According to the Telegraph, a UK newspaper, Apple will shortly launch the iPhone 5se on Friday 18th March.
It is actually a story about a rumour and the original article is on the 9To5Mac site.
The iPhone 5se is said to have updated internals and a 4in screen.
It makes me wonder why Apple would do this. A large number of iPhone sales come from existing iPhone fans who upgrade to the newest, best and biggest version. Millions of people have bought the iPhone 6, 6S and 6S Plus. It is hard to imagine queues of people at the Apple store on launch day to swap their phones for a 4in 5se.
The most common reason put forward is that it is to tempt users of older iPhones to upgrade. Some users have stuck with the 5 and 5S because they like the small screen. Are there really that many and would they really stick with a 4in model when they can upgrade to the 6s?
Some people will of course, but it is hard to imagine this phone selling in large enough numbers to make it worthwhile producing. Internally it could match the specifications of the 6 or 6S with a 4in screen, but I see it being a minor model in the range with limited sales.
I may be wrong and I have been before, but can you see people queueing up for this on launch day?
Comments
It needs to broaden its range of phones and an iPhone 5se with a 4in screen makes perfect sense. It broadens the range and widens the appeal. Apple will have three phone ranges with 4in, 4.7in and 5.5in screens.
I agree that a 4in iPhone 5se won't sell in huge numbers and people aren't going to downgrade from their 6S Plus, but it addresses a different sector of the market.
For me though, a 5in screen is the sweet spot and it is not too big and not too small. I can't find an Apple phone that's just right.