How Apple can (and will) save the iPhone SE 4

One of many explanation why somebody would even take into account an iPhone SE is due to the small and compact dimension, which is one thing that the iPhone XR physique isn’t. As an alternative, if Apple have been to modernize the iPhone SE, I feel the most effective resolution could be to go along with the iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 13 mini physique as an alternative.

And although the physique of the iPhone 12/13 mini is technically smaller than the iPhone 8, because it eliminates the Residence button and bezels, you get a bigger (however nonetheless small) 5.4-inch show versus the previous 4.7-inch display. Extra content material reveals up on the show without delay, which I feel is a good tradeoff, and you’ll nonetheless use the gadget simply with one hand.

Once more, one of many causes that folks even have a look at the iPhone SE is due to how compact it’s. Personally, although my day by day driver is the iPhone 14 Professional, I hate how giant the gadget is, and I might a lot desire the smaller 5.4-inch mini dimension. Nonetheless, I like having the “professional” options just like the 48MP digicam and always-on show, so the mini was by no means within the playing cards for me (but when they make a Professional mini, I’d be all in!)

Contemplating that Apple not sells an iPhone mini, it may simply recycle it for the iPhone SE if there’s nonetheless inventory.

Rethink Contact ID on the iPhone

One more reason why folks would nonetheless have any curiosity within the iPhone SE is that it’s the one iPhone that also makes use of Contact ID. Although the overwhelming majority of individuals don’t appear to thoughts Face ID (it’s quicker and extra environment friendly), others aren’t comfy with the concept of their gadget scanning for his or her face every time it’s picked up. In spite of everything, Contact ID is a deliberate motion, whereas Face ID simply occurs robotically.

Although I consider that Apple ought to use the iPhone mini chassis, there’s an apparent difficulty with it: there isn’t a Contact ID sensor on it. Apple has moved the Contact ID sensor on non-Professional iPad fashions to the highest/facet button as an alternative, so why can’t the identical factor be finished on an iPhone?

I imply, certain, the notch on the show homes the TrueDepth entrance digicam that’s used for Face ID, however possibly that may be reconfigured to not embrace Face ID. Consider it like a tradeoff — take away the Face ID sensor and add a facet button Contact ID sensor as an alternative. However this is perhaps extra bother than it’s price, contemplating the smaller shopper marketplace for the iPhone SE as a complete.

Nonetheless, I at all times thought that Apple ought to carry Contact ID again one way or the other, making it an possibility for customers to make use of one or the opposite or each for additional safety. Whether or not that’s with an under-display sensor or within the facet button, it’s a chance, and Apple may experiment with a reimagined iPhone SE.

The iPhone SE is an efficient choice to maintain round for individuals who want it, nevertheless it’s time to rethink it. In spite of everything, the iPhone 8 physique is previous and outdated at this level, and will likely be much more so if it comes out in 2024 or 2025 — the iPhone 8 initially got here out in 2017.

The iPhone SE may nonetheless exist and be an possibility if Apple makes a number of adjustments to modernize it, bringing it nearer to what iPhones have supplied in recent times. However will Apple make any adjustments for the subsequent iPhone SE? I suppose we’ll see, at any time when it comes out, if in any respect.

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