The iPhone 9, or SE 2: Here’s how Apple can make it successful

id=”article-body” class=”row” section=”article-body”> The iPhone SE from 2016 was Apple’s first budget phone and a new version of it called the iPhone 9 or iPhone SE 2 might be coming out this spring. The timing couldn’t come any sooner, since rumors of an iPhone SE 2 have been percolating for a couple of years. That’s because back when the original iPhone SE was announced, it was a huge surprise. It came out six months after the launch of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus with similar specs, but had the call-back looks of the beautifully blocky iPhone 5S. When the iPhone SE went on sale, Apple had trouble keeping up with the demand.

For the past year, people have hoped for a similar device and rumors are all over the place. One has it that the phone will have Face ID, and one says it won’t. There is a rumor that it’ll have a 4.7-inch screen, while another points to it having a 5.4-inch screen. Some rumors call it an iPhone SE 2 and yet others suggest it’ll be the iPhone 9, filling in the number Apple skipped going from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone X.

The biggest rumor is that the new phone will have an iPhone 8 body, with the iPhone 11’s A13 processor and RAM. For a deeper dive on all the rumors, check out CNET’s iPhone 9 (or iPhone SE 2) rumor roundup.

In order for the iPhone 9 to be a success it needs to recapture some of that original iPhone SE mojo. With the iPhone XR and 11, Apple proved it can create phones packed with value. And yet with Apple’s focus on services like Apple Arcade and Apple TV Plus, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for a budget iPhone, whether it’s called an iPhone 9 or iPhone SE 2.

This is not the iPhone 9 or iPhone SE 2. Instead, it’s the iPhone 8. A rumor states that Apple might use the iPhone 8’s body and put the processor and RAM from the iPhone 11 inside.

Sarah Tew/CNET The success of the iPhone SE

Let’s go back to 2016 and revisit why the iPhone SE was such a hit. The iPhone SE cost $399, the lowest price for any “new” iPhone. Even four years ago that was still cheap for Apple, considering the new iPhone 6S started at $649.

While the “SE” most certainly stood for “special edition” for many it meant “small edition.” A year before, Apple released the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, 우리카지노주소 and at the time they were the largest iPhones ever. In comparison, the iPhone SE was absolutely tiny, 우리카지노주소 and small phone lovers became enamored instantly.

Perhaps the biggest reason behind the iPhone SE’s success, however, were the smart compromises Apple made. Like the 6 and 6S, the iPhone SE didn’t have optical image stabilization. It also lacked 3D touch as well. But given this, you still didn’t feel like you were getting a phone with “last year’s technology” or one that was two years old. The SE could run iOS 9, the same as the more expensive 6S and 6S Plus, and take similar photos. And yet, 우리카지노주소 people were willing to sacrifice on a few features in order to get a phone with a small familiar form and low price.

The iPhone SE used the body of the iPhone 5S and added the processor and camera from the iPhone 6S.

Sarah Tew/CNET In order for a new iPhone SE to be as appealing to customers as when the first one launched, Apple needs an attractive price, a small size and 우리카지노주소 smart compromises. That means the iPhone 9 needs to be under that same $399 price. I realize that flagship phone prices have increased since 2016, but during that same time budget phones have come out that can be had for less than $300 or even less than $200.

The new budget iPhone needs to be smaller than the current iPhone 11 family, so a screen that’s 4.7 inches, like on the iPhone 8 or even 5.4 inches (as rumored) would still be smaller than the 5.8-inch screen on the 11 Pro, which is the smallest iPhone currently available. For reference, the original iPhone SE had a 4-inch display.

Apple also needs to make smart compromises. For example, adding an A13 processor would be wise, and I’d be willing to live with a $399 iPhone if it only had one rear camera instead of the two found on the 11 or three on the back of the 11 Pro.