it will be significantly smaller.
… than an 8, I’m guessing you meant? 
8+ and 8 models are still available in the Apple Stores and elsewhere, so I doubt they’ll want to cannibalize their sales until they die. I think the new model will be a little bigger than the SE.
Latest rumors (Barclays) say production start is Feb, release expected “around March”. They too believe it will essentially be an iPhone 8 with iPhone 11 internals. Not a small phone, just an inexpensive one.
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Nothing really new, just speculation that the new low-cost iPhone (i.e. the A13 version of the 8, not an SE-sized device) could be called iPhone 9. I don’t really care what they call it, but if this is what it takes to get sites to stop calling this device “SE2” I’m all for it. 
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Rumors are today that Apple is nearing the launch of a new iPhone SE.